Daily driver w/ MS3PNP a reasonable expectation?
 

Hi,

I picked up a MS3 PnP setup with a turbo kit as a winter project and I am getting ready to start diving in (just waiting on the new clutch to arrive) and I wanted to check in to see if I need to know about any gotchas before I dive in.

Can I retain all the ancillary systems by going to MS? Specifically, HVAC & airbags. I like having A/C so really I want to keep that. I don't have cruise control so I don't care about that.

I don't think there are any issues with loosing the daily driver stuff but I wanted to check. I realize that I cannot pass OBDII readiness anymore however I don't have emissions where I live so that's not a big deal either.

Thanks,

Chris

The car btw is a 99 NB1 and I am going to be sticking a MKTurbo setup in there if all goes well.

yes.

Airbags (and a bunch of other systems, ABS if you have it, lights, etc) are not controlled by MS3. There is no reason that you can't retain an OEM level of civility with the MS3. Just up to you to spend the time to get it setup properly (or retain a hired gun).

I don't have ABS so that's another thing I can cross off the list.

For the airbags, I had read threads like this one, https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquir...install-16117/ and it was indicating that MS would impact the airbags. It sounds like the solution they were proposing was to basically just disable them if I read what Trent proposed correctly. Unplugging the harnesses seems like it will just disable them which is not what I'm looking to do. I'd much prefer to have working airbags.

I was reading up on the A/C stuff from the https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquir...t-c-faq-20954/ thread but since it was listed as untested I figured best to ask.

I remember years ago working w/ another standalone setup, you needed to retain the OEM ECU for ancillary stuff then use the standalone for all the engine stuff. Doesn't sound like guys really do that for the Miata though. Probably for the best though. Doing that was a real pain because I had to make an over-complicated wiring harness to pull it off.

ALL OEM systems stay working as they were with a stock ecu when you install the ms3.

airbags no effected
ac/heat not effected.
ABS not effected

nothing is effected.

No extra wiring is needed for the accessories to function, its all plug and play.

Install MS3, and as long as it is tuned properly to start well, idle well, run well. and compensate for the added accessories such as when you turn on the AC or Headlights, or the radiator fan kicks on. The car will feel and drive like stock.

lol, that sounds too easy. I'm used to the old Hondata & Crome days where none of that crap works after you go that path. Awesome news though. Thank you.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f7e6b31e67.jpg

LOL. Thanks for the laugh. Anyway, just remember, the drivability is only going to be as good as your tune!

So true. Yeah the tune makes all the difference in the world. And not getting stuck on my way to work is nice too.

My '91 is N/A and almost stock drivetrain wise so this could be a different story. Having jumped into tuning head first, I'm pretty proud of the fact that if anyone jumped in my car for a drive, they'd think it's still running on the factory ECU. The only difference is it now has a little more low-end grunt coming from the boat anchor 1.6. Daily-driver-ablility is mainly up to your tune and how much work/research you put into it.

You can totally daily on MS3 PNP. My Miata hasn't been a daily driver for years, but at times I use it as primary vehicle for weeks at a time. Would not hesitate to strap my kid in and take extended road trip.

As others have started to point out - how your car behaves will depend more on your tune and the overall quality of your build. The ECU hardware itself is solid. It takes some tuning to get A/C and idle right, but with some time it will be stable. Make sure you order a wideband with your ECU, it is a must.

Ok cool. Yeah I have a wideband that I picked up with it along with a few other goodies to give myself a decent project for the winter months. Doing a bushing refresh and a timing belt job on the car currently. Then the next project is going to be a clutch and F/I. Figured I'll just burn up the clutch immediately anyway since it's just a stocker.

I wanted to ask the question up front w/ the airbags & a/c b/c I just remember having a heck of a time with that years back on Hondas but things seem to have come a long way. The fact that I can plug & play a standalone now is new for me.