Megasquirt your Miata - First Start Guide (Pt. 6)

In this episode we cover everything you need to get the firmware loaded and configured and the car started! This is a handy guide especially if you've never used Tuner Studio before. It's a walk through of the most important menus and screens. Calibrate the sensors, set timing, review basic settings, start the car!
Links:
Guide: trubokitty.com
Megasquirt 3X kit: www.diyautotune...
Mega Manuals: www.msextra.com....
Forums: www.miataturbo.net
Tuning Software: www.tunerstudio...
Tools/Parts:
Soldering Station: amzn.to/2YeasXM
60/40 rosin core solder: amzn.to/2Ft5BKU
Weller ST7 TIP,CONICAL,1/32": amzn.to/2xb7Aia
Heat Shrink Tubing Kit: amzn.to/2X4lX7j
3M Super 88 electrical tape: amzn.to/2Xzlycs
Loom wrap, 1/4": amzn.to/2Xudc6c
Loom wrap, 3/8": amzn.to/2N85tGJ
OGPedxing is all about DIY, gadgets, and tools. #Miata #NAMiata

[@ashpowell9451]

You really should be getting more feedback. Easy to understand, clear guide here. I'm considering converting my Lada Niva (yes, that's right) from its stock ECU to MS to resolve some annoying characteristics of the stock unit/tune. I think this series of videos will be really helpful, thanks!

[@multimikeish]

You are a serious live saver. I just got my MS a few weeks ago. Was battling the idle forever!! All i kept getting was a "its a fuel problem" from everyone. You had this clear guide and all the other videos..... man. Serious life saver. I understand everything soooo much better. I was wishing for someone to come along and explain everything to me like how you have done with these videos. Here you are lmao. Seriously man, cannot thank you enough. There are many people out there who also say the same.

[@OGPedXing]

Thanks, I really appreciate it. More good stuff is coming. Once the turbo series is done, I'll be doing in depth on boost tuning and then comes e85!

[@multimikeish]

@@OGPedXing Im still catching up on your series of videos. Not a big fan of green cars, but i like the color combo with the interior. Clean. I am about to install my full turbo kit and then tune for e85 as well. Trying to learn NA before taking the leap tho. 👍🏻 keep it up. Earned a sub

[@OGPedXing]

@@multimikeish yeah, tuning in NA first is a great way to do it, it's much harder to actually damage anything. About the worst that can happen is it stalls or has bad gas mileage. More people should use that plan!

[@joeporsche1767]

I feel the same.

[@TeddyD802]

Thank you for marking this video, I’m watching it over and over as I prepare to get my 94 transferred over to MS

[@joem6859]

Hey, nice job. Doing a MS3X for a 240Z

[@elratatoulliegutierrez6723]

Thanks for quick response I appreciate that info 👍

[@OMGWTFBBQSHEEP]

Thank you for a very thorough video on this topic! This made me a lot less unsure about tuning my NB when i get to mounting my MS2. Thanks! Btw. are there any obvious changes that i'll need to do different than you since you're using a MS3 in an NA and i'm using a MS2 DIYPNP in a NB1?

[@OGPedXing]

Thanks for the comments. I think most things will be the same but one thing that's different is the nb1 has variable intake cam control via a solenoid. If you supply this with 12v from wherever and control the ground from the Ms then you can set it up to open at the right times. Some use the grounded output normally used for electronic boost control to do it. Second I forget if the ms2 does sequential injection and ignition out of the box. You may need to add circuits for that.

[@jacobanchel5745]

Just got an ms2 for my nb1 I’m so lost I feel like I’m following your guid to the t and then my throttle response is off at idle

[@OGPedXing]

If you blip the throttle and it dips too low when returning to idle, you'll want to check the fuel ve cells around the idle range... typically add a little fuel. Also check that the idle valve duty cycle is high enough if you are using the idle valve initial values table. If it hesitates on tip in, then check out the accell enrichment screen and increase the fuel a bit there.

