Dsmlink or Gm Maf translator/logger

[Mata]

Help me decide which one to use for my 97 gsx. I already have the eeprom ecu but I have been readin a lot lately about the gm/maf translator.

Which one would you choose and why?

 

[brads]

They arent mutually exclusive, you can have both. DSMLink allows for MUCH better adjustment, and seperate fuel/timing adjustment. As well as logging, and removing of limitations like fuel cut, rev limits, etc. This translator can clamp airflow signal to remove fuel cut, but that can cause other problems. The translator is a sensor replacement with adjustability, The DSMLink is an ECU replacement. If you can only afford one at a time, the logging of the DSMLink will help you get more out of your setup. The translator will improve several things as well, but without logging, its hard to tell where you are at tuning wise anyhow.

Brad

 

[Awdboost]

Both.

 

[Ramchargers]

The Translator is a MAF / replacment fuel tuning device. The DSM link is a complete tuning tool. While there is some overlap they serve different needs. If you must pick one and you do not have a very large turbo. Your end result could be better with DSMlink (I hated to have to say that ) if you can grasp the product. The translator is far easier to use but also far more limited. It will not do timing or data logging. If youget a Translator ( I hope you do) We HIGHLY recommend that you use some sort of logger to tune it so you need that anyway.
Hope this helps
Mike Licht

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

I will prbably have a MAF Translator,and E_manage,and my pocketlogger.

 

[larryd]

I wouldnt run one over the other. I would run both together. Even if I had the GM MAFT I would still want something like a S-AFC and pocketlogger to see everything happening and the DSMlink is essentially both put into one plus a few other things.

 

[Mata]

Thanks for the responses guys.

guess I should have written gm maf translator and pocketlogger on the title.

If I bought the translator I was also planning on getting a pocketlogger, If going this way I would buy datalogger first and then the translator kit (easier on the wallet)

Would it be easier to tune the pocketlogger/ translator combo and see similar gains as with the dsmlink?

 

[larryd]

Easier?? Eh, I wouldnt venture to say one is easier then the other. If you cant tune with the DSMlink then you have no budiness driving a DSM and the MAFT is just a few knobs. You can tune well with both of them.

 

[brads]

One of several advantages of DSMLink is that you can see the knock retard from the ECU, that really is useful when tuning. It also logs at a rate MUCH faster than the OBD2 loggers, I gave up trying to log with my OBD2 logger, it was practically useless it was so slow. The Translator controls adjust the airflow, which fools the ECU and tweaks your fuel AND timing settings at the same time, which is the same way the AFC, emanage and a few others do it. The DSMLink allows you to tweak them independently which is a much better way to go. DSMLink also removes fuel cut. The translator allows you to clamp the airflow signal to eliminate fuel cut, BUT then you have to have another way to add fuel. For tuning, DSMLink works much better overall.

The initial reports I have seen of people using DSMLink WITH the translator have been very good. I am going to be getting a Translator shortly. It looks like the translator will give a noticeable power bump and spool improvement just from its improved airflow.

Brad

 

[Mata]

Thanks guys.

Made up mi mynd, Im going with dsmlink first and down the road add the translator.

 

[Ramchargers]

I think that is a good choice (man that was hard to type )
Mike

 

[SOURCE1064]

Originally posted by larryd
I wouldnt run one over the other. I would run both together. Even if I had the GM MAFT I would still want something like a S-AFC and pocketlogger to see everything happening and the DSMlink is essentially both put into one plus a few other things.

Ths is exactly what I'm running.

 

[Kevin Jewer]

I think DSMlink and then MAF is a good idea. You can use the dsmlink and 2g MAF up to around 400 hp, at which point the MAf will start to add some good power and easily justify its (fair) price. My personal plan is this. I have been running DSMlink for some time now and am more than pleased with it. But 380g/sec of airflow is rapidly approaching, ad its time for the MAF translator. I will be taking a couple of baseline readinds from teh stock MAS in at various rpms and loads, so I can effectively "calibrate" my MAF to the stock MAS with the translators controls. Then do all tuning from DSmlink, business as usual. The advantage to this is way more airflow capacity than stock, but the airflow readings in DSMlink will still be accurate, or at least consistent with what I had before so I can still judge the effectiveness of mods, and see where I am on compressor maps, etc. I think the combo is a great way to go, but you need dsmlink before the MAF. And I give Mike credit for saying that too

 

[vlaar]

Best place to find a good price on a 3 1/2 inch gm mas? I have a '90 Talon TSi FWD and plan on getting the translator from ramchargers.com, but still haven't found a place to buy the mas...
Thanks.

 

[Spidey]

Check your local junk yards, you shouldn't have to pay more than $10 for one. The 3" MAS came on SEVERAL GM cars so just look around, and maybe you'll find a 3 1/2.

