DSMLink or Apexi S-AFC?

[BigTurboTalon]

I have a 1996 TSI, with a 1g 6 bolt swap. It has a 16g turbo, Greddy FMIC, BC 272 Cams, wally 255, running off a 2g ecu. I do not have a laptop to tune with. I'm unsure what to go with due to my needs. The car is a Daily Driver and I'm looking for a conservative tune around 15-20psi.

1. What do I need to do to run DSM Link?

2. Would I have to socket the ecu?

3. Could I eliminate certain senors with link?

 

[lAsErfWd]

Im pretty sure all of the question can be answered by going to the ecm tuning web page. ECMTuning, Inc.

 

[lAsErfWd]

The AFC would omly allow for 660cc injectors max for a decent tune without the use of a chip matched to your bigger injectors. You can find chips at, www.dsmchips.com With the chips your open to much bigger injectors. Your decision though dsmlink is said to be user freindly but the AFC is also pretty easy to tune with after practice.

 

[Dsmj89]

For your setup an apexi safc2 would be more than enough to suffice as far as your tuning goes.

 

[hediki12]

ummm dsmlink is alot of cash.. and it all depends on your goal. for 300 whp ish a safc would be fine... also not to nit pick but do you have some kind of after market fuel pressure regulator seing you have a wally 255. and you can also look into a evo 8 ecu swap out (soooooo much cheaper than dsm) and its flashable, controlls timing, afr map, ect ect... just have to real some. check in the tuning forum on this site . hope i helped.

 

[kottyking]

If money is no issue, get DSMlink. You'll be more then ready for future upgrades. If your like most dsmr's and are a poor SOB, get the Safc as it is fine for your setup. You just can't tune huge injectors. If you get the SAFC don't forget to get a datalogger also.

 

[JayRolla]

I would go with Greddy Emanage Blue if you cant afford dsmlink. You would need emanage blue, the software and timing harness. Usually can be found for cheap used and gives timing control. You can run up too 1200cc injectors with emanage no issue and maybe bigger, I just never have myself.

 

[motozachl]

if you have the $ i'd say get dsmlink. i run an identical setup except i have a 190 pump so i don't need the afpr & only have 550's. i'm tuning with safc2 @ 21lbs and its my dd. just my $.02

 

[nlzn]

The AFC is a simple and cheap solution, I've used it on more than just my DSM.

I'm not advocating it, I hate the way they work but I think of of them as a "quick fix". On a small setup they are extremely easy to use with almost no learning curve. If you have a wideband (which I hope you do) and a helper you can set a pretty decent base map in just a few minutes.

The AFC is limited to controlling injector replacements that are +/-50% of the stock injector size, which is why someone saud 650ish max injectors. The thing that aggrivates me about the AFC the most is how it averages between the NE points and between the hi and lo throttle maps. That's the biggest downfall, it's impossible to completely fine tune with it. ** Having a MAF-T was a great addition and added some extra tunability - before I keep whining I wanted to say that.

Dsmlink is the best choice if your pocket allows it. Reading the site features alone tells all.

I guess if you have the money get the DSM link.

If you can't afford it, get a used AFC2 (seems to be lot in the classifieds or ebay) connect a few wires, start with some low boost pulls and tune to your AFRs, or better yet get on a dyno and get crazy

 

[rush2252]

Youll need a laptop and an EPROM to tune. A member was selling a laptop link and eprom for $550 in the classifieds. One hell of a deal if hes still got it. I doubt it at that price. If you run bigger injectors to get a "chip" youll still need a socketed EPROM.

 

[jag987]

To awnser your questions
1. What do I need to do to run DSM Link?

You need a eprom ecu, only in 95 models of the 2g, ecm link sells them for $255, your local junk yard probably doesn't know that those are sought after.

2. Would I have to socket the ecu?

Yes, I think they do it for like $30, youd have to send in the ECU, buy it from them, or as in my case, the shop I bought the dsm link from did it for me for $5, or the price of the socket

3. Could I eliminate certain senors with link?

Yes, but better than that you can add sensors such as wideband, or boost, or egr, and log them, and log any factory sensors.
remove emisions equipment without throwing codes. It is also your logger.

If you plan on tuning yourself, your probably going to want some kind of logger, they make all kinds, some can run on palms and what not, but a laptop is probably in your future, you don't need a very expensive one though.

safc, can not control timing. Thats a big way to limit your ability to dial the car in. haveing watched someone tune, the timing is where they really make the power, its also were people blow up their motors. DSM link gives you a lot of control over timing.
v3 allow direct acces into all maps in the ecu.

In my opinion id rather overkill a prolblem and be done with it forever than go with something I'm not sure is goning to do what I need. It's cheaper in the long run.

 

[toofast82]

Maybe check out the Maf-t Gen2 as a midpoint between the SAFC & Link. It's $250 now. It allows you to run a 1g,2g or GM maf. Plus, when used with a wideband, it will automatically adjust fuel to reach your desired a/f ratio. It still hides airflow like the safc, so probably wouldn't go bigger than 650cc. It also has the adjustable timing feature as well as some datalogging capabilities
MAF Translator

 

[viperbenz1]

let me know if you decide to get dsmlink i have bran new v3 in the box with eprom ecu for sale.