[@michaelregalia2539]

My configuration signature is 0592.12p and the basemap that I was able to find is 0565.11p. Would I be able to run this tune, if not how would I go about finding a basemap with the proper signature?

[@joeporsche1767]

Thanks!

[@OGPedXing]

I totally missed this! So sorry for the late reply, thanks so much and thanks for watching!

[@emiezzero8113]

i pluged mine in without having the coils unpluagh i think i fired them

[@elratatoulliegutierrez6723]

Hey these video seem out dated like 4-5 years ago, are these processes updated or still the the same, I have other questions do applications go with my 2000 Miata NB ?

[@OGPedXing]

The megasquirt platform is very mature and tested. Some enhancements come out from time to time with the tunerstudio software but everything in the vids are still up to date. Pretty much everything will apply to your nb. The only thing I don't cover would be VICS (variable intake control) which you would have on a 2000 model year engine. Megasquirt can control that with one of the output options connected to the vics solenoid.

[@oscarscott8353]

20:41 shouldn't the engine displacement be 1840cc instead if 1799cc? Resources says its 1840cc. (MS2PNP 9495)

[@OGPedXing]

Huh, interesting. Good catch! I think the base map came like that. Yes should be 1839. It's not crazy critical, the req fuel will be off just a bit meaning your fuel table tuning will be slightly different. If you're already tuned with 1799 then it won't matter too much to leave it like that.

[@TheDeganator]

When I first started I did not know I needed to unplug coil pack, so I may have messed them up. Can I just change the wires or is the problem further back? Considering upgrading to LS cop, but would like to wait on it if I can

[@OGPedXing]

Unplugging the coil packs is to protect them from a megasquirt with no firmware yet that might drive the coils too high and burn them out. If your ms had firmware on it already it's probably fine. The spark plug wires connect the plugs on one side to the coils on the other, they are probably fine even if the coils aren't. If you have firmware already installed you can actually use the ms itself to test the coils and plugs, there's a test mode in tuner studio that can fire each bank of plugs with the engine off.

[@rahnklan]

Hey OGPedXing when will the tuning video be out I’m around the same step you are but for a 90 Miata. Send me a message. I have a couple questions for you.

[@OGPedXing]

Hopefully in the next week or so -- I've redone it twice now actually because I'm trying to get it really right but detailed. I'll be starting a new series.

[@DJimeku]

my 99' miata doesn't have the CAS in the back of the head. The 99'+ have a hall effect type cam sensor located at the front stock. So I'm assuming Spark Mode in 99'+ miata's may not be 4G63. Happen to know? I want to use the Trubokitty base map

[@OGPedXing]

Yes the trubokitty base map should be fine (select the 99-00 one), I think it will be set automatically to the "Miata 99-05" spark mode.

[@DJimeku]

@@OGPedXing oh, perfect. Thank you! I'm on miataturbo and think I saw you were in the same city as me. Too cool, man! Thanks for sharing the videos

[@GaryLamb2020]

Heyy, I cant find the next video on how to get your car to idle smoothly.. Can you help me find it?

[@OGPedXing]

Sure, here's the link to the tuning play list....kzbin.info/aero/PLhdvjX1ljQGtvfTEbS2ViKBzz8iCJDRF_

[@mmarkzx]

I have 1.5.1 firmware. Can i still use the turbokitty base map 1.4.1 as base tune or do i need to downgrade my firmware to 1.4.1 in order to use the turbokitty base map?

[@OGPedXing]

No need to downgrade the actual MS. What you can do is create a new project, have it sync with your existing tune and then load the trubokitty one. It will give a series of warnings about it being for a different firmware but then it should convert. Save it then reopen tunerstudio and it should have no errors/warnings. Go through all the screens and verify that there are no missing or weird values. Second option, which is more time consuming but can be cleaner, is to open the trubokitty tune in its own project and it will grab the 1.4 firmware to your PC. Then export the settings you want and import them into your 1.5x tune.

