DSMLink v3 vs AEM EMS (Merged)

[Hal]

ECMLink - Plug'n'play

AEM - Plug'n'pray it starts

If you don't know the tuning system well enough to use it yourself (no matter what it is), you'll forever be paying money to others.

You'll always have a tune that someone else thinks is good.

You'll always have to settle for what someone else considers good drivability.

When something goes wrong you'll be up shit creek without a paddle.

Hal

 

[killercolt]

ECMLink - Plug'n'play

AEM - Plug'n'pray it starts

If you don't know the tuning system well enough to use it yourself (no matter what it is), you'll forever be paying money to others.

You'll always have a tune that someone else thinks is good.

You'll always have to settle for what someone else considers good drivability.

When something goes wrong you'll be up shit creek without a paddle.

Hal

You are so right. Aem is straight crap compare to ecmlink. I got aem and I actually know how to use it. No matter what I do, I can not fix the flaws associated with aem. Only flaw I see with ecmlink is no real time 3d graph of the timing and fuel curve.

Aem flaws:
crapy crank up. Take too much cranking to start up
Take two people to synch timing
Does not compensate to injector change easily
Sloppy close loop contol for daily
Knock control is does not work correctly
No map tracing
Logging wide band is off
Idle control motor function is messes up
Can not deal with quick change in throttle position
Glitch if you don't connect to the ecu in a fancy step and lock you laptop out
Take forever to connect to the ecu
Glitch randomly and lock up in the middle of a tune
Glitch and will not let you log on until the computer is restarted
Glitch and will not let you log on for days


Ecmlink is old hardware but way more advance than aem. I will claim that ecmlink is the best tuning system on the market for dsm.

 

[Boostdriven]

I've never ran AEM but I've heard it can be problematic and occasionally not do what's its programmed to do. Honestly I've seen more people have problems with AEM products then anything else. If you choose to go with V3 then get the full package just so you have all the options. Just like many others have said, you will get allot more support from people on here if you go with ECMlink. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with ECMlink

 

[Mello]

I really like my AEM v1. I don't seem to have any of the problems you listed either. Daily drive it whenever I'm in the mood & has never failed me yet. But running it 11 years. Not sure what you consider map tracing but I can play back my data logs with adjust playback speed; like slow motion as well as scrolling the cursor back & forth manually.Your lock up \, "glitches" etc. sound like connect problems. Are you running RS-232 or a usb converter?

 

[1qkfwd]

Plus Tom and Dave are always hard at work making link a better product than it already is.

 

[swifteagle]

Go aem and don't spend all that money on a 20+ year old ecu. If you had to choose a computer from 20+ years ago or one from the last 10 years witch one would you pic?

 

[TurboDSM90]

Go aem and don't spend all that money on a 20+ year old ecu. If you had to choose a computer from 20+ years ago or one from the last 10 years witch one would you pic?

ECMLink V3 because it doesn't take 20 software updates, 10 firmware updates, and the risk of wiping out the tune because that new CPU is too smart for its own good.

V3 is simple, gets the job done with no fuss, and anyone with common sense can use it properly.

The private ECMLink forum is an excellent source of information and guidance so long as you know your car's setup in detail and again, have common sense.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

ECMLink - Plug'n'play

AEM - Plug'n'pray it starts

I couldnt agree more. My friend John that has a big hp set up (around 1000 he's hoping) thought he would give aem a shot. He called me over to help him figure out why it wouldn't start and when we finally got it started it ran like crap and turned off after a few seconds. He was on the phone with aem the entire time and they didn't even know what was going on. After a week of getting pissed he swapped it out for link and guess what? Started right up and ran like a champ

 

[Hal]

Anyone who is using the argument that the CPU is "old" needs to find a new argument because that one is laughable.

Do they somehow grow old and become defective ::

It's the SOFTWARE (both in the ECU and on the laptop) that makes the solution.

Features, ease of use, RELIABILITY, and SUPPORT is what people should looking at.

If AEM was such a great tool it would be more popular on this platform.

ECMLink is so popular it has it's own sub-forum here.

Some people who are using AEM have a real need because of certain features but others have it because they got sold a bill of goods by a "pro tuner" or they want to be one of the "cool kids".

Ever wonder why a lot of local tuners don't have ECMLink experience?

Because ECMLink users DON'T NEED a pro tuner to get the job done.

Yeah, you can get an AEM at a good price (maybe).

Now think of what you're going to have to pay that pro tuner when you change your setup. Now think what you could buy with that money, but instead the pro tuner gets to spend it for you.

