Ok..not sure if been discussed,DSMLinkvsAEM EMS?

[boostineclipse]

I am in need of a tuning system. And am stuck on which way to go. I have quite a few friends currently running DSMLink..so if I went that way, I can get tuning help from there, but only know one or two with experience in the AEM dept. Now considering that I don't have a laptop,the price of DSMLink,and not even sure I have the EPROM Ecu..I figure that would be around 850$-900$,if I have the ECU..and around 1100$ if not.

Now I can get the AEM system for under 1200$ shipped. Does anyone in here have experience on both systems, and can compare the two? How easy is it to learn both?

 

[doug]

I was discussing this exact issue with a fellow DSMer the other day. He said that some of the locals were not having that good of luck with the DSMlink and that the AEM EMS would offer more features. I found that surprising since I have heard nothing but good things about DSMlink, but this guy really knows his stuff (His car runs 11s, if that means anything). From what he said, for one thing, DSMlink can't alter ignition timing, which the AEM unit can. There was other stuff too, but I don't remember....

 

[jtholley03]

Pulled right from their website home page:

Provides RPM-based fuel and timing adjustments. The ECU automatically calculates the more complicated airflow based adjustments from your settings.

Is this not true?

 

[doug]

From what little I know, there's a difference between engine timing and ignition timing. DSMlink can play with engine timing, but ignition timing it can't, from what I was told.

 

[jtholley03]

If you don't know what you are talking about then don't talk. DSM link controls ignition timing. Spend 2 seconds and look at their website. Let people who HAVE a DSM link or AEM answer this and stop spreading misinformation.

2nd from bottom
http://www.dsmlink.com/screenshots.html

While your at it maybe you can come up with a system to control your "mechanical timing"

 

[supereclipse]

Im having the same problem man i already have a socketed ecu and a laptop. But whiching over to map sounds like a really good idea. And you cant do taht on the dsmlink. Also the aem can control n20. Which i could add someday. Dont know which one to go with.

 

[doug]

Originally posted by jtholley03
Let people who HAVE a DSM link or AEM answer this and stop spreading misinformation.

You're right-- sorry. I hate it when others do that, and then I went and did the same thing. I need to go back and talk with that guy again to understand more fully what he was talking about. No need to be a butthead about it, though.

 

[RocketBoy]

I've more or less run both systems. I used the DSMlink for about 6 weeks before installing a Proefi standalone. For those of you who don't know, the proefi was the earlier version of the AEM EMS created by Jason Seibels and run in cars such as John Shephard.
The DSMlink was great. It gave you control over fuel and ignition timing and could monitor everything. It was simple to use and very straightforward. Their customer service was awesome and they have an incredible yahoo groups forum for people with the dsmlink.
The proefi (EMS) is also an amazing product. It was easy enough to learn how to use but mastering everything that it offers is going to take a bit of time. However, the EMS is supposed to have been made much more user friendly and also offers an incredible yahoo group forum. It comes with "starter maps," which should lessen the learning curve considerably.
Basically, the decision should come down to how much horsepower you plan on making. If it's going to be more than 500 or so to the wheels, you're going to need a standalone as the MAS and ECU will get in the way. Otherwise i'd say go with the dsmlink, but you really can't go wrong with either product.
Sorry for such a long reply.