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PostPosted: December 9, 2015, 12:47 pm 
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Joined: January 27, 2010, 1:11 pm
Posts: 540
Location: Jefferson City, MO
I am working on the dissecting the Miata wiring harness pulling all the unnecessary stuff out and it got me thinking about how I am going to install this into the car and where to mount the ECU.

A couple of places that come to mind are the:
1) passenger foot well (hope my passenger doesn't kick it and not very aesthetic, might be able to mount under the scuttle in the passenger foot well to hide it some)
2) under the scuttle (tight space may make it difficult to mount and access)
3) Engine compartment on front side of scuttle (Is heat or water going to be an issue)

From those that are further along, where did you put it and what are your recommendations? Obviously, I am not building the car to be water but I assume I need to protect the ECU from rain water as best I can. How water proof are the Miata ECU's? I have no problem cutting or extending the wires to move it

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PostPosted: December 9, 2015, 1:36 pm 
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Joined: April 1, 2010, 10:26 am
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When I was Miata powered the ECU sat on top of the transmission tunnel under the scuttle. You had to remove the scuttle to get to it, it was not programmable so that was OK. I will see if I have any pictures when I get home.

Graham


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PostPosted: December 9, 2015, 2:02 pm 
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Joined: April 14, 2013, 11:44 pm
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put mine under the top of the passengers foot well, right down the end- no issues so far.


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PostPosted: December 9, 2015, 2:41 pm 
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Joined: December 24, 2007, 5:11 am
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Location: Seattle area
MegaSquirt on a hinged shelf over the passenger footwell. Scuttle is removable so access is good.
Dry and away from engine heat.


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PostPosted: December 9, 2015, 3:18 pm 
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Joined: January 27, 2010, 1:11 pm
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Location: Jefferson City, MO
That's a really nice install Benny, thanks for the picture.

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PostPosted: December 12, 2015, 8:27 am 
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To minimize problems that can leave you stranded, mount it vertically with the connector on the bottom for drainage. Do not seal so moisture can evaporate. Use dielectric grease liberally in the connections. The board should be encapsulated but the connections and case can corrode.

High as possible under the scuttle in the passenger side tunnel with a foot guard over the connections would be good.
Not below the wiper spindle openings which could leak.
Wet floors can form condensate on the bottom of the scuttle and ecm, so there should be good drainage in the floor.

FYI, oems typically place the 90s ecms behind kick panels, in the dash, and for miatas, behind the passenger seat, nearly always vertical with the connection on the bottom.

If you can keep it dry, it shouldn't matter so much, so flat on top of the tunnel and covered, with no possibility of water running under it works too.

Dielectric grease is about $10 for a tube about 5 inches long, so not cheap but a little goes a long way. It must be non-conductive grease so you are not shorting out between pins. Every connector should be greased. It will make the car more reliable in the long run.

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PostPosted: December 13, 2015, 10:06 pm 
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To add to what MV8 said, make a drip shield to sit above it (think piece of sheet metal that acts like an umbrella). No need to worry if water from the wipers manages to drip into the scuttle.

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