Can you guys help me decide what electronics to upgrade?

[Guest 79Datsun280zx]

Im new to this site and new to the turbo motor. I posted about this on another side but didnt get any help, and i ended up finding this site. I read through the entire turbo's for beginners and FAQ post at the top. Thats the most help iv gotten yet. But i still have some more questions.

 

Iv decided to put out the money to upgrade my electronics cuz it looks like you have to to get 280+ hp. MSA has a bunch of expensive stuff and i was just wondering what to get from them, or if theres any other better deals out there. MSA has the racing computer and boost controller that i was looking at. $599 for the computer and $685 for the boost controller. Iv decided to put in a intercooler, hybrid turbo, bypass valve, fuel pump, and larger injectors with a stock top end rebuild. Im guessing that ill need better control modules to handle this stuff, but i have no idea what to buy or what i need. I dont want to spend a fortune, my goal is to run just over 300hp and retain a reliable engine. Will i need both those things from MSA? Or something different? $1285.00 +tax+shipping seems like alot of money to me. And i dont want to spend it if im not getting the right stuff. PLEASE help! Any other advice or anything would be appriciated. Like how to save money, better mods then i have listed, etc. Thanks!

[Muskrat]

I personally have found that I can find every single thing in the MSA catalog cheaper elsewhere, or even at a junkyard. This site has several excellent reviews of aftermarket fuel and spark systems that shouldn't take much searching to find.

 

If you're not afraid of a wrench and a soldering iron, you can get your ECU and boost controller for much cheaper than at MSA. Just do a search for Grainger DIY boost controller, and a search for Megasquirt, then grab something to munch on, you'll be reading for a while.

 

EDIT- Now that I think about it, MSA does have the largest listing for aero parts for the Z car that I've seen, but thats about all they've got going for them.

[Guest 81na ZX]

You've got to ask yourself, do you need an electric boost controler? My turbo Talon has a manual one I built for $7, and it holds 22psi fine with out creaping or spiking.

And if you really want a EBC, ones can be had for about $300.

 

MSS is a great idea too.

 

However, if you really want to spend $1300, you cuold get something like a Haltech or Wolf etc that does a full standalone computer with a electric boost controler.