ECU+ vs DSMLink

[Splitpi]

I would like to hear peoples oppinions on ECU+ over DSMLink. I have read alot about DSMLink and it sounds great, but ECU+ Seems like a more cost effective approach for a midgrade tuner and has most of the same features. Anyone have experience with ECU+ or both?

 

[alex]

Looks like it is nice data logging system. It looks like it has some fundimentals that would make it better then most fuel computers out there. I'd rather still get DSM Link because of the diversity and direct ECU tunning. Any fuel management system that dosen't have direct access to your ECU maps will just show up in second place when it comes to performance. It looks attractive for only $429 for sure.

-Alex

 

[SBstar]

Dsmlink is just a proven product, and so many people recommend it. There is a reason its become so popular.

 

[JN-HIGHLINEMS-]

have to agree with alex on this one

 

[bird man]

I have dsmlink and would not trade it for anything else out there.

 

[sadsm]

Is there any one out there that has had first hand experience with both DSM Link and ECU + that can chime in? Or is there someone that has had experience with just ECU +?

 

[luvmygst]

Ive done quite a bit of reasearch and I am going with ecu+. (and I already have a e-prom) I just like some of the features it has as far as addon controllers. Just my .02 its just so new and dsmlink has been around for so long. Just because its newer doesnt meand its not as good. I have talked to people that have used it and hear nothing but good things. Once again just my .02

 

[Tom N]

To me there are only two choices.
DSMlink and AEM.

 

[JayRolla]

AEM, worth every pennie!!

 

[luvmygst]

AEM, worth every pennie!!

for a drag car yes. For a daily driver, not to me. Not everyone is building a 10 second car

 

[JayRolla]

for a drag car yes. For a daily driver, not to me. Not everyone is building a 10 second car

still can pull more power out of aem than the dsmlink

 

[Tom N]

still can pull more power out of aem than the dsmlink

That is true if you know how to tune a full stand alone but most dont.
DSMlink is a great choice for most out there.
It is very user friendly and you can make excelent power with it.
Not to mention it is a fraction of the cost of a aem.

 

[JayRolla]

Im surprised someone actually agreed with me that the AEM is better even though its expensive. Usually people say its only better because it can work on any car and thats about it. Im going to use the dyno shop to dyno so im going to save for aem and use a safc untill i get it.

 

[srGS-t]

ECU+ all the way man i love the dyno on it and it has OBD 2 now and it soo nice....i like em both but i went with the ECU+ and i LOVE it

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

Dsmlink is just a proven product, and so many people recommend it. There is a reason its become so popular.

AEM is good and proven also, but as everybody said, not practical for someone using it as a daily driver. Also not recommended for beginners.

 

[JayRolla]

Im really thinking of ecu+ because of the price and i dont need an eprom. Anyone else using the ecu+?

 

[dsm-onster]

Ive done quite a bit of reasearch and I am going with ecu+. (and I already have a e-prom) I just like some of the features it has as far as addon controllers. Just my .02 its just so new and dsmlink has been around for so long. Just because its newer doesnt meand its not as good. I have talked to people that have used it and hear nothing but good things. Once again just my .02

What are the addon controllers that have turned you on to ECU+?

 

[sadsm]

I am sold on the ECU +. My ECU crapped out on me about a year ago and some guy sold me an EPROM ECU. When I got it, it was just a regular ECU. So I am gonna go with ECU +, because I'd rather not get screwed over again.

Also I sent an email to Tom the one that made ECU +, and he has me convinced.

 

[JayRolla]

I was reading more about the ecu+ and im not impressed that much anymore. They will be adding almost everything that dsmlink has even the stutter box feature. But it seams you really cant run more than 650's without getting a socketed eprom $150-350, burned to match the 750 or higher injectors another $100-150 and the ecu+ $600. After all that might as well get AEM EMS. I think dsmlink has better ignition control.

Well I guess that makes a new question does anyone have problem running large injectors with dsmlink since its just a piggyback?

 

[larsrya8]

Well I guess that makes a new question does anyone have problem running large injectors with dsmlink since its just a piggyback?

