SUPERAnimal

I am planning on using MS for my 2001 base model miata. I want to use it as a standalone ecu however i have never done this before and i am curious if it will work right that way. Will it screw with my a/c and what about vvt?
I know i wont be able to control vvt and i could really care less about it, but will it screw things up not to run the stock ecu and ms in parallel.
I have been reading alot and am close to ordering a ms2 kit from diyautotune, so any help you can give would be welcome.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

Nothing wrong with running parallel. That's how I'd do it if I was doin an MS.

Remember also that the stock ECU controls the alternator.

Aussie Driver

At the moment your MSII won't be able to control the spark either.

SUPERAnimal

Is that because of the coil on plug of my 2001? I would prefer not to wire in parallel as ive heard it can be a hassle. I like the simplicity of a standalone.

Aussie Driver

Nah, it's because they are only in the development and testing phase of MS2 Extra and it is only the "Extra" version of the software that will accept a 2nd wheel decoder for the tach input. (You can probably guess that your car has a crank angle sensor which is a type of 2nd wheel decoder).

So basically your options are to:
a) Get a MSI instead of an MSII for a documented install procedure.
b) Get the MSII and be a pioneer in doing the install and the testing of the new code (MS2 Extra) with the factory ignition
c) Or Get the MSII and change your ignition system to a Ford EDIS system
d) Or just wait a little while longer and get your MSII once the MS2 Extra has been at least beta released and run with your factory ignition.

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

Standalone will not be simple. MS2 will not control spark because the software/firmware has not been written for MS2 to control it yet, atleast not on miatas. Expect that to come along with a year though. MS2 will have the capability to control your alternator, A/C and all that MS1 cannot.
A parallel install will allow your stock ECU to take care of of your alternator, fan's and all that without problems. Whereas running a full standalone setup will give you nothing but problems.
If it was easy or even possible to go full standalone with MS right now, people would be doing it and Kingofl337 would not be going through all the trouble of marketing parallel installs.
Your best decision if you want to run fuel and spark will be to get a MSI V3.0 board, which is fully upgradale to MSII whenever you want for like $80.

SUPERAnimal

hmm...thinking...thinking...

Reverant

iTrader: (10)

I have a 2002 and I use the MS1 controlling both fuel and spark. Stick with the MS1 for now, the MS2/extra is just beginning to add new (and untested may I add) features, too soon to be a test rat me thinks.