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Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? #548305 12/07/09 04:36 PM 12/07/09 04:36 PM
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada T TrxR OP super stock
TrxR OP super stock T Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada	How does everyone rate the megasquirt compared to say FAST XFI and BS3? Anyone have experience with all 3 step in with some input? Also any info on a release date for MS3 with sequential? Thanks

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: TrxR] #548306 12/07/09 04:52 PM 12/07/09 04:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,771 St.Clair Shores MI. tilt top fuel
tilt top fuel Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,771 St.Clair Shores MI.	Try Matt Cramer(sp) over on turboforums. 68 CORONET R/T BEST MACHINE BUILT EFI'd TWIN TURBO(UP and RUNNING !!) 03 Mach1

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: tilt] #548307 12/07/09 05:12 PM 12/07/09 05:12 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN PC-CHARGER super stock
PC-CHARGER super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN	I haven't had experience with all three but before I bought my XFI, I did a fair bit of research into a number of different systems including these three. At the time I was looking, the Megasquirt didn't offer sequential injection or timing control, both things I wanted in a system. I beleive those two areas have been addressed but the Megasuirt system is still very much a do it yourself type kit and is short on some other features that a person may want. The major advantage to the Megasquirt is the cost. The FAST XFI is quite a bit more of an outlay but for my wants and needs, it filled my requirements. It has many added features and options that are quite useful and there are areas for tuning that simply are not availalbe in the lower cost units. Support has been very good in my experince so far. As for the Big Stuff 3, this is more of an all out race effort type system. It has many features that are extremely useful on an race car. It likely could be used on a street car but in my opinion the main focus of this system is race. That's my opionion. Others may vary.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: PC-CHARGER] #548308 12/07/09 06:02 PM 12/07/09 06:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 637 Sao Paulo, Brazil dart_73_br mopar
dart_73_br mopar Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 637 Sao Paulo, Brazil	I don't know the 3 you mentioned but I can say Megasquirt is a fantastic EFI. Why ? Because it's open source. Everybody can modify the codes and program aditional features. In the Extra code you have a lot of add-ons like boost control, timing control, nitrous control, launch control and so on... And all of these.. for free... That's why I like it so much! The drawback is that you have to be a do it yourselfer and have basics understanding on electronics. 1973 Brasilian Dart E100, boosted 390"

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: dart_73_br] #548309 12/07/09 07:17 PM 12/07/09 07:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 344 Burlington, Ontario Canada Dave_S enthusiast
Dave_S enthusiast Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 344 Burlington, Ontario Canada	I have Megasquirt and I love it. It can control timing. Sequential or batch fire is irrelevant to me as my car is race only. At higher RPMs the injectors are pretty much open all the time anyway so I dont see any advantage to sequential injection. My car will start and idle stone cold and I can drive it off the trailer like it was your wife's mini-van! Not saying thats any real advantage, but it does keep the plugs clean and the cylinder walls from getting fuel washed. M/S does get you more involved with the guts of EFI, but I think that is a positive....the more your understand how it works the better IMHO. My 2 cents Dave Dave Stillie '73 Swinger 5.7 Hemi, 88mm turbo, powerglide, cal-tracs & 8 3/4 Mega-Squirt EFI [email]8.93@149 [/email]

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: Dave_S] #548310 12/07/09 10:52 PM 12/07/09 10:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 482 Dirty South, MS mopowered mopar
mopowered mopar Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 482 Dirty South, MS	When you do the research (more than a few days worth) it is a no-brainer. The MegaSquirt and it's derivatives meet and exceed the need of over 95% of the people wanting EFI. The DIY argument also doesn't hold water considering there are several plug-n-play (even more so than XFI or FAST) derivatives available for only marginal extra coin.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: mopowered] #548311 12/08/09 01:28 AM 12/08/09 01:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,766 Central Valley, CA. Quicksilver440 I Live Here
Quicksilver440 I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,766 Central Valley, CA.	Quote: When you do the research (more than a few days worth) it is a no-brainer. The MegaSquirt and it's derivatives meet and exceed the need of over 95% of the people wanting EFI. The DIY argument also doesn't hold water considering there are several plug-n-play (even more so than XFI or FAST) derivatives available for only marginal extra coin. About how much total for a semi-plug and play MegaSquirt system? I mean total for everything needed...??

