The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support Kiggly Racing
Please Support Morrison Fabrication

Here we go.. SAFC & MAF-t vs DSMlink

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

my98GST

15+ Year Contributor
1,045
21
Jun 1, 2005
Cleveland, Tennessee
I'm running short on cash and in a pickle now. I have a 98 GST 7 bolt stock with a SCM5031, 550cc injectors but also have 650cc injectors, 255lph fuel pump, aeromotive afpr, 3" turboback, fmic, greddy type-s, and probably some other things that I'm forgetting. Also along with an SAFC.

I stumped on tuning, I don't really want to spend 750 dollars on dsmlink, plus a few more hundred for a laptop so I can continue to tweak and save and monitor everything. I'm fwd so I really don't need all of the fancy smancy gadgits that DSMlink comes with, but I know that dsmlink is one HELL of a tuning piece.

But I was wondering if I could get a pretty solid tune out of the MAF-T/AFC combo that would be somewhat compareable to a dsmlink tune? Provided it being professionally tuned.
 
i say... dont mess around n waste your time with all that maf crap.. just get the DSMlink and be done with it... then all your needs are right now.. at the click of a finger tip..

get ya a old laptop at the pawn shop dude..100bucks TOPZ dsmlink is 650.. send em your eprom.. they will chip it.. not sure the cost on that if any.. and bam your set. then go tweak on your new tunein system!:dsm:
 
DSMLink easily, a couple hundred bucks more for a lot more capability.
 
my98GST said:
I stumped on tuning, I don't really want to spend 750 dollars on dsmlink, plus a few more hundred for a laptop so I can continue to tweak and save and monitor everything. I'm fwd so I really don't need all of the fancy smancy gadgits that DSMlink comes with, but I know that dsmlink is one HELL of a tuning piece.

Ah, I was in this same dilemma. I thought I'd go the inexpensive way, and do the same thing you mention. Even with that said, I still say you continue saving money for all the things you need for DSMlink. It has a much greater tuning capability than the MAFT/SAFC combo could ever do, namely adjust your actual fuel maps if I remember correctly. Not to mention, with the money spent getting professional tunes and so forth-you'd just wind up paying for the DSMlink and then some. So, link eventually pays for itself. I say just try to be patient and wait. :thumb:

hope I've helped.
 
I ran into some problems and had to sell my SAFC so now I have no means of tuning... I know nothing about tuning dsmlink but got my SAFC pretty close with my buddy's wideband...
 
I also don't have an Eprom ECU, just a stock ECU :( So thats another 225 bucks that I'd have to shell out LOL.
 
A lot of dsmlink users came from using safc. such as myself, I will recommend dsmlink as well. Save your money. It can be as complicated as you want, and as easy as you want. The more you learn to tune and what it can do, you can start tweaking and getting into the more advance stuff.

Just being to actually log, meaning not 1fps from the usual logger/afc combo, makes a big difference in tuning. Also being able to read knock, adjust timing, and fine tune fuel adjustments via deadtime/global percentages.
 
Spend 350.00 on an EPROM ECU with a custom Keydiver chip with fixed fuel and timing maps. It's a hell of a lot better than the AFC or MAFT and when you're ready for link, you can simply upgrade without too much hassle. You'll also have tha bility to read knock on the stock boost gauge which is an invaluable tuning tool.

I've been running a custom tune on mine for nearly 2 years and while it doesn't offer the flexibility of link, it gets the job done without a fuss.

Thaink about it,

Andy
 
Do you already have a pocketlogger? If not then add another 150 to the price of your AFC/MAFT combo. To me the AFC is like using a spare tire on the car, yeah it'll get you by but it really isn't the best solution. Now before people start coming in and saying they know someone who went 10's on an AFC that's fine, there was a time when an AFC was all that was available so people made them work. Doesn't mean that's the best way. DSMlink is far more than a simple tuning tool. A full fledged logger with additional input capability, the ability to log KNOCK on a 2G, fuel control, timing control, 3 step rev limit plus more. The DSMlink forums are one of the best resources for DSM knowledge available and you don't have to wade through BS to find what you need. DSMlink is probably the best thing I ever bought for my car.
 
