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I've been running Megasquirt 2 in the Chevelle for over 10 years now. It really works very well, but they did release a Megasquirt 3 (and 3X) upgrade a few years back. The MS3 by itself is a hardware upgrade with new CPU, much more feature-rich, built-in logging to SD card, and direct USB connection. The 3X expansion card makes all of the I/O easily accessible -- that's 8 channel fuel, 8 channel ignition, nitrous1/2, boost control, launch control/flat-shift, external MAP, VSS input, TCC control, tach-out and maybe a couple other I'm missing.

So today I removed the MS unit from my car, pulled the MS2 card out of the socket, replaced it with the MS3 card. Upgrading to MS3 require a new case, so I moved the main board into the new case and added the 3X card. It's slightly more involved putting it all together than I originally thought.

For now, I just wanted to get up and running on MS3, so I'm keeping all the wiring the same. I was able to import the tables from my MS2 tune into the MS3 and the car started right up! I need to do some minor re-tuning, shouldn't be a big deal.

The plan for this winter is to change to a crank-trigger timing setup with full-sequential fuel and COP ignition. That will require building some wiring harnesses and figuring out where to mount the coils.

-Dave

This is my new crank trigger setup. The timing cover and Crank Position sensor are stock GM pieces. The trigger wheel itself is made by eficonnection.com and is the same pattern as a 24x LS1. The distributor is also a stock GM piece, from a very late SBC. (99-01?) It is now just a cam position sensor. Using the crank + cam inputs to the MS3X will allow full sequential fuel injection + COP ignition.

Still trying to decide what I want to do for coils.

-Dave

I have the same cam cover, sensor, and a very similar distributor from one of the engines I acquired.

I've been gathering my pieces parts and soon will be decision time on where to mount the coils. I bought some brackets that will allow me to mount them on centerbolt valve covers. They are really nice pieces, and provide a super-clean install, but I have some sweet perimeter bolt covers that I don't really want to hide or get rid of. The other bracket style could be mounted anywhere, but most likely the firewall. I think they'd look weird on the inner fenders.

-Dave

Here's a more complete picture of the project.

The only thing I can say about having them on the valve covers is that the wires are SO easy to run, and you'll never have a burnt one. From a practicality standpoint, that's your winner. BUT, I get what you're saying with the nice valve covers...

-BP

So I figure I'm gonna update this thread here.. A lot of this stuff got put into my Chevelle 2019 Upgrades thread, but I'm re-posting some stuff here to keep all this in one thread for my own reference.

I ended up not using the EFI Connection 24x reluctor wheel that would've sat under the timing cover. The 24x LS1 pattern is a somewhat more complex tooth pattern compared to a simple missing-tooth setup like a 36-1 or 60-2 (aka 58x). There were some references on msextra.com that the EFI connection 24x wheel wasn't quiiite right compared to what was expected. Since I didn't want to deal with potentially troubleshooting this stuff, I decided to just use an external wheel, a 36-1. The wheel and the mounting bracket were purchased on ebay for like $55. I think it's just some guy who makes them in his basement, but so far it works great. The bracket is designed to use the crank position sensor from a '91 Escort 1.9L. It's a simple 2-wire VR sensor. I set the air gap at .9mm

To do true sequential, you need crank + cam position. For the cam sensor, was able to buy a complete distributor from ebay for a 96-00 Vortec truck that has a cam sensor -- <$25. I removed the rotor and will probably buy a dust cover that replaces the cap. This just came yesterday. For the coils themselves, I used D585 LS Coils -- the round ones with a heat sink on one end. They came on early 2000s LS trucks, they're supposed to be a proven setup. I bought a set of replacements for $70 for all 8. Seems cheap. They're mounted on some nice brackets from EFI connection. They were $90/each, as well as some EFI connection coil harnesses, $50/each.

Just getting started. Bye bye sweet valve covers & MSD 6AL. A lot of wires to manage.. It's still not done, but it does run! (no cam sensor, yet)



More to come..