ECUflash dsmlink ecmlink vs evo 8 ecu evoscan ecuflash

[2geclipse565]

Which path did you choose and why? was it cost effective? was it easier to learn and tune with? This thread isnt about me but more so just the information, when planning a build plan why go with one over the other?

 

[92AWDHX40]

ECMTuning, Inc.


Did you look here at the homepage of ecmlink. All the features are there, then look at evoscan.com

Read to get an idea of what does, and how it can hellp you, dsmlink easy to use user friendly and lots of support for tuners. Never used evo scan and dont plan to. Look at the cost for you everyone is different as far as money, goals so on.

 

[dsmTripp]

ECMTuning, Inc.


Did you look here at the homepage of ecmlink. All the features are there, then look at evoscan.com

Read to get an idea of what does, and how it can hellp you, dsmlink easy to use user friendly and lots of support for tuners. Never used evo scan and dont plan to. Look at the cost for you everyone is different as far as money, goals so on.

That was not his intent. Go back and re-read. Ecm link costs what it costs so every one is not different when the money comes to that unless they either buy it used or a second party.

 

[ajpm26]

Cost would all depend on what you find, there's plenty of deals out there for both options, obviously dsmlink has much more support and the evo 8 ecu would take more time researching, I lost the links to the threads, but do a search on here if you already haven't. There's also some good threads on evolutionm.net, I just wish I could find them right now.

From all the things I've read, they're both great. I'm going with the evo 8 ecu for my 1g because I like the challenge

 

[williillii]

Evoscan is just the logging program. ECUFlash is where the magic happens...

I chose Evo swap over DSMLink. Cost was a big reason. Although I did already have the EPROM ecu. The cable cost me only $50, $20 for Evoscan, and I paid $75 for my ECUs. So I still "saved" a bunch. Bang for the buck, you can not beat the Evo swap. Although if v3 lite had been around when I did the swap, who knows what wouldve happened.

IMO the most contrast between the two options is the "ease of use". DSMLink will plug right in, and its made for your car. There are small problems with the Evo swap like idle control, check engine lights for everything..factory boost gauge doesnt work etc. I use idle control, dont care about CELs and all the little crap that some people go crazy about. From what Ive seen of DSMLink, they make it nice and easy for you to tune with the sliders and all that jazz. However I dont care for that either and would rather make adjustments in tables. ECUFlash can be slightly intimidating at first but it really is very simple to use. DSMLink, you have their forums. And staff. ECUFlash has a section on EvoM with great info, but then again no one is being paid to fix your problems.

Just some thoughts...good luck.

 

[sexystover]

im goin the evo 8 path just for the fact that its something not everyone has done and when i complete it ill feel more "accomplished" since i will havve done something thats a little more indepth

 

[Gus@RRE]

I went evo8 route because i got a hell of a deal on the ecu. I think i was one of the first bunch on this forum to run the ecu, and i really enjoyed the challenge of it all (even thought some things were pretty hard to figure out at the beginning) . ECMlink is great, and is what i usually recommend to someone who isn't going to be tuning their own car or just wants something to work. Both work great, and both have their ups and downs.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Uhh Lets see. I get in soo many arguments about this subject because I went the "cheap route"

ECMLink/DSMLink:
Requires very expensive (unless you have hookups) Eprom ECU if not stock to your car (95 people only)
Requires ECU to be Socketed
Requires CAS or Spark Wires inverted for non 95 people.
Costs anywhere from 1-200 bucks for older Versions that are MAF Dependant and around 600 bucks before ECU for ECMLink with Speed Density
Software for ECMLink is awesome, its Novice Tuning setup is ungodly bad ass!

ECUFlash/H8 ECU
Requires More Common, Most likely Stock To Your Car ECU called the H8 ECU, AKA Black Box.
Doesn't Require Any Mods (except to 96-97 people need to add a wire to their ECU to connect to the OP)
Requires 50-160 dollar OpenPort 2.0
Requires Free ECUFlash Software which in my eyes is identical to DSMLink and ECMLink's software except for the novice mode.
Speed Density is achievable by CeddyMods.

