PNP MegaSquirt MS3

[thetyrant]

Spotted this on one of the Spyder FB pages, looks a good options for a pnp setup using a proper ecu and price wise not so bad even if you factor in UK import and taxes etc - https://panicmade.com/wiring/p/zzw30-link-g4x-pnp-kit-1?fbclid=IwAR3aD6RYKmE_pcz3GgBeUFdkZnTca_1Dgwi8ahrTKJq0dHbWWPAkmbWgMSA

That looks jazzy. What is Link G4X? Some open source platform Link started?

Yes it does but im a bit confused on the Ecu itself on further reading, at first i thought it was a variant of the latest Link ecu range but they dont list one that is just a G4X they are all G4X-"something"   like Storm, Fury etc etc,  maybe its a basic board your able to buy to make your own PNP like the Link PNP range but i guess only the Panic guys can answer that, ive dropped them an email

[thetyrant]

Waiting a reply on email but if its a board at least equal to my old G4+ Storm i might get one ordered up in near future while exchange rate is good

[thetyrant]

Hmm looking at other Link products on Panic site i wonder if this ZZW30 setup is a modified Altezza LinkX ecu.... board looks same kind of shape/layout and would be interesting if it is and makes sense pricing wise...

https://panicmade.com/link/p/altezza-link

[thetyrant]

The more i look, think and read about im im pretty sure this Panic ZZW30 PNP is using the ALtezza Link PNP board with a patch harness and setup tweaks in custom case, makes sense as the Altezza uses same BEAN protocols for dashboard comms so could probably be adapted to power the MR2 dashboard, Panic make no mention of using a stock ecu in piggyback like my previous LinkG4 setup did to power the stock dashboard.

Its very clever thinking if they have done this and opens up a much more affordable standalone option using the Link Ecu of which im a fan, i wonder if you could also adapt the Altezza clocks into the MR2 as ive always thought they looked pretty snazzy, at least back in the day when it came out

Im going to look at the ALtezza Link maps compared to my old LInk G4 maps see how the background info for triggers and things compare.

[thetyrant]

My deductions are correct see here - https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/1zz-performance-question.157499/page-2

This is brilliant news for those wanting a PNP standalone Ecu for MR2 its just over grand for a UK supplied Altezza link then just need to work out the wiring patch harness and base setting changes needed in the map,  or just buying a full kit from Panic is best starting point

[shnazzle]

Good find!
That has been one of the biggest issues.
I assume the immobiliser is still an issue but still... Being able to run stock clocks is a bonus.

[thetyrant]

Hmm yes the immobiliser but if stock ecu isn't used surely neither is the immobiliser?

[1979scotte]

My deductions are correct see here - https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/1zz-performance-question.157499/page-2

This is brilliant news for those wanting a PNP standalone Ecu for MR2 its just over grand for a UK supplied Altezza link then just need to work out the wiring patch harness and base setting changes needed in the map,  or just buying a full kit from Panic is best starting point

What if you have issues?
Link won't warranty it I wouldn't of thought.

[thetyrant]

My deductions are correct see here - https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/1zz-performance-question.157499/page-2

This is brilliant news for those wanting a PNP standalone Ecu for MR2 its just over grand for a UK supplied Altezza link then just need to work out the wiring patch harness and base setting changes needed in the map,  or just buying a full kit from Panic is best starting point

What if you have issues?
Link won't warranty it I wouldn't of thought.

I dont see why not if it was a fault with manufacture and they are not psychically modifying them, which i dont think they are just a patch harness, case and possible some base settings in the map ,  any warranty would be initially with the re-seller anyhows so shouldnt be a problem i don think if you bought the kit from guys at Panic, shipping and taxes etc are of course another matter but not a deal breaker i dont think and Links are generally pretty robust and reliable units.

If it was damaged during use (not a fault) they would repair it no different to any other but obviously there would be a charge in that case.

[shnazzle]

I would think, much like above, it depends on the issue but it seems covered by either Panic or Link.
But... I guess we don't know what Panic customer service is like

[1979scotte]

I would think, much like above, it depends on the issue but it seems covered by either Panic or Link.
But... I guess we don't know what Panic customer service is like

I don't like buying from abroad personally.

[thetyrant]

I don't like buying from abroad personally.

No me either but lots of good things like ECU's are not made in the UK so there is often no other choice unfortunately, also customer service with all these race to the bottom UK traders is often a bit weak so buying from USA etc rather than a UK distributor is often no worse place to be, i know with ECU's they usually have to go back to manufacturer anyhows if fault needs sorting

[1979scotte]

I don't like buying from abroad personally.

No me either but lots of good things like ECU's are not made in the UK so there is often no other choice unfortunately, also customer service with all these race to the bottom UK traders is often a bit weak so buying from USA etc rather than a UK distributor is often no worse place to be, i know with ECU's they usually have to go back to manufacturer anyhows if fault needs sorting

The only ecu I have looked at seriously were various link ecumaster and emerald.
All available in the UK with all the consumer protection that affords.
I never found them to be cheap enough from abroad by the time you paid shipping and taxes to be worth the bother.