Guys have single digit 1/4 mile cars making 4 digit horsepower and use ECMLink so the tool has the ability to get the job done.

So, again features, ease of use, RELIABILITY, and SUPPORT is what people should looking at.

AEM gets a big fail in the last three (search results tell it all).

One final thought. How many AEM cars will pass on OBD-II status test?

Answer: None

Might be important if you live in a state where it matters

Hal

 

[Doubleot]

Couldn't have said it better myself ^^^^^

 

[n0de]

Yup, Hal nailed it.

 

[LouieAWDTSi]

I just ordered myself ecmlink v3 full.
: )

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[94TalonTSI1]

Good call. Some might say that an enthusiast who enjoys his/her car on the weekends needs to spend all the money in the world to self-proclaimed "pros" to tune their car. ECMLink has the advantage of having a community behind it. The self-indulgent nut-swingers of the AEM world will preach how ECMLink sucks wind and the first thing you do to a factory car is buy a $2000 ECU.

ECMLink is not "Cheap", but moreso "inexpensive". The fastest DSMs in the world still run ECMLink because it is a great tuning platform designed for the car. You'll have a 95% chance of running into another DSM owner with ECMLink than you will one with an AEM, thus making the application much more viable for an enthusiast.

Good for taking the advice of many rather than the disillusioned view of one. Remember, amateurs built the Arc. Professionals built the Titanic.

ECMLink FTW!

 

[YungTlon]

Hi all!
So I have looked at the already existing forums on this topic but quite a few of them are out dated, out dated enough to where v3 didn’t have a speed density option yet. From what I read anyway.. so I just wanted to know when ecm link v3 starts to “hold you back” . And if a full Aem stand-alone is necessary . I plan on trying to make 750-850 if I have everything setup right . Just wanted to know if ecm link would hold me back from my goals , from what I’ve heard there is a lot of fast people on link.. I would prefer to stay on link as it is cheaper and more user friendly (even though it’s getting tuned by a professional). Thanks!

 

[talon20g]

I can't speak on the specific's of AEM vs V3 but I know of several people making over 1000awhp with dsmlink. You shouldn't have a problem at 750-850hp with dsmlink v3.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

You are limited on inputs and outputs on V3 as compaired to AEM plus AEM has a lot of failsafes you can build in so that 800hp monster doesn't go boom. I think V3 is capable but AEM just offers more.

 

[DSMPT]

Hi all!
So I have looked at the already existing forums on this topic but quite a few of them are out dated, out dated enough to where v3 didn’t have a speed density option yet. From what I read anyway.. so I just wanted to know when ecm link v3 starts to “hold you back” . And if a full Aem stand-alone is necessary . I plan on trying to make 750-850 if I have everything setup right . Just wanted to know if ecm link would hold me back from my goals , from what I’ve heard there is a lot of fast people on link.. I would prefer to stay on link as it is cheaper and more user friendly (even though it’s getting tuned by a professional). Thanks!

Your desired HP is not that important here. The point is what/how you want with the ECU. ECMLink and all major standalone can make your goal without any issues. but If you want to control many things and log many sensors such as nitrous, w/m, failsafes, oil pressure, oil temp etc etc then go with some standalone, this is what Marty @1990TSIAWDTALON said. And if you don't tune by yourself. I recommend to hear your tuner's preference.

 

[Ludachris]

As Hiroshi and Marty pointed out, you have a lot more control using a full stand alone. But with that added control comes added complexity. That means if you're paying a pro to tune it, it might cost more, as it can easily require more time to set up and work through a stand alone system. Something to keep in mind if budget is a concern. Quite a few people have made big power using ECMlink/DSMlink - but they are also backlogged at the moment for those needed socketing services.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Chris is spot on with his comment. My son had a LINK setup from Waylen Speed in his 97 TSI but took it back out because it was more complicated and less support for help compaired to ECMLink (which has always been enough for me). So he switched back to his ECMLink ECU.

 

[Brandon Mau]

I ran V3 for a long time and it never let me down. I recently switched to a series 2 AEM which to some is outdated but I wanted more at my finger tips. Dollar for dollar V3 can't be beat and if you want to log more you can add the AEM Q1. V3 is plenty capable and much more user friendly I'm not going to lie I miss it.

 

[jed344]

V3 is very capable, I do wish I had the ability to have more inputs and outputs and ability to play with dwell times ect. But it should be capable of doing what you need it to.