Pros and cons of engine ECU's (motec, PE, and megasquirt)

[Ryan @ UD]

I'm comparing these three ECU's right now. I it's easy to see which one's the cheapest, but it is hard to tell what one will be the best choice.

I've seen the Motec m4 is around $1500 and comes with all the sensors you will need. The Performance electronics is 900 + sensors and the mega Squirt is about 250.

I was able to find a ton of information on the Megasquirt, and I've read a lot about the Motec in many books.

If someone who is more informed in this subject could help me out I would really appreciate it.

[Ryan @ UD]

I'm comparing these three ECU's right now. I it's easy to see which one's the cheapest, but it is hard to tell what one will be the best choice.

I've seen the Motec m4 is around $1500 and comes with all the sensors you will need. The Performance electronics is 900 + sensors and the mega Squirt is about 250.

I was able to find a ton of information on the Megasquirt, and I've read a lot about the Motec in many books.

If someone who is more informed in this subject could help me out I would really appreciate it.

[Travis Garrison]

$1500 for an m4 & sensors? Used? becuase that's about what a wiring harness alone costs...motec lists the M4 w/ wideband & sensors as 3815 for FSAE...maybe cheaper if you beg, but I'd be suprised to see one at 1500.

[Charlie]

In 2003 and 2004 we bought a M4 Pro model, with ign box (can't remember what it was called) and connector (not a harness) for under $2000, I think around $1600. It did NOT come with sensors.

You can get your sensors from MoTec but they are much cheaper elsewhere. And thier wiring parts are insanely expensive, do this on your own too. But I betcha a M4 Pro w/o ign box for around $1500, unless prices have gone up dramatically.

I know Motec will only let you buy one per year at this price.

[Wright D]

PE has the BEST tech and customer support!

They are also fsae alumni, so they understand what you are up against.

[BeaverGuy]

You might consider looking at other ecu's also. Those three would seem to be the top level, mid and low level available with several other manufacturers that have similar pricing with different features. Walbro, Haltech, and DTA are some other manufacturers that span the price/feature level between the PE and a fully featured Motec.


As an example, we got our Haltech E8 complete with sensors, and harness for ~$1300 directly from Haltech USA.

To do a comparison, make a spreadsheet that has all the possible features in a column and all the ECUs being compared in a row. Put an X or short description for each feature and ECU. You'll also want a list of desired features too. If you do that you should get a clear idea of which is best for you.

[Dan G]

Here's a good comparison chart for Accel DFI vs. AEM vs. EFI Tech vs. F.A.S.T. vs. Haltech vs. Motec.

http://kinsler.com/Cat_31_Web_HTMLs/0201234_screen68.html
http://kinsler.com/Cat_31_Web_HTMLs/0201234_screen69.html

[James Waltman]

From what I understood there is no such thing as Haltech USA anymore. I seem to remember that they pulled out of the US. Am I way off here? There are certainly dealers in the USA still.
When we had to order a replacement wiring harness for our E6K a few years ago we got it from a California dealer who ordered it from Australia – it took several weeks.

I don't think that anyone has ever said a bad word about Performance Electronics here on the forum. It's usually all praises (http://fsae.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/125607348/m/72310741211/r/72310741211#72310741211). Search for yourself. I remember seeing Brian Lewis helping a school one late night in 2004 (I think it was one of the military schools). I also remember that he helped a turbo team last year replace their ECU and rewire the whole car (was that you Dustin?). Their stuff works well, is a good price, and you can't ask for more help than they give. It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the MoTeC. The second generation PE box was supposed to get closer to that. Brian, when is that scheduled for release? Are you guys going to be at the West competition this year?

[raska]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by James Waltman:
From what I understood there is no such thing as Haltech USA anymore. I seem to remember that they pulled out of the US. Am I way off here? There are certainly dealers in the USA still.
When we had to order a replacement wiring harness for our E6K a few years ago we got it from a California dealer who ordered it from Australia – it took several weeks.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

When I had contact with Trevor Jones (President of Haltech Inc) over a year ago I seem to remember him being in Australia, but since then he seems to be based out of Escondido California. A simple phone call away in the right time zone and everything we were interested in was in stock and arrived before expected.

[B Lewis @ PE Engine Management]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I don't think that anyone has ever said a bad word about Performance Electronics here on the forum. It's usually all praises. Search for yourself. I remember seeing Brian Lewis helping a school one late night in 2004 (I think it was one of the military schools). I also remember that he helped a turbo team last year replace their ECU and rewire the whole car (was that you Dustin?). Their stuff works well, is a good price, and you can't ask for more help than they give. It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the MoTeC. The second generation PE box was supposed to get closer to that. Brian, when is that scheduled for release? Are you guys going to be at the West competition this year?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks James!

We are still working on the next generation ECU but it is a little behind schedule. With some of the OEM work we have been doing lately, development work has fallen behind. We hope to have it complete and ready for beta testing sometime over the Summer of '06.

Ryan, just for clarification, our system is $798.40 with the FSAE discount. If you already have a FI engine, the only additional sensors that you would need would be a coolant and air temp. If you got those from us, the total cost of the system is $868.40 and includes the ECU, wire harness, software and trigger wheel and sensors.

[JuicedH22]

PE all the way :thumbsup:

We have been using the PE for years now. Its a great unit, easy to work with, and priced very well.

[alfordda]

Well, I have never delt with another system, but I can't imagine there is a system that is easier to use than the PE system. And that doesn't say a thing about their tech support, I'm a suspension kind of guy, so I needed a little extra help in this area. I think that every year the PE guys have been to Detroit, they have spent at least one night helping someone troubleshoot or rewire their car.

[james17]

I would not wish a Haltech on my worst enemy, my x's mother, or on satin himself. Read the forums, ask people who have used them, if after that you use one you deserve what you get. As long as I am on the team we will use a PE.

[Wright D]

The PE guys were up with all night, helping us install the system and tune the car. We got everything read to go for endurance the next day!!!

Unfortunately, after all that hard work we still did not finish. A car spun in front of us, and our driver pulled off line, and accidentally stalled the car. He was not able to restart the car in the prescribed amount of time so we were towed off course.

After getting the car home, and working on the hot restart, it fires right up. Last I heard the team drives the crap out of the car, and are still waiting for something to break.

But anyways, the PE guys have the BEST tech and customer support!!!

[Ryan @ UD]

yes, i beleave that, Brian has been quite helpful already and i haven't even purchased anything from him.

[JuicedH22]

If you do go with the PE, and you want some help with getting started tuning with it, let me know, I am not even 45mins away, and would be glad to come help ya out. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif