944 Mini Build Series Pt. 2: Focus 9 Technology DME With On Board Diagnostics

[@NC944er]

As owners of 40-year old cars, we’re so fortunate to have such robust aftermarket electronic parts availability. My experience with the F9T Sport DME was similarly positive, where it immediately eliminated some hesitation and weak/partial ignition issues over my aging factory DME. My only minor criticism of the design is that the relocation of the FQS prevents adjustment with the metal cover in place. Not a huge deal once it’s dialed in because you’ll probably never touch it again, but overall I’m very happy with the results.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

I completely agree it was a little tedious when I was messing with FQS settings while testing out some after market injectors hahaha. Edit: I actually remember reading on the forums that Joe might develop an update to give us the ability to wirelessly change the FQS setting via the OBD software. But I don’t remember what exactly would be involved with that if it’s a matter of a firmware upgrade or if new hardware is needed. But to your point after buying my first car 944 in 2015 the level of after market support that exists now is light years beyond what was available at the time in terms of availability and user experience it’s absolutely amazing. It makes me super excited because as time goes on and more cars are being restored instead of neglected now, these upgrades not only make the cars better but will ensure their survival long into the future and that genuinely makes me really happy. Broke, but happy!

[@Seagrams]

Dude glad to see you got your start hesitation sorted. I had just resolved mine also, it turns out the PO had messed with the FQS switch on my DME, having it set it add fuel, so I think it was making the car run rich. I set that back to position 0 and the hesitation went away. I have suspicion the PO did that to mask some vacuum leaks, but once those vacuum leaks were fixed the A/F ratio became rich

[@TakeFlightGarage]

I’m having a new weird issue where very randomly when the car is very very cold, it’ll take one time to crank it, and then it starts on the second key over right away. I have a similar suspicion that the AFM is just way out of calibration and hopefully when I switch over to the MAF setup it’ll completely resolve the issue. In any case, I have OBD now so I should be able to log the data and see what’s happening, I just haven’t had a chance. After tomorrow the car is going to be able to be down for the holidays and while the MAF issue gets sorted, I’m finally gonna be starting on the brakes!

[@Seagrams]

@@TakeFlightGarage Fingers crossed it's that AFM - that's another thing POs love to mess with: they will often adjust the clock spring under the black cover to make it richer, and likewise there is a hex adjustment on the outside at the top left of said cover that ppl adjust too. Hopefully the OBD can give you A/F ratio or at least the O2 sensor reading, then you can get a better picture of what's going on. I do recall from a NC944er video that the MAF upgrade may require some playing around with the FQS switch on the DME to get the A/F ratios right - best of luck with your install..

[@mademyownway2975]

Got both computer and DME relay from 9. Working now to get the Lindsey mass. Next will be to order a new wiring harness.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Don’t do what I did and make sure you install the MAF chip correctly! I installed mine 180 degrees out and shot my self in the foot, I’m hoping to explain it more in detail but as I sit currently I’m out $650 because of my mistake. I’m really hoping I can get in touch with Dave and try to work out a solution but yeah with the F9 computer, very very very important to install the chip correctly.

[@eliaszafrani]

Hi, thanks for explanation. But can you tell me where to get the fuse box cover with the window installed for the diagnostics of the DME relay?

[@TakeFlightGarage]

I made that myself, I ordered a spare from eBay, made cutouts, and then epoxy welded in some small acrylic panels I cut.

[@georgesguynemer6016]

NICE ! did you sent your old DME to focus 9 to have the New one or not necessary. I want one !

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Yes you will need to send in your old DME, or if you want to save it you can buy a cheap DME from eBay and send that. I needed this quick so I asked for them to send me one of their stock and they kept mine.

[@grantmontgomery4439]

Why does the F9T DME have a "Dave Lindsey" label on it?

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Probably because it was from a production batch Joe was designating for Dave to sell. I purchased this unit from Lindsey’s website because at the time Joe was out of stock on his.

[@grantmontgomery4439]

Cool to see Lindsey is selling them!@@TakeFlightGarage

[@eggman3354]

is that all you need to go turbo? just switch the ecu to turbo and have all the necessary hardware? can a 944 head or gasket handle boost?

[@TakeFlightGarage]

The things you need to convert an NA 944 to turbo would end up costing more than just flat out buying a 944 turbo (although that might be changing nowadays with prices on turbos rising so much) You need an entire rebuild, forged internals, pistons, I believe the NA blocks are missing certain holes for things like heat shields, turbo used different size injectors, has an auxiliary water pump, and on and on. The next best thing to buying a turbo is a 944s or S2 And the third option if you don’t care too much about HP numbers but just want to wake up an NA a little bit is doing the MAF, this computer, and a mild Cam+ turbo valve springs and potentially some mild head work.