In my eyes, its a No Brainer, ECUFlash. Speed Density, Complete Control of the ECU. Anti Lag, NLTS, Launch Control. And its cheap! A TON cheaper than DSMLink/ECMLink. And Requires Less modification if your not a Native H8 guy like me. My car is a 97. However did not come with an ECU regardless so I needed to buy one. I got my ECU For 70 bucks. Just picked up another one for shipping costs! Since I'm a 97 all I had to do was make a flash wire which was easy as hell, that connected directly to the ECU Plug and connects to the OpenPort. This isn't required on Native H8 Cars. You just plug and play!

Freshly opening the OpenPort 2.0 Box you can tune the ECU every single way you can with DSMLink. There is no differences in tuning.
However by downloading the CeddyMods_1v9Cb.rar from Ceddy's website you get all the functionality of ECMLink V3 including Speed Density, MAF Scaling, Anti-Lag, Launch Control, NLTS and you can tune up to 11,000rpm! On top of everything, it has stand alone data logging to an SD Card! No computer needed. Plug in the OpenPort2.0 and drive. Make runs, drive to work, drive to school, Race that Mustang while living your life a 1/4 mile at a time... sorry.... It logs everything. And the program can use the logs to scale your MAF Sensor, and tune for MAP/IAT Sensor.

ECUFlash Software is easy to use:

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The whole setup of the OpenPort/ECUFlash/EvoScan/H8 ECU in my honest opinion is 10x better than ECMLink and 100x better than DSMLink. If your a 96-99 car, Especially if your a 98-99 car, DSMLink/ECMLink doesn't even compare. If your a 95 car, I say socket your stock ECU, and run Link. You'll still spend more for Link.

I honestly can't say a thing about the Evo ECU because I just don't know, but guessing it would be hard to locate an Evo ECU over an Eprom or H8 ECU. Think of all those 98-99 DSM's that are using Link and don't want their stock ecu's?

I hope this was useful.

 

[Absit]

I also went Evo8. If you have a 96-99, the ECU's cheaper than getting an EPROM, let alone socketing. If you have a '95 EPROM, you can still get an Evo 8 ECU, and flash cable, for less than DSMLink V3 Lite. You can also do the same with a 98/99 flashable ECU, though at that point it's probably going to be closer to the price of V3 Lite, but with more options.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

You can also do the same with a 98/99 flashable ECU, though at that point it's probably going to be closer to the price of V3 Lite, but with more options.

Explain yourself.... Cause this statement is 100% false...

How many Evo's you seeing handing over their ECU's? How many 98-99 DSM's? The Ratio is more like 10 DSM's to every 1 Evo. Think of the past 10+ years 98-99 DSM owners, going the DSMLink Route. No need to switch to ECUFlash, they can keep what they have now. So they have their stock ECU Laying around...

OR, 98-99 DSM's can just use their stock ECU instead of buying an Evo ECU. Its kinda stupid and pointless to go with an Evo ECU if you already have a 98-99 ECU. Its like trading a perfect red apple for another perfect red apple that looks the same but one cost more or is harder to find.

I picked up my first 98 GST ECU for 70 bucks, I can either A, Borrow someone's OpenPort to tune my car, or B, spend 50-150 on my own OpenPort and tune my car.

I just picked up another 98 GST ECU for 5 bucks shipped.

 

[Absit]

Last guy I talked to said he sold his '98 ECU for $125 shipped.
OpenPort 2.0 cables are $200 (where you see them for $50-150 is a mystery to me).
Sounds pretty close to V3Lite to me.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Last guy I talked to said he sold his '98 ECU for $125 shipped.
OpenPort 2.0 cables are $200 (where you see them for $50-150 is a mystery to me).
Sounds pretty close to V3Lite to me.

