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

 

[ramsack]

With something that would take long to learn, it's definitely not something I would use my first time around. I would hate to have a half-broken in engine for its whole life because most its first hours were just sitting trying to get it to run right.

 

[97eclipseNT]

The AEM EMS isn't as hard as people make it out to be. I also don't believe that starting the engine on an AEM car is as bad as some people make it seem. I had a series 1 box on my 2g and a series 2 on my galant, both start as if it were stock. If you put any amount of time into setting up the engine start tables/options, it will start just fine.

 

[renovatdkitchen]

I got the AEM EMS and I must say its not really a plug and play unit. By all means it will work with their base map, but even starting I would have to crank the engine for much longer. Also, from what I understand, DSM link is easy to learn. If I could go back, probably woulda gone the Link route.

 

[greengoblin]

I have worked with both AEM and link. Link is a much better choice for the person who is just starting to get their feet wet in tuning. IMO

 

[Tiki2777]

The only reason I suggested looking into tuning costs if I've read a couple people who got a standalone system and had every intention to tune it themselves and then when they couldn't, had to bring it to someone. I'm not saying the OP will follow the same path, but I'm just trying to get him to think about every scenario, whether it's his ideal one (no tuning costs) or another (i.e. he can't even get it started himself).

Some people consider link a "magical thing" because it uses the stock maps, which in essence requires no initial tune. Who knows how deep these people actually go into the program and tune, or if they just use it as a simple logger and pull a bit of fuel and they're done. It can be somewhat of a pain to use if you get too deep and realize you can't control certain parameters nearly as well as you could with a standalone.

First off, thanks for fixing up this thread, and sorry for "flaming" others (not meaning to cause problems, this site has been nothing but helpful with everything). It just kinda made me angry that others weren't helping and instead just bashing and put out various stuff that i wasn't looking for.

Now, it does make sense to start looking at professional tuning costs, because it may have to come down to that if i was unable to get it going at a safe setting. How much is it for tuning at the shops that are near you or you frequent? Thanks

The AEM EMS isn't as hard as people make it out to be. I also don't believe that starting the engine on an AEM car is as bad as some people make it seem. I had a series 1 box on my 2g and a series 2 on my galant, both start as if it were stock. If you put any amount of time into setting up the engine start tables/options, it will start just fine.

Did you like one more than the other at all, or was it basically the same? thanks alot

 

[snowborder714]

Now, it does make sense to start looking at professional tuning costs, because it may have to come down to that if i was unable to get it going at a safe setting. How much is it for tuning at the shops that are near you or you frequent? Thanks

I charge myself nothing to tune my car using ECMlink Heck, I don't really charge others to tune their car - whatever they feel is fair I'm happy to accept. I just enjoy doing it.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I charge myself nothing to tune my car using ECMlink Heck, I don't really charge others to tune their car - whatever they feel is fair I'm happy to accept. I just enjoy doing it.

Wanna help me tune my link? i have a thread in the tuning section with a log posted

 

[Mello]

I love my AEM. Been running it daily for 10 years. Car starts fine. Takes experience with EFI tuning to be able to do tune ups quick (2-3 days) for the driveability & start up stuff. Even pass all the emissions tailpipe sniffers tests for my registration well enough to get on the every other year retesting. The AEM is possibly the most feature rich of the 3, but the others do a lot too, all probably do more stuff than most people will use. After cutting through all the hype the biggest difference between the series 1 & 2 ems is hardware. The tuning software is different as far as the user interface but in the end both of the software's are for doing the same thing. If you can get either for about the same deal I would lean towards the series 2 over the series 1. The best advise I can think of giving is; if you choose the AEM and have never played with one before, have patience and read. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Bender]

Yea that switch idea doesn't sound half bad honestly. Ill have to think about that one (mull it over). I didn't expect AEM tuning from a pro would be that much, i have heard that it costs about 300-400 dollars for a tune, but that is just something i heard.



Thanks for the input. Which maps where the most difficult to get setup right out of all of them?


**UPDATE: New question, What is more difficult/easier to tune or less buggy etc AEM EMS Series 1 or Series 2?**

None of them were "difficult." You just need to go through before starting to define all the sensors you have. From there, I just copied and pasted the OEM map for either the 1g or 2g. Since ECMLink now posts the OEM Evo map, you may just want to start there.

My personal preference is the series 1 because you use AEMPro. You need to use AEMTuner for the series. I'm just used to AEMPro.