Will my car run ok if i install an AEM EMS on it while it is stock?

[topnotchgsx]

Well after debating on dsmlink or AEM EMS, I have decided that while I have the money that I am gonna go balls out and get the AEM system. My question is that if I go ahead and get this, will I be able to install it on my car while it is stock? The only mod that I have done so far is a K&N filter. In the next week or 2 I will have a 3" exhaust, fuel pump, and FMIC. But even then, will the base map on the AEM unit be as good as the on programmed on the factory ecu, or I am gonna have to go and get it tuned. B/C if that is the case then I will wait til I get some more modifications done before I install it. Also what else am I gonna need to run the AEM unit. Like I know I will need a 3-bar map sensor, and probably a wide-band O2. But do I HAVE to have that stuff RIGHT NOW or can it wait a little bit? And one more question. With the AEM unit, I will be able to do away with the MAF garbage right? Or will that come when I get a MAP sensor? I think thats all I needed to know for now. Thanks in advance for any help!

-Keylan-

 

[diamondgst]

ok if your really concerend you might spend the money on something else thats why you are buying it now, what i would do is buy the AEM EMS and put it in the corner of your closet, cover it up and forget about it, then after you get enought mods, bigger turbo, and it comes to a point you cant do anything because your stock ecu now sucks then you can remeber that you just happen to have a AEM EMS just laying around. The stock ecu is fine even will full exahaust, intake, FMIC, and mbc (set low like 14-15psi) and no other mods, then purchase everything you want. FP Red, 6bolt stroker, hks cams, bla bla bla. Then get the EMS out and put everything together at once. trailer the biatcha to a dyno and tune tune tune.

If you really got your heart set on a EMS system on a stock car. Yes it would work. as good as mitsu ecu, ###### not. the 3-bar will eliminate the stock MAS. thats how you would get rid of it. If you plan on running a good set up the 1G/2G's MAS are JUNK! 2G is even better than a 1G and at 50-55 pounds per min. they become restrictive. So a 50 trim or bigger turbo COULD be starving for air. My opinion is get the EMS/MAFT TRANS combo. lots of people say its good.

 

[GVR4592]

I would get the aem and install it as soon as you get it. Use it as much as possible, learn everything you can about it and when it's time for mods then you will be prepared. Buy all of the sensors you need to convert to speed density at the same time you buy the ems. You will need a wideband and a 2g knock sensor as well. The aem is calibrated for 2g knock sensors, 1g sensors will not work. The sensors and the wideband add quite a bit to the cost but it is well worth it. I have used safc, eproms, dsmlink, maf-t, and aem ems in the last few years, nothing even comes close to the aem.

 

[Steve93Talon]

I've been playing with an AEM on a friend's car for the last few weeks. It's a very powerful tool and it allows you to adjust your fuel and timing tables in a way that you couldn't do on a stock ECU. If you're not planning on running a big turbo, insane boost, and race gas, then do you really need that much tuneability? No. Plenty of people have run well into the 10s and faster on stock ECUs with VPCs. They're tricking the ECU into doing what they want it to do, but it works.

As for your question of being able to plug the AEM in and run the base map, it will get you "running" but you really need to understand and set the fuel and timing maps before you even think about going WOT. The base maps are literally there to get you started up and driving around at low loads. As it was stated above, you'd need the MAP and IAT sensors to eliminate the MAF. I wouldn't even think of doing an AEM EMS without using a MAP, wideband, and 2G knock sensor.

The driveability on my friend's car went from barely starting up, dumping fuel at idle, stumbling when you tried to drive it, and not being able to go WOT to running/driving like stock and pulling like a demon at 28psi with about 3-4 hours of learning the software and tuning. He went 11.8 @ 121 the first time out with the car, at 25psi, breaking up in the midrange the whole way down the track. After tuning it last night some more, I'd say it feels like it'll trap about 128-130. This is on an HX40 - full weight, stock 130k 6 bolt, stock cams, stock intake, stock susp, all season Kuhmos, and little else. (FMIC, 3", 950s, Clutch Masters clutch, JNZ trans, Supra pump) I think the MPHs next time he runs will be a true example of how much there is to gain as your tuning knowledge with the AEM grows.

