AEM EMS Users' experiences and comments (is it recommended?)

[Tiki2777]

I am looking at an AEM EMS for a good price. I know i can use EcuFlash, but i am still open to other options. Just let me know what you think of it and what it was like using it (do you like it etc comments...)
PREFFERABLY FIRST OR SECOND HAND EXPERIENCE (not just I HEARD it from him her etc)
Thank you

 

[hypergenesis]

I am looking at an AEM EMS for a good price. I know i can use EcuFlash, but i am still open to other options. Just let me know what you think of it and what it was like using it (do you like it etc comments...)
PREFFERABLY FIRST OR SECOND HAND EXPERIENCE (not just I HEARD it from him her etc)
Thank you

Since you said your open for other options have you checked out dsmlink?

Its a really good program, not many people will go so far as to have EMS be a need over DSMLINK plus dsmlink comes with a lot of good features.

Just an idea if you haven't looked into it.

Armin

 

[Tiki2777]

I have, but it does the same as EcuFlash other than that the tech support is no where near as good... but $700 for link (at least) vs less than $200 for ecuflash with my flashable ecu (98) is a much better deal considering they have all the same features thanks to Ceddy.
An AEM would be extremely nice and easy to hook up all the sensors to.

 

[gsxtasy]

Are you familiar with efi tuning at all? Have you ever personally used AEM?

I would also say go with dsmlink. I've used/owned both, and am still using AEM. Yes it will do about anything you want it to, but you have to know how to make it do that, or pay somebody that does. Dsmlink does essentially everything that you would ever ask of an AEM, only it is in a much more user friendly package with unmatched customer support. It is equally as easy to hook up the sensors and things for dsmlink, if that is a concern of yours...

 

[Tiki2777]

Are you familiar with efi tuning at all? Have you ever personally used AEM?

I would also say go with dsmlink. I've used/owned both, and am still using AEM. Yes it will do about anything you want it to, but you have to know how to make it do that, or pay somebody that does. Dsmlink does essentially everything that you would ever ask of an AEM, only it is in a much more user friendly package with unmatched customer support. It is equally as easy to hook up the sensors and things for dsmlink, if that is a concern of yours...

I've never used an AEM before, but as long as it comes with a base tune for an eclipse i think i know how to scale the injectors and dial in the A/F r's with WOT pulls.
I really just want to know what it is like tunning with them and, i dont know, just generic stuff about it because i found one for a really good price.

You are pretty close regardless maybe you could help me...

 

[Sebba]

The price of Link just went down by the way, if that changes anything. $545 for full package.

 

[Tiki2777]

IF----------you have an eprom ecu...because you have to have that to use ecmlink.

 

[bliz]

I know this is a different car but its samething.I had an Aem on my evo even with a base map, I could never get the car started.I installed a dsmlink v3 with speed density in a 1g car started up the first time no problems.The dsmlink is 100 times easier to use.The 1g had a eprom conversion done to it.

 

[Tiki2777]

I know this is a different car but its samething.I had an Aem on my evo even with a base map, I could never get the car started.I installed a dsmlink v3 with speed density in a 1g car started up the first time no problems.The dsmlink is 100 times easier to use.

That does help a bit thanks a lot. The one im looking at has a good tune from the owners previous car which was mildly modded.

 

[kthackst]

Don't bother with AEM. Unless you are going for huge horsepower all the "extra features" will confuse you. Simply put. I was working on a car 2.3 stroker with 272 cams and 1600cc injectors. We couldn't get the stock maps and scaled injectors to start. When we finally did the warm fuel enrichment was so far off it would just shut off when it came to temp. After hours of messing with it we ripped out the AEM and put ceddy back in and flashed stock maps with 1600cc injectors and it fired right up.

Basically the AEM stock maps are so far off its near impossible to just plug and play.
Ceddy is great if you are just going to flash once a year or season but fine tuning is cumbersome.
DSMlink - worth every dollar. Easy to tune. Lots of options. Flashing is simple and can be done on the fly. I dealt with all three and would recommend DSMlink over all.

