Using TunerStudioMS for Tuning Megasquirt - Guide
 

Ok, Since I've been answering soooo many questions on getting TunerStudio set up properly, I've decided to make this little Setup guide. Feel Free to add things or some more advice for clarification.

Setting up TunerStudio:
Install TunerStudioMS through the installation program. Get it HERE.

When you first get the program, open it up, and you will be welcomed with this "familiar" screen.
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2...ningscreen.jpg
If you notice, the layout is very similar to MegaTune. Fortunately, you can change the layout completely later, and its up to your liking. There are a few made preset templates already set up, and you customize them to your liking later.

Next, Go to the file menu, and select Project. Under the pull up menu in Projects, you will given a few choices related to the project. Since you want to set up for your car, the first thing you want to do is SELECT NEW PROJECT.

This screen should open up. Name the project that you can easily Identify, and make it specific. For example, MSI-Extra Hi-Res 10G.
Save it to the TunerStudio Projects Folder. Some people have reported problems trying to open files when its saved in the TunerStudio Installation folder. Save it to your documents to alleviate this problem.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5...dselection.jpg

Next, you need to select the firmware you will be using. This is may be the most confusing part for some people, but to be honest, it is by far the EASIEST to set up compared to MegaTune. You can select "Detect" by having your megasquirt hooked up to the computer to determine the code to use, OR you can use the best way by manually choosing the firmware.

First you need to download the firmware you want to use. Many of you may have it already from DIY's download package, and you can find them in the Megasquirt folder that is installed when you install DIY's software package.

Either way, find the folder of the firmware, or UNZIP the firmware you download. Next back on the TunerStudio Screen, click the "OTHER" box on the firmware portion, and click "..." afterwards.
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5...waredetect.jpg

A windows explorer window should open up. Go to the firmware folder and find the ms firmware file. It should look something similar to this.

You can download HR_10g here: http://www.boostedmiata.com/MS/msq/f...msns-extra.ini

MSII or DIYPNP/Microsquirt Users: Your file will say specifically for your version. Select ms2.ini for MSII/PIYPNP users, an us2.ini for MicroSquirt Users.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3...waresearch.jpg

When you select it, TunerStudio will automatically determine the firmware file. After you select it, the firmware will show which version here:
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5...determined.jpg

From there, you may enter a description if you want, I just left mine blank.
After you're done, click next.

On the next page, choose your settings for however you want to set up your car. MSI and MSII settings will look DIFFERENT. Choose your WB choice, Temperature settings, and the like. I don't know what the MEMPAGE or LOGPAGE is used for, so I just didnt touch them. MSII/DIYPNP users wont see this setting I think, and youll see a way to select for Microsquirt or something. DIYPNP, please double check, I'm not exactly sure on this part to whether choose Microsqurit or MSII settings here, because I do remember someone saying to leave the settings as MSII.

EDIT: MSI users need to copy the .inc files from your MegaTune Project folder's MTcfg folder and copy them into your new TS Project folder's inc folder.

After you are done, click next.

The next page, you will choice your comunication port settings. Just set it the same as your serial port/USB serial setting port. You don't have to test it at this point. Make sure you set the correct speed as well for MSI or MSII users.

On the next page, you can choose a custom dash here. If you dont like the plain looking old one, you can choose one of the like, or custom set your own. I liked on eof them, but IMO, it didnt show enough information, so I customized it and added some more information as well as removed some unnecessary indicators at the bottom. This is what mine looks like now:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/433...customdash.jpg

After you're done choosing, click finish. YOURE DONE! Thats it!

You can customize your dash by right clicking the dash and selecting "Dash designer." It's still a little buggy on getting the settings right, but you should be able to figure it out.

Setting up your MSQ is EXACTLY the same as Megatune, only some things may be in different places. If you want a "megatune" menu feel, go to options --> Navigation --> Megatune style.

The interface is great, 3D tables look better as well. Unfortunately there is no AUTOTUNE capabilities yet, but it will be added in the future. Check out msextra.com forums for updates to the software.

HAPPY TUNING!

