DSMLink v3 vs AEM EMS (Merged)

[ramsack]

He never listed long-term goals, just near-future plans. If raw power and straight lines are your only goal then no one should even consider anything EMS-related. I would even consider running just a carburetor if raw power and straight lines were my only goal.

 

[skatershawn]

my goals are for autocross.. and im still planning on v3lite
but again that my opinion, he has his own, and so do you.
We are not trying to argue about it, IM just stating why i wouldn't go with it!
Im SURE the AEM standalone is Amazing.. but not near my price range, and my goals can be satisfied with v3!

Edit:
Here this is probably more of the lines of info the OP was looking for.. not us arguing over whats better!
(By the way.. EMS 2 is $1,395.00 for the 1g)

Heres the ems vs. ems 2:

http://www.aemelectronics.com/EMS_vs_Series2.htm

Heres v3 vs. v3 lite:

http://www.ecmtuning.com/wiki/prodcompare

Heres megasquirt:
(it wont link directly to features pages, so click link, then on the left side of the page there is a "MegaSquirt Features" link)

http://www.megasquirt.info/

Here is even MoTec:
This compares all MoTec ECU's
(really off the charts for my budget)

http://www.motec.com/aboutecu/ecucomparison/


Here ill even go as far as costs:

MegaSquirt:
Nothing less the $490 that i could find!

AEM EMS 2:
1g) $1,395
2g) $1,776

DSMLink:
V3) $495
V3Lite) $375
ECU Service) $10/15min work blocks
Socket Service) $40
Non-Eprom Conversion) 1g: $135, 2g: $185

MoTec:
All i could find were ecus ranging from $2,200 to $8,500!
(again... WAY out of my budget)


Now the O.P. can read through all the features of ALL the tunning programs that were discussed in the thread.. and he can compare what he wants and needs to make his overall decision!

 

[skatershawn]

And check this link... shows proof you can get a good tune with DSMLink!

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dyno-talk/374678-dynoed-car-832awhp-e85.html

 

[codeofdastreets]

I like aem because more tuners use it, but ecmlink is just as good, its just hard finding a tuner that wants to mess with it, thats my opinion.

 

[skatershawn]

Ya im not Shooting AEM into the dark.. but i can tune v3 myself and have the potential to get you up and beyond! AND its Not $1300!!

O.P.... You Decide what you're going with yet?
Im just curious as to what your decision is.

 

[codeofdastreets]

but i can tune v3 myself

Not everyone is as gifted as you

 

[92AWDHX40]

It comes down to you in the end.

 

[FluidKaos]

Sorry, I've been away from the boards for a few days. I haven't made any decisions yet. I'm still researching options. MoTec isn't one of them, as that is WAY too expensive. I would like more features than what Link has to offer, like the ability to run condition dependent methanol injection for instance. Right now I am planning on building my car to be able to go all out, but only tuning it for apx 500hp as a reliability buffer, if that makes any sense. Over engineer it if you will. That way, if I get a wild hair, and decide to load up on C16 and push it, I can with out worry, then turn it back down for more daily use. Kind of a Jeckle and Hyde thing. Heck, my BMW can do this just with a piggyback computer (Vishnu Tuning ProCede v5), switching from 30mpg, and 170hp to 370hp at the flick of a switch. With Link, I am limited by what the stock ECU can do, and to add features, I have to ad controllers for them. It would be nice if I could integrate them all into one controller, that way everything is communicating together. Don't get me wrong, I love Link, it's great, pretty powerful, and easy to use, but for all intents and purposes, it is still a stock ECU. It's like playing PS1 all the time, wishing you had a PS3.

 

[dsm-onster]

You have more features with ecmlink than what a stock ecu offers. You need to ask yourself what features you want, simply. Then go get the product that matches that. It's like any and every other purchase you make. Get what you want. Don't get somethign because it has more than what you want when it costs more. Don't get something that has less than what you want because it costs less.

 

[ramsack]

Max HP doesn't mean the tune below that max HP is as good as it can be...

 

[RadDsm]

Max HP doesn't mean the tune below that max HP is as good as it can be...

He also made 1033whp in the same car with v3. I'd say it's plenty good, you don't make that much power on a shit tune.

 

[skatershawn]

Not everyone is as gifted as you

Ok but it isn't rocket science!!

ECMLink even has videos to help, and forum that is there with peole more than happy to help you out!

Ok As for the O.P., you stated you wanted more features then Link is offering, while you narrowing it down!! Does megasquirt have the features your looking for?

By the looks of it, i think you will end up deciding on AEM, but im glad you asked that question, as for now there is this thread with good info to help someone else looking to get a tuning software!

