When would I need DSMLink?

[1G-3G Eclipses]

I am about to purchase a 1G GSX, the guy says that the car can handle about 20psi the way it sits now (ive seen the parts list and searched the boards and would say hes about right)

But if I buy this car turn it to 18psi, will it run that "safely" without anysort of engine management?

I guess my question is: what can the ECU handle stock... When would I need to use an SAFC... and when would i need to jump up to DSM Link...

The car will probably stay like it is right now, slightly built block and supporting mods that should be good for a little under 300hp, until I get all the maintenance/small problems taken care of. So would I be okay running it at about 17psi with no management? If not what psi could I run with no management. Or would a SAFC be sufficient for 17psi.

THANK YOU!

 

[GVR4592]

Stock boost until you get a logger of some type.

 

[1G-3G Eclipses]

so even with injector upgrades and a few other upgrades the car should still run properly without engine management?

 

[GVR4592]

No it won't run properly.

 

[DSM4me44]

Yeah without any tuning. If the car has any sort of fuel upgrades such as a pump and injectors, you won't be able to control how much fuel your receiving.

 

[mygsx2120]

A s-afc can control injectors as big as 660's. These are good to about/if not max out a 16g turbo. So if you never plan on going bigger, an s-afc would be fine. And yes, 17 psi is way too high without one. I say don't go above 14psi. You will also need some kind of logger so you can tune it, or take it to a shop that tunes.

There are a lot of things that dsmlink can do that a s-afc can't. It is well worth the price difference. I say just forget the s-afc and get dsmlink from the beginning, it will save you money in the long run. I'm sure most people will agree. Just look at how many s-afcs are for sell. There are tons because people always upgrade later. DO IT RIGHT ONCE.

 

[Thomas91169]

considering you will spend 600 for a safc/palm combo, and can only control fuel by lying to the ecu and can only run up to a certain injector size, as opposed to 600 for dsmlink, 300 for a socketed ecu and if you have a laptop you will be at 900 for full control of fuel, timing, airflow maps, basically standalone that utilized the stock ecu, plus the best logging software out there, and the ability to further log any 0-5v input apparatus (gm 3bar map sensor, wideband o2's, etc) dsmlink becomes the better bang for the buck. if you dont have a laptop, its a little more but you can find cheap deals for decent laptops on craigslist (you dont need much to run dsmlink, 1ghz system with 256mb ram and a serial port will do the trick).

 

[GVR4592]

considering you will spend 600 for a safc/palm combo, and can only control fuel by lying to the ecu and can only run up to a certain injector size, as opposed to 600 for dsmlink, 300 for a socketed ecu and if you have a laptop you will be at 900 for full control of fuel, timing, airflow maps, basically standalone that utilized the stock ecu, plus the best logging software out there, and the ability to further log any 0-5v input apparatus (gm 3bar map sensor, wideband o2's, etc) dsmlink becomes the better bang for the buck. if you dont have a laptop, its a little more but you can find cheap deals for decent laptops on craigslist (you dont need much to run dsmlink, 1ghz system with 256mb ram and a serial port will do the trick).

You don't need a laptop to run Dsmlink, you can use a PDA. Socketed Eprom Ecu's can be found for under $200 and if you're spending $600 on a SAFC/Palm combo you're crazy.

 

[greengoblin]

The 2 upgrades that have given my the best gains are my wideband and DSMlink.

 

[ILLiCliPSE]

I have a SAFC II. Im currently trying to sell it to get DSMLink.

The SAFC is just a basic tuning device. If you want something more serious that will net you more gains, then DSMLink is the way to go. I plan on making over 300awhp, so DSMLink will definetly allow me to do that. Ya like greengoblin said, a Wideband is a great tool. I just installed an AEM UEGO wideband and Ive been fiddling with the SAFC to get a better a/f ratio. T28 @ 14psi and my air/fuel ratio is around 11.9. But I took out some fuel, so Im thinking I have to add more of it back (still on stock fuel system). But Itd be great to see what my timing and everything looks like...thats why DSMLink is the sh*t. Unless you go with a SAFC-Logger combo.

 

[wvturbo2]

18 psi or 20 psi on what turbo what are the mods. I think people need more info to tell you if it can actually run that much boost safely, but if you don't know put boost back to stock as other recommended until you get a logger and tuning device. Also what turbo is it. 18psi on a evo3 and 18 pounds on a gt35r are completely different.

