DIYAutoTune.com Question (MS)

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:03 am

Ok, so I have been reading, researching, and have started looking at getting what I need to start MS's the ACR... time to smooth out that power curve! Stupid stock ECU timing... :grumble:

So, my major question is one I have heard and seen around, and that was that RS_Auto is great, but that DIYAutoTune is better and cheaper... but my questions are as follows:

Is this right: MS-I PCB 2.2

Or is this: MS-I PCB 3.0

Or this: MS-II PCB 3

And do I need this: Relay Board

If so, do I need this: Relay Cable

And This: Stimulator

Is this necessary, or just makes it easier: Harness (I think I want it regardless)

This is for connecting to a computer, yes? I have what looks like a plug on the back, but my laptop is only a year old and it has a port for a monitor hook up - is this the right plug? Do they have one for USB port, and if so, where: Tuning Cable

Did I miss anything???

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:19 am

Quick response before work.

You want the v3 PCB, and MSII. A year ago, you would have had to get the v3 PCB and MSI, because MSnSE code only worked on MSI. But there's a brand new MSnSE that works on MSII. So get MSII!

Don't need a relay board or cable.

Stimulator is pretty much required to test one if you're building the unit yourself. For a prebuilt unit, it just lets you play with it basically. Josh has a stim, so you could just borrow his.

Definately want/need the Wiring Harness.

Not sure about the tuning cable....I think Josh uses something else. Might pm him to get his attention to this thread.

Kevin_GP · Post by **Kevin_GP** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:50 am

An even quicker response, the tuning cable is just a serial to serial connector, to connect your laptop to MS (if you have a serial port on your laptop). Get MS2 now that the code is out for that, if not MS1 ver. 3.0 board. Make sure you get a universal harness, they are worth their weight in gold, either from diy or RS-autosports (their harness is labeled very well and was a breeze to install).

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:01 pm

Ok, so I need MSII PCB 3 - no prob - $410 prebuilt, OWE. But oh well. And the harness, $65. And is this a serial port???

If so, then I need this cable, yes?
Tuning Cable

Isn't there some other parts like a harness of sorts by GM that you need? I will re-read the sticky and verify yes or no, but if you have an answer for me, then please

by all means post it

Kevin_GP · Post by **Kevin_GP** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:20 pm

You are correct, that is a serial port and you do need a serial to serial cable (unless you have one already). You also need a coolant sensor and a air temp sensor, both are GM. They should be in the sticky, no extra harness will be needed for the sensor, they are just 2 wire connections.

turbodudey · Post by **turbodudey** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:20 pm

kc2002acr wrote:And is this a serial port???

No, that is not a serial port. Well... actually it IS a serial port, but it's the high density 15 pin port. You need a regular 9 pin serial port. I think you can get an adapter to go from the 9 pin to 15 pin ports. Or if you have a USB port you can get a USB to 9 pin serial adapter. Either way you'll need an adapter, so whichever you can find will work. If you get an adapter, then you'll still need to serial cable as well.

I only had USB ports on my laptop, but instead of buying an adapter and a serial cable, I just got a serial to USB cable. (serial on one end, USB on the other. same result, just no adapter to mess with)

kc2002acr wrote:Isn't there some other parts like a harness of sorts by GM that you need? I will re-read the sticky and verify yes or no, but if you have an answer for me, then please by all means post it

You'll need GM CLT and IAT sensors, and the sensor connectors with pigtails too. The sensors w/ pigtails are about $20 from DIY-autotune

FTWNeon · Post by **FTWNeon** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:37 pm

Thats a VGA port that you can plug an external monitor into...

Kevin_GP · Post by **Kevin_GP** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:52 pm

turbodudey wrote:
kc2002acr wrote:And is this a serial port???

No, that is not a serial port. Well... actually it IS a serial port, but it's the high density 15 pin port. You need a regular 9 pin serial port. I think you can get an adapter to go from the 9 pin to 15 pin ports. Or if you have a USB port you can get a USB to 9 pin serial adapter. Either way you'll need an adapter, so whichever you can find will work. If you get an adapter, then you'll still need to serial cable as well.

I only had USB ports on my laptop, but instead of buying an adapter and a serial cable, I just got a serial to USB cable. (serial on one end, USB on the other. same result, just no adapter to mess with)

kc2002acr wrote:Isn't there some other parts like a harness of sorts by GM that you need? I will re-read the sticky and verify yes or no, but if you have an answer for me, then please by all means post it
You'll need GM CLT and IAT sensors, and the sensor connectors with pigtails too. The sensors w/ pigtails are about $20 from DIY-autotune

Ohhh opps! I just glanced over the picture, never mind then. Crazy new laptops. You still need a coolant and air temp sensor though. My bad.

FTWNeon · Post by **FTWNeon** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:58 pm

All this reminds me that I need to start on my shooping list for MS as well. Once I get some money that is...

