Any Megasquirt RRC's out there?

[jeepfiend]

I have been contemplating putting Megasquirt in my 87 RRC. The old Lucas EFI is not working so well anymore, and I am looking for a way to squeeze a little more performance out of the old girl. I have looked into the megasquirt quite a bit and I really like the sound of it, but I would really like to talk to someone who has done it.

 

[Velocewest]

I haven't yet, but have intention. I'm planning MS with EDIS ignition. I have the EDIS gear, just need to get the MS and time to do the work.

If you haven't stumbled on them yet, there are MS message boards forcused on Rover engines. There's more examples on cars than LR's, but there are a few people sharing maps and working specifically on LR engine setups. Google "Megasquirt Rover" or Megasquirt Land Rover".

 

[tightgroup]

jeepfiend,

I would start with just the fuel amd stick with the present ignition on the 87.

With the MS you will get rid of the MAF which will be replced by a MAP. There are a few fuel maps on the MS web site.

Plus there a re a few guys who sell assembled MS boxes. Usually if you talk to them you will find them very helpful.

Read up on the section of Injectors and some problems that were sorted out..

OHHH and the nice thing is I believe you can run a wideband O2.

Once you have sorted out all of the fueling and sensor issues, then you may want to look at an EDIS , but you will need a crank sensor pulley . These are available on the net (I believe in the UK ) for cheap dollars..

But for sure you will love the results, it will transform your truck.

Much more power and a healthier torque curve.. (plus you will get rid of all those annoying 13CU issues)

TG

 

[jeepfiend]

I have been talking to one of the places that sells the assembled units. They can configure it to use the wide-bands. The also sell a kit configured the same way. I was actually going to pull the trigger at Christmas time, but ran out of $$... The tax returns may net enough to move forward. I am pretty stoked about it. I really love the fact that I will have some troubleshooting and tuning options. The current controller is really doing some odd things. I think some of those troubles are related to MAF. I have been looking at new and used MAF's and they are outrageous (as much as the megasuirt in some instances). I have this crazy idea about turboing the old Rover and the MAP and the wideband O2's really make that possible. I just about have my Series ready to roll, so I will be able to have the RR down for a bit. I am anticipating the initial install to take a while... The turbo would be a ways down the road, but I am sure even without the turbo I can coax a lot more power out of the existing 4.0. I do eventually want to run with the EDIS. But it is probably best to start out simple and go one step at a time. I'll have to see what kind of funds I can coax out of the CFO... She is pretty tight with the discretionary funds...

 

[tightgroup]

Well all I can say if you have to replace the MAF unit, might as well go with the MS ECU unit.
The 13Cu was/is plaqued with problems.

A point , you mentioned a 4,0 ??? The 87 came with an injected 3.5 ..


I wish you luck and hope you can post back on your project and its progress.

Thanks

TG

 

[jeepfiend]

I had the 3.5, but I have since replaced with a newer 4.0 long block. The 3.5 had dismal oil pressure and a blown head gasket. Unfortunately, I did not do injectors at the same time... oddly, enough, the rig still runs really rich.
I just found out I am gettting a sizeable tax return, looks like the MS is back on track. I have been looking at injectors on the summit web site. I think I am going to either go with the Venoms or the Accels. Don't know if anyone has comments on either of those. I know my 3.5 injectors are undersized. Both the venoms and the accels are just over $200 for a set of eight. I am thinking the 19lbs/hr should be about right. I know the wife won't want me to order the MS until the tax return is in the bank, but that shouldn't take long. My accountant files electronically and I go with the direct deposit route for quickest turn time. I'll keep you posted.

 

[tightgroup]

I would ask why change the injectors ?

If they work , get them cleaned and that should be it. Also with the 3.5 please check the impedance of the injector you currently have. I think some of the Bosch are low impedance..

I cannot help with the injector selection, since I have never utilized them, but I would very careful in my selection. Another important metric to check is the time the injector takes to go to full open. Since the ecu dictates the cyclic rate and the duration of injector open state, it cannot determine the time it takes for the injector to fully open,, the lenght of time is different. Mind you if you are sure the 4.0 is running very rich, you could cheat a bit by getting injectors which are a bit slower in their opening times, thus delivering a little less fuel.. But I warn you without having any more data this could be very dangerous. Caveat emptor.

