DSMlink or SAFC?

[shift_racer]

First I did use the search tool and did not find the questions or answers that i needed so here I go. I am getting a parts list together and am stuck at a crossroads. I know everything that I want but when it comes to tuning I have no clue which to go. My car will be a daily driver. I'm planning on eventually putting on a big 16g with all supporting mods. So my question is which should I get and which one is easier to tune with a SAFC or DSMlink? Please keep in mind that I am a big newb to tuning.

Thanks for your help.

 

[RotaryRyan]

i c so E=eprom i looked at my ecu after work! haha I should take advantage of it thanks for the good advise.

One more thing...my sister has a 95 gsx and I'm pretty sure hers is eprom also. But wouldn't it make sense to just have hers socketed and use my labtop and set hers up. or does the dsmlink prog specifically sets for one ecu?......If so, know any places that just do socketing?

"If the letter in the lower right hand corner is an "E", then the ECU most likely has an EPROM."

You cannot setup more than one car per dsmlink package. They will send you a DSMLink chip, which you install in your socketed Eprom ECU. Once it is in, then you can connect and tune your car. But you have to the chip in that they send. They send ONE per dsmlink package.

 

[RotaryRyan]

This is what the dsmlink package looks like. It is a very nice setup. I love it. It's super easy to setup. It comes with full install and user manuals.

 

[TeamPeregreen]

"If the letter in the lower right hand corner is an "E", then the ECU most likely has an EPROM."

You cannot setup more than one car per dsmlink package. They will send you a DSMLink chip, which you install in your socketed Eprom ECU. Once it is in, then you can connect and tune your car. But you have to the chip in that they send. They send ONE per dsmlink package.

i c well that makes sense, how else would they make money dur. Yeah im definately going to go with the dsm link. I think one of the best advatages about it...besides all the wonders it can do. Is the fact that u dont have to have you labtop with you all the time. Because I know people that had there S-AFC's snached becuase it's simply just mounted in the open.

 

[TeamPeregreen]

This is what the dsmlink package looks like. It is a very nice setup. I love it. It's super easy to setup. It comes with full install and user manuals.

Simple and Sweet! Im loving the plug and play

 

[RotaryRyan]

Plus it takes place of a $100 code reader/deleter Does alot more than you would imagine.

 

[Evil1gDsm]

DSMLink. The overriding thing my 1G has taught me: Do it right, do it once.
Every time I've tried to cheap out on something, the car's come back to bite me. That in mind, I have a shoebox that I toss a bit of each paycheck into. Currently, it's going toward DSMLink, even though a buddy was selling an SAFC-2 for $80 a couple weeks back.

I totally agree with you man!! "Do it right the first time" it will only save you in the long run!!

 

[exile]

solid piece of unit

Yeah, I was about to get a SAFC-2 and PocketLogger, then sell it when I upgrade from the 16g, but since I already have a laptop and an eprom and I can socket my own ECU, it would be stupid of me to go a non-DSMLink route.

 

[GWFab]

personally i think dsmlink is too basic and with the stock ecu in the loop u are still limited. AEM EMS is the way to go in ultimate tuning. But going to back to the original author of this thread. Based on my impression that he is a newbie and he will most likely not be making crazy upgrades just yet i recommend him getting an afc. they are relatively inexpensive and very basic although should be tuned on a dyno by a professional. but pay attention ask questions and learn to use it. I used an afc for my 400whp 20g setup on my 7bolt. You can pick one up in the classifieds used for real cheap and with a 16g setup and some 550s it will work great. BUt listen to me when i tell u either get a wideband and learn to tune urself or go get it dyno tuned by a professional.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

personally i think dsmlink is too basic and with the stock ecu in the loop u are still limited.

with the stock ecu in place you DO NOT have to mess with the closed loop (cruising around town) part of tuning. all you tune is the wot part which is all you are really concerned with. sure a stand alone is great if you need it, but how many people really need something like that.

jim

 

[Talesin]

Woo. Just checked my ECU, and have the EPROM model. Plus it looks like my shoebox is pretty full... counting through it, looks like my ECU is headed over to be linked, as soon as I get back from a trip tomorrow.

200-400 for an SAFC *or*
600 for DSMLink *or*
1300 + 700 in sensors for AEM standalone + 200-400 for an experienced tuner to set it up.

I guess if you have money to throw at it, you'll also go for an 8K rallycross suspension setup, and 3500 for a carbon on carbon clutch. But personally, the $700 KYB AGX and stiffer springs, with an ACT2100 is plenty for a weekend warrior who doesn't have unlimited funds, but still enjoys occasional trips to the strip, or street course.