 

[hypergenesis]

Honestly out here in the valley everyone flashes. We have one Guy with the aem ems and I showed him what dsmlink can do and he was astonished on the versatility. Plus its cheaper to get tuned. Out here ems is 300-400$ while everything else is 200-250$. Unless your doing the tuning that comes into the cost. With dsmlink you can tune the car yourself.

I did the base tune for my car and started getting 5 more MPG. There's so many tutorials and it really allows you to know your car in every aspect

Armin

 

[Tiki2777]

Don't bother with AEM. Unless you are going for huge horsepower all the "extra features" will confuse you. Simply put. I was working on a car 2.3 stroker with 272 cams and 1600cc injectors. We couldn't get the stock maps and scaled injectors to start. When we finally did the warm fuel enrichment was so far off it would just shut off when it came to temp. After hours of messing with it we ripped out the AEM and put ceddy back in and flashed stock maps with 1600cc injectors and it fired right up.

Basically the AEM stock maps are so far off its near impossible to just plug and play.
Ceddy is great if you are just going to flash once a year or season but fine tuning is cumbersome.
DSMlink - worth every dollar. Easy to tune. Lots of options. Flashing is simple and can be done on the fly. I dealt with all three and would recommend DSMlink over all.

That really helps man thanks alot, but i am really on a budget. For someone who doesnt want over 450HP, what would be the best and easist solution?

 

[kthackst]

DSMlink all the way. I used to use ceddy and still do on other people's car but if I am constantly tweaking tables and settings DSMlink makes it so easy. Plus once you use the built in dataloging you'll wonder why anyone uses anything beside link. It's what happened to me.

 

[greanbeans]

find someone selling a used dsm link install and tune. i mean everyone says get a link and i wish that they made the link software for more then just dsm cars. but they dont so i would say just find someone selling a link and a eprom ecu for cheap and buy that stuff or get a link and get your ecu eprom converted. im just trying to help you out and i know the link aint cheap new but its software when it updates you can get the new stuff easy. if this helps you at all my vote is on the link

 

[Imback]

This subject has been beaten to death. No need for people to sit here and convince you. If your asking about aem it's not for you.

 

[Tiki2777]

This subject has been beaten to death. No need for people to sit here and convince you. If your asking about aem it's not for you.

Not even slightly helpful or true. Step off

 

[Gus@RRE]

AEM EMS will plug into your vehicle harness easily. Then you spend a few hours trying to get the base map right so that your car will start, once that is done you spend a few more hours getting the thing to idle. The WOT stuff is fairly simple, the DD and part throttle stuff is where i see a lot of people struggle with. It's a very steep learning curve if you plan to do it yourself (i don't recommend it for anyone who doesn't have much experience with EFI tuning, unless they are paying someone to tune it for them). Depending on your goal, link might be a better option since it does some pretty cool things. I'm a big fan of the AEM EMS, but then again i like tweeking with the car nonstop.

Gus

 

[Tiki2777]

AEM EMS will plug into your vehicle harness easily. Then you spend a few hours trying to get the base map right so that your car will start, once that is done you spend a few more hours getting the thing to idle. The WOT stuff is fairly simple, the DD and part throttle stuff is where i see a lot of people struggle with. It's a very steep learning curve if you plan to do it yourself (i don't recommend it for anyone who doesn't have much experience with EFI tuning, unless they are paying someone to tune it for them). Depending on your goal, link might be a better option since it does some pretty cool things. I'm a big fan of the AEM EMS, but then again i like tweeking with the car nonstop.

Gus

Thanks man that helps alot. I have been learning online about EFI tuning and it does not seem impossible at all, but there are some things that would probably be left to people with much more experience. I want something that i can set up to be able to drive every day, but then be able to fine tune with on the weekends/ afterschool when i want to get the perfect tune for the car and its setup. AEM EMS has all the features you could ever need and then some, DSMlink is a great option but i can do the same with ecuflash with my 98 ecu for much less money, and unfortunately money does come into play most of the time.

