MEGAsquirt A place to collectively sort out this megasquirt gizmo

Mounting the MS in a 1.6L (passenger footwell)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-26-2009, 11:50 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
ctxspy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 428
Total Cats: 0
Default Mounting the MS in a 1.6L (passenger footwell)

Hey, I'm back again with more questions

I have a 1991 NA where the ECU is mounted in the passenger footwell. I've been testing / tuning with the car partially disassembled so mounting the MS hasn't really been a concern up til now, as I'm trying to get it all put together before I go get the car inspected.

So -- my issue is that the parallel harness i have is kinda short and i can't really find a GOOD way to mount the ECU.. Even if i'm able to get the MS in there next to the stock ecu in a flat way, will it fit under the panel? will it rattle in there?

Tips appreciated as always!

-Tomaj
ctxspy is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 01:50 AM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (51)
 
gospeed81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 7,257
Total Cats: 26
Default

Not sure if this helps as mine is standalone, but I did this:

Name:  MSglovebox.jpg
Views: 119
Size:  17.3 KB

just *barely fits with room to hook up serial cable
gospeed81 is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 03:11 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Mimime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 523
Total Cats: 0
Default

Mine is piggyback onto the stock ECU with double sided tape, its taped on the upper half of the ECU. It will fit underneath without touching the factory metal shield.
Mimime is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 07:52 AM
  #4  
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
 
Joe Perez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,026
Total Cats: 6,592
Default

Ah, the joys of a parallel install.

Joe Perez is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 08:35 AM
  #5  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

I want to do an anti-vibration mount for mine. I have a pinched wire somewhere too, if the passenger put pressure on the floor, the car bogs and backfires. :(
hustler is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 08:56 AM
  #6  
Elite Member
iTrader: (51)
 
gospeed81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 7,257
Total Cats: 26
Default

Originally Posted by hustler
I want to do an anti-vibration mount for mine. I have a pinched wire somewhere too, if the passenger put pressure on the floor, the car bogs and backfires. :(
As awesome as you car is, this makes me want to hit you...but it happens to us all.

Wednesday my MS kept resetting, and I assumed either my grounds or power wire connection were dying, since I SUCK at soldering. It would only do it while accelerating, and the worst in first. It eventually got so bad I couldn't keep up with traffic.

I pushed the car behind a business, checked ground, re-did power where I spliced in LC-1 with a butt connector...no dice.

Looked around in desperation, and saw my unplugged TPS connector dangling down by the alternator...I think DUMBSHIT was the word that first flew out of my mouth. Let's just say there is more than one zip tie there now.
gospeed81 is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 09:11 AM
  #7  
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Braineack's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,493
Total Cats: 4,080
Default

With ABS it was creatively stuffed under the aluminum cover, without ABS, it sits just next to the stock ecu.
Braineack is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 09:19 AM
  #8  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

Originally Posted by gospeed81
As awesome as you car is, this makes me want to hit you...but it happens to us all.
That would be the last time you ever hit anyone. I mow down ------s like you daily like I'm mowing the lawn.

Its a new problem from the last time I worked on it...now I have to wait to send it off to DIY it justify working on it again. How many threads have I made about "how do I fix this and that?" Not bad for a car which just recieved so much custom work.
hustler is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 09:40 AM
  #9  
Elite Member
iTrader: (51)
 
gospeed81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 7,257
Total Cats: 26
Default

Originally Posted by hustler
That would be the last time you ever hit anyone. I mow down ------s like you daily like I'm mowing the lawn.

Its a new problem from the last time I worked on it...now I have to wait to send it off to DIY it justify working on it again. How many threads have I made about "how do I fix this and that?" Not bad for a car which just recieved so much custom work.
If I weren't in the gym right ******* now finishing up ripping on my biceps I would jump through this iPhone and **** your face up. I'm going to finish my workout though, because the last guy that made me miss a set was identified using dental records.


You're right, you have very few problems for how "out there" your setup is.



OP: I only posted my location because I love being able to connect the serial cable from the driver's seat for tuning. I carry my laptop everywhere for school, and I've got it set up now so that I just zip open laptop case, open laptop, open glovebox and connect cables while computer comes out of hibernation, and am datalogging in under a minute.

