Which engine management to use?

[MaddMatt17]

I am wondering which engine management to use for the time being... I do plan to get dsmlink probably in the summer. I was thinking just AFC or possibly the keydriver? Any input would be appreciated.

Updated Current mods-

Rebuilt 6 bolt- .030 over
SBR 50 trim
650cc injectors
FMIC
BC cams/springs
Walbro 255/afpr

Thats about it with all the rest of the stuff in my profile.

Thanks

 

[blcknspo0ln]

So you're running all of that without any type of engine/fuel management? I dicked around with an SAFC, SAFC2, logger for years and it didn't get me anywhere near the goals that I wanted until I got DSMLink. I literally went from trapping 110mph, to 115mph just by switching to DSMLink and learning how to tune. My suggestion, skip the keydiver/flash/safc/vpc/etc route go directly to DSMLink. DSMLink is a program great for "basic" cars to 10 second GT40R cars. Yes, it'll cost about 900 to get up and running, but it's worth it from the moment you load it up on your laptop. If not, a keydiver/SAFC2 kit will be okay too. Either route you take, do yourself a favor and get a wideband sensor gauge. Knowing TRUE AFR is one of the single most important aspects of getting these cars to run at maximum efficiency.

 

[SBR Joe]

^^^^^^^^^ DSM Link FTW!!!



Joe

 

[bling5tatus]

DSMLink increases your power to weight ratio by making your wallet a lot lighter.

 

[xdxoxuxgx]

You might as well get DSMLink awhile if you plan on getting it anyway. But either you way you definitely need something with the list of mods you have

 

[turboglenn]

DSMLink increases your power to weight ratio by making your wallet a lot lighter.

Now that's the funniest thing i've heard all day. but very true!

I'm going to vote for going straight for the DSMLink. I remember wasting money on just a SAFC and 550's w/ a B16G back when i said to myself "i'll never take this car as far as the last one, Just a small turbo and fuel upgrade with slight control, no stand alone for this car and no major mods"..

A year or so later i had a set of 550's, big 16g and a SAFC for sale. After basically impulse buying a T3/4 hybrid and manifold, a set of 720's and a computer to run it.

Lesson learned, just get what you plan on eventually running because you're going to waste more money "gradually upgrading", just save and buy what you know you really want the first time.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Another option that would require more research would be "Megasquirt". I've heard great things about it and it's alot cheaper then DSMlink.

Search for threads on Megasquirt and check into it as another option.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Another option that would require more research would be "Megasquirt". I've heard great things about it and it's alot cheaper then DSMlink.

Search for threads on Megasquirt and check into it as another option.

If you do go that route, get ready to read, curse, and probably get some self-inflicted electrocutions. I do encourage it though! MegaSquirt® EFI by Bowling and Grippo

Amazing results coming from it.

 

[kittay]

I would check out the Ostrich. It's a great program. It's very similar to link. Has I believe all the same features, it's not as user friendly, but it is 1/3 the price.

Ostrich 2.0 : The New Breed [OSTRICH_2] - $175.00 : Moates.Net

That is what I am running on my car. Full stutterbox capability, rev limiter, etc

Here's what the program looks like:

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[slowgsr]

isnt an ostrich just an emulator? I didnt think it was an actual programs for dsm's? I used an ostrich in combination with a freeware standalone to tune my honda, im guessing your using a freeware in combination with the ostrich? Maybe dsmap ?

Im not to tuning these cars and still trying to figure things out, so excuse my ignorance.

 

[SBR Joe]

DSMLink increases your power to weight ratio by making your wallet a lot lighter.

No less than an AFC NEO and a keydiver chip will.

Joe

 

[kittay]

isnt an ostrich just an emulator? I didnt think it was an actual programs for dsm's? I used an ostrich in combination with a freeware standalone to tune my honda, im guessing your using a freeware in combination with the ostrich? Maybe dsmap ?

Im not to tuning these cars and still trying to figure things out, so excuse my ignorance.

