AEM AMS Questions

[neuralracing]

Will the AEM replace the need for a boost controller? I've read that it elimates the need for the MAF (no need to go with a GM or 2G) and it eliminates the Stock ECU completely... If all this is true... correct me if I am wrong... It turns out to be a pretty sweet deal.

I say this because:

AFC/GM MAF/ MAFT = ~600
EBC = $300

Seeing that the AEM is about $1400

This means the real net of it is about $500 more than a "minimal" setup. And I would have HUGE capabilities with this that I wont have with the other setup?

 

[awdrst]

After all the things you add on to the aem it turns out to be in the 2100 dollar ballpark thats including things like wideband 02 sensor and other things you will need to get it tuned right. This is not including dyno time if you want it to be tuned to its fullest. I would go dsmlink with a 2g mas or a custom burnt chip from dsmchips with a 2g mas. Both of those options will be under 1000 and should get the job done no problem.

 

[neuralracing]

I was just reading about all the "extra" stuff you need to run the AEM. You are right, the difference is significant.

Will I need an Apexi AFC if I go with the DSM Link? I read that the Link will support GM MAF without the need for a MAFT... anyone know when that will be released? I emailed the people at DSMLink with that question and I never got an answer.

 

[Jimmy Jr.]

Have you ever tuned a car before? Jumping past the basic or even intermediate setups and going straight to the stand alone probably isn't a good idea unless you'll be having someone with experience do all the work. The AEM does replace the stock ECU and it does eliminate the need for a mas by utilizing speed density.

 

[awdrst]

You wont need a afc with dsmlink. All you need to pick up is a eprom ecu. You can send it over to them and they will socket you for around 50 i think. You still need to get a maft to get the gm mass air to work with. There is another couple of options if you are looking for a piggyback controller and want to get rid of the mas air. Greddy just released the Emanage Ultimate it will allow you to ditch the mas air only catch is you have to build you own ve map which if you aren't to familiar with it you will be in for a very long frustrating time. You can also pick up a map ecu it will allow you run it in speed density. Some nice features that it has is it will allow you to run water injection with no need for a hobbs switch. You will be able to also take some fuel out when it kicks on. Its got a 16 x 16 map for fuel correction. Only downfall is the lack of timing control. It will also somewhat auto build you a map as you drive it around in a learn mode (It isn't gonna build a perfect map but will allow you to get a good starting point). There are a couple of 3/s people running it as well as supra guys with it. You can get them for around 600 but will require you to have a laptop to tune it but that is also the case with dsmlink and the new emanage ultimate.

 

[Goodguy162000]

I have the AEM EMS and I enjoy it... No, you don't need a wideband air/fuel ratio gauge, although I DO have one because it cut's tuning time by like 1/3. No, you don't need a boost controller with this setup either. I sure don't have one. However, it does take some extra work to get that working as well.

 

[neuralracing]

After all the things you add on to the aem it turns out to be in the 2100 dollar ballpark thats including things like wideband 02 sensor and other things you will need to get it tuned right. This is not including dyno time if you want it to be tuned to its fullest. I would go dsmlink with a 2g mas or a custom burnt chip from dsmchips with a 2g mas. Both of those options will be under 1000 and should get the job done no problem.

My ECU does not have an EPROM... so add another $200 for an ECU... That gets me to about $1100... I think its allot of money for a piggy back.

 

[gamingguru]

The EMS will not eliminate the need to get a boos controller in itself. You will have to get a extra boost controll solenoid. I don't remember how much those cost but they weren't too bad. I would also like to mention that unless you get the wideband O2 with your EMS you really won't really have much more tuning capabilities than when you are stock. With the stock narrowband O2 sensor you are able to only get accurate AFR readings at 14.5, which is really not ideal for a turbo'd car. Using the Bosch sensor that they recommend you will know exactly what your AFR is and not just if you are running lean or rich.


Also, if you have never tuned a car before you really should get it. I got one with only experience with an AFC and these things are a whole lot different. You really should get onto the AEM website and download the Software and start reading up on how to read things

 

[neuralracing]

So assuming I get the EMS... what else would I need to buy to run in Speed Density mode? A 2.5 BAR map sensor? A Wideband O2... will this go in the same place my current O2 sensor is now (on the Evo III housing)?.

I would also need a boost solenoid... where would I get that?? What else?

 

[iwantawd]

i would help you but youre only going to hurt yourself. start looking for what you need on your own and you will start to learn about the ems system. do you know what your IPW is going to be? i highly doubt it. all the info you need is out there and start reading heavily on the AEM forum. download the program and the instructions, play around with it, reread the instructions (200+ pages), and then decide to drop the money on the unit and all the sensors/solenoids.

 

[Jason84]

yes you have to purchase more stuff for it to controll boost the boost solenoid..

i just have the wideband gauge ems and sensors... all came to about $2000 from AMS.

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

the wideband O2 sensor needs to be placed about 3' (36 inches) from the turbo, and it comes with an O2 bung to be welded into the DP.

And DSMlink technically is a piggy back, but it has so much capability that it can be considerd a standalone. i personally know a guy that is running high 10's on the link, and im positive there are faster. so how fast DO you want to go?