DSMLink bridges the gap between piggyback and standalone, but I wouldn't even consider it a piggy-back really. Basically it turns your stock ECU into a type of programmable standalone.

I'm running FIC 850's with no problems, and many are running 1000cc injectors with a perfect idle. If you visit their site you'll see why large injectors aren't an issue with DSMLink... it doesn't alter the airflow signal like a "piggyback" does, so it doesn't have the problems of high timing and oddness at part-throttle. It also allows you to adjust the deadtime for the larger injectors, so that problem is eliminated as well. After the ECU has finished it's calculations, DSMLink then alters the final result by the percentage you specify it to. This ensures that the ECU is able to select the proper timing and fuel maps without being misled by altered airflow readings from a piggyback (S-AFC, ECU+, etc.). After reading this I decided that anything "less" than DSMLink wouldn't be worth the money I'd spend on it... mostly because I like things to run as perfectly as possible.

The only thing DSMLink is somewhat lacking is its expandability. AEM EMS has it beat in that respect with its vast array of inputs and controllers, but DSMLink's ease of use is what makes it the obvious choice for any serious tuner with EPROM. After installing the injectors I adjusted the global fuel slider and the deadtime to the recommended settings, turned the key, and my car fired right up. A little tweaking after letting the ECU calibrate itself and I was all set. Rediculously easy.

AEM is for the hardcore tuner. I don't like generalizing a "power level" that you must achieve before you should get the EMS, but unless you have plenty of time to spend at the dyno and really really know what you're doing (or want to pay someone who does) you'll never reap that gains that AEM could give you. If you can't find a reason why DSMLink won't fulfill your goals, I wouldn't worry about AEM.

 

[dsm-onster]

ECU+ is for guys who will never reaise their rev limit, who will never see the need for injector flow over 750cc. How hard do think it will be to tune out those dead times of those 650s, 710s, and 750s? The timing control doesn't look real good. It doesn't offer no-lift-to-shift, antilag, full control of the solenoids and sensors to manipulate the system like a Mitsu engineer and get what you want. You know w/ dsmlink I changed my thermostat temp to a 160* thermostat and still operate in closed loop. I was able to increase my boost 2 psi based on that alone... About a 20hp increase right there... It's the little things that make dsmlink far better.

ECU+ has it's place. It is a great, full featured pigglyback. DSMLink is the next level.

 

[dsm-onster]

Well I guess that makes a new question does anyone have problem running large injectors with dsmlink since its just a piggyback?

Jay, DSMLink is not a pigglyback. It does not intercept signals to and from the ecu. It goes into the ecu itself and changes the programming. This insures drivability as you can isolate the open loop maps and only adjust those. It teaches the ecu what you've done and gives the ecu the knowledge it neads to function correctly with the new installs. Don't fool your ecu. Make it smarter .

 

[JayRolla]

Thats the one thing cool about ecu+ is if there is something the people demand for they add it. Like ecu+ is adding the strudder box for rpm launches, boost controler, antilag. Also the guy who made it is trying to say that no other product can match its data logging capabilities. Its cool that for no extra charge they will keep giving you upgrades.

 

[Tom N]

Don't fool your ecu. Make it smarter .

Thats a good way to put it.

ECU+ is a nice product but it just isnt comparable to dsmlink.

 

[daren_p]

Thats the one thing cool about ecu+ is if there is something the people demand for they add it. Like ecu+ is adding the strudder box for rpm launches, boost controler, antilag. Also the guy who made it is trying to say that no other product can match its data logging capabilities. Its cool that for no extra charge they will keep giving you upgrades.

DSMLink works the same way, they make software changes or additions that are requested at no charge to the customer. The only time there would be a charge is when they change the physical hardware & even then the charge is very small ~$50. DSMLink already has all the features you mentioned. The biggest selling feature for DSMLink would be that it's not a piggy back system. Origionally ecu+ didn't have the ability to monitor knock or fuel trims, which I though was a big downfall but the new model seems to have these features. Also installation is much easier then ecu+, its basically plug in as you only have to tap 2 or 3 wires if your running the clutch mod. With ecu+ you have to hack into the ecu harness or buy their plug & play harness which they want a good $ for (ends up costing more then Dsmlink)