Syndicate13 said:
Do you already have a pocketlogger? If not then add another 150 to the price of your AFC/MAFT combo. To me the AFC is like using a spare tire on the car, yeah it'll get you by but it really isn't the best solution. Now before people start coming in and saying they know someone who went 10's on an AFC that's fine, there was a time when an AFC was all that was available so people made them work. Doesn't mean that's the best way. DSMlink is far more than a simple tuning tool. A full fledged logger with additional input capability, the ability to log KNOCK on a 2G, fuel control, timing control, 3 step rev limit plus more. The DSMlink forums are one of the best resources for DSM knowledge available and you don't have to wade through BS to find what you need. DSMlink is probably the best thing I ever bought for my car.

^^^^Well said. I've been putting money aside just so that when I do upgrade my turbo I'll get DSMlink at the same time. Now I do not have any experience with DSM link as nobody I know has that setup but I can't wait and when I do I'll make sure to learn everything I can.

Now on a side note you can sell your 550cc injectors since you have 650's and sell your SAFC also when it comes time to upgrade to link.
 
ECU+ is another option for you. It has the MAFT built-in and you don't need an e-prom to run it. I've heard nothing but good things from people running it. However, if a person was to put the ecu+ and dsmlink in a cage fight I imagine the link would come out on top.
just tossin in my .02

Rob
 
What about me; I have a 90 eclipse with the stock TDO5H, stock injectors, fuel pump and straight through exhaust, mbc, but I think I might go with the Big 16g, 190 pump, 550cc's I have a pocket logger, what would you guys recomend?
 
90mitsu3clipse said:
What about me; I have a 90 eclipse with the stock TDO5H, stock injectors, fuel pump and straight through exhaust, mbc, but I think I might go with the Big 16g, 190 pump, 550cc's I have a pocket logger, what would you guys recomend?

The SAFC for those 550's are perfect considering you have a datalogger already. I would take away around -15 across the board to be more on the rich side and start to tune from there. You could run 20 psi with the big16g on the 550's, but I recommend starting at 15 psi and start your way up. Once your at 20 psi and you have NO knock, start taking away fuel little by little until you see a count of knock, than add +1 fuel after. That will be a decent tune.
 
I mean the DSMLINK is probably the ultimate tuning device for the price, however, if your just going to run 550's an SAFC is perfect for that. I know you can't adjust timing, but it all depends how far you want to go with your car. You already have a datalogger and parts list is in the range for the SAFC. If you had lets say 650-750 CC fuel injectors, walbo 255 LPH /w AFPR and GT35R or something, than you will be needing the DSMLINK to fine tune it to make the best power. However, for 550's, 190LPH and the B16g you should be fine with the SAFC. Unless you have the money to invest in an EPROM ECU and a DSMLINK.
 
im having the same dilemma LOL. i do plan on using safc for 3months. before i head to iraq for a lil over a year. (money wont be a probably for dsmlink then for sure) i want to get my 14b max'd while im here still, i have all the supporting mods when i return in a month to do so. i know it would be the best tune possibly but at least be able to get everything safe and decent. right?
 
vaboys2ndgen said:
im having the same dilemma LOL. i do plan on using safc for 3months. before i head to iraq for a lil over a year. (money wont be a probably for dsmlink then for sure) i want to get my 14b max'd while im here still, i have all the supporting mods when i return in a month to do so. i know it would be the best tune possibly but at least be able to get everything safe and decent. right?


Yep.. I kinda want to see what i can get out of this TD05H before I move to the EVO 3
 
yea i plan on maxin' the 14b just cant decide on injectors to use. either way 680s or 550s im getting them cheap as dirt LOL. but if 550s will be sufficent* then i'll pick those up
 
90mitsu3clipse said:
Yep.. I kinda want to see what i can get out of this TD05H before I move to the EVO 3


your pms are full. . . hit me up on aim or yahoo

vaboystakinova = aim
lwoodplaya2k2 or armystreetracer = yahoo
 
Highjack LOL.

Keydriver, where can I find the website for these chips?
 
so keydriver chip is needed if you dont have an eprom ecu? im trying to figure this out LOL newb to tuning.. keep with me
 
The keydiver chip plugs in to the EPROM part of the ECU. What happens is when you socket the EPROM, you desolder the existing chip and install a "socket". A socket allows you to more easily replace a chip on a circuit board. You can basically pull a chip out of a socket and insert a new one without having to deal with any de/soldering issues.

Jeff's chips plug right in to the socketed EPROM.
 
so basically for us non-eprom guys whats the route to go besides searching and and finding an ecu w/ Eprom
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top