One more thing I forgot to add:

When you want to have multiple firmwares to choose, I recommend making a NEW PROJECT for each firmware. That way, you can easily change the firmware by just opening the specific project that uses the firmware. I recommend this method, since there there are multiple versions for some firmwares.

For example, there are 2-3 different versions to use for MSII extra. Each one has different settings and allowable input numbers, i.e. MSII-Extra Alpha 3.0.3 released on 9-7-09 was only allowed up to a multiple of 8 for frequency on idle control, while MSII-Extra Alpha 3.0.3 released on 9-12-09 had allowable up to 15.

It is also helpful in allowing you to downgrade without having to change settings, just open the old firmware, but make sure you burn the old firmware too.

You might be my new hero :bigtu: You definitely would be if you posted your custom dash file.

Geez..thanks for the contribution...this is why I love this site.

After reading the other thread I'm switching this weekend.

If you guys want, we can actually post our custom dash faces here, but thats considering if the mods allow it. .msl and .dash files would need to be added since .msl files are are the format which TunerStudio saves its logs. .csv is also a format used when using the tooth or sync logger.

If my vote counts I'd be all for that.

I'm sure Brain would do it anyways after he starts playing around with TunerStudio.

Sounds good. It's pretty easy to create a dash. I've been playing with it for about half an hour. It is however a little more difficult to get a nice looking dash. It could be quite time consuming.

Marc,

Nice write up thanks. I also have a miata mk2 1999 1.8 nb with 440cc injections, turbo, ic. I am planning to fit a either a Megasquirt 2, DIYPNP or possibly holding out the ms3.

I want to use the stock sensors where possible and wire it to the stock harness.

How did you wire yours in? parrallel or full stand alone?
Did you use the stock hall signal or a 36-1 wheel?
If its the stock hall/ cas signal are all the setting the same on the 99-00 nb miata's?

I cant get me head around setting the initial timing. I can find TDC on spark 1 etc but can't work out the setting. I think it has a magnetic trigger wheel with 4 raising edges.

Has anyone managed to do a PNP harness for the normal ms2?

Thanks

Im running full standalone with Abe's PNP board. I am using stock NB sensors, it has the original crank and cam sensors. They are basically the same setting for most NB's.

As for a PNP harness, for standalone, Abe has made one. For parallel, Many have made them, not only me. I just was running MSI at the time, rather than MSII

What do you mean by initial timing? If you mean setting the timing, you can do that after you get your car started.

Thanks,

I thought it had to be the ms2 board that to run it off the cam cas signal.

Once i have wired it correctly could I just upload to the file 'MSIIE Miata99.msq' to start the engine?

For the 36-a trigger wheel I had to work out where top dead center was then mark how many teeth between the missing tooth and the sensor.

Would u recommend the MS1 or MS2?

i have just been playing around with tuner studio and it looks awesome!!

For NB sensors, yes you need to use MS2. MS1 cannot understand the crank wheel and cam markings on NBs.

That MSQ must be my old one.

I don't know about what you are using for your crank wheel. do you plan to use a 36-1 or stock NB sensors?

I am seeing differences in coolant temp and intake temps between TS and megatune. Can anyone else confirm this?

7degF difference in coolant temp and about 5 degF difference in intake temps.
I used Marc's method to set up TS. Running MSPNP hi res no maf.


Thanks

This writeup failed to mention that you need to copy your easytherm .inc files into your project folders "inc" folder.

Yes. Now the temps match up. Thanks Brain.

I don't even know where easytherm puts those files...and I never move them with the Megatune reflashes or project folders.

Maybe this is why my fuel map changes with the seasons? :shrug:

Good catch. After I went with MSII, I didn't even bother with those, so i completely forgot.

Wish i could edit the original post. Maybe you can brain?

subscribed

Oh I already had. :brain:

Thanks mark, i have been having problems after loading the extra code on megatune , took your advice and instructions here and had tunerstudio working inabout 2 minutes !!!! this is the way to go !! so easy , thanks

Question:

I had Megatune up and running and a PnP Megasquirt when I downloaded this program. I used it briefly and seemed to work well enough but I continued to use Meagatune just because I am more familiar with it.

If I want to use Tuner Studio do I have to do all the steps outlined aboove ?

Thanks