 

[topnotchgsx]

Well yeah the main reason that I wanted the AEM EMS in the first place is b/c I was and still am planning on going all out with this car. All out as in street and daily driver still, and I wanted something with a lot of tunability. So after debating for a while over dsmlink and the AEM, I decided to go with the AEM b/c I have heard it seems like nothing but good from the AEM unit (pretty much the same for the dsmlink, but I do not want to be burning chips all of the time). Also I think that I will learn a lot more about tuning with the AEM unit. I like the fact that I can tweek with it right there in the car with a laptop. Correct? Well you guys have pretty much helped finallize my decision, but now I have still only 1 question left I BELIEVE. .

1. What all sensors that I will need and ones that you recommend me getting? I know a wideband ( I was thinking innovative or AEM any other suggestions?), a MAP sensor (I was thinking AEM 3-bar), the 2g knock sensor, and is there any others I should get?

With those I will be able to eliminate the MAF correct? Thanks a lot guys. You have helped a lot so far!

-Keylan-

 

[fishtank]

I decided to go with the AEM b/c I have heard it seems like nothing but good from the AEM unit (pretty much the same for the dsmlink, but I do not want to be burning chips all of the time). Also I think that I will learn a lot more about tuning with the AEM unit. I like the fact that I can tweek with it right there in the car with a laptop.

Not sure where you got this into your head, but there is no reason to be burning chips with link. And you adjust your settings in the car with a laptop too.

 

[Steve93Talon]

(pretty much the same for the dsmlink, but I do not want to be burning chips all of the time). Also I think that I will learn a lot more about tuning with the AEM unit. I like the fact that I can tweek with it right there in the car with a laptop. Correct?

1. What all sensors that I will need and ones that you recommend me getting? I know a wideband ( I was thinking innovative or AEM any other suggestions?), a MAP sensor (I was thinking AEM 3-bar), the 2g knock sensor, and is there any others I should get?

As stated above, you don't have to burn new chips with the DSMlink. It basically turns your stock ECU into a standalone - think of it as a little brother of the AEM. You use a laptop to tune both.

As for sensors, I'd get a good wideband like the Innovate, PLX, AEM... I'd get higher than a 3 bar MAP sensor (remember, it's absolute pressure, so add 14.7psi to compensate for atmospheric pressure), 2G knock sensor, and you'll need an air temp sensor, too.

It really sounds like you need to research and read alot more about the DSMlink and AEM before you make your decision.

 

[KJS1820]

I would get the aem and install it as soon as you get it. Use it as much as possible, learn everything you can about it and when it's time for mods then you will be prepared. Buy all of the sensors you need to convert to speed density at the same time you buy the ems. You will need a wideband and a 2g knock sensor as well. The aem is calibrated for 2g knock sensors, 1g sensors will not work. The sensors and the wideband add quite a bit to the cost but it is well worth it.

I have dsmlink though and am happy with it! A few of my buddies have aem and can do a few more things with it that are nice but to me won't help my goals!

 

[neuralracing]

Can anyone provide the part numbers for the Wideband I should get, the boost solenoid... I'm inclined to get the 5 BAR Map sensor... any thoughts on that? What brands of MAP sensors can I purchase... does it have to be AEM?

 

[gnes100]

When you get a 90-94 aem ems for a 1 g car you still have to get a 2 g knock sensor ?

 

[dsm1kenobe]

topnotch:

The EMS will only be as good as the tuner allows it to be, so make sure you read as much as you can in the AEM EMS forums (http://www.aempower.com/) before you decide to purchase an EMS. If the discussions are way over your head and far from your grasping ability, then the EMS is NOT for you. I have an EMS, so I'm speaking from experience.

 

[GVR4592]

Horsepowerfreaks.com has pretty good prices and all of the sensors you need. The 1g ems does use a 2g knock sensor, as for the wideband that is up to you. I bought the plx- m300 because of the price, the size, and from what I had heard on the forums. Innovative also makes a pretty good unit, but I didnt like the size. The brand of map sensor doesnt really matter but it is a lot easier to use the aem map sensor, because you just click "aem 5-bar" and thats it.

 

[neuralracing]

Do you guys recommend getting a new 2G knock Sensor or can I pick one up at a local junkyard? I guess what I am asking is wether that is a part that is unreliable if bought used or if its a part that is still good on a car with say 100K miles?