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: PC-CHARGER] #548312 12/08/09 08:21 AM 12/08/09 08:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,244 Canada Kam*Kuda master
Kam*Kuda master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,244 Canada	Quote: I haven't had experience with all three but before I bought my XFI, I did a fair bit of research into a number of different systems including these three. At the time I was looking, the Megasquirt didn't offer sequential injection or timing control, both things I wanted in a system. I beleive those two areas have been addressed but the Megasuirt system is still very much a do it yourself type kit and is short on some other features that a person may want. The major advantage to the Megasquirt is the cost. The FAST XFI is quite a bit more of an outlay but for my wants and needs, it filled my requirements. It has many added features and options that are quite useful and there are areas for tuning that simply are not availalbe in the lower cost units. Support has been very good in my experince so far. As for the Big Stuff 3, this is more of an all out race effort type system. It has many features that are extremely useful on an race car. It likely could be used on a street car but in my opinion the main focus of this system is race. That's my opionion. Others may vary. I think this is an accurate assessment You can also consider Motec as a higher end system Done right most systems will make good power. The advantage of Megasquirt is a cheaper initial cost and the open source. This can be huge. Although you will need some decent knowledge and the forums can be difficult to get a well rounded answer. Experienced tuning is where you will gain the most. I have limited knowledge so I took the EFIuniversity 101 course. This helped me. FYI I bought the FAST XFI system 1970 Barracuda Convertible 1968 Satellite Street Strip car 1654.5 Mustang 1955 Land Rover

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: Dave_S] #548313 12/08/09 12:36 PM 12/08/09 12:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,533 Indiana F Fury Fan master
Fury Fan master F Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,533 Indiana	Quote: I have Megasquirt and I love it. It can control timing. Sequential or batch fire is irrelevant to me as my car is race only. At higher RPMs the injectors are pretty much open all the time anyway so I dont see any advantage to sequential injection. My car will start and idle stone cold and I can drive it off the trailer like it was your wife's mini-van! Dave hit an important point. Some systems will tout they can do sequential, however that's of marginal benefit to most street engines IMO. And hey - keep your voices down or a 'carb guy' will jump in and spoil this. Parts I seek: driver doorpanel, 65 Sport Fury, prefer black, needs to be 7-8 on 10 scale, might buy set 16" x 6" Dodge truck wheel(s), from early 70s?, takes 9" dogdish - need for a research job so cheaper is better. 69-73 C-body caliper brackets and/or splashields Send a PM.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: Fury Fan] #548314 12/08/09 03:29 PM 12/08/09 03:29 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN PC-CHARGER super stock
PC-CHARGER super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN	Sequential can be a benefit if you are trying to tame an idle from an aggresive cam.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: PC-CHARGER] #548315 12/08/09 03:59 PM 12/08/09 03:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada T TrxR OP super stock
TrxR OP super stock T Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada	I am looking at these for a 500Ci Turbo motor on pump fuel that will see plenty of street time.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: TrxR] #548316 12/08/09 05:37 PM 12/08/09 05:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN PC-CHARGER super stock
PC-CHARGER super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN	Again, my opinion but if it's a turbo build, unless you are very good at tuning, you will need some help. Although the Megasquirt system can likely be made to work, the fact that it is a lower cost system would tell me that it would not likely be used on a higher dollar build using a turbo so information on how to set up that combo may be a little tougher to find. Not bashing Megasquirt or any other system for that matter. To me it boils down to matching the system options to what you need or want and deciding how much help you may require. As stated, there are Megasquirt packages out there that are virtually plug and play but the dealer for a BS3 system would probably be able to set you up with a base tune from their own library or even offer a service where they would tune the engine remotely through an Internet connection. (engine on a dyno of course) Any one of the systems is going to likely set you back a minimum $1000 and up steeply from there so decide what you need, the amount of assistance you require and balance that with your budget. It's been a year or more since I was doing the research for mine so there's likely been quite a bit of change so look around and ask lots of questions before you decide.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: PC-CHARGER] #548317 12/08/09 08:51 PM 12/08/09 08:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 637 Sao Paulo, Brazil dart_73_br mopar
dart_73_br mopar Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 637 Sao Paulo, Brazil	Quote: ...not likely be used on a higher dollar build using a turbo so information on how to set up that combo may be a little tougher to find. Come on... if you are not a lazy guy.. there's a TON of information on these.... you just need a few readings...

