Nothing really...you have to learn how to tune it to make extra power...but really not even worth the effort on a stock engine wtih just a cold air intake and exhaust.

 

I am thinking of doing the same thing. In preperation for future mods ...

 

When you get megasquirt, do you replace the fuel rails as well? Or just the electronics of it?

 

The MS is much more effective on a modified engine. I would not waste time building and tuning a ms system on a stock engine. Tune your stock engine to work with the stock EFI system. The bang for your buck and the time spent building it will not result in noticable (if any) increase in horse power. It is an interesting exercise but I think you will be very disapointed in the outcome if all you are doing is changine the fuel injection control system.

Others can respond to the 2.5 exhaust system and if the stock fuel injection will run a little lean as a consequence, but, I doubt it. I think the stock EFI will be able to handle the increased flow without much problem.

 

I ran megasquirt on my totally stock 280Z (at that time) for a year.

My stock EFI was in poor shape, so megasquirt did give me a noticeable improvement. But note that it just the car back to normal, the stock EFI in factory working order and megasquirt should not have any major noticeable difference.

However, the cost of megasquirt is relatively small but the knowledge you will gain is priceless. You will also thank yourself when you start modding things later.

 

I love my Z, but I am a realist and I know the Bosch FI system on it is too simple and works on "best guess" technology". I thought that the megasqirt would be a major improvement due to the more accurate tuning of the system through modern airflow meters and oxygen sensors.

I would like to us the MS, but I fear that I wouldn't be able to get it running good as I have no experience with a MS. How difficult is it to install and learn how to program it?

 

Sidwell,

Do you have ANY CLUE what a WB02 and MS can do? Killer gas mileage if NOTHING else. Let's forget to mention the value of spark control and all the miscellaneous settings (fan control options, barometric corrections, traction control (if you can figure it out), datalogs, instant readout of your engine info, waaaaaay too much to list). Megasquirt v3 is $189 to your door. IMO, having MS makes ALL and ANY upgrades a piece of cake. But definitely first you need to have the car in good tune!

mnelson_260z

 

I didn't know a MS system could turn your plain ol stock brakes into traction control brake systems lol

 

Matt300ZXT,

It's actually NOT something that turns "plain ol stock brakes" into traction controlled brake systems.

I said TRACTION CONTROL, not ABS!

Have you taken a look at all that MSnS has to offer? <http://megasquirt.sourceforge.net/extra/> Everyone on this forum that has a question about what MSnS can or can't do needs to look there first.

I think you'll be surprised

But here's the direct link to the traction control page <http://megasquirt.sourceforge.net/extra/antirev.html>. It's still in experimental stages--and I for one have NOT figured it out yet, but it's still there.



Post Edited (Jan 21, 10:55am)

 

Traction control systems on Benzs and Porches I think are controlled through the computer doing the brakes. At least I think that's what all those guys on Speed channel that test drive badass cars all day long said. I don't need all that fancy stuff myself, traction control on my cars means wide tires and not hauling ass in the rain or ice

 

traction control can also be accomplished by a rev-limiter

 

Regardless of whether someone wants traction control or not, the Megasquirt system offers an invaluable (I think) oportunity to work with tuning and existing software... and then the oportunity to learn microcontrollers and do some assembly level programming.

(I know first hand that traction control systems Mustangs and 3-Series BMWs are all done through engine controls... usually using a wheel speed sensor from the abs system, or just monitoring how quickly the engine revs when in gear... OLD traction control systems did use brakes).

My brother did not have any experience with engine tuning before doing his MS system on his 280ZXT. He has learned a whole lot from the experience, and has NOT blown up his engine . He used the http://www.msefi.com/ exensively for help, and was able to do almost all of the work himself. I think it would serve as an excellent learning experience for anyone willing and able to take the time.

-Chris

 

There is traction control and stability control.

Usually traction control is when they pull timing so that the engine doesn't produce as much torque.

Stability control is usually computer controlled brakes.

At least this is what I remember hearing.
Mario

 

Ooooh I guess I had stuff mixed up...well ya learn something new everyday

 

back to the original question

The question was about horsepower gains. Not options, not traction control or about fan control. My response was to the question about how much horsepower he would gain with MS.

 

Superior Throttle Response...

On a stock N/A if you tune the maps even half-a$$ed the first thing you will notice is INSTANT throttle response. Gone is the "stomp on it, waitasecondGO" response with the AFM_Based control system.
if you tune it well, you will easily get better fuel mileage (more than 30mpg on the highway reported from all over the world---even on highly modified engines!!!)

So those two reasons are good enough for me! LOL
Throttle Response
Fuel Economy

Power? Who knows....

 

I'm willing to bet if it's tuned correctly it'll make more power than the stock EFI.