[@mmarkzx]

@@OGPedXing its a completely new project fresh new ms3pro from diytune that has 1.5.1 firmware ver. Stam in the back of ecu. Its my first time installing it. Lot of people says turbokitty is a really good basetune so im wondering if its ok to use 1.4.1 basemap to a 1.5.1 MS firmware. I will follow all your video tutorials tuning for this install looks super helpful thanks!! I have a 94 stock engine

[@OGPedXing]

Good deal, I have a 94 as well. Yes the tune file should upgrade itself fine to the 1.5 firmware and then you can tweak it from there. The main difference 1.5 adds is engine states, so that screen will be blank/defaults so I would leave it disabled to start. Otherwise the fuel be and spark maps should be good. You'll need to still go through the normal first start process to make sure the ms is synced with the mechanical timing.

[@bad001bd]

Does your fuel pump constantly run when the key is in the on position? Also, I've followed all the steps up to startup and everything has worked as expected up to now, but the car will not start. It'll crank all day, but the ECU doesn't realize it. Additionally, when testing for spark with the testing mode, I can hear the coil packs ticking, but my timing light will not light for each tick. Do you have any recommendations on where to turn from here?

[@OGPedXing]

The fuel pump should do a 2 second prime and then stop with key on. Usually the only time it will run all the time is if the f/p and gnd are jumpered in the diagnostic box. Check the priming pulse screen first and if it looks good, check the voltage supplied on the fuel pump wire from the megasquirt harness. If it's always on, there may be a problem with that circuit on the board. For spark test sometimes I'll pull the whole plug out and verify the strength of the spark and that it's actually making to the plug. Make sure to ground the threads of the plug or it can damage your coil pack. Be safe! For more no-start diagnosis, get logs checking for the cam and crank sync and the crank RPM. Double check firing order in the settings and also on the plugs, it's easy to swap a wire. Once you can get the timing light going, you can get a basic check of the timing while just cranking. It may float around a bit because of the low RPM but it should give you an idea if you're way off. The trigger offset in tunerstudio may be off. Finally if nothing seems to be working, put the old ECU in, plug the maf back in and retest. It should fire up, if not something may have happened mechanically preventing start up.

[@uhhh_yourmom2149]

OGPedXing I’m having the same problem with my car. It’ll turn on and then right off. If you keep reving it constantly it’ll stay on but once you stop, it turns off. What do you think it could be?

[@uhhh_yourmom2149]

OGPedXing Also, I have a MSPNP2 in my car, is the firmware you downloaded on it compatible with the one have?

[@jonatanfleischman7427]

Hey I have a ‘92 with a MSPNP 2. The car has a 1.8 swap, but when I start it up, it immediately dies after about 2 seconds. Do you have any idea what this could be?

[@trinitythemiata2197]

Maf

[@jonatanfleischman7427]

@@trinitythemiata2197 what….. the megasquirt deletes that dude. And it’s a 92 it has an afm stock

[@OGPedXing]

Sorry I missed this question! A common cause on Ms is the fueling...after start enrichment is ok so it starts up but when ASE ends (few seconds) the warm up enrichment is not enough. This means the fuel table itself is likely a little lean but you can also bump up warm up enrichment.

[@seikan_astro7059]

Would this be the same if i have a microsqurit?

[@OGPedXing]

Yes should be basically the same, I think the firmware is like an ms2 so it will look like that in tuner studio

[@bryanmaza5780]

Do you use the usb or the Serial adapter to upload and tune the ms3x?

[@OGPedXing]

USB for the most part. If you add Bluetooth, then a serial Bluetooth is needed but wired works extremely well. I also use msdroid on my Android phone with a USB OTG cable adapter and that works great also.

[@bryanmaza5780]

So I been trying to communicate with my MS3x and I was unable to get it to communicate with my computer I have a MacBook Air I don’t know if that changes anything and yes I use the macOS file to upload the firmware but it won’t work any pointer or tips you know of thank you

[@OGPedXing]

@@bryanmaza5780 Try a different cable, sometimes it can be sensitive. I'm not familiar with the macOS setup but you may need to go through the same process of making sure the communication settings are 8N1 same as windows and using the higher speed setting..115000 bps or similar.