Advice - AEM EMS/DSMLINK

[KieWhitehouse90]

Hi, I'm just looking for some advice on where I should really be aiming to go next.
And whether I should invest in dsmlink or actually splash out and go for an aem ems.

My main concern with dsmlink is I live in the UK, so there is next to no dsm's over here.
The only support I'd get for dsmlink would be online.
Aem has a few dealers and tuners here (although they would not have worked on an eclipse before) I can see somebody in person if I come across any major difficulties as they've worked on aem systems before.

Another issue is as i'm running an AT, I've read that aem ems is only for MT.
But as far as i'm aware both MT and AT 2G ecu's are the same, autos have a separate TCU to control the transmission.
Seeing that the aem is a direct plug'n'play to the stock wiring harness, I assume it should work just fine?

I'm not planning on doing this till after xmas when I change my t25 to a 16g and FMIC and try to get a safe 18-20psi.
I believe I have all the supporting mods needed up until this point, which are on my profile.

My goal is 450bhp, which i think is very realistic, so I'd just like some input if I've missed out on anything, if I should definitely go for a standalone ecu, or if I would be better off spending my money elsewhere.


Thanks

 

[AngelOfPassion]

If money isn't an object (which it seems like it isn't since you didn't mention it) than it would just be a personal preference.

AEM is superior as far as tuning goes. But there are some tuners on here that are very inexpensive that are some of the best for our cars. Dacowgod comes to mind... they are gods with ECMlink.

So really it comes down to if you want someone else to tune your car from AEM or tune it yourself/get help from members on here...

 

[Edogg6565]

I like the aem. Granted its a pain to set up initially, but once it's set up its not bad at all. I also hate the fact that you have to crank the car for 4s before it fires ignition but its been firing fuel for that 4s. But it is hard finding someone who knows dsm's real well that can tune an aem.

 

[KieWhitehouse90]

I'm having trouble figuring out actually how to set up an AEM EMS on a 2G auto.
So i'm keeping dsmlink still a good option to go with.

Both M/T and A/T stock ecu's are exactly the same, but on an A/T the TCU controls the gear shifts, pin outs 9/43/46/91 are for the TCU to interface with the ECU, on a M/T harness, these are just not connected to anything i believe.
As far as i'm aware, the only reason for this interfacing is to tell the ECU when the TCU is about to change gear, and thus reduce timing to allow a smoother gear change. So without this, gear changing might be awful and rough.
The same ports on the EMS are 9 - unpopulated, 43 says switch input, 46 a spare injector, and 91 says available earth.
So my guess is its probably not a good idea to leave these ports hooked up with the TCU as its just a plug n plug with the stock harness.
But if i disconnect these will the TCU go into limp mode?
And also how could i get around this function to avoid some horrible rough gear changes?

 

[95talongirl]

I would be willing to bet the trans will end up in limp mode sine it will need input as to what gear to be in. Not sure if theres a way around it.... Or options.

You could always have the car remote tuned. Theres quite a few people on here that can get the car running well via emailing the logs back and forth. Alondsmlink is very user friendly once you see how it functions. I'm sure after seeing some "tuned" logs you could pick it up.

 

[YZFR1]

There is a member on AEMPower forums that is running an auto DSM with the aem ems, so i'm sure it's doable. His user name is Bender, i also believe i've seen him on this forum. Try shooting him a pm..

 

[KieWhitehouse90]

I've read that a lot of people swear by dsmlink and the fact its very user friendly has popped up a lot.
And id like to think I'm a quick learner.

I have a feeling it might go into limp mode yes. I suppose i could test this theory with my stock ecu, and if it didn't, i'd also get to see how bad the shifts go. But at the same time it's risking damage to the gear box.

And i will definitely try and find this guy, thank you!

 

[myfirstgsx]

Ok I currentley have dsm link version 3 it is easy to use. But what the users dont tell you is that to really fine tune your car to get all of the horse power out of it. You have to use the volume efficiancy tables to get your MAF to read correctly. Here is the deal if you get dsm link. Learn how to set up the log so that it shows exactly what your local dyno shop tuner wants it to. You need to know how to navigate between the direct access part and all the different tables. If you do that any shop can dial in your car in about an hour with you setting in the car showing them where to go on the lap top.

Ok with an aem here is the deal it is exactly like all the othe aem's. If a tuner shop is familiar with aem then they can dial in your car in under 1 hour. You have to remember that it is basically an engine with a turbo with a computer controlling it. So the shop doesnt have to be a dsm shop to help you from that stand point.

 

[killercolt]

I have AEM on my car and my friends have ECMLinks on their cars. AEM sucks compare to ECMLink. I have not switch to ECMlink because I don't want to retune or take a lost switching out. Knock control is basically useless on AEM. There are cliches in the AEM software or hardware that will not let you adjust idle perfectly like ECMLink. I have to disconnect my idle air control motor to keep the AEM from changing my idle around after I turn off the engine. This is because the AEM keep on parking the idle air control motor in a different place every time the car is switch off. Cranking the car with AEM is straight bs without the 24 teeth trigger disc from Triggerdisc.com. If you don't have the injector phasing absolutely correct with the 24 teeth trigger disc, you will lost 100-150hp in the process too. This happened to me. Wideband logging with AEM is off by .03-.05 lambda when compared to Dynojet wideband even if the parameter screen reads the same as the Dynojet wideband the whole time. Because you don't have the ability to trace the log, it can be time consuming when starting from scratch with AEM. Rescaling injector size with AEM is a waste of time because it does not work as good as ECMLink.

GET ECMLINK!