gslender

Nice one! Seems all the work on the car is finally paying off

We gonna test it.... We gonna test it

Did some more work on the custom ECU today. Added a USB-B connector (for software uploads and tuning) and a 12V power plug (for bench testing out of the car). Once the wires had all been soldered in the right spots, I switched her on and uploaded the latest firmware to the board. Everything went perfect and sweet - next step is to begin the wire-up to the stock connector.

Oh crap! I'm holding up the build now.... Best pull my finger out!

Which is part of the reason why we've taken to a spare stock ECU and gutted it instead of the original ECU (which only cost under a $100 to source a 2nd hand auto module with the correct harness connectors). If at any stage we can't get the new MS3 Pro module to work we can fairly easily swap back the stock ECU and with a few minor changes to the intake sensors, be back to working again. The overall goal will be to have MS3 manage custom tune mapped at the dyno with a electronic boost controller making crazy HP. If we have to swap the stock ECU back, it will just mean the engine will run without extra boost and run pretty much like stock. It should be a good solution for getting all the features of a $2000+ ECU system but hopefully come in under $1000 !!

Both brackets made and MS3 Pro module is mounted. Next step is to think about how to mount USB/Serial connectors for software control, and also think about a secondary connector for things that can't be connected via the stock Nissan connector and harness. I think a trip to Jaycar is on the cards.

Pretty happy with this aluminum bracket - just got to create one for the other side and the mounting of the MS3 Pro ecu stage is complete.

Righto... continuing the build of the ECU and I'm up to the point where the stock ECU case is now gutted and the connector block desoldered from the original circuit board - I hacked, cut and mangled it pretty bad to get it off the connector, but the end result was good - all the connector pins are healthy and intact. The new MS3 module will fit, but I do need to create some standoff brackets so that it is well secured and pro-like. I could just pack the module with silicone and/or leave it free floating, but I'd like to do this properly and I think a few plastic plates made with the Dremel won't take too long to whip up.

With the old board removed I can see where I will need to create some stand-offs (maybe out of plastic) to hold the new MS3 Pro module and with a few screws, wires soldered to the connector block it will look just like a standard OEM ecu but with a fully software configurable spark, fuel and boost! Oh yeah its gonna rock!

With the stock original ecu cover removed, I can see how the transplant is going to be performed. Ok, so the bloody board has the screws soldered - thanks Nissan! I use a Dremel to cut a cross (Philips head) in the top and then used an iron to un-solder them and out they come.

This is the ECU module that we'll be stuffing into a stock ECU case and then just wiring up to the stock connector block. First look it seems to be a nice fit with only a minor amount of Dremel work to ensure the board fits into the case. Features of the MS3 Pro ecu can be read in the link, but for those that know anything about EFI, this module is feature packed and requires no further work (other than wiring up the to stock harness). http://www.diyautotune.com/ms3pro_module/index.html The big challenge is figuring out the wiring and which sensor input or what controlled output goes where.... looks like I'll be head down into the Nissan workshop manuals over the next few days.

Hey... so I'll post the updated photos and build steps of this D.I.Y. custom ecu. I'm using a MS3 Pro Module which will be installed inside a stock R33 ECU case... that way it will look stock, require almost no work to get going, plug straight into the stock loom and hopefully be so cool that ya sisters girlfriends will be keen to call you the Megasquirt Master (yikes!)