Controllers, Microsquirt, Megasquirt
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Controllers, Microsquirt, Megasquirt I have used the Holley HP on a couple cars, I always hear the "squirt" is cheaper, but see them listed 2 diff ways-are they still do it yourself, build your own box, or do they come assemb.
What is the price for a basic package to run like a 24 rel. engine, do you solder on all the conns.
I see some close to the cost of a Holley HP-not being the smartest thing with a computer, how hard is it to learn-I struggled with the Holley, but got a fair grasp on tuning.
I might start a new project, Procharged G body, and was looking more budget oriented this time
With the Holley I could use sensors from the drop down, not sure how you would setup same in a diff system
What is the price for a basic package to run like a 24 rel. engine, do you solder on all the conns.
I see some close to the cost of a Holley HP-not being the smartest thing with a computer, how hard is it to learn-I struggled with the Holley, but got a fair grasp on tuning.
I might start a new project, Procharged G body, and was looking more budget oriented this time
With the Holley I could use sensors from the drop down, not sure how you would setup same in a diff system
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Plug and play microsquirt is less than $800 everywhere. That includes a finished harness. For $1200 or so you can get the MS3x Gold Box with a plug and play harness. The microsquirt is more basic. It controls fuel/spark but is VERY good at controlling them.
The gold box is fairly close to the Holley HP.
The gold box is fairly close to the Holley HP.
The micro is a much less capable "bare bones" ecu.
OR buy the $540 MS3 assembled box and have a harness made. Aknovaman is great for building LS PNP harnesses. I've run stacey moores micro squirt and PNP harness as well.
OR buy the $540 MS3 assembled box and have a harness made. Aknovaman is great for building LS PNP harnesses. I've run stacey moores micro squirt and PNP harness as well.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Yes, its bare bones. You get anti-lag, 2-step, flex fuel compatibility, auto-tune, nitrous control, flat shifting, table switching, etc.
So while it does fuel/spark, it does them well.
Unless you need the TONS of extra features, micro is more than enough for most.
So while it does fuel/spark, it does them well.
Unless you need the TONS of extra features, micro is more than enough for most.
Have you used one?
Once you use up the 2 spare ADC outputs to drive the coils on the LS you use up you are very limited on outputs. You are left with 1 low current output for the fuel pump relay, and 1 low current fiddle PWM output used for idle. Which you can repurpose, but basically have 2 outputs to use. Not having an idle valve sucked IMO.
I’m not a fan of the batch fire injectors. The live data display is slow and “glitchy”. Basically felt like I jumped 20 years back to run the micro when the ms3 is $240 more and you have a ton more options with a system that runs twice a smooth
Once you use up the 2 spare ADC outputs to drive the coils on the LS you use up you are very limited on outputs. You are left with 1 low current output for the fuel pump relay, and 1 low current fiddle PWM output used for idle. Which you can repurpose, but basically have 2 outputs to use. Not having an idle valve sucked IMO.
I’m not a fan of the batch fire injectors. The live data display is slow and “glitchy”. Basically felt like I jumped 20 years back to run the micro when the ms3 is $240 more and you have a ton more options with a system that runs twice a smooth
Trending Topics
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 12
Learning to tune. Where to start? I really want to learn how to tune. I have the mast m-90 that comes with its own tuning software, but I have no clue how to use it. Lol what do you guys think of efi university? I saw they had some online/ hands on courses. I'm a pretty good mechanic, just old school. It kills me that I built my car but can't tune it.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I'm with you . I never touched a efi tune in my life but I knew I want to tune my car . I'm not going to build a car and have someone else make or break my car. that is why I used the microsquirt. I did a ton of reading on the msextra site watched some denmah videos and made it happen . if you put your mind to it the info is out there but it comes at a cost your time. now that I'm used to it I love it . best thing I ever did to my nova.
for my street strip classic nova I have yet to find anything I cant live without. it might be a little bare bones but it is a hell of a lot better than a carb. I have used it 3 times and it just works. if I build a new car tomorrow it's getting a micro.
for my street strip classic nova I have yet to find anything I cant live without. it might be a little bare bones but it is a hell of a lot better than a carb. I have used it 3 times and it just works. if I build a new car tomorrow it's getting a micro.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 12
Megasquirt 2 step is pretty vicious...
Flamethrower - YouTube
MS3pro in my car. Factory ECM isnt doing much more than running the cruise control now.
Flamethrower - YouTube
MS3pro in my car. Factory ECM isnt doing much more than running the cruise control now.
what trans are you runing and whats your plans for the car, street a little strip, strip only? Secondly what is your must haves out of the engine management? This will help you kinda narrow down some of the choices, if your wanting things like IAC control, bump box, ect you will want to get something above the Msquirt.
That being said the M-squirt is about the least expensive way to get a LS motor up and running and for alot of people like me its all I need. I have a Msquirt in my Lambo Diablo kit car (turbo/ls4/4t65edh-stand alone/e85) and another Msquirt on my Buick Regal (turbo/LC9/th400/gas). I couldnt be more happy with them, got my 1st squirt 3 1/2 years ago and still learn something new all the time.
I have helped some guys with other systems like the Holley and BigStuff and while they have more bells and whistles, I cant get over how much they paid for thoses systems and in the end their cars dont run any better than mine. Only real downside I have found is not many tuner dyno shops will/can tune a Msquirt.
My advice- get a Msquirt, follow matts/denmahs guide posted here on ls1tech and make your own harness. It forces you to learn alot. Get your car going and then if your not happy you can sell the Msquirt and get something else.
That being said the M-squirt is about the least expensive way to get a LS motor up and running and for alot of people like me its all I need. I have a Msquirt in my Lambo Diablo kit car (turbo/ls4/4t65edh-stand alone/e85) and another Msquirt on my Buick Regal (turbo/LC9/th400/gas). I couldnt be more happy with them, got my 1st squirt 3 1/2 years ago and still learn something new all the time.
I have helped some guys with other systems like the Holley and BigStuff and while they have more bells and whistles, I cant get over how much they paid for thoses systems and in the end their cars dont run any better than mine. Only real downside I have found is not many tuner dyno shops will/can tune a Msquirt.
My advice- get a Msquirt, follow matts/denmahs guide posted here on ls1tech and make your own harness. It forces you to learn alot. Get your car going and then if your not happy you can sell the Msquirt and get something else.