 

[Thomas91169]

You don't need a laptop to run Dsmlink, you can use a PDA. Socketed Eprom Ecu's can be found for under $200 and if you're spending $600 on a SAFC/Palm combo you're crazy.

true, those were the prices when i ran a palm m505/safc2. the safc was 350+50 shipping from ebay, and the palm was 150$+50$ for other shit.

socketed eproms were 300$ on ebay as well.

i hear the PDA version of dsmlink has a slower transfer rate for logging, dont know how true that is but i remember i hated the small ass screen on the palm, plus you can impress all your buddies when you tune like bryan spilner with a laptop in your car.

 

[wvturbo2]

If you want to save money and have the ability to do tons of things. Just buy Dsmlink now and don't look back. It will support whatever goals you have or may have later. I love it, but my only problem is getting my laptop to stop dying in less than an hour! I need to goto the drag strip and tune as well road tuning is hard by yourself.

 

[auto2wd]

If you want to save money and have the ability to do tons of things. Just buy Dsmlink now and don't look back. It will support whatever goals you have or may have later. I love it, but my only problem is getting my laptop to stop dying in less than an hour! I need to goto the drag strip and tune as well road tuning is hard by yourself.

I just wired up a power converter and mounted it under the passenger seat for that exact problem = P. I am also going to jump in with everyone else and DEFINITELY go with DSMLink. Its much better to just start off with the correct tools to tune your car, I wouldn't waste any time with the s-afc and just go straight for the DSMLink.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

I have a SAFC II. Im currently trying to sell it to get DSMLink.

The SAFC is just a basic tuning device. If you want something more serious that will net you more gains, then DSMLink is the way to go. I plan on making over 300awhp, so DSMLink will definetly allow me to do that. Ya like greengoblin said, a Wideband is a great tool. I just installed an AEM UEGO wideband and Ive been fiddling with the SAFC to get a better a/f ratio. T28 @ 14psi and my air/fuel ratio is around 11.9. But I took out some fuel, so Im thinking I have to add more of it back (still on stock fuel system). But Itd be great to see what my timing and everything looks like...thats why DSMLink is the sh*t. Unless you go with a SAFC-Logger combo.

Unless you go with the SAFC-Logger combo? WTF That is crazy, DSMlink is then only "Standalone" engine management system that uses your factory ECU to do everything that a standalone does, just more user friendly, and easier to read to tune. I have helped some of my friends on theirs, a PMS, an AEM EMS, and when I first started to read and help tune those, man, it was rocket science at first, but then you can do it with time, and DSMlink, I had no questions, just on how to get it to link and capture, thats it.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

Brand new of course, the SAFC II is still $400+, and the DSMlink package, $595, and of course you have to buy the ECU, and get it socketed. ECU's have been going from anywhere between $250 to $400+, the EPROMS are the ONLY ones you can use. THe socket job should only be about $40-$60, depending on the electrician or tech you take it to.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

You don't need a laptop to run Dsmlink, you can use a PDA. Socketed Eprom Ecu's can be found for under $200 and if you're spending $600 on a SAFC/Palm combo you're crazy.

Yeah, go ahead and try to do that, you will still be falling short of your full tuning capabilities. Even the owners and inventors of Link, say to use a laptop for all your tuning needs, but you can use a PDA or blackberry or whatever. And I would like to know where you are getting your ECU's already socketed for under 200, mine cost 310 with the socketing. Just buy a decent laptop, do it right, and do the research. DSMlink Forums can answer all your needs, just get a buddy to log on for you, and you can check it out. True members only can go there, you have to be registered, and an owner of Link to get there.

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

And you can't trust anyone just selling an ECU with a SUPPOSED Eprom. They can just rip off the old shell and put a new one in, and then you are screwed. I would get it from a reputable person or shop that can vouch for it, and get it under warranty if you can... V3 is supposed to be coming out soon for us all, but you know how this has been dragging on and on now, but soon T and D had said. The numbers should match up to something like this,

MD309947
E2T61674
4910

E

Then on the side in BIG letters,

9947

then right under it really small,

E2T61674

 

[Thomas91169]

once youre a part of teh link forums, you can find good deals on full link setups (ecu+link) that you wont be able to get outside of the forums. gotta get dsmlink first though. ive had it already so ive been part of the forums for a while now.

and yeah, mine was 300$ socketed, but ive seen socketed ecu's run for 200-250 on the link forums.

