Megasquirt Vs. DSMlink

turbotalon1g · 12-07-2005

so which way do you all think that should i go, DSMlink or Megasquirt?
I have been reading up on both like crazy, with link there is tons of help available with the amazing number of people using link and what not. with megasquirt there aren't so many people but it is a complete standalone system. granted i don't need this right away but i only want to do things once and the right way too. Megasquirt is only $250. just wanted some opinions.
thx

Matt D. · 12-07-2005

If I had the option I'd give Megasquirt a shot. But from reading up on it, MS seems to require some hacking of the timing components before it'll read the signals from the crank and cam angle sensors correctly.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 12-07-2005

I would do DSMLink. The stock knock sensing/noise filtering is second to none. I have never used a Megasquirt, it seems like most of the people who use them do all their tuning themselves anyways, and I usually only hear of them on cars that don't have any other good tuning options available for them, or a real full featured standalone system costs more than the car is worth.

niterydr · 12-07-2005

Why is this a versus thread.
For a dsm....
DSMlink > Megasquirt. Like Shane said, the Megasquirt is only used on applications that don't have a piggyback or standalone suited for that type of vehicle.

dsm10sec · 12-07-2005

Where has LightningGSX been? I'm sure he has plenty of insight to this.

**1ViciousGSX** · 12-07-2005

Use the "KISS" method. "Keep It Simple Stupid". DSMLink works greatly for 95% of the DSM's out there. Biggest bang for the buck.

Jakey · 12-07-2005

I have only ever heard of 1 DSM successfully running Megasquirt and that's a 2G in the Omaha area, if that says anything.

turbotalon1g · 12-08-2005

i have been reading on this a little and megasquirt seems great, but i would prefer dsmlink as for the obvious reasons. if some of you that know about the features of dsmlink could look a little into megasquirt and see what u think. i just want the one that controls the most stuff that i would mess with, there is no point having a program that changes shit that will never get touched. oh, there are quite a few running megasquirt, most just the fuel control side of it, the rest with the fuel and spark control.

**1ViciousGSX** · 12-08-2005

If you want the most control, go AEM EMS. Other wise, DSMLink will be fine.

dsm10sec · 12-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakey

I have only ever heard of 1 DSM successfully running Megasquirt and that's a 2G in the Omaha area, if that says anything.

Wasn't LightningGSX running MS? I swore I read something he wrote on tuners saying he does or did.

Jepherz · 12-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakey

I have only ever heard of 1 DSM successfully running Megasquirt and that's a 2G in the Omaha area, if that says anything.

Actually, I believe the first guy to run MS in a DSM was a 1g. His name is prez on the boards, so if you search DSMToonerz you should find his posts. H was from Omaha I believe, but when I had met him, he had just moved to Des Moines. This was around 3 months ago???

FattyBoomBatty · 12-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D.

If I had the option I'd give Megasquirt a shot. But from reading up on it, MS seems to require some hacking of the timing components before it'll read the signals from the crank and cam angle sensors correctly.

i bought and assembled MS2 with the v. 3.x board and i haven't installed it on my quest because converting to MPI is more money than i care to spend on that engine at this specific time. maybe later. but in the meantime, i'd like to find a good candidate for my MS. maybe the lawnmower. how cool would a turbo'd 50 hp push mower be?

edit: oh yeah, the main reason i replied was about spark control - MS2 has either hall sensor or VR pickup for timing. i was planning on using an MSD flying magnet wheel on the crank pulley. and origionally also a 6AL with a 2 step box, but i found that you can install a high current circuit to drive a coil directly from MS2. and i figured there's probably some software that allows me to have a 2 step anyway.

that may not happen on that car now.

Outlaw1 · 12-10-2005

The majority of the people out there don't need aftermarket ECU's because they don't have any clue how to tune. If an inexperienced person feels the need to tune his/her own car, just be sure you're prepared to swap a blown head gasket or build a new engine. I'm not saying anyone is experienced or not experience, I'm just pointing out the obvious. I'd say most people don't understand how an S-AFC affects their tune.
As far as DSMLink vs. Megasquirt goes, DSMLink is ready to work right out of the box. It looks very user friendly. It's just a matter of tweaking fueling/timing tables for your specific needs. MegaSquirt is closer to an old school DFI. It was not built vehicle specific. You can get a ballpark tune, but it's not like starting with a bone stock Mitsu image.
Depending on how much power you want to make, an EPROM ECU with a custom chip may be the best and cheapest alternative for you. In the end, whether you're using an SEFI8LO, DFI, MegaSquirt, DSMLink or stock ECU w/S-AFC, if you understand how to manipulate the fueling/timing maps to get what you want, it doesn't matter how you get there.
Ask yourself these questions. What is my target A/F ratio? What is my target total timing? If you can't answer those questions, it's best to let someone like Shane tune it for you.

turbotalon1g · 12-10-2005

thx for the advice all, i have decided dsmlink, i do appreciate all the help. now i just need some $$$. (u guys rock)

Onefast99gsx · 12-21-2005

I use dsmlink and love it. The support forum is second to none also.

s1ngletracker · 12-26-2005

I've always loved the idea of megasquirt, but like its been mentioned... you can do it much more simply by just getting DSMlink. I'm sure sometime in your life you'll come across a car that will need megasquirt because there will be no other options.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 01-02-2006

Here is a video of Megasquirt in action on a DSM. http://www.1320video.com/vids/12.28RedRumDyno.wmv

CarPsyco84 · 01-02-2006

AHAHAHAHAHHA!!!! shane you shoulda been tuning that thing!!

**1ViciousGSX** · 01-03-2006

woot, drive 'em in, push 'em out.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 01-03-2006

I have no idea why it takes 35psi to make only 450whp on a turbo that big, and then somehow manage to blow up the motor. Even weak 7-bolts can handle over 500whp and back when I had my 7-bolt 2.0l and a little 54-trim stage 2 turbo, it made 450whp at 25psi.