Hi Guys,
What would you recommend for a simple stand alone system for a naturally aspirated buggy? I will be using a K20A2 engine with a manual transmission. I might boost it later but looking at options now. We used to build the Mega Squirt systems back in the day, but looking for a simple and practical application for my build. I saw Fuel Tech but it's a bit over the top I think for my build, please advise.

Would be easier to just get a wiring harness conversion for the buggy?

Thanks.

 

Holley terminator x

 

Honestly, this is such a tough question to answer. Fueltech is a great system, as is Haltech, or even a Honda K Pro. My honest opinion is to use the best one you can afford. That way you future proof your setup. Also, talk to your tuner and see what they are most comfortable with as this can play a major role in your outcome.

 

This statement is really the key.

 

100% agree

 

If you are confortable with fulls tand alones, it is good to see what you want. Do you want full direct fire and sequential fueling. Then the great FT450, might come short on input/outputs. Can still be used . The FT450 is one of my favourite budget ecus as you get the great dash as well. Look into megasquirt, I know there is some firmware compatability issues being sorted on the K24 side, not sure on the K20 side.

Did you want a dash ? , did you want direct fire ? and of course then budget.

Holley is clearing out some old stock AEM EMS, they have some cheap ecus you can get to run a basic setup.

 

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel.../parts/30-7114

 

Wow, that's a solid markdown

 

They have the EMS V2 on sale right now too for over 50% off:

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel.../parts/30-6040
Wish I had scooped that up rather than my S300 lol.

 

Ehh, the Infinity is a great ecu. EMS V2 is way old school.

 

What chassis do you have Chance EG ? What version of S300 do you have now ?

 

Thanks Clay, Relic1, JR and BottleFedz. I used to build and tune MegaSquirt ECU's but having said that, learning a new tuning software might have a higher than average learning curve. I will be the one tuning my engine, I will read, read and read until I fully understand both the hardware and software. My background comprises of electronics too so hopefully I will get through.

Thanks again to all you guys who replied and for your advice.

.

 

Hey DVDr,

I might boost the motor later so full direct fire and sequential fueling might be preferable. Seen a friend of mine running an AEM dash and sensor package on his Goblin supercharged Cobalt Goblin, looks really nice. I have been looking at the FT450 and bang for buck, its a good deal with the dash package.

Thanks so much for your advice and for sharing this, it's very much appreciated.

 

Just saw your location, amazingly enough I lived in Ottawa for almost 30 years before building a vacation home in the Caribbean. I am still in Ottawa a bit lately, still have my house there in Ottawa and my daughter in Ottawa U. You might have heard of my performance shop in the past Seems as though you do a lot of track time at Calabogie Motorsports Park. We (the Porsche and The BMW Clubs) were invited to do some lap trials when it was brand new, I think we were the first group to do some test laps on the track...small world.

I was looking in the US and Montreal for a K20A motor, some places in Florida and NJ claims to have JDM spec low milage motors, but since you are in Ottawa, I might lean on you for what's out there, I am returning there hopefully in May for a bit The UK has some decent motors as well, can get motor, gearbox, ECU and harness from them too. Some guys were sayin to stick with the ECU and try tuning it, its great for simplicity but a stand alone has more tuning potential as you know.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Worked well on my old S2K, and probably a safer route to go these days than trying to fit S300 or Neptune onto a crusty old Honda board. For that price it's definitely not a bad option.

93 Si, and I have an S300v3.

 

I have a BRAND NEW AEM V1 if you want to trade...

 

Yeah, if you're comparing to a 30 year old modified OEM ecu then you definitely have a point. But when you compare it to the Infinity 500 series (they are basically at the same price point, barring these deep markdowns), it doesn't make sense to choose the V2 anymore.

I've never been a fan of the GEMS boxes for whatever reasons, further colored by my personal experiences. The Infinity ecus are made by EngineLab out of Colorado and are light years ahead of the V2 (event though they are also pushing 15 years old now). Also, specifically in the case of OP, I can't imagine he's looking to use an ecu that's not fully sealed with bootable connectors in his buggy.

 

Thank you, but I'll stick to the S300 for now.

I had Phearable refresh the board/capacitors when I sent it in to them for the S300 installation. I'm not concerned about the functionality, just at the first sign of ECU issues I'm going to go full standalone to get away from the 30+ year old factory board. Same deal with if I have issues on my Dragonfire distributor, I'll just go COP. Just one of those things that's better for future proofing anyway.

Sorry for semi-derailing thread OP.

 

I’ve been running a haltech elite in my civic for over a year and it’s been amazing. The nsp software is very easy, I’m not by any means a tuner and I was able to get my car up and running on my own before getting it to my tuner. And their customer support is really imo the best when it comes to the Ecu market. They do a lot to support the diy guys. Disclaimer though the only other Ecu I’ve had was an s300 so I can’t compare to the likes of fueltch, link, ecumaster etc.

I think it’s really going to come down to budget and your specific needs. Being a k20 in a buggy, your options are really endless. Try to figure out what kind of inputs and outputs you need (current and future possibilities) and find a model that fits the bill the best

also from Ontario myself just north of Toronto, cheers

 

I don’t know why I didn’t post this in my original response, but, my Camaro is running a mega squirt ms3 pro gen 1. I like the Holley software better though

 

Amazing small world ! . I lived in the Caribbean for years, Love me Trinidad and Tobago and Isla de Margarita ! .

Regarding motors, I would pick it up in Montreal, they can ship it to for you as well. We picked up a few K24s a few weeks ago, there is about 8-10 shops within 8 block radius with JDM motors. Plenty 3 lobe K24s , and some K20rs in stock with quite a few K20z3s ( CDN market ones ) .

It seems you know what you are doing, so I would go straight to a real standalone. If you are boosting, skip the k20r. The full stand alone have great boost map features and engine protection options. I will be running a Haltech Elite 1000 this season with their dash.

1) will you want to run drive by wire or cable throttle. This will help you to decide what ecu you need. If you are going boosted, I would go drive by wire as you can get much better traction control features. The Haltech Elite 1500 or 2500 or nexus R3/R5 would be my go to's ( if serious ) .
2) Link ecus
3) Fueltech 550, skip the FT450 .

 

Trinidad was my second home, we had a satellite dish factory in San Fernando in the late 80ies and early 90ies, I used to race there as well while on our Caribbean race leg starting from Guyana in South America, finishing in Jamaica I am not far from Trinidad and Guyana now

I saw some businesses advertising motors for sale in Montreal. Ideally I would prefer the K20A JDM spec 220HP motor with a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission with drive axles and front hubs with brakes complete. Is there someone you would recommend in Montreal or whom you bought the K24's from, hoping that they have a JDM spec K20A and gearbox? Wish I could get the LSD option but it seems very pricy. Montreal is ideal for shipping since that's the port from which they ship to the Caribbean, I also know the owner of a shipping company there.

I will start NA and then boost eventually once I have all the kinks worked out and it works well. I will be building a tubular frame project car for this application so it should come in under 1,500 lbs for sure. The Haltech Elite 1000 is feature loaded and looks robust.

Fly by wire preferably

I was looing at the FT packages, yes I think for the few extra bucks, the 550 is worth it.

We should exchange numbers, you probably have WhattsApp too. I should be back in Ottawa in May for summer, can send you my number for there too.

Thanks for the advice and info, will PM you my numbers.

Cheers.

 

For sure. It's 2023, there's really no good reason to be using throttle cables anymore.