VVT engine with VICS into a 95 R-Package
 

Guys,

I recently moved to Texas from Long Island. On the drive down, I toasted the engine (took a chunk out of an exhaust valve), in my formerly turbocharged 95 R-Package, and am presently elbows deep in installing a 2001 VVT engine. I've overcome some challenges along the way but am hoping to get some input on ecu selection from you guys.

The hard bits:
2001 VVT engine, purple fuel injectors, valve cover mounted coils
1999/2000 VICS manifold & fuel rail with 1995 FPR
1995 CAS, Throttle Body, AIV, TPS, Water Temp Sensor, EGR system
Innovate wideband, VDO gauges, 2.5" exhaust, old JR header and intake.

ECU's on hand:

1) Stock - Hoping I can run this, at least initially to shakedown the engine swap, and get the car to pass the sniffer in Dallas.

2) MSPNP - This is my Old Faithful. Been running it since I boosted the car. It was plenty fast, but I never could get anywhere near OEM-like driveability from it. Hot restarts sucked, it idled richer than hell, throttle tip in wasn't very good, and on and on. There were no Megasquirt tuners on Long Island, so I lived with it.

3) Reverant Build MS2 Enhanced - Purchased during the late 2010 group buy. Never got it running as well as the MSPNP, so it's been sitting in a box ever since.

Obviously, my Megasquirt skills are severely lacking, and not likely to improve dramatically any time soom (IOW - I ain't so smart). Luckily, now that I'm in Dallas, there is local MS talent, and a strong Miata commmunity.

So my questions:

1) If I use the stock ecu, I'll have no tachometer, since the original coils are 4 wire, and the new ones are 3. I'd use the stock coils, but the spark plug boots don't fit the 2001 valve cover. I assume the ECU will deal with the higher compression of the new engine with 93 octane fuel, and if needed, a reduction in base timing. Anyone see a problem with this choice? Other than adding an MSD Tach Adapter, is there any way to get a tach signal?

2) Would the MSPNP be able to control the VICS solenoid through an unused output?

3) What settings need to be changed on the MSPNP to accomodate the 2001 engine if I start with a NA base map? (Injector dead time, ignition coil related settings?)

4) Same questions as 2 & 3 for the Reverant MS2 Enhanced

5) I've seen enough VVTuner trouble threads to scare me off. So long term, I'm leaning towards a Reverant MS3 Basic, though Rev is currently running at a 2 month lead time, and I want to get back on the road NOW.

Ok, I've probably lost most of you by now, so I better stop. I've had my fun with boost, but there's a bunch of tracks down here, and I'm going to back to NA to simplify things.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

The vvtuner can be a pain to get working initially... but once you get it working, you won't have to touch it again. If you already have two working megasquirts, I'd personally just use one of those, and add a vvtuner.

The enhanced ms2 has VVT control no? That would be my course of action.

Rev recently cancelled my order of a MS2E because he couldn't get the VVT control to work for my 01, so I don't think so...

sell both MSes and buy a MS3x.

That's what I recommended - sell them and get a Basic MS3.

Ok, so end game is MS3. But that's going to take a while. In the mean time, run the MSPNP or MS2 Enhanced. Either one of them can control VICS?

C

lol at MS1.

'splain me Lucy.

C

1 < 2 < 3.

Yeah I get that, it's not the latest and greatest. Still, I have it on hand, and it's worked 'fine' for me. In order for you not to mock me, I'll plan on using the MS2, until I can get a 3. Any tricks to getting it to control VICS?

C

you can use any free output to control the VICS solenoid.

forget about the mspnp. don't even entertain that option if you have an ms2 already.

get the ms2 working and upgrade to ms3 as soon as you can.

Still no luck getting the MS2 working, and I scored a deal on a VVTuner.

Currently running my old white box MSPNP with the 95 CAS, and controlling VICS with a re-purposed FPR solenoid.

So, is it possible to remove the 95 CAS and use the 01 cam and crank sensors?

Thanks,
Chris

No, MS1 can not decode NB CKP/CMP sensors. MS2 and MS3 can.

VVTuner however *can* accept NB sensor inputs, command the VVT, and send out simulated NA signals to the MSPNP Gen1. Docs here:
http://www.diyautotune.com/vvtuner/installation.htm

Awesome! I read that link after posting my question, and realized that VVTuner would take care of it. So I'll remove the NA CAS from my VVT motor, and switch over to the '01 cam and crank sensors.

What input on the MSPNP is Opto In?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1381094970
Schematic credit diyautotune.com

Is there any issue on running the 01 TB & IAC? I read some posts where there were problems due to the frequency.

C