 

[GVR4592]

Yeah, go ahead and try to do that, you will still be falling short of your full tuning capabilities. Even the owners and inventors of Link, say to use a laptop for all your tuning needs, but you can use a PDA or blackberry or whatever. And I would like to know where you are getting your ECU's already socketed for under 200, mine cost 310 with the socketing. Just buy a decent laptop, do it right, and do the research. DSMlink Forums can answer all your needs, just get a buddy to log on for you, and you can check it out. True members only can go there, you have to be registered, and an owner of Link to get there.

Have you ever used a PDA with Dsmlink? Obviously not. You can get socketed Eproms for around $200 all day on the Dsmlink forums. You got screwed.

http://www.dsmlink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15903&highlight=eprom

http://www.dsmlink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15793&highlight=eprom

http://www.dsmlink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15616&highlight=eprom

http://www.dsmlink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15503&highlight=eprom

http://www.dsmlink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15076&highlight=eprom

Brand new of course, the SAFC II is still $400+, and the DSMlink package, $595, and of course you have to buy the ECU, and get it socketed. ECU's have been going from anywhere between $250 to $400+, the EPROMS are the ONLY ones you can use. THe socket job should only be about $40-$60, depending on the electrician or tech you take it to.

Dsmlink is $565 not $595, the SAFC II is $300, not 400+, socketed Eprom ecu's should never be more than $225. Get your facts straight before you post

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

Okay, if you get the socketing job done by them its 595, and yeah, I have seen it with the PDA, but they why are T and D saying that its best with a laptop, and they are the ones that made it? I got mine with a 2 year warranty on top of the link package, and yeah, those are on the LInk forums, he can't get to it cause he is not a member yet. I have my facts straight, would you like to see my invoice from FFWD or from ECM tuning themselves? Then what about the guy above me too? He got his for 10 bucks cheaper than I did, so no, its not always that case... The USB/DB9 converter is the most common way to use it with your laptop, that is why T and D sell them direct from thier sites? Come on man, 200 for a socketed EPROM, I dont think so... and no one else can see the links but people that have link already and are a registered member, like you and me. So why post it here? And those are people that have the hook ups or are getting rid of thiers...

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

http://www.dsmlink.com/ordering.html

It is 595 with the socketing service... So my facts are straight buddy... This is supposed to be only discussed on DSMlink forums or with the moderators only. I remember guys getting flamed or warnings for this, they are supposed to direct them towards the owners of LINK, or yeah, get opinions for it. So here we are, and for the OP, I have tried to help him with my best abilities and firsthand experience with piggybacks and Link and SA EMS's, but hey, whatever....

 

[GVR4592]

Okay, if you get the socketing job done by them its 595, and yeah, I have seen it with the PDA, but they why are T and D saying that its best with a laptop, and they are the ones that made it? I got mine with a 2 year warranty on top of the link package, and yeah, those are on the LInk forums, he can't get to it cause he is not a member yet. I have my facts straight, would you like to see my invoice from FFWD or from ECM tuning themselves? Then what about the guy above me too? He got his for 10 bucks cheaper than I did, so no, its not always that case... The USB/DB9 converter is the most common way to use it with your laptop, that is why T and D sell them direct from thier sites? Come on man, 200 for a socketed EPROM, I dont think so... and no one else can see the links but people that have link already and are a registered member, like you and me. So why post it here? And those are people that have the hook ups or are getting rid of thiers...

I posted the links so you could see how ridiculous $400 socketed eprom prices really are. Nobody pays that much for an Eprom ecu and they aren't $200 just on the Dsmlink forums, if you look around you can find them for $200 just about anywhere. I'd like to see where you can buy a SAFC II for $400, that's outrageously high.

You obviously have never used the PDA with Dsmlink so you shouldn't even be bringing that up. That's a violation of rule # 3

Don't try to help if you don't know the answer - bad advice can be worse than no advice (no "I think" or "I guess" or "I've heard").

 

[Dragon TalonTsi]

And those guys are also selling their spare parts for link, or stuff they have lying around, whatever the case may be. I am not saying that that isn't a good deal, but it still is shady to an extent. And they are for a 1g, sorry, I thought the OP was a 2g, and he is from Indy... Well, get Link when you are ready, and can afford it...

OFF TOPIC but a little relavent:

We have guys here in Jax/Wilmington breaking 9.5's in the 1/4 with only an SAFC, Wideband, and GM Maft... if I am not mistaken, that is what they ran. I saw them when they ran a 9.6, and then a 10.1 due to valves bending or something. Look in the Link forums and on Carolina DSM.... They are the guys trying to break the 1g AUTO AWD world record.

 

[GVR4592]

You're not making any sense.