Ford 87-93 Mustang – MSPNP-Pro EEC4A8 – Installation

Model/Vehicle specific installation guide for model MSPNP-Pro-EEC4A8:

  • 1987-1993 Ford Mustang 5.0L
  • 1986-1988 Ford Thunderbird 5.0L

Please read all documentation before installing your MegaSquirtPNP ECU and verify that you’ve followed all steps before starting your engine for the first time.

Physical Installation

All you’ll need for a successful installation are some basic hand tools. No cutting or drilling of the original sheet metal or bracketry is required.

For a thorough and professional installation, you will need the following items:

  • 10mm socket and ratchet

  • 9/32″ socket and ratchet

  • Phillips screw driver

  • Zip ties

  • Timing light

  • Laptop with TunerStudio installed

  1. Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable
  2. The stock ECU is located in the passenger’s side footwell, just behind the kick panel in front of the door. Gently pull off the kick panel by grasping an edge.  The ECU is tucked away behind a number of wires, connectors, and a relay.  This can all be pushed aside to gain access to the ECU.
  3. The ECU is held in place by a plastic bracket that is secured by a single screw.  First, disconnect the main connector from the ECU by loosening the large bolt in the center of the connector with a 10mm socket.  Note, that the bolt won’t come out completely.  Wiggle the connector loose from the ECU.  Afterwards, remove the screw that secures the ECU bracket.  Then with a bit of moving about, the ECU can be pulled free from the car.
  4. Installation of the MSPNP is the reverse of the factory ECU removal.  Simply install it into the place of the original ECU and secure it with the original plastic mounting strap and screw.  Please note that the strap fitment will be somewhat tighter due to the location of the vacuum nipple next to the connector.  Afterward, reconnect the main harness connector.
  5. If any optional connections are to be made to the rear options connector, perform those connections now observing the connector pinout at the bottom of this document. When planning the inclusion of optional wiring, leave a sufficient length of wire, roughly about a foot, between the MSPNP and the car’s ECU cavity as to allow easy servicing and removal of the MSPNP. Once these connections are complete, connect the option connector to the MSPNP until the connector clicks into place. Neatly bundle the wires for a tidy installation.
  6. Connect the provided serial cable to the MSPNP and secure by tightening the collar clockwise until snug. When attaching the cable, observe that its pins align properly with the connector on the MSPNP before tightening.
  7. After the MSPNP is mounted, you must run a vacuum line from the engine, through the firewall, and to where the MSPNP resides.  A nipple on the side of the intake manifold, just past the throttle body, provides the perfect source for a vacuum reference.  Connect one end of the vacuum line here and route it neatly through the engine bay and secure it with zip ties to prevent movement and entanglement.
  8. There is a large rubber grommet in the firewall on the passenger’s side corner of the engine bay through which the hose should pass.  CAREFULLY make a slit or hole large enough to pass the vacuum line through.  If you use a knife, use extreme caution as there are many wires in this area that you certainly don’t want to damage.
  9. Once the vacuum line is routed to the proper location under the dashboard, press it on to the vacuum nipple next to the connector.

Verifying and Adjusting Base Timing

Because the factory ECU is no longer in control of ignition timing, it will be necessary to make checks to ensure the MSPNP is accurately delivering the proper timing.  Improper ignition advance can cause engine damage if improperly set or is left unchecked.

The MSPNP will have a base ignition map loaded and ready to use. However, it is necessary to ensure that the timing advance being commanded by the MegaSquirt is in sync with what the engine is actually receiving. These steps will require the use of a timing light and a laptop with a copy of TunerStudio running.

  1. Connect a timing light on the cylinder #1 spark plug wire. Use all due caution here, as secondary ignition voltage can be as high as 100,000 volts or more. Also ensure that the timing light’s cords can not get tangled in moving engine parts or burned on hot components.

  2. Make sure your tuning laptop is connected to your MSPNP and start your vehicle. If you have not already done so, start TunerStudio.  Make sure that your laptop connects to the MSPNP and you are online.
  3. Navigate to the Ignition Settings > Ignition Options/Decoder Wheel. If  “Fixed Advance” is set to “Use Table”, set it to “Fixed timing”. This will tell the MSPNP to ignore the ignition table and hold a fixed advance angle.  Set this value to 12.0 degrees. Burn these changes and close this menu. (Ignore the sections not highlighted in blue rectangles.)

  4. Use a timing light to confirm that you have 12 degrees of timing at the crank pulley — If you have more timing, decrease the “Trigger Angle”. If you have less, increase this value.

  1. Once the desired timing angle is achieved, return the “Fixed Advance” setting to “Use Table”.  Burn and close this menu. Cycle power to the MSPNP (turn the car off and back on).  The MSPNP is now commanding timing advance based on the ignition table.

Removing the Mass Air Flow Meter

Since the MSPNP calculates engine load using a MAP sensor, the air flow meter is no longer needed.  While not necessary, it is recommended to remove the AFM for a small performance increase.  At the very least, the air meter should be unplugged and the connector neatly tied away.

Sensor Calibration

If you need to recalibrate your temperature sensors, such as after loading firmware, below are the values to use for the stock sensors. The bias resistor value is 2490.

Auxiliary Function I/O Configuration

Below is a listing of specifically purposed functions for auxiliary I/O used on the MS3Pro module and interfaced to the Main EEC4 ECU Connector:

Optional Configurations

Several jumpers are located on the lower circuit board inside the MSPNP.  These are accessible by removing the top cover and the default settings are depicted below.

JP1: O2 Sensor Input

If a wideband oxygen sensor is to be connected to the original sensor connectors, J5 defines which OE circuit is used.  The default selection is the right bank, labeled “P29”.  To enable the left bank, move the jumper to the “P43” position. If a sensor is to be wired to the rear options connector, remove this jumper completely.

Default setting indicated in red

JP4: MAP Select

JP4 selects which MAP sensor will be used. The default setting, labeled INT, uses the internal 4-bar MAP sensor. Move the jumper to the EXT position to use a MAP sensor that is wired to the rear options connector.

Default setting indicated in red

Rear Option Connector

An auxiliary connector and harness is provided to allow you to add functionality to your car.  Below is the pinout of the rear connector. An auxiliary connector and harness is provided to allow you to add functionality to your car.  Below is the pinout of the rear connector.

Main Connector Pin Usage