MS-II 3.0 vs MS-II 3.57
 

Are there any differences in these boards besides surface mount components and proto area? I think I want to give MSII a shot, but I don't feel like building this one. So I figure if I am gonna let DIY do it, why not get the fancy surface mount one.

Any downsides?

Hopefully I will be able to collect enough data through the threads to get it working nicely on my 01 =D.

No, you're pretty much nailed it. The schematics are very similar, though there are a couple of minor schematic differences. For instance, you have to remove Q16 in order to use pin36 for the SparkA output as is usually done. There's a complete list of the differences between 3.0 and 3.57 here: http://www.megamanual.com/357/

A thought- understanding that you don't want to assemble the whole board yourself, why not purchase a pre-assembled 3.0 board from DIY? The assembled 3.0 MS2 is actually a few dollars cheaper than the 3.57 MS2, at $399 vs. $405. This way you get to keep the proto area, not have to deal with SMC in the future, and have the exact same board as most of the rest of us.

I figured the SMB would be a better choice for a few dollars more due to it looking nicer and such (and possibly an electrical advantage that I don't know of).

If it's that much easier to do the mods with the 3.0, then I would choose that one. And probably build it myself heh.

Another advantage to the V3.57 would be that is already has an up-graded Fidle circuit that will drive most PWM idle valves with out the need to go to a TIP122.

Other than that, I would say that the v3.0 is a little more DIY friendly than the v3.57.

No major electrical "advantage" one way or the other. The 3.57 does use a dual MOSFET IC for the FP and IAC drivers, which allowed them to reduce the parts count somewhat and in theory should allow you to drive a PWM IAC valve directly (no need for the Purple Box mod). Still, I'd have a strong preference towards the 3.0 board on account of the proto area.

edit Justin beat me to it. :)

Justin, apparently. :)

So I guess I'll just save the $150 dollars or so and get the 3.0.

I'll need to rig up an EBC and any other NB mods w/ II, so I figure DIY friendlyness is a must.

Dammitall, today just isn't my day for reading and comprehending...

Yeah, I think you'll find the proto area most helpful as you start to tinker with the more advanced features. It does tend to get small in a hurry as you start piling things in, so I'd suggest taking measures to conserve space. Place all resistors upright, for example, so they only occupy two holes' worth of real estate.

So right now I'm looking at:

MegaSquirt-II Programmable EFI System PCB3.0 - UnAssembled Kit
PCBv3 and v2.2 -- Pullup Resistors 'ModKit'
MegaSquirt Wiring Bundle - 23" Long

Anything else you would recommend buying from DIY?

Time for another sticky like Brain's with how to build the MSII :).

Depends largely on your plans. For a "nominal" build, I'd grab the following in addition to what you listed:

1- JimStim with power supply
2- A pair of relay driver modkits
3- Another pullup kit or two (they're cheap & useful)
4- GM IAT sensor (open-element) w/ pigtail & bung
5- The SM-WireBund bundle-o-wires (good for harness-building)
6- PWMIAC modkit (I guess this one negates the cost difference between 3.00 and 3.57)
7- EBC Modkit, if you plan to play with it.

1- JimStim with power supply
2- A pair of relay driver modkits
3- Another pullup kit or two (they're cheap & useful)
4- GM IAT sensor (open-element) w/ pigtail & bung
5- The SM-WireBund bundle-o-wires (good for harness-building)
6- PWMIAC modkit (I guess this one negates the cost difference between 3.00 and 3.57)
7- EBC Modkit, if you plan to play with it.

Will add the modkits and pwmiac, I'll take my chances with the stim. Already got IAT, No bundle (Boomslang), and EBC.

Just wondering, with the 3.57, if you need something on the proto area, where does it go? I think the only thing in my proto area is EBC? (JS2?). And I use those grounds above it. Not sure if those are erased too.

Well, you could always hang a daughterboard in there. Don't forget, if you're building Abe's input circuit, it's got a pretty high parts count.

'member that link I posted up a few messages? Take a look at the board layout. The two +5 and GND points (those that are normally above the proto area) are still there, between the DB15 and the CPU, just below the boot jumper.

Can I get a link? Search fails me. :)

Well the MSII already comes with a daughterboard doesn't it? It is in that picture I thought. Does that provide something like a proto-section?

It's cleverly hidden in the "SUPER Important Megasquirt Threads" thread: https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25789

Well, the MS2 itself is technically a daughterboard, but that's not really what I'm referring to. I meant using a little piece of perfboard to build your mods on, and then sticking it inside the case (in lieu of having a proto area.)

So secret it didn't exist when I first searched :)

Now thats security. Thanks for bringing it out into its own page.

Oh okay. Hmm. I still like the 3.57, but it seems like proto area is required.

I wouldn't forgo the stim. I have never seen anybody be sorry for having one, but I have a lot of people sorry that they don't