SAFC or DSM Link? What to do?

[AWDTSIer]

I am lost and dont know what to do. I want to get some type of tuning device ( ex. SAFC or DSM Link) but am not quite sure which setup to go with. I am looking into a 255, 650cc injectors, and a fpr. Now the kicker, after all that im gonna be pretty limited on cash. With dsm link i would need to prurchase an EPROM, plus dsm link, and a laptop , and i dont have that much. I am looking for my hp range to be in the mid 300's AWHP. Any suggestions?

 

[Lofty]

I would go with dsmlink.
You can use a very very very VERY low powered/old laptop to run it.
It's also cheap.
Dsmlink for laptop is free.
If you are tight for money you can solder the eprom on yourself.
This would be the cheapest way in my opinion.
I hope I helped, best of luck
-Scott

 

[BoredDSM]

DSM link is definatly better than a s-afc no doubt about it but if your not looking for that kind of power you can go with a s-afc. A dsm link is not just something to adjust air fuel ratio but it also has studder box setup, reads codes, and you can use it with nitrous something that an afc couldn't do. You get what you pay for but if you can afford it definatly go with the dsm link just because its that much more useful.

 

[phillabaum03]

DSM link for sure, if you choose other wise msg me I got a SAFCII for sale.

 

[1gDSM4g63]

If you're just shooting for 300 whp then I would suggest just to go with a simple SAFC unless you're going to push for more power in the long-run. I mean it's really not worth getting a DSM Link if all you're going to do is minor mods.

 

[C3L1CA]

What kind of dyno do you want to hit 300 on and what kind of gas are you going to use (race or 91/92 pump)?

For 300ish on a dyno jet I'd get a safc II for the reasons said above. If you do plan on going father with the car some day, you might as well save up and get dsmlink as you will want it if you plan on modding the alot.

 

[imagine-02]

Well if you really need to tune your car, like right now... then just get an SAFC. Thats what I had to do.
Now Im upgrading to link... Its in the mail right now. Cant wait

 

[the_mork]

I would go with dsmlink.
You can use a very very very VERY low powered/old laptop to run it.
It's also cheap.
Dsmlink for laptop is free.
If you are tight for money you can solder the eprom on yourself.
This would be the cheapest way in my opinion.
I hope I helped, best of luck
-Scott

I think you are mistaken about dsmlink here. The dsmlink package is about $500, an eprom ecu can be had for about $150 if you get a decent deal. A cheap laptop is about $50 and socketing is at least $30 unless you know what you're doing already. Saying that dsmlink for laptops is free is kind of a misnomer, you can download and use the program freely but you still need to be able to communicate with your car and have the dsmlink chip to actually do anything. Compare that to an safc which depending on the model is $50-300 but usually can be had for around $130. You will also need a logger, evoscan runs about $100 but then you need a laptop too, a logger setup from the classifieds can be had for about $75. Obviously the SAFC is the cheaper way to go but it is much less feature rich.

That said, if you would like my advice I would say that if your goals are relatively basic the SAFC will do you fine as long as you aren't going to do a whole lot of upgrading in the future. 300hp is probably attainable but will be much easier than dsmlink, if you want a dyno slip that says 300hp go with the better setup. If you just pulled that number out of thin air and you really mean I want to make people piss their pants then the safc might be enough for you.

The main advantage from tuning with dsmlink at this sort of level is control over timing which can give nearly as much increase in performance as turning up the boost and in some cases more, the ability to read knock also makes the tuning easier and safer.

Either way you choose seems to be fine here so just keep in mind that you can use a safc and logger for now and sell them for nearly as much as you bought them for when you're done. If you upgrade to dsmlink later the only loss will be that you could have originally bought significantly larger injectors for nearly the same price. Getting a wideband will also help you tune with both systems.


EDIT: I didn't realize that you're 1g so you can ignore the idea of using evoscan and a logger will read knock for you. An eprom will also be a bit cheaper for you. You can also look into running a system called dsmap which is affordable and feature rich, just do a quick search on it because I'm not qualified to really speak about it.

