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Thread: Anyone convert from drive by wire (DBW) to cable?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Hobby Racer's Avatar
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    Anyone convert from drive by wire (DBW) to cable?

    My 2006 WRX donor is a DBW car and I am considering using an aftermarket ECU that does not support DBW (MegaSquirt 3). I will need to convert to a cable operated throttle body. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this?

    Do you only need to swap the throttle body from an earlier WRX? Or is there more involved? Also are the 2.5L EJ255 throttle bodies a different diameter than the 2.0L EJ205's?

  2. #2

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    I don't have an answer for you, but might be interested in your DBW setup if you decided to change.
    Mike

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    The bolt pattern between the DBW and DBC throttle bodies is slightly different, so the easiest swap is to change manifolds. I have a ported and polished DBC manifold if you really want to go down this route.

    I've followed the MegaSquirt development for quite some time and actually have a complete setup waiting to be soldered up and installed in a car. In my opinion, installing a megasquirt instead of the factory Subaru ecu, especially the 32 bit version on the '06+ WRX, would be a step in the wrong direction.

    What is it that the MS3 offers that the factory ECU does not?

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    Senior Member Hobby Racer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aero STI View Post
    What is it that the MS3 offers that the factory ECU does not?
    I've squirted my FFR roadster and love the tuning flexibility. But for the 818R I'm planning I like the following benefits of the MS3 over the factory ECU.

    • Streamlined wiring (most of the factory harness is not needed in an 818R)
    • Built-in water meth injection control
    • Flat shift features.
    • Ability to log additional sensor data
    • But most of all the live tuning!
    Last edited by Hobby Racer; 12-20-2014 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Added items to list
    MK3.1 Roadster completed 2011
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    818R rebuild with a JDM Honda K24A

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    Senior Member TahoeTim's Avatar
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    Wayne is working with MS on my behalf to develop the dbw interface. I think they are very close if you want to wait.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Hobby Racer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TahoeTim View Post
    Wayne is working with MS on my behalf to develop the dbw interface. I think they are very close if you want to wait.
    Wow, that would be amazing. Keep us posted!
    MK3.1 Roadster completed 2011
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    • Streamlined wiring (most of the factory harness is not needed in an 818R) - Valid point, but factory wiring can be stripped way down
    • Built-in water meth injection control - Ok, sure. I stopped messing with meth injection 8 years ago and never looked back, but any new micro-controller and a few sensors could best current meth controllers
    • Flat shift features - LC, ffs, anti-lag are available with open source or Cobb Accessport
    • Ability to log additional sensor data - the unused sensor wires, like TGVs, can be used for logging other sensors
    • But most of all the live tuning! - available with Accessport


    Regardless, you've got to go with what you're most familiar and comfortable with.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Hobby Racer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aero STI View Post
    • Ability to log additional sensor data - the unused sensor wires, like TGVs, can be used for logging other sensors
    How does the ECU know the old sensors have been re-purposed and how will they appear in the logs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Aero STI View Post
    • But most of all the live tuning! - available with Accessport

    I didn't know that. I had been researching the opensource alternatives and they do not offer live tuning. I will have to rethink my options now.

    Thanks.
    MK3.1 Roadster completed 2011
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hobby Racer View Post
    How does the ECU know the old sensors have been re-purposed and how will they appear in the logs?
    Thanks.
    The ECU doesn't "know" anything has changed. It only sees a voltage input from the TGVs. So, you just have to log TGV voltage and you'll get the voltage of whatever you have coming from whatever sensor you choose.
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Hobby Racer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JeromeS13 View Post
    The ECU doesn't "know" anything has changed. It only sees a voltage input from the TGVs. So, you just have to log TGV voltage and you'll get the voltage of whatever you have coming from whatever sensor you choose.
    Might that cause the ECU to "act" on those inputs. Since the readings would not be what the ECU expects.

    Other than the TGV, what other inputs could be re-purposed as I would like to log 4-5 new sensors that don't currently exist.
    MK3.1 Roadster completed 2011
    818R built with EZ36R H6 completed 2018
    818R rebuild with a JDM Honda K24A

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