 

[FluidKaos]

You have more features with ecmlink than what a stock ecu offers. You need to ask yourself what features you want, simply. Then go get the product that matches that. It's like any and every other purchase you make. Get what you want. Don't get somethign because it has more than what you want when it costs more. Don't get something that has less than what you want because it costs less.

Very good point. That's probably why you are one of the Wisemen.

I am still doing my research, as with anything I get, so that I get what fits my goals. This prevents having to upgrade the same part twice. And through the research, I learn a lot more about how the bits I'm upgrading work, so that I can make best use of them. I have plenty of time on my side since my DSM is my weekend/project car, and not my DD.

 

[skatershawn]

well all i can say is.. aem and dsmlink are both outstanding systems.. and i hope you get the best out of which ever one you buy!

im glad i could help proved you with some info, now get a tuning program and TUNE!

Let us know how it all Goes though!

 

[FluidKaos]

Ok As for the O.P., you stated you wanted more features then Link is offering, while you narrowing it down!! Does megasquirt have the features your looking for?

I'm still wading through all the different features and versions available with Mega/MicroSquirt. There is a lot to go through.

 

[91'AWDFUN]

I have a 1990 eagle talon tsi. Buschur stage 3 block, CB built head. 1250cc injectors. Looking for around 650hp. Have all the mods for the power. I have read all the threads about both and haven't found one about the new v3 from link. I don't know a thing about tuning. I want a base tune the car myself and then take it and have it tuned. What would be better for me is the question?

 

[EagleTSIawd]

With ECMLink you will spend less and it will be much more user friendly.

With AEM EMS you will spend more, have more tuning control but wont be user friendly, especially if you have never tuned.

Both will meet your goal, plus more.

I would go with ECMLink as their forum is very helpful, and because the guys who run ECMLink started it specifically for DSMs so they know our ECU pretty well.

 

[AG 305]

I have a 1990 eagle talon tsi. Buschur stage 3 block, CB built head. 1250cc injectors. Looking for around 650hp. Have all the mods for the power. I have read all the threads about both and haven't found one about the new v3 from link. I don't know a thing about tuning. I want a base tune the car myself and then take it and have it tuned. What would be better for me is the question?

imo, link is much more user friendly/easy to work with and maintains the driveability of a factory ECU + THE PRICE IS UNBEATABLE. no one i know uses an aem so i wouldnt be able to tell you exactly how good or bad it is but my vote definitely goes to link

 

[snowborder714]

Here's one that compares the AEM unit to v3.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/323947-aem-ems-vs-ecmlink.html

 

[TuRBoTaLooN]

I'll also agree with the ECMLink suggestion. It does not provide as much tuning ability as the AEM EMS, BUT...

1) Significantly cheaper than AEM
2) Much more user friendly, easier to learn (you can do it yourself!!)
3) Plenty of support on the ECMLink forums
4) LOADS of user input and members to help answer questions
5) V3 has lots more capability than V2 including speed density and features for large injectors and secondary injectors
6) ECMLink will help you keep driveability so you won't need to tune the stupid thing every time the weather changes.
7) Much simpler to install and set up.

 

[91'AWDFUN]

probally going link thanks.

 

[jksmith]

I am getting alot of conflicting information and every thread I find is out of date. But not sure which to go with. Here is a quick mod list

2.0 6bolt
10.5:1 HD wisecos
Steel rods
GSC Stg 3
ID2000
E85
6766 turbo
Auto
Nitrous

 

[viperlp01]

DSMlink is an extremely potent tuning program for the DSM. There are 1000hp cars running Link setups. I do think the AEM V2 is an amazing tuning solution but for a platform that does not have a system as well designed as dsmlink.

 

[YZFR1]

Skip the foreplay, go real standalone and never look back!

..free lean protection, awesome knock control, inputs/outputs out the arse, 3D maps, boost comp, true speed density support, random little bugs, etc..

 

[Seamus]

Skip the foreplay, go real standalone and never look back!

..free lean protection, awesome knock control, inputs/outputs out the arse, 3D maps, boost comp, true speed density support, random little bugs, etc..

Mark, please don't post about things u are clueless about. Reading about things on the Internet and posting things you have heard does not make you an expert.

To to poster, aem and link employ the same tuning strategy so one is no better from that standpoint. The aem allows u to create custom correction maps, but link has factory corrections in place that obviously have oem quality. A car is going to run better, faster on link. You will spend a lotore time with the aem. Dsm link does not have near the features, but they left NOTHING out that is important in my opinion. Really aem plug and plays leave out a lot of the really desirable features of a standalone. If you want a standalone I'd want something that didn't have factory nber of ignition outputs.