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: dart_73_br] #548318 12/08/09 09:27 PM 12/08/09 09:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN PC-CHARGER super stock
PC-CHARGER super stock Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 916 MB,CAN	There very well may be people running turbo setups with the MS system but it may not be the best system for this application for this individual. Any EFI is not a walk in the park and the Megasquirt may be a great economical system, but it is much more of a DIY setup than the others. That is one of it's advantages to some and a pitfal to others. I pointed out that the best route is to decide what you want for features and options, research and find the systems that fit your requirements and budget, then buy the system. If that's the Megasquirt, then go for it but I can guarantee the Megasquirt is not the best system for all applications just like any of the others may not be the best choice for a particular application. You seem to be so dead set on the Megasquirt that you won't open your eyes to any other system and that's not the best way to approach a project like this.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: PC-CHARGER] #548319 12/09/09 01:07 AM 12/09/09 01:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,131 Amarillo, Texas BBR master
BBR master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,131 Amarillo, Texas	I had a MS on the 545 in the Ranger. I really liked it a lot, even more after I switched to the 'MSextra' code. So many more functions it is crazy. If you want to talk MS or the commercially available version EMS Pro, go email or pm 'dieselgeek' over on BangShift. He was very helpful in getting me up and running. Drag Week 2011 - 77th place - DD Drag Week 2012 - 2nd place SRBB N/A Drag Week 2014 - Kapooya RMRW 2018 RMRW 2020

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: BBR] #548320 12/09/09 02:58 AM 12/09/09 02:58 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,180 Detroit, MI CokeBottleKid master
CokeBottleKid master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,180 Detroit, MI	Having a F.A.S.T system and looking at the older MS stuff I kinda scoffed at it as it was a bit barbarically simple. However I've been hanging around some guys using MS2 and I can honestly say I'm impressed. It almost seems like they copied the F.A.S.T functions and layout. It can do everything my old Grey box F.A.S.T can do except sequential, but it can also do more like scalable Accel enrichment values (important for big injectors) and also utilize add-ons like boost control. MS1 wasn't really worth the trouble IMO, but MS2 really evolved, I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: CokeBottleKid] #548321 01/01/10 11:58 PM 01/01/10 11:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Norton Ohio D drooze member
drooze member D Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Norton Ohio	Maybe a dead thread...the MSIII extender is in final beta and it will do native COP and Sequential as well as a bunch of other stuff the others cant even do.... I would hit the megasquirt III forums and ask specific questions like the feature list from the ones you are looking at, they will give you an honest answer...... SHARP guys....SHARP....and they dont have a vested interest in telling you why theirs is best. There are a lot of "myths" about the MegaSquirt out there, but they are now on the NHRA Approved list as of Oct 31st 2009...:) You also if done right can do it for 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the other systems.....BUT youve got to be willing to READ lots of forums and they guys will guide you through, or go to someone like diyautotune and have them help you through, their hardware all built is good stuff...and they drive a lot of the MS development from a consumer end......

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: TrxR] #548322 01/02/10 10:28 PM 01/02/10 10:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	Didn't AEM show off a new version 3 management system at the orlando PRI? Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: jcc] #548323 01/03/10 06:28 PM 01/03/10 06:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 200 AB E Efidart enthusiast
Efidart enthusiast E Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 200 AB	I have tuned all 3 systems and currently run a MSII on my dart, it works good and out of the 3 is by far the easiest to tune. Spark with an MS has never been something that worked great. I usually do fuel only installations then put a curve in the distributor. That being said, after tuning a bunch of BS3 equipped cars I broke down and bought one to swap out the MS. The MS will be used on another car of mine but for the Dart a BS3 has everything figured out. If I had the time to mod my MS further I sure would, but for now the BS3 will work. I have ran MS's for a long time now and have helped find problems in the code so it pains me to switch. That being said FAST is my last pick, if a person already had one I would say keep it. But if a person were buying a new system there are better choices out there, it all depends what you want to accomplish. They all do the same things just with different screens for the most part. Steer clear of Retrotek Speed if you have anything bigger then an RV cam. I believe they are a part of Professional products. That is the only ECU that I would say is a true POS. TT Predator headed 572 7 Second Street Car. Fastest Mopar Drag Week 2015 Fastest Mopar & Dodge Drag Week 2017 Pro Street Power Adder Champion Drag Week 2017

Re: Megasquirt VS XFI and BS3? [Re: Efidart] #548324 01/03/10 08:56 PM 01/03/10 08:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada T TrxR OP super stock
TrxR OP super stock T Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 973 New Brunswick, Canada	What I am looking for is something to run a 500CI BB Mopar with a 98 or 101mm turbo on pump fuel on the street and the strip. So drive ability is requirement.

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