 

[Rayek]

I would go with the safc-II if I were you. With those HP goals and 650's you could even do a 190lph pump and not have to get an afpr. Since you say you are low on cash that may be the best route. You should be just fine running 650's on a 190 and safc-II, then you can spend the extra 140 or so on a hard I/C piping kit if you dont have it already.

 

[AWDTSIer]

Ok i have been doing alot of reading and am seriously thinking of going wit DSMmap but dont quite understand everything i will need to use this setup.


EDIT: I meant DSmap

 

[SLW 90 GS-T]

Although DSMLink is expensive, it is well worth the money, plus unlike the safc it is easier to upgrade, if you choose a bigger turbo setup and injectors you'd have to get a keydiver chip to be able to tune a bigger injector, overall dsmlink is the better option, i found a cheap VPC to tune my car and it works great, so that could also be an option if your interested

 

[92ts1]

Honestly i chose DSMLink. It is a great user friendly tuner and is easily upgradeable. If you would like to go with DSmap then I have found this for you.
DS-MAP.NET • View topic - Complete How-To

I also have a '92 EPROM I am looking to get rid of. Caps are starting to leak but still works and needs to be socketed. PM me if interested.

 

[ApexVIII]

is this really a question ??!!?!? DSMlink for sure!

 

[spaugh]

I had bought all the stuff to run DSmap, Ostrich, 3 bar map, AIT sensor, Adapter harness to plug map and AIT into mass plug. In all I had about $350 into the setup without an eprom. Then you have to buy a logger and really need a wide band O2. After you buy the logger you only about $50 cheaper than link. Link is much easier to tune with.

The thing is more than likely once you hit 300whp you will want more. So i think DSM Link would be the best one to choose.

 

[rock1t]

well honestly, if you low on budget and don't think you can wait much longer... go with the dsmlink. ha. trust me. or if you want to go SAFC, i will sell you mine, so i can afford the dsmlink. PM me if interested

 

[Fiascoxl]

Without a doubt dsmlink, its so user friendly. I suggest saving up the dough and getting dsmlink, you will not be disappointed.

 

[the_mork]

I had bought all the stuff to run DSmap, Ostrich, 3 bar map, AIT sensor, Adapter harness to plug map and AIT into mass plug. In all I had about $350 into the setup without an eprom. Then you have to buy a logger and really need a wide band O2. After you buy the logger you only about $50 cheaper than link. Link is much easier to tune with.

The thing is more than likely once you hit 300whp you will want more. So i think DSM Link would be the best one to choose.

While I have less interest in DSmap because I drive a 2g I have to say that this seems a bit misleading, link can tune your car and do it pretty well but it is by no means a complete tuning package in and of itself without things like a wideband and map, sure you can get away with it just like you can get away with tuning using just an safc and logger but your tune will be significantly better with all the rest AND from what I understand DSmap has more potential and results in less restricted airflow. I think for the OPs situation any of the tuning systems available will work well, its just a matter of how far he will want to push his setup later and what features he considers most important.

 

[the_mork]

^exactly

I plan on getting dsmlink because it is probably the best tuning solution for a 2g except a standalone but I think in the dsm community and especially on dsmtuners there is a knee-jerk reaction that there can't be any real competition to link. DSmap is also really new (at least the reliable user friendlyish version) so its hard for people to really accept it but it shows there are other tuning solutions and they really are maturing very well. DSMlink hasn't really grown for a while and during that time the barriers have come way down for people who want to start a software/hardware package, I'm happy to see the competition and will be happier yet if v3 turns out to be good enough to raise the bar even higher, after all ecm tuning seems like a quality outfit and I will be excited for speed density to be available for my car.

 

[AWDTSIer]

Well i think i have made up my mind, Im going to go with the DSmap! Its something different and seems to be more advanced in todays time. Gona give it a try and see how it works, then spread the word!