Microsquirt Firmware and Tunerstudio setup for a LSx video
Microsquirt Firmware and Tunerstudio setup for a LSx video I have had several guys contact me with Microsquirt systems that cant get them to work. So I made up a rather in-depth video showing how to go from A-Z. It shows how to find the latest firmware and load it. Then how to check the USB COMM port settings to ensure Microsquirt and your PC are talking. Then how to start a new project, load all the basic settings from each of the necessary menu items for fuel and spark. Then how to adjust idle fuel and timing. Lastly it shows how to use the Autotune feature and adjust the VE fuel table.
Here goes -- Enjoy !
Here goes -- Enjoy !
The micro allows you to tweak anything in the file with free software. No expensive interface or credits to buy. It however does not run a 60 or 80e trans like a factory pcm. Nor the factiry idle air control valve. It will run a ford fast idle solenoid to raise idle based upon engine temps. Boosted tuning is much easier too and it allows adjustments while the engine is runnung. There are other minor differences, advantages and limitations.
Used factory harness are cheap, you have to modify them saving you $$$. Some cheaper aftermarket harnesses dont include a check engine lamp, obd2 port or fan relays. They just come with labeled loose wires for you to connect to a dash lamp or buy your own fan relays. Used harnesses MAY have brittle wires, broken connectors or bad repairs done to them. I have a stockpile of clean used harnesses i modify and have hunderds of spare quality connectors for repairs. Lastly, i can change exactly where i want the pcm and how long i want each connector for the gas pedal etc.
Used factory harness are cheap, you have to modify them saving you $$$. Some cheaper aftermarket harnesses dont include a check engine lamp, obd2 port or fan relays. They just come with labeled loose wires for you to connect to a dash lamp or buy your own fan relays. Used harnesses MAY have brittle wires, broken connectors or bad repairs done to them. I have a stockpile of clean used harnesses i modify and have hunderds of spare quality connectors for repairs. Lastly, i can change exactly where i want the pcm and how long i want each connector for the gas pedal etc.
Last edited by aknovaman; Mar 3, 2016 at 03:02 PM.
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Launching!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: 08003
Sounds like a neat solution for a tech guy like me. Maybe on my next swap. This is my first and I'd rather just plug things in and have them work this time around.
Are these easy to "brick" if you mess something up or are they pretty resilient.
Are these easy to "brick" if you mess something up or are they pretty resilient.
DBW not supported.
I locked one up 5 years ago when updating firmware by clicking on another window. To fix it, i just started over. Took all of 2 minutes to reset.
I locked one up 5 years ago when updating firmware by clicking on another window. To fix it, i just started over. Took all of 2 minutes to reset.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Lake Stevens, WA
i found i think all the engine side connectors brand new on ebay, im sure i still have them saved if anyone is interested (or allowed?). most are 4-9bucks each. coil plugs being more expensive ones.
also, since you posted this up. im looking for a solution to fuel/fire my LS6 im building for the Nova. i dont have harness or ecu (but i can get if needed) and running a th400.
i was looking to run a microsquirt but i have a buddy that has pretty much talked me out of it as he seems to think that with it being batch fire, wasted spark, etc and not sequential fire its not going to run so well or nearly as well as a MS3 (gold box) or a stock ECU... you feel that is true having done many? i plan on driving my car everywhere, granted i work like 8miles from home. and while im putting it together NA, i have a good tendency to put boost to things
also, since you posted this up. im looking for a solution to fuel/fire my LS6 im building for the Nova. i dont have harness or ecu (but i can get if needed) and running a th400.
i was looking to run a microsquirt but i have a buddy that has pretty much talked me out of it as he seems to think that with it being batch fire, wasted spark, etc and not sequential fire its not going to run so well or nearly as well as a MS3 (gold box) or a stock ECU... you feel that is true having done many? i plan on driving my car everywhere, granted i work like 8miles from home. and while im putting it together NA, i have a good tendency to put boost to things
Unfortunate your buddy has that opinion. Sequential is overrated even from a engineering vantagepoint. It only improves emissions below about 3000 rpm. Beyond that, its a moot point. Wasted spark has nothing to do with power or driveability and just about every efi ford runs wasted spark. The extra spark fires when the exhaust valve is open and exhaust is on the way out. There are many aftermarket efi ecu that run in low 8 sec and puts out over 900hp with micro. It can reliably run well at 18k rpm. How about this. Build a micro, tune it correctly and if you are not happy with its performance, it will buy it from you. Yes, i am that confident. This is not my first rodeo and have over 40 years electronics experience and almost 15 years tuning experience on hundreds of cars.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Lake Stevens, WA
thats why i figured i would get your opinion also. thinking about harassing Matt too, but im sure he will say the same. i have seen lots of videos of his piles running just fine. but i have noticed that he seems to run them a little rich at idle, im assuming thats a batch fire drawback (maybe larger injector issue also?), but running a 13.5 vs 15.0 at idle doesnt concern me much. i would just like to get it to do everything i need, and would LOVE for it to be simple and cheap lol.
i would probably just buy a build microsquirt w/diy harness from efisource. $390 is easy enough on the budget. looks like $60 more for the logger/autotune setup. not bad.
i also seen a couple other videos online in my searching. one made comment of tuning the ignition tables to control idle. but didnt really go much further on it. i know i have done this with AEM and it worked well. you have insight on that also?
not a big deal, but with the gold box you have fuel pump and fan controls. but i seen a video where a guy used one of the outputs to switch the fans?
hard for me to keep track sometimes as there are so many megasquirt systems floating around out there...
THANKS! for the video and comments. will help me (and others) greatly in the future for a MS based build.
i would probably just buy a build microsquirt w/diy harness from efisource. $390 is easy enough on the budget. looks like $60 more for the logger/autotune setup. not bad.
i also seen a couple other videos online in my searching. one made comment of tuning the ignition tables to control idle. but didnt really go much further on it. i know i have done this with AEM and it worked well. you have insight on that also?
not a big deal, but with the gold box you have fuel pump and fan controls. but i seen a video where a guy used one of the outputs to switch the fans?
hard for me to keep track sometimes as there are so many megasquirt systems floating around out there...
THANKS! for the video and comments. will help me (and others) greatly in the future for a MS based build.
