Converting Waterboxer to Megasquirt

[Robw_z]

So what are anecdotes about running this setup? Improved MPG, power, reliability? I expect improvements would be subtle but am still curious.

-Rob

[pinetreeporsche]

[[email protected]]

mine was running "less than optimally" with the Digifant. Much better with good MPG now, and a lot more power too. I haven't done a long trip to acquire hwy mpg numbers. I will report it when I get it, but it's pretty much mothballed for Winter here, until April or so.
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[hdenter]

You said the pulley had to be rebalanced with the trigger wheel. How was that accomplished? Did the vender do that for you or did you have that done?

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[CdnVWJunkie]

[Robw_z]

[bluebus86]

[[email protected]]

He keeps completed pulleys on the shelf. Basically you can do it one of 2 ways.

Send your pulley in and he'll do YOUR pulley, but this can take 1-2mos to do them in a batch.

Or what I did, was send him mine, and he sent me another one which was already modified and balanced.

Frankly, changing the pulley was one of the most challenging parts of the entire job, since I don't have the factory tool to loosen the pulley bolt (over 200lb/ft). I had to drop the muffler and rear heat shield, and use a strong impact.

[remraf]

Noticed Mario at thedubshop posted images of modified wasser intakes for modern/newer fuel injectors. Is this something he's working with you on? Curious if he has any plans to release a system for wbxr. Gowesty's system is now out of my price range.

[a1fa]

Yes, you can incorporate knock sensor. I have a knock sensor for my air cooled setup and microsquirt, but have not yet wired it in.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[toomanyveedubs]

Of course you can wrie up a knock sensor, the trick is tuning it to the ping of a vanagon engine and locating the sensor in the best spot. Pretty sure this is what gowesty is struggling with for its system.

[leebh1975]

[[email protected]]

I did not use a TPS, I did MAP sensor only. TPS is best used on engines with "oversized TBs", but for an engine with adequate vacuum it's not needed at all.

My fuel and ignition maps are based off of manifold pressure and barametric pressure (for correction).
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It's just advice, do whatever you want with it!

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[AndyBees]

Very interesting and I am glad to see this Thread...

I've been looking into doing the MS install on an in-line 2.2 5-cylinder Quantum engine for my 89 carat. I have inquired about the possibilities and they said it can be put together ... I have an 87 engine with less than 140 miles on as well as the South African Bell Housing.

Subscribed...
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[a1fa]

[[email protected]]

That feature is not at all important to me. I never drive at 800RPM at 0 load, so I have that cell programmed as idle.

It runs fantastic, passes emissions, and MPG improved a ton over the stock FI.

I am very aware of the capabilities of MS, but I am also realistic. This is a STOCK ENGINE. I don't need to have race features for this engine in a multivan. I have kids and more important things to do with my life than tweak MS for 4 years "perfecting it". I have raced in the past, and know that the system is ideal for that, but you don't have to use everything in order to use it at all.

I kept it simple by

using MAP (no TPS)
Using batch fire injection
Using wasted spark ignition

In fact, many "features" beyond the basics simply prevent most guys from taking on a project like this, because in their mind (and mine too) it becomes too complex to consider. There is a learning curve, and it CAN be significant. By keeping it simple they can easily get running, and learn new features as their brain gets up to speed on it's capabilities.
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It's just advice, do whatever you want with it!

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[AndyBees]

^^^^ That's what I've wanted to hear, as the response(s) I got appeared to involve making my engine far more than I want or need. And, no doubt, at the moment I am still standing on the ground facing that ladder.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[a1fa]

John, I believe you may be missing a point.

It's not about driving at 800 RPM, and 0 load (unrealistic) - It's about achieving efficiency; even if it takes you 4 years to get there. You are not adding any more complexity over what you have.

I'm not picking on you or bashing your choices by any means; I was responding to the question why TPS would be desirable.

My system is exactly the same (MAP,BATCH,WS,WB02 with EGO,FUEL CUT OFF). Hell, even my latest fuel map and ignition map are very close to Federal L-Jetronic with SVDA. My van will cold-start and run just like it would've with L-Jetronic -- no need to jockey with the throttle to keep the RPM up, and it will also maintain IDLE RPM hot.

The engine is perfectly happy with timing and fuel... That took 4 years to get to, but in hindsight it would've been much easier to achieve that with TPS, idle control and burn less fuel in process. It would also be a lot more resilient/adaptable to the engine conditions, down the road.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[[email protected]]

maybe I'm stupid, but my engine behaves just like yours does, and I'm not using TPS nor a throttle switch.

If TPS/Throttle switch work for you that is great, but I found I didn't need it at all. Maybe I'll add it in a couple years, but I don't see the point in a 5k pound van with 90hp.
_________________
It's just advice, do whatever you want with it!

Please do NOT send me Private Messages through the Samba PM System (I will not see them). Send me an e-mail to john at aircooled dot net

"Like" our Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/vwpartsaircoolednet
and get a 5% off code for use on one order for VW Parts ON OUR PARTS STORE WEBSITE, vwparts.aircooled.net

[jocoman]

This is so interesting it never fails to amaze me how we can adapt just about anything to these great old vehicles.
Will you be sharing a "how to"? I'm sure a lot of people would love to do this modifications, including me but I don't think I could "trail blaze" . I can follow instructions.
Thanks for sharing.