 

[GVTalon]

Subscribing to the thread. I've been trying to decide between both devices too.

 

[shadrach]

DSMLink!

I just installed my yesterday and I'm freaking datalogging trips to the store! I'm addicted!

 

[Gopherhog]

Originally posted by 95GSXracer
... But 380g/sec of airflow is rapidly approaching, ad its time for the MAF translator

Is 380g/sec a cutoff point for something? Is that when the 2g MAF maxes out of karmen cycles? *slightly confused*

 

[Kevin Jewer]

Yeah, most 2g MAFs seems to screw up at 380, though a few go to 400. Just for reference, when I had my M50 up around 45 lbs/min, I was at 340 g/sec. And if you do the conversion, 380 is ~50 pounds per minute, so most people are safe. Thats a lot of airflow. Its not easy to get a 50 trim up that high without a pretty decent mod list And I ran 12.0 at only 38 lbs/min (16g) a couple weeks ago. Just some datapoints in defense of the 2g mas. But just because it can count it doesnt mean its not a restriction, which is a big part of what the GM MAF upgrade is all about...

 

[Gopherhog]

cool, thanks for the info. 50lbs/min is probably a bit more then my car will ever see. Although the L2R (now SS44 or something) is pretty nice looking.

 

[DCJ98GST]

I am thinking of going the dsmlink route also. The pocketlogger sucks for 2G's. You can get a pretty good tune for WOT with a pocketlogger but part throttle and cruize tuning sucks. The device is just limited.

I plan to eventually run the MAF translator with the dsm link.

As far as tuning this combination, this is what I am thinking:

TUNING
1. Get the dsmlink chip sized for the injectors or use the global setting.
2. Use the MAFT tuning for part throttle adjustments. I am thiking it would be better to tune the MAFT first after the global. The reason is because, in some regards, the MAFT tuning is better because it is flow based adjustments. DSMlink tuning is rpm based adjustents with internal rewriten maps. Wouldn't it be benificial to use flow based for part throttle adjustments?
3. Then fine tune with DSMlink rpm based adjustments.

Also with the dsmlink, I heard that once you set the adjusments you dont need the laptop except for logging, right?

Last question, how do you guys with dsmlink keep the laptop from floping around inside the car when logging? Do you strap it down?

 

[Kevin Jewer]

Originally posted by DCJ98GST
I am thinking of going the dsmlink route also. The pocketlogger sucks for 2G's. You can get a pretty good tune for WOT with a pocketlogger but part throttle and cruize tuning sucks. The device is just limited.

Its the OBDII protocols fault, not pocketloggers though.

2. Use the MAFT tuning for part throttle adjustments. I am thiking it would be better to tune the MAFT first after the global. The reason is because, in some regards, the MAFT tuning is better because it is flow based adjustments. DSMlink tuning is rpm based adjustents with internal rewriten maps. Wouldn't it be benificial to use flow based for part throttle adjustments?

DSMlink still makes adjustments to stock maps and processes. Since the ECU does "flow based" adjustments already, you are already doing that. The MAFT is still lying to the ECU like everyother piggyback/addon out there. I would leave the MAFt settings to stock and do ALL tuning with DSMlink. Its a MUCH cleaner solution...

Also with the dsmlink, I heard that once you set the adjusments you dont need the laptop except for logging, right?

correct. Unless you get a CEL and want to check it, or your battery dies. If your DSMlink is defaulted to the correct injectors you'll be abel to drive with no problems, you'll just be completely untuned. In the case of a 1gina2g though you'll need to disable random misfire DTC or it will be a long ride home I keep mine with me jsut for that reason. But you are correct, the laptop is not required once all settings are loaded into the ECU.

Last question, how do you guys with dsmlink keep the laptop from floping around inside the car when logging? Do you strap it down?

Mine rides shotgun for low 12 second runs with launches as low as mid 1.5s with no problem. The track does requier it to be bolted down, I just hide it. For autox or roadrace though you'll have to build a mount. On the street you arent doing any crazy cornering while logging, so I've never had any problems. Hope that helps.

 

[brads]

I don't even use the laptop to set the adjustments. There is Palm software available for DSMLink. It allows you to tune it, as well as to datalog with it. I datalog, then transfer all my logs to the PC. Much better than using a laptop, IMHO. And like Kevin pointed out, I'd keep the MAF translator settings at 0, and use DSMLink to do all the tuning. Part throttle will take care of itself.

Brad

Originally posted by DCJ98GST
Also with the dsmlink, I heard that once you set the adjusments you dont need the laptop except for logging, right?

Last question, how do you guys with dsmlink keep the laptop from floping around inside the car when logging? Do you strap it down?