[thetyrant]

Ahh i thought you meant made in the UK not just sold/distributed in the UK, i think Emerald are probably the only one actually made here but i think they are a bit basic these days and not really cheap enough for lack of features.

Buying an imported one like Link, Ecumaster etc its all down to how good reseller is, lots of them are not interested when a problem occurs usually because they are either just box shifters, or have slashed any profit to be cheapest online so are not making enough to offer a decent backup service, all too common these days

Link themselves are very helpful with great forum and support when needed directly.

Sometimes like with this Link pnp setup there is no other choice but to import as its not available from UK distributor, well the ECU is just not the harness and map etc, ive asked my Link dealer for a price on just the Altezza Ecu see what he can do, UK retail is £1100 with the vat from what i can see but then there is the harness to sort and calibration etc etc so the 1500usd (approx 1000gbp at moment)  for Panic PNP is a good price even with some shipping and tax etc

Ive not heard back from Panic yet about the ecu itself but i know now so im just interested if they will ship international, if not ive contacts in US i could use if i go that way.

[jonbill]

My Speeduino was made in the UK by me.
If I have a problem with it, I can get a replacement from the supplier, no questions asked.

[1979scotte]

Ahh i thought you meant made in the UK not just sold/distributed in the UK, i think Emerald are probably the only one actually made here but i think they are a bit basic these days and not really cheap enough for lack of features.

Buying an imported one like Link, Ecumaster etc its all down to how good reseller is, lots of them are not interested when a problem occurs usually because they are either just box shifters, or have slashed any profit to be cheapest online so are not making enough to offer a decent backup service, all too common these days

Link themselves are very helpful with great forum and support when needed directly.

Sometimes like with this Link pnp setup there is no other choice but to import as its not available from UK distributor, well the ECU is just not the harness and map etc, ive asked my Link dealer for a price on just the Altezza Ecu see what he can do, UK retail is £1100 with the vat from what i can see but then there is the harness to sort and calibration etc etc so the 1500usd (approx 1000gbp at moment)  for Panic PNP is a good price even with some shipping and tax etc

Ive not heard back from Panic yet about the ecu itself but i know now so im just interested if they will ship international, if not ive contacts in US i could use if i go that way.

I talking about my legal right to a refund or a replacement something you don't get when importing.

If its £1000 when it leaves the USA you have to add import duty and Vat on top of the shipping can't see that under cutting £1500 by much.
Each to there own.

[thetyrant]

I don't think it will be quite 1500 landed but even if it was I don't think that's bad for a pnp Link ecu, all depends what you want and I like Link so to me it's better option than ecumaster etc for similar money.

As you say each to their own and good to have options, also being the only other pnp option is the antique PFC it's a no brainer for simple install quality mappable ecu.

Will see how things go.

[thetyrant]

My Speeduino was made in the UK by me.
If I have a problem with it, I can get a replacement from the supplier, no questions asked.

Indeed and if your happy thats good, what I've read about the speedunio it's not for me like the ms etc

If you can make the car do what you wants it's all that matters 😀

[1979scotte]

I don't think it will be quite 1500 landed but even if it was I don't think that's bad for a pnp Link ecu, all depends what you want and I like Link so to me it's better option than ecumaster etc for similar money.

As you say each to their own and good to have options, also being the only other pnp option is the antique PFC it's a no brainer for simple install quality mappable ecu.

Will see how things go.

I like Link a lot especially the more advanced versions but when I was looking price/features the ecumaster killed it.
I think my ecumaster classic worked out the same sort of money as the monsoon and the monsoon wouldn't run my V6 with supercharger.
The storm was way more money especially with a and b looms.
Obviously I'm looking at it from a 6 cylinder point of view so maybe an atom or monsoon would do the job on a 4 pot.
PNP was never an option for me on a 1mz and having the stock ecu as a piggyback is no bother either.

[thetyrant]

Well i had a few emails back and forth with guys at Panic, first i had asked them to confirm the spec of Ecu used before i started digging myself,  they said its based on the Link Extreme-X which is odd as that doesnt have the BEAN support to run dash, so i asked if its a modded Altezza PNP as per this thread and they said it not but its a custom board, hmmm.

I appreciate they are probably wanting to keep the details to themselves to protect the hard work and investment to come up with this so guess they are not willing to share, which is fair enough its a business after all, ive asked for a shipping price to see what that comes out at but i am tempted to buy a Altezza board here in Uk and have a play with that, we will see as im in no rush and want to get a few more events in the stock car before the next turbo build starts.

[thetyrant]

Another thread has popped up on Sc with some good guys contributing to see if the ALtezza unit can be made to work with just a patch harness and tweaks to config in software, i will let them try and figure it out and see what happens

Thread - https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/standalones-that-can-talk-bean.157522/

If it comes to anything will start a thread here on it rather than be in this one about MS