You just se the stock ECU (Eprom of course), then plug the emulater in where the chip was. You need a laptop, but they provide you with the CD containing the software. You can make live adjustments, add stutterbox, injector compensation, all those things I just mentioned, etc.
Tunerpro is the software for the Ostrich. I always use the scanmaster or wideband along with it while tuning to ensure I'm not running lean/ rich.
It's great since you can do live updates/ adjustments.
When you're done tuning, you just upload the bin to the Ostrich, unplug the comp, and the Ostrich device stays in the car. We also have a chip burner, so rather then keeping the Ostrich in there all the time, we can upload the maps and make a chip for it. I have one chip for running on E85 and one for 93.
You can also buy some of their software that allows you to switch between 2 separate maps: Which is what I plan on doing this summer to be able to switch between E85 and if I have to leave town, I can just run 93.

 

[slowgsr]

Thanks for the info, something to look into.

I have a laptop, a WB02 (Lm-1), as well as a chip burner and software for the burner (used the stuff for my honda). The car is currently up and running on a Maf translator tuned for 20psi with a 16G.

Since the maf translator dosen't do any ignition timing adjustments, how do these cars adjust for timing at different boost levels with this type of tuning? (maf, safc, etc.) Or is the timing pretty linear?

 

[sbr240sx]

DSMLink is the way to go.

 

[T Money]

Another +1 for dsmlink. It is easy to learn and use. Plus their forums are a great help for any tuning questions.

 

[Ravenous]

I would go with DSMLink if I had the cash, but if money is an issue I say Tunerpro/ostrich combo. Injector compensation, deadtime adjustment, maf compensation, ability to run map instead of maf(dsmap), stutter box, NLTS, Extended Maps, control cyclone manifold, full control of octane/fuel/timing maps, eliminate phantom knock, and the list goes on. However it is no where near as user friendly as link. I've been running the ostrich now for a month or so and it is great. You don't need a laptop but it is nice for real time emulation, you can remove the ostrich and take it in the house and do your coding there. For the more advanced features you have to edit the actual code with a hex editor or a compiler/decompiler. The great thing about the Ostrich/chip burner is that as you learn more about the code and how it works the more your stock ecu becomes capable of...

Oh yea, did I say you can run MAP... I think I did

If thats not enough, Ray Peters is running this on his ride.

 

[gijoe985]

What kinda performance gains can you get from dsmlink w/o other mods? I'm just curious. I bet you could increase fuel mileage and some hp by justing tuning. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[thewraith]

You're correct- but any tuning software can do that- even a piggyback like safc2 can.

 

[kittay]

Sorry didn't write back sooner, just got back from work. You have pm tho

 

[alice]

DSMlink for all the reasons above. I am completely new to tuning and so far, link has been easy to use and well worth the money.

 

[m3etr]

Im also looking for a good engine management system for my car! My friends 97 GST has a Apexi Power FC in it, and i must say its pretty impressive. Its also not vey expensive. I know alot of DSMers dont have experience with the FC, and im not against the DSMlink, but alot of the race cars from many tuner shops around here use it and they are also happy with how it performs. I havent heard anything bad about the FC either! All in all, it all comes down to how its tuned. I just prefer a full standalone. Dont get me wrong, a DSMlink is still an option for me. I havent chosen yet.

 

[BoostedDSM75]

I would say DSM Link, if money isnt an issue!!!!

 

[toontowntalon91]

Does anybody have any experience with ecu+

 

[blcknspo0ln]

DSMlink for all the reasons above. I am completely new to tuning and so far, link has been easy to use and well worth the money.

Quoted for truth.

 

[MaddMatt17]

Well I sure do appreciate all the info that has been provided, Sorry I haven't checked been out of town for the holidays. I actually haven't ran the car yet, I just now put the engine together and will drop it soon. I have the money to a certain extent, How hard is it to get the 95 ECU... Isn't that required for dsmlink? I have an old junky laptop that i think would work its only running win2k with like 1.2ghz. Hopefully it will do the trick.. I'll look more into the Ostrich thing, first time i ever heard of it. I'd like to obtain full management for under 7-800 if possible. I just don't know how much my tranny can hold up ha.

Thanks. any more comments would be nice