Craz1000 · Post by **Craz1000** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:02 am

that is NOT a serial port that is a vga output from the laptop

the top port green port is a 9 pin male serial plug, there is a 25pin version too that went out about 10 years ago

the one under it is a blue 15pin female plug, that is a vga/svga output for a monitor (the same one you took a picture of)

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:53 am

turbodudey wrote:I only had USB ports on my laptop, but instead of buying an adapter and a serial cable, I just got a serial to USB cable. (serial on one end, USB on the other. same result, just no adapter to mess with)

Do you remember where you got yours from?? I will Google it, maybe go to Tiger Direct, cause I saw none on DIY-Auto, so...

turbodudey wrote:
kc2002acr wrote:Isn't there some other parts like a harness of sorts by GM that you need? I will re-read the sticky and verify yes or no, but if you have an answer for me, then please by all means post it
You'll need GM CLT and IAT sensors, and the sensor connectors with pigtails too. The sensors w/ pigtails are about $20 from DIY-autotune

And these are linked up in your sticky, if I recall correctly. THanks Josh!

turbodudey · Post by **turbodudey** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:38 pm

kc2002acr wrote:Do you remember where you got yours from?? I will Google it, maybe go to Tiger Direct, cause I saw none on DIY-Auto, so...

I don't remember where I got it, but they do have the same exact one that I got at TigerDirect.

This is just like the one I have: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... C-CNETFEED

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:59 pm

Awesome, saved that to my Megasquirt To BUY folder

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Fri May 18, 2007 7:43 pm

Hey, that's a VGA port, not the serial that you want.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:15 am

quicksilvr wrote:Hey, that's a VGA port, not the serial that you want.

Me

Dave

Hey, another quick question - I noticed the sticky says MS-I pcb 3 is what to order, so what is the main difference between MSI pcb3 and MSII pcb3? Do I need MSII pcb3 now? Will it grant me anything I cant get off of MSI pcb3?? I like the price of MSI pcb3 better

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:03 pm

The pcb v3.0 is the actual board (Printed Circuit Board). MSI and MSII are processors. MSII is better (faster, more options, etc). And since the MSII processor will now run MSnSE firmware, it's definately the better choice. Not too long ago (when Josh wrote the sticky) MSnSE firmware would only run on the MSI processor. He should change the sticky to lay out the best setup NOW. Get MSII.

EDIT: I just found this over on the org in the megasquirt forum.

turbodudey..on neons.org wrote:MS1 runs on a somewhat antiquated 8 bit processor. Don't get me wrong, it works well, and at $8 a pop it's hard to go wrong.

MS2 on the other hand has a nifty 16 bit processor with 4 times the RAM and 3 times the clock speed of the MS1. It can also control 4-wire stepper IACs (which is a very handy feature).

MS2 is really just faster and has more capability. So, it's a nice improvement over the MS1 processor.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sat May 19, 2007 3:54 pm

Ok... damn. I have enough for MSI v3 and the wiring harness and other stuff needed to install, but I guess I will wait for another month and save up for the MSII

Impatience pwns me. Also, Dave, you going to help me tune it so I do not have any down time?

I am gonna have to install it and get up and running that same day

Is it possible??

turbodudey · Post by **turbodudey** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:04 pm

The v3.0 pcb is the same board regardless of which processor you get (MS1 or MS2). So... if you really want to get MS now, you can get MS1 and then if you're so inclined you can upgrade to the MS2 processor later on.

As I mentioned before, the MS1 processor is only about $8, and the MS2 processor is $90. That's why the MS1 kit is cheaper than the MS2 kit.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:40 pm

Thank Josh, appreciate the info - I might just have to do the MSI right now and upgrade later

Thanks again guys!!! And Dave, you never answered me - gonna help me tune it?

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Mon May 21, 2007 7:33 pm

kc2002acr wrote: Thanks again guys!!! And Dave, you never answered me - gonna help me tune it?

I'll think about it.

In all honesty...I'd be learning almost the same as you. Josh did nearly 90% of the tuning on his when I was not present. I know the basics but not much more. Best bet would be to get "dudey" tuned. Josh will be back quite often, I'm sure we can set something up with all three of us. It'll help me learn too.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:42 pm

I am going with the MSI-pcb3.0. I will also be getting the wiring and stuff, so first, since I sold some stuff and bought a new pressure guage (loosing pressure for some reason in hard turns

) I am a big behind in funds, but as soon as I break the $330 mark ($100 away!!) I am buying the MS first, then comes the harness, wiring stuff, and then I will run everything and get it ready to install. Then one weekend when you and Josh are free, I can run it up to St. Joe and mayeb we can have an install/tuning day?

We will see, since I have some more time I will just continue to read up and maybe get this down pact.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri May 25, 2007 12:30 am

MS is on hold, I have a deal I can NOT pass up, so I am doing this first, THEN the MS will come

Maybe by the end of the summer???

More details to come

lethalp1mp · Post by **lethalp1mp** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:52 pm

MS2/Extra is still pretty Alpha. I'd stick with a MS1 for Extra.

You can always upgrade later! They use the same board and cpu socket so it's a simple swap for the most part.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:33 pm

I got this instead!

Ceramic Coated FastFabs v1 Long Tube Header with 3" collector

Kevin_GP · Post by **Kevin_GP** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:40 pm

kc2002acr wrote:I got this instead!

Ceramic Coated FastFabs v1 Long Tube Header with 3" collector

Still have a 6500 rev limit though, lol good purchase. Cars going to be loud