I would save the 200 and invest in an MS right away. Look for the MS-II because I believe they have the fixe in for the idle stepper motor.. Plus on the MS-II you could take charge of those 2 fans and control the trigger temperature, also you can have a run on time of 2 minutes for the fans once you shutoff your engine, specially on hot days..


Good luck

TG

 

[ptschram]

The 3.5 uses the same injectors as the 4.0 as the 4.6. They are all 19 PPH.

 

[Velocewest]

I'm moving ahead with my BMW project, and the RRC will be next. A friend is building the MS board for me, his soldering skills put mine to shame. The BMW is a toy, so I can cut my teeth on that without needing it in running order on a daily basis. And I can drive it this summer while installing on the Rover.

 

[jeepfiend]

I had been told by the local dealer that the 3.5 injectors were lower flow rate than the 4.0 injectors... That is why I was planning on new injectors. I figured with the MS I could control the Accel or Venom injectors. I was just figuring, since they are 21 years old I ought to replace them. If they could be cleaned that would also be fine. I am not dead set on replacing them, I just want everything to be good when I do the MS. I know the project is going to be huge, so I want to eliminate as many variables as possible.

 

[tightgroup]

For the MS, I would strongly suggest you get onto the boards.
First there are alot of knowledgable people around to help.
Second, get a sample map from someone who is running a similar setup.

Now, for MS start with the least amount of variables. Most of the LR boys who are Squirted have stock sensors and injectors. This helps alot in establishing a baseline for your tuning.

I would just get them tested and also DO check if they are low impedance.. This has an impact on the MS box and you may require a flyback board.

The best I have seen is stock, remove the MAF and run the fuel map form a similar engine.

Do NOT try and handle ignition right away. Get the fuel map right first, then look at going with a wide band O2 sensor, this will really help fine tune that feul map.

Once all is running well, look at an EDIS igntion or see if you can put your hands on a Disco coil pack, though you will need a toothed flywheel and an opti sensor to trigger the spark. But these are just the best. Its a waste spark system and works very well with MSII.


All in all be patient and it will work out. Do be diligent when handling fuel maps and do not change too many things so that you can back out of any situation.

BTW MS will control any type of injectors. It controls the duration of the injector open time and when the bank will cycle. MS does NOT control individual injectors yet

Another thing is and this is important. The wiring !!!!!! Make sure all the wires and connecters especially those pesky connectors are in good shape. I would redo a short loom, but thats up to you.

Again for the injectors get them checked, its cheap and will give you peace of mind.

Though if I yank them out I would want to replace the O ring ..

TG

 

[jeepfiend]

I actually have a few rover injectors laying around the garage. I ohmed one out and it was 16.6ohms. These came from a 3.9 from a '93 110. I figured these would be very similar to what I have now.

I think it's good to start simple. At first I was thinking of jumping in both feet at once, and doing ignition and everything, but the more I have read, the more I am convinced that baby steps are the way to go.

I have some coil packs, a flex plate and position sensor from a D2, but the more I look into it, the more I think I will just go with all ford parts for the ignition. The EDIS system seems pretty robust and easy to control. Besides, the mounts on my block are all messed up, so I can't really get the Rover sensor mounted without putting in my other short block. With the EDIS, there's plenty of room on the crank pulleys, so I don't think it will be too hard to find a place to mount a 36-1 wheel. Plus, I have access to a water jet where I can cut a custom diameter wheel to best fit on the crank pulleys.

I was going to start off with a wide band, mostly for tuning's sake. Everything I have read says this is a good way to go, especially if you can't take the car somewhere and have it dyno tuned. I was told a system can be set up to run two O2's but I think they have to be matching, so if I go wideband that can be pretty expensive. I need to do more research and see exactly what I need to do if I run two O2's. One place told me I can buy one O2 and tune each bank individually, but that just didn't make sense to me. I need to do more research on this part.

I was planning on rebuilding my entire harness. 21 years of heat and oil have taken a heavy toll on my existing harness. When I put the 4.0 in, I had to do quite a few repairs. I had to replace a few connectors, and taped up a lot of split insulation, but that just scratched the surface. All the insulation is so hard and nasty, it just doesn't seem like it is worth trying to salvage it.

I plan on keeping this Range Rover until it rots out from underneath me, so I figure I ought to do this right.