It takes some cutting on the back of the glovebox, but you will see the angle and such is the only way to get the controller and the harness/MAP line in without breaking any visible plastic. There is just enough room over the mounting bar for the glove box for these to move, and just enough room to stuff them to left of HVAC blower behind glove box.

I should have done a write-up on it but I didn't have a decent camera. It will become evident where to drill the holes as you put the controller in there. I also used nylon washers to cut vibration.

Oh yeah, you will need to cut a 1/4" triangle piece out of the dash lip to the left of the glovebox latch to clear corner of MS casing. This one ugly part is covered by the box lid when closed.
gospeed81 is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 10:36 AM
  #10  
!!! NOT CONFIRMED !!!
 
LostSoulMiata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: North Port, FL
Posts: 52
Total Cats: 0
Default

The one in the '92 I got was mounted to the dash on the passenger side. I plan on relocating it eventually to the trans tunnel when I pull the dash again.
LostSoulMiata is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 11:35 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
jbresee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 428
Total Cats: 1
Default

Love the wheel cover.

"Ribbed for his pleasure!"
jbresee is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 11:49 AM
  #12  
Elite Member
iTrader: (51)
 
gospeed81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 7,257
Total Cats: 26
Default

Originally Posted by jbresee
Love the wheel cover.

"Ribbed for his pleasure!"
Oh! I didn't even see it...blended right in with the camo and all.
gospeed81 is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 01:21 PM
  #13  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

I like how you have the grippy part of the wheel cover on top, at 12-o'clock so you can drive like a ------, urban-douchebag, virgin poseur. Pimp that ****, badass ************. I bet you listen to Puffy in that **** too. The hell with the price, the money ain't a thang.
hustler is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 01:56 PM
  #14  
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
wayne_curr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 4
Default

Man i'm still trying to figure out my mounting solution as well. I like to be able to see when my warmup light goes off but i'm pretty sure if I start paying attention to where it turns off with the gauge, i'll be fine.

Right now I have mine floating around on the floor board temporarily. One plus side to this is that I can unplug the MS and take it with me when I get a funny feeling about where i'm parking.

Most likely I will end up mounting mine Joe style.
wayne_curr is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 02:09 PM
  #15  
Elite Member
iTrader: (30)
 
levnubhin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Va Beach
Posts: 7,329
Total Cats: 12
Default

Under the glove box.

Name:  Cameramount.jpg
Views: 136
Size:  69.3 KB
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
levnubhin is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 02:51 PM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
GT3man2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: GJ, CO
Posts: 222
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by gospeed81
Not sure if this helps as mine is standalone, but I did this:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...MSglovebox.jpg

just *barely fits with room to hook up serial cable
Exactly how I did mine:

GT3man2001 is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 07:08 PM
  #17  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
ctxspy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 428
Total Cats: 0
Default

i kinda like the glovebox idea for easy access -- does anyone sell DB37 extension cables, and is there any downside to using one?

-Tomaj
ctxspy is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 07:12 PM
  #18  
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
wayne_curr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 4
Default

Originally Posted by ctxspy
i kinda like the glovebox idea for easy access -- does anyone sell DB37 extension cables, and is there any downside to using one?

-Tomaj
I think if they exist you could use one without any problems. Just make sure it is a straight through cable and not a crossover (if they make db37 crossovers)
wayne_curr is offline  
Old 03-27-2009, 07:30 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
ctxspy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 428
Total Cats: 0
Default

Here's one:

Cables To Go - 6ft DB37 M/F Extension Cable

Odds are you won't find one in any local shop, not a lot of demand for that item

-Tomaj
ctxspy is offline  
Old 03-28-2009, 12:39 AM
  #20  
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
 
Joe Perez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,026
Total Cats: 6,592
Default

Careful of store-bought DB37 cables. As they're intended for computer use, they tend to be made of really thin wire- like 28-30ga. This is completely inadequate for high-current circuits like the injector drivers. If you gotta have an extension, build your own.
Joe Perez is offline  


Quick Reply: Mounting the MS in a 1.6L (passenger footwell)



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:21 AM.