 

[silicosys4]

I have, but it does the same as EcuFlash other than that the tech support is no where near as good... but $700 for link (at least) vs less than $200 for ecuflash with my flashable ecu (98) is a much better deal considering they have all the same features thanks to Ceddy.
An AEM would be extremely nice and easy to hook up all the sensors to.

Everything you just said argues against the AEM unit. Your statement about the AEM unit being easy to hook up and use is not necessarily the case. If you are considering ECUflash you don't need AEM. If $200 is better for you than $700 for link, $700 for link is a lot better for you than $1200 for AEM. If $700 for link is a stretch for you, AEM will not offer any useable features for you that link won't have. I don't think you are at or going to be at a level where AEM will offer any benefits over Link. If a flash works great, save that $1000 for something more useful to your build than a fancy sticker and options you won't ever use.

 

[Hal]

Not even slightly helpful or true. Step off

Only because you choose to ignore what is really good advice.

He's right.

If you have to ask, you don't have the experience with the tool and you will do nothing but struggle without assistance.

AEM is very flexible, but that means it has more features which in turn means more things to setup (or ignore), which in turn means more things to look at when you're trying to fix an issue.

Learning about EFI is just "theory".

Learning how to set up an EMS (pick one) requires hands on experience with the tool so you know how to apply the "theory" to the practical application of tuning the car.

AEM = Plug'n'pray it even starts

Hal

 

[Tiki2777]

Everything you just said argues against the AEM unit. Your statement about the AEM unit being easy to hook up and use is not necessarily the case. If you are considering ECUflash you don't need AEM. If $200 is better for you than $700 for link, $700 for link is a lot better for you than $1200 for AEM. If $700 for link is a stretch for you, AEM will not offer any useable features for you that link won't have. I don't think you are at or going to be at a level where AEM will offer any benefits over Link. If a flash works great, save that $1000 for something more useful to your build than a fancy sticker and options you won't ever use.

Yea... you obviously didn't read anything i have said at all previously. Read it all or don't post moron. I found an AEM for $500 with a UEGO. And nothing i ever said went against an AEM EMS.
You=Wrong

Only because you choose to ignore what is really good advice.

He's right.

If you have to ask, you don't have the experience with the tool and you will do nothing but struggle without assistance.

AEM is very flexible, but that means it has more features which in turn means more things to setup (or ignore), which in turn means more things to look at when you're trying to fix an issue.

Learning about EFI is just "theory".

Learning how to set up an EMS (pick one) requires hands on experience with the tool so you know how to apply the "theory" to the practical application of tuning the car.

AEM = Plug'n'pray it even starts

Hal

This makes a lot of sense, and the "plug'n'pray" comment is starting to become more evident. I wish it was easier to get a starting basetune with the AEM EMS. If i wasn't able to set it up myself, i could just go to a dyno shop and get someone who knows how to do it tune it. Thanks Hal

 

[JONSHERER]

Im using the AEM series 2 and i havnt had a problem with it. The only thing extra i needed in the car was a 3 bar map sensor. currently im working with the air/fuel ratios and getting them all right. AEM log helps alot too. this is the only system iv used so i dont know what else is out there.

 

[silicosys4]

Yea... you obviously didn't read anything i have said at all previously. Read it all or don't post moron. I found an AEM for $500 with a UEGO. And nothing i ever said went against an AEM EMS.
You=Wrong

Actually I did, although why I posted I don't know, my post was an echo of what others said, and others said the same after I did, and its obvious you only want the advice you want to hear. you just don't like what I said, and are obviously looking to spend money you don't need to, to impress people who likely won't care. If you are looking for specific advice only, don't ask for general advice in the first post of the thread, and certainly don't discount peoples completely valid advice because it isn't what you want to hear.

 

[clipto]

the aem is amazing I mean sure if you can afford it get it but as some down to earth stuff I would jus stick with ecuflashing, I think that would be your best bet and would save you tons of money to get other stuff.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Gotta love link im always tinkering around with it, price, support, to me a no brainer. But thats me, it seems a lot of us has input on choices.