He sold his ECU For 125 shipped. I bought mine for 70, and the most recent one for 5 which I'm going to sell for 50. You can buy ECU's all day long, Evo or DSM for 0-400 dollars. So its up to the buyer to be a smart shopper! And its up to you, the buyer to decide if you want to modify your harness to hold an EvoECU or not.

Tatrix OpenPort 2.0 Brand new From Factory:
Tactrix Openport 2.0= $170

People are selling them on Evo Forums all the time for 50 to around 150. Actually I've never seen a used one for more than like 130 shipped.

With that said, How is Buying an EvoECU, Modifying your car to run it, and buying the OP2.0 cheaper than Buying a H8 ECU and buying the OP2.0 or Just running your stock H8 ECU and Buying a OP2.0?

 

[Absit]

$180 with the flash adapter, plus shipping.
With the Evo ECU you don't need the 2.0 cable, you can use the 1.3U cable, $130 (plus shipping), used for $50-100 (shipped) on Evo forums. Modding the car to run the Evo 8 ECU is free. The Evo 8 ECU can be picked up for $100 (shipped).

The 98/99 ECU is the easier path, and it's not THAT much more expensive, but I chose to go with the Evo 8, and when it finally gets here (shipping now) I'll be selling my 98 ECU.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

$180 with the flash adapter, plus shipping.
With the Evo ECU you don't need the 2.0 cable, you can use the 1.3U cable, $130 (plus shipping), used for $50-100 (shipped) on Evo forums. Modding the car to run the Evo 8 ECU is free. The Evo 8 ECU can be picked up for $100 (shipped).

The 98/99 ECU is the easier path, and it's not THAT much more expensive, but I chose to go with the Evo 8, and when it finally gets here (shipping now) I'll be selling my 98 ECU.

Flash Adaptor? 98-99 Cars don't need a Flash Adaptor. 96-97's do and its one single wire you can easily make by crimping one wire here, and pinning the same wire there. Flash Tatrix sells is NOT DSM Related, only Evo ECU Related....

Modification to DSM for Evo ECU requires "modification", something Most people don't want to do. May be easy to some but from what I see, I hear tons of people asking to pay others to do this because they can't handle it.

H8 ECU Can be picked up for free! It doesn't matter where you find a cheap evo or H8 ecu... Or if its 2.0 or not. Its kind of senseless to modify your car to run an ecu you don't need, when you can run your stock ECU for the same goal.

And its not THAT much more or less expensive, your comparing plums to grapes. Your H8 ECU is Flashable how it sits, right now! But instead your buying a EvoECU, then you have to depin and repin your harness properly. Then you gotta do this and that just to get the car running properly on the EvoECU, not to mention the problems people are having with the conversion. THEN You need the OpenPort, Whatever you get that for, and the Flash Adaptor. And after all this time you can finally start tuning.

Instead you could have just spent chump change, up to 170 bucks and the second the package came in the mail, you can start tuning. You can modify the definitions the same way you can with Evo's but the difference is you just saved your ass time, work, and possibly, or maybe not, money.

Still a No brainer in my eyes. Either way, Evo or H8, ECUFlash in my eyes is the way to go.

 

[Absit]

Re: flash adapter - Cool.
Re: everything else - I guess we'll just have to disagree, I have my reasons, you have yours.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Re: flash adapter - Cool.
Re: everything else - I guess we'll just have to disagree, I have my reasons, you have yours.

It doesn't matter if you disagree or agree. What matters is ECUFlash Rocks! For the price, evo or H8 ECU it doesn't matter. Its cheap and it does the job!

AutoTune Speed Density
Anti-Lag
Launch Control
No Lift To Shift
Tunable so far up to 2150cc Injectors (largest ever done by English Racing)
Stand Alone Logging
And upgradeable!

