DSMLink vs AEM EMS

[TurboDSMer]

I know that AEM is alot better than the DSMLink but i am having a little problem. I currently own V2 but i was offered a brand new ems for 1000( no sensors). I can sell my DSMLink to a friend for 700 wtih the ECU. SO i was wondering if it would be worth switching to AEM. I am currently running an EVO and i don't really plan on changing the turbo anytime soon and if i do i will probably go with a FP green or something from FP.

I am also currently rebuilding my motor with 1g rods 2g pistons. I plan on keeping my motor that way unless for some strange reason i decide i want to go insanly fast, then i would do a 2.3L stroker. Odds of that happening are slim to none. So i just wanted to get your guys opion on what to do. I really want to get a front mount but this is a pretty good deal on the AEM. So just let me know what you guys think and if it is worth even upgrading to the EMS. I need to make my decision by monday morning so any input is appretiated. Thanks Sean.



Also on a side note i am going to be boring out ym block .20 over. Now if i do decide to do a stroker motor i can jsut leave the block in the cra and swap out the crank, rods and pistons right? (I know as long as they are the same size bore). Thanks.

 

[JoeWagon]

Several reasons you don't need an AEM right now. Overall you aren't even at that level. If people are running 10's with an AFC -- what DSMlink shortcoming do you feel exists? I don't think you could get the car running half as good as it does now, and certainly not better. Enjoy your new frontmount.

 

[ACKERSON]

There are definitely advantages to having aem over dsmlink. I think the map tracing feature with aem makes tuning go a lot faster, you also have a lot more control of your fuel and timing maps with aem. The aem nitrous control is better than dsmlink's. Speed density is definitely a plus, thats something the dsmlink can't do....yet. The option of being to use and log virtually any sensor is also an advantage. But like JoeWagon said, what shortcoming exist with dsmlink that aem can address with your setup?

 

[MNGSX]

#1 reason AEM > DSMlink..

CLOSED LOOP WIDEBAND FEEDBACK EVEN AT WOT

 

[TurboDSMer]

O no i don't think that i need AEM anytime soon. I know i'm not on that level of which it would be of up most importants to have. I was just wondering if anyone thought it would be worth getting it now over just using the dsmlink that i already have, but the answer is now clear and i am going to enjoy my new front mount.

 

[gixrman]

Well with all the money you save going to AEM will go towards paying someone to set it up and configure it to your car and then teach you how to use the damn thing. Ever watch that episode of Monster garage where they installed a 350Z motor into a 510? It took the Tech guy FROM AEM forever to st it up, and that was just to get it running. I would not go with this for a daily driver, maybe something you drive on the weekends.

 

[MNGSX]

Hmm 350Z into old car...

Original engine into original car...

New/ not as popular application + swap vs the SBC of 4 bangers the 4G63...

Cut the BS the AEM electronics forum has base maps up for nearly every concievable DSM setup and plenty of techs and sucessful AEM users to help out...

Umm join the AEM forum and cruise the DSM section once....


Seriously though the ability to run closed loop at all the way to wot instead of just putting around is phenomenal...

It rocks almost as much as turbos themselves...

 

[laggin3]

I think I can safely say that I have the most under-utilized setup with an AEM. MNGSX speaks the truth though. The AEM is second to none in my book. The things that I have seen this little box do is infreakingcredible. The AEM is the single best mod I have. As well it should be. It is capable of doing whatever you ask of it or pretty much your car. I have never seen anything so capable put in the right hands. Which pretty much excludes me to this point. You dont sound like you are by any means taxing your current setup. The DSMLink IS a quite capable unit for what you seem to want in the immediate future, and indeed past that. The AEM is not something you want for pure novelty sake. It will take a lot of time on your behalf to get to know everything that it has to offer much less what you need it to do. i.e. getting you to work everyday. While you may be getting it for a good deal, you have to look at what else you may need for it. I wouldnt even hesitate to say that a W/B is a *MUST*. No arguing that fact. It will be at LEAST $250 for anything reputable. You COULD run it with all the other factory sensors, but a definite plus is to be rid of all the intake restrictions. So going speed density is something that you would want to do fairly soon afterwards. Figure in another $200 for those sensors. So you can see that you would still need a few more things to get along with the AEM. You also need to factor in tuning if you do not grasp everything. For the most part the guys in the DSM board over there are willing to help you out if you have spent time actually trying to find the answer first before asking a question. Some guys will even give you pointers for fixing certain areas of your map if you ask nicely enough. If you go down this road, you will get frustrated at times. But if you do plan on getting a bigger and better setup like the 2.3 and hugeified turbo, then I think you will be pleased with what the AEM can do for you. Make no mistake though. The DSMLink can get you to a lot of times you may want to achieve later down the road. You had better think if you want to take on this challenge, or get a few more parts on your car to better take advantage of the EMS.

