I can't believe I haven't updated y'all since July...
About a month ago, I completed assembly on the 242. Simple riddles kept it apart, like fuel lines and compatibility with the MBZ Dual-Stage Fuel pumps & a filter. I solved my throttle cable riddle, by sourcing the correct cable...what I had before was, in fact, NOT a B230/240 cable. A little patience and the car was assembled, and filled with fluids. I attempted to start it, however I ran into come complications with my MS setup....I clearly had it wired improperly; it wouldn't trigger the fuel pumps and my No-Spark clearly indicated that I had not found the correct pins for my Wasted Spark outputs.
I figured that my home driveway would be a more peaceful setting for this kind of work, so I transported it home. A fridge full of cold beer, no distractions from my staff & work, and a quiet, sunny setting sounded best for diagnosing my EMS. I gave it about two weeks, working on it off and on, and even solicited the help of a friend with a little bit of experience in the world of MS, and we weren't making the progress I desired.
I got pretty fed up with it, and lost interest and desire to own and maintain such a EMS, so I pulled it out. NO MORE MS!!! With a little thought and consideration, I've decided on running LH2.4, modded for Wasted Spark and, eventually, a pair of chips, tuned for a 16vT. It's got better documentation, resources, and something I'm a lot more comfortable using and maintaining.
A trip to the JY and some hunting on TB & eBay, and everything seemed to come together. I found a beautiful harness out of a 240, which I modded for my engine bay configuration, trimmed the fat, rerouted the diagnostics port to the glove box, ran my Wasted Spark wires, rewrapped and installed. A simple 2.75" to 2.5" 45-degree, silicone elbow helped plumb the AMM, with the eBay manifold and cone filter....it's a better fit than I had before, actually! I got a plug to seal up the bung from the IAT sensor. Found a nice, matched pair of computers on eBay...a GOLD EZK! All I'm waiting on now is my Buchka Spark board....patiently waiting for it's arrival for completion.
Here's how it looks now....actually LOOKS like a complete, running car's engine bay...
The switch went pretty darn smooth...just added a knock sensor and modded the 960 TB to accommodate a LH2.4 Throttle Position Switch. I still need to source a o2 sensor and weld in a bung in my exhaust for it....no big deal. I can get it running without and add it in short while. I'm a lot more confident with this new setup, and really glad I made the switch.
In the mean time, I've worked to setup my MBC, and route my vacuum lines in a very sterile fashion. I didn't like how the M3 wheels were fitting...the adapters were too narrow, so I ordered up a wider pair for the rear, and moved the old rear adapters to the front. Previously, the insides of the wheels/tires were just too close to the suspension & body for my comfort, so I spaced 'em out just a bit....Looks good now.
Once the Wasted Spark Board arrives, I'll get it together and give starting my engine another go.
Stay tuned!