 

[LucasEnglish]

Well I have DSM link in my EVO if that tells you anything

I am a big DSM link fan and while we are one of the best in the country with EVO ECU and SD. The EVO SD works but we only use one sensor since that is what our maps are built around and switching sensors would add many flashes since the way SD is done. (not user friendly at all)

The SD on the Link works much better and you have a choice of sensors and setting up your map is cake. Starting with an EVO maf and injectors the EVO ECU is Easy, But bigger injectors SD and its going to be a big pain in the ass for the avg guy. We have spent almost 2 years building our SD maps and they are still getting better.


We are one of the Luckest groups in the world to have software and support like ECMlink.

Aaron aka (johnbradley) the stock ECU master says he would put ECMLink in is IX if he could.

Most EVO guys pay for there tunes. I will be willing to bet you will not find many SD EVO's that run good that are done by the avg tuner.

They can now turn non eprom 2g computers into Eprom for $145. Does not work on the Black case flashable computers.

So here is my break down.

$145 eprom conversion to your non black case 2g computer
$370 ECMLink lite if you do it right your ECU will show up with your chip installed ready to go for that price. Tell them you combo and you have a %90 chance of a car that will starts and is ready to tune.
-you have soft ware that is easy to use with real support
-Live tuning
-good data logger
-many other features
So around $530 with shipping

$180 for flash cable
$200 VIII computer
$ 25 evo scan
So now you have to sawp many wires, spend hours of reading, most of the good secrets are kinda of hidden. Since most of the real good flash guys do this for a living. There is many SD threads of Dumb teaching the Dumb so trying to figure out good info form bad will be hard for the non expert.

$405 is the cost for the avg guy that cant find the crazy deals.

So in my view if you keep VIII maf or 2g then its doable but the SD route could get the avg guy in trouble in a real hurry.

 

[m_0ney_pit]

have used dsmlink on an eprom and ecuflash on 99 ecu. both work well and will do what you want. its currently easier to run speed density on link which is really attractive.

I'd say you can't go wrong with either but link probably has the least chance of you screwing something up. Like everything it just depends on your budget and ability to do projects successfully.

edit: I run the 99 ecu and ecuflash because back 3 years ago when none of us knew xml well enough to write a def. I had a 99 ecu sitting around then ceddy broke down the door and I started using it. ecus were 50 -75 back then...much more now I'm sure.

the 98/99 guys have it easy all they gotta do is buy the $190 cable and start tuning...lucky

 

[gst96spyderman]

the 98/99 guys have it easy all they gotta do is buy the $190 cable and start tuning...lucky

So what you are saying is i simply need the $137 cable from evoscan.com and I will be able to start tuning?

 

[Absit]

No, you need the 2.0 cable, not the 1.3. It's $217.

To add, after rigging up the patch harness to run the Evo ECU in my 2G, the patch harness isn't worth it. I don't recommend it to anyone, the wire swaps are just too easy.

 

[gst96spyderman]

I really don't want to start a new thread, so I'll just steal this one since the op has lost intrest.

What all is it that I need to run evoscan? I have 99 ecu.

 

[Absit]

$35-50 depending on which cable you want to run. You can get the software for $25 and the cable for around $10 off eBay (VAG COM 409.1) or you can get a package for $50 from..(have to search)..DSMChips.com | DSM ECU Chips Enchanced by Keydiver here. Note you can not tune with that cable. If you want to tune as well just buy the OP 2.0 cable from EvoScan.com and the software there as well.

Edit:
And a laptop or EvoScan's stand alone touch screen device..

 

[colbyc]

Yes to run evoscan just a 1.3 cable, can be found on eBay cheap as heck, and 25 dollars for evoscan itself. Now to flash the ecu you'll need the 2.0 OP cable and ceddy mods(free unless you want to donate) which is well worth the money to us 98/99 guys. Very easy to use to me, little research and you're good to go

 

[knochgoon24]

The Tactrix cable is marked up if you buy it off evoscan.com. Buy it off the Tactrix site and save $30 ($179 vs. $217).

Buying it from evoscan.com gets you all the reflash connectors. You don't even need 2 of them. It's still cheaper to buy all of them from Tactrix ($189).

 

[gst96spyderman]

Do i still need a WB and safc?