 

[iwantawd]

#1 dumbest reply I hear to a question like this.... "you're not at that level".

Getting a standalone shouldn't have much to do with what level someones car is at. Everyone knows after just a few mods you are going to NEED something to tune with. If their future goals are set and they are big goals then there is no reason that they shouldn't, and I recommend that they do, get the Link or standalone first. Which one is up to the user, there are advantages to the standalone of course but it is more cash money. Right now I have a 92 awd with an engine thats sitting in the basement being rebuilt. I have never had a DSM before and I've never modded a car before but I know what I want out of the car in the future. My choice was to break in the motor on a stock setup minus the higher compression and immediately install the EMS and all the necessary sensors.

So, I'll have a stock car plus higher compression and speed density. Not that high of a level, what am I doing this for? Not only do I think that it is a great idea to get familiar with the software before I have all the expensive goodies to destroy but I get the chance to truly max out every part I install along the way. I also believe it will make 11's with the 14b and supporting mods relatively easy as well as make off boosting gas mileage even better than stock.

I'm sure there are going to be some who reply, saying how stupid I am but I'm sure all of those who do have lower goals than myself. No I don't recommend a standalone for a final goal of 300hp out of a DSM, it's just to easy and thats a big waste of money. One more point as there are people like myself out there. I'm a future mechanical engineer and sometimes people like me just WANT to have total control, be able to see everything thats going on, and figure out what to do next. Adding a few percent on an AFC just wouldn't satisfy my needs. It's not to say, "I have a standalone so I'm better than you."

 

[GVR4592]

#1 dumbest reply I hear to a question like this.... "you're not at that level".

That is so true. So many people on here that have never even seen a standalone ems are dishing out all kinds of advice. I agree with everything you said. Get the tuning and fuel system taken care of first, then move to power upgrades.

 

[laggin3]

So many people on here that have never even seen a standalone ems are dishing out all kinds of advice.

Like who?

 

[TurboDSMer]

I think that alot of you are not understanding my question i asked. I know AEM is alot better than DSMLink. My question was for my current goals is it worth UPGRADING to the AEM. I ALREADY HAVE DSMLink. It's not like I was going to go and buy the two new and was wondering which of the two to go with. But i do appretiate all of the input.

 

[iwantawd]

I would say no. If I bought my car with the Link already in it then I wouldn't spend the money to get the EMS. It is plenty capable, a very good tool as I'm sure you know. Put the money toward something else.
Just my opinion.

 

[Alfordz123]

I am currently running the AEM EMS...

I don't think it matters what you have done to your car

the ems is so much better than the dsm link.

you can spend the money now on a cheaper stuff or save money in the long run and be more satisfied later on down the road.

It really just depends on how far you are willing to take upgrading the performance of you car.

After you get the hang on the EMS software and a little bit of tunning it makes a world of difference.

even on a stock car the ems can give you so much more.

thats just my input on the topic
not trying not trying to say dsmlink isn't a good product i just prefer the ems over the dsmlink.

 

[MNGSX]

Link is nice but once you have pased the learning phase of AEM and are running a WB02 it is no contest...

A MAFT with a blowthru mounted sensor is just fine too so speed density is'nt mandatory..

If you aren't set up with a maft before you bought the AEM.. Most drag guys should probably just go speed density....

 

[gixrman]

My question is, is EMS really practical for a daily driven car? With DSMLink and my UEGO I can run 1 3rd gear pull, look at my log and figure out just what I need to do, make my changes and go from there. I understand the benifits of EMS just don't see the need for it on the street. Like the original poster said is it really that much of an upgrade?

 

[iwantawd]

what is practical? some people would never think a 3065 is practical for the street but some love it. once the ems is setup, its the same thing. make a run and log it, decide what you need to do, and do it. i believe it even compensates for temperature changes which cuts down on tuning changes for a DD.

 

[MNGSX]

Um it is a big upgrade...

If the link guys had integrated a closed loop WB even at WOT with a 0-5v input I would say get that.. They could reprogram it to use the MAP input as it mostly just checks EGR operation on MAF cars...

A stand alone with WBo2 can automatically and constantly match the tune for that tankfull of gas not just at cruise or idle like link or a stock ecu... Tuning is so much easier...

Going to AEM from link is like going from a stock ECU to Link..... That big of a jump...