Need help with AFCs and such...gettin' confusing!

[Hollywood77]

I searched and found a lot of stuff on this topic, but the problem is there's SO much stuff, and so many options that I just got overwhelmed. Now I'm not even sure where to start.

Here's what I know: I'm going to be purchasing an AEM wideband UEGO controller. That much is for sure. I need to be able to monitor AFR of course. But now, for an AFC of sorts...do I go with something like an Apex'i AFC Neo? Or the MAF Translator Pro?

I know this is sounding really stupid, but I really just don't know what to get to go along with my AEM wideband.

Can somebody give me some advice on what they're using and how they like it?

 

[wondabread]

I think your answer depends on what you want to do, and ultimately how much money you have.

Since my answer isn't much of an answer, I'll tell you what I plan to do.

The safc is good up to but not past 650cc injectors. 650 is the absolute max (from what I've read), and I wanted 550, but 650 is the same price, and a good precautionary measure, and will allow me to go a bit further in my tuning (ignore the run-on )

The safc is around $300, and the aem uego is $200, give or take, DSMlink is $515, and you need the uego, and a map sensor($40?). So for about another $250 you can get something FAR more adjustable.

These are just my thoughts for my personal car/budget, and I'm just trying to give you ideas.

Another thought would be DSMap, but I need to do more research on it.

Edit* After reading your mods, you don't have injectors listed (unless I missed them). I think your injectors would determine what you want to do. Also, with your modlist, I would skip the AFC and go DSMlink for sure.

 

[Hollywood77]

Thanks for the reply man. And yes, you didn't miss anything, I've still got stock injectors.
Ultimately I want to have DSMLink, but for now, that'd mean purchasing that, and then buying a laptop to run it on....figure that'd be $700 for the laptop and software.

My budget for June/July for car parts is only $900. $250 of that will be for the AEM wideband, leaving roughly $650. Do I just get DSMLink and some cheap-arse laptop for like a hundred bucks from craigslist? Or do I get the wideband, and an AFC of some sort, along with a fuel-pressure regulator to get ready for bigger injectors?

AAAAARGH!!

**edit: To answer your question, ultimately I want 500-hp. That'll do me for a daily driver.**

 

[wondabread]

There are 2 uegos on the classifieds for cheaper than $250. Plus ebay has a bunch too.

Get yourself a cheapo laptop from ebay or craigslist, and I think you can still be within your budget. The important thing is to realize that you may only have $900, but if you buy an safc, you may just end up buying DSMlink later and have wasted your money.

I would wait the extra 2 months, possibly even into august if you budget yourself monthly and buy the best option the first time.

Again, this is just what I would do, I am not trying to impose my beliefs on you. But, I know how pissed I get at myself when I waste my money.

Don't forget the map sensor. You may be like $100 or so over budget if you get a decent laptop, and then another bit of cash for the map. I would just wait

One thing you didn't mention is injector size. Anything over 650cc and you can't use the safc anyway.

One thing is for sure, if you update the injectors you HAVE to get something to tune. Maybe you should check out DSMap. It's cheaper than DSMlink (software is free), but you need some hardware to accompany it. And you will still need the uego and the laptop. That could be an option. It's one I've been exploring anyway.

 

[wondabread]

Here's the link to the DSMap thread. It started a long time ago, but the last post was only a few months back.

Check out their forums too.

DSMap Thread

DSMap Hardware requirements

 

[Hollywood77]

There are 2 uegos on the classifieds for cheaper than $250. Plus ebay has a bunch too.

Get yourself a cheapo laptop from ebay or craigslist, and I think you can still be within your budget. The important thing is to realize that you may only have $900, but if you buy an safc, you may just end up buying DSMlink later and have wasted your money.

I would wait the extra 2 months, possibly even into august if you budget yourself monthly and buy the best option the first time.

Again, this is just what I would do, I am not trying to impose my beliefs on you. But, I know how pissed I get at myself when I waste my money.

Don't forget the map sensor. You may be like $100 or so over budget if you get a decent laptop, and then another bit of cash for the map. I would just wait

One thing you didn't mention is injector size. Anything over 650cc and you can't use the safc anyway.

One thing is for sure, if you update the injectors you HAVE to get something to tune. Maybe you should check out DSMap. It's cheaper than DSMlink (software is free), but you need some hardware to accompany it. And you will still need the uego and the laptop. That could be an option. It's one I've been exploring anyway.

**rubbing ching** Interesting that you mention that...I get pissed at myself too when I know I've wasted money. That's what I've thinking I could easily do....I get a wideband and an AFC, only to find out a year from now that I need more than 650-cc injectors...so that has me buying DSMLink...which I SHOULD'VE just bought in the first place, ya know?

I'm stoked that you've given me some opinions man, for real.

Much appreciated.

Guess I've just gotta find a cheap-o laptop now!! Wideband and DSMLink oughta keep me good for awhile.

**thanks for the links!! Gonna check those out in like 10 minutes!!