Rep Power: 211

So, my brother, who is looking into engine management for an RX-7, showed me something very interesting - MegaSquirt DIY engine management. Its a complete standalone ECU that you build yourself. The newest version has a ridiculous amount of features and flexibility. The only thing I haven't found is a wiring diagram for civics newer than 2000, which means honda engines with the coils on the plugs. But, being such a flexible system, I'm sure it is possible, and the kit is only $365, or $565 for the assembled ECU. I was just wondering if anyone has heard of this actually being installed in a 7th gen civic, or if anyone has some feedback on it.

And my other question, not so complicated, is in regards to the spring bolts on my downpipe. It's a Ractive EX header and custom EX downpipe, and when I got everything put together, it leaked...really bad. I figured it was the gasket between the header and the downpipe, because it looked pretty cheap, so I went to the honda dealer and bought one from them, which was much different, and bolted everything up again, with less than impressive results. It wasn't until I tightened the spring bolts fully, to the point where the springs were fully compressed, that it stopped leaking, which I'm guessing isn't ideal. So what I'm asking is, will keeping the bolts that tight really mess things up, or should I just go with it because it stopped the leak?

 
Rep Power: 285

There was a ton of discussion back in the day on this, the consensus after some input from megasquirt, it's impossible to use on an engine as advanced as ours. The coil on plug ignition and electronically controlled variable valve timing are the barriers, there aren't just electrical complications, there are physical parts required needed to make it work not present on the d17. You'd need to retrofit a new gear and sensor.

 
Rep Power: 211

Oh well, K-Pro, here I come :P

 
Rep Power: 238

Not that I would suggest you attempt a custom megasquirt build on your own without a LARGE amount of knowledge on circuitry, programing, mechanics, etc., but at first glance it will work. Megasquirt 3 can fully control a 2005 miata, which has variable valve timing (which is also a more complicated form than the d17 vtec), coil on plug ignition, cam and crank sensors, etc. etc. Just as complicated as the 7th gen civic. On the other side of that coin, you would be building the ignition and injector outputs on your own, along with having to figure out how to do the inputs and outputs in the ecu. I suggest you go bury yourself in the megamanual, and megasquirt forums and find the answer for yourself, but my bet is that would work.

 
Rep Power: 367

eh! ya round here still, baron? :P

 
Rep Power: 238

lol... from time to time I drop in