Whats so bad about the MS2 v3.0?
 

i currently have an emanage blue which ive been running since about 2005 and suddenly im having some tuning issues with it. (VERY hard to hot start it) ..anyway.
looking at a cheap MS and see that the ms2 v3.0 board is significantly cheaper than the pnp version. ( i can get that and an LC2 wideband for the same money as a PNP.)
i have read some negative posts about the ms2 so whats the deal?
is it still ok , or is the support and knowledge base moved on now to the pnp?
just want to run my fairly stock ish turbod 1990 with the usual stuff except A/C.

Then even an MS1 would suit you fine.

Reason it's so much cheaper is that you need to assemble it yourself. The PNP is just that, plug-and-play.

the DIY boards require a few hours of...doing it yourself.

I think you can about build a MS3 for the cost of a MS2, maybe that has something to do with it?

I <3 my MS2. Besides VSS and seq. ignition I don't think I'm missing much. Old 1.6 though, so there's that.

I know you can build a MS3 for the cost of the MS2 DIYPNP, or at least within a hundred bucks...

Cost of MS3 is $512.25 including an air temp sensor. And your time.

but the ms2 kit is half that again...279. thats damn cheap

diypnp is 430

thats enough of a price difference to ask whether its worth the extra...
i'm an electrician and good with a soldering iron so building it isnt a problem

Maybe that's what I was thinking. You can about build a MSIII for the price of the DIYPNP + seq. inj.

If I did it again, I'd either spend the dollars and build a MS3 or go cheap with a MS2, skip the DIYPNP ECU connector. Probably just cannibalize the old stock ECU for the plug to make a boomslang adapter.

yup i have a spare ecu that i will cut the connector off for my own pnp :)

Should be a cheap way to have a MS2. I never read into it too far, but I think you need to do some external jumping on the MS2. I'd start here...

Megasquirt 2 Assembly - Miata Turbo FAQ

If you are just looking at the entry level price for what you have right now, I don't think you will find anything better than the MS2 build it yourself kit. Plus even though it isn't the latest MS ECU, the software is constantly being developed and improved upon. Lots of things from the MS3 software have found its way onto the MS2.

However, if you plan to change your set up, get the MS3. It can do things the MS2 can never do.