Haltech ECU or AEM Standalone

[98Turbbo420A]

I'm trying to decide and I am hoping some of you guys have had experience with them. Or should I go with an Accel DFI Gen.7 piggyback system?

 

[98GSXSilver]

if you want a true standalone then the piggyback system just isn't going to cut it...

i started a thread about this a few months ago and from what i've heard right now there's just not enough info about the AEM out there right now...from what all the honda guys say though it sounds like the best possible choice...it's just gonna be hard to find info on it right now, when you install it you're gonna have to do a lot of guess and check...with the halteck there's tons of people already running this system and the info is going to be easier to come by...

if it were my money i'd spring for the AEM...good luck

 

[RocketBoy]

Have you joined or searched through the AEM EMS forums?

 

[ItsStockOfficer]

EMS. I put it in my 1g and the damn thing idled....that skipped 2 weeks of wiring and tuning hassles with a haltech right there. There is nothing a Haltech can do that a EMS can do...while doing it in a much more user friendly software package, and with far more technical support.

 

[HighPsi91]

The Haltech is cheapest but does less. Plus plug in harnesses are not easy to come by. The Aem costs more and has alot more features. The DFI is NOT a piggyback! It too is a full standalone EMS just like the other two.

You really need to research what each system offers, what each system requires to install/tune, and what it will end up costing you.

If you are shopping solely based on the most features I think you will see the AEM wins hands down... the DFI comes in 2nd and the Haltech lags behind. However there are many ultra fast cars out there running the tried and true Haltech E6K which happens to be the cheapest and most simplistic. So it really comes down to what you are after.

 

[RocketBoy]

Also, if you're shopping for a standalone, make sure you understand the features and what they are capable of. Tuning with an afc and a logger is one thing, messing around with a full standalone is another. It's a huge step but the payoffs can be worth it if you know what you're doing.

 

[mrmadmax]

Can't speak for the others, but I've tuned a few Haltech systems (F7 and E6K) both turbo and non-turbo, and the one thing I can say is, be ready to spend a lot of time tuning. Don't get me wrong, I love the E6K standalones (turbo is loud without the MAS, and you can vent the BOV) , but it can take a long time just to get the engine to free rev well, even on an engine dyno! I'd say spend the extra money on the AEM EMS (you'll save money on dyno time). I have a friend at AEM, and he assures me their base maps are well tuned.

 

[dyezak]

Everyone is missing the biggest point. The aem (don't know about the DFI system) has Knock Sensor feedback...the Haltech's don't. Plain and simple this means that on a street driven car with the Haltech, have a conservative tune....or cross your fingers. Cheers.

 

[mrmadmax]

Originally posted by dyezak
Everyone is missing the biggest point. The aem (don't know about the DFI system) has Knock Sensor feedback...the Haltech's don't. Plain and simple this means that on a street driven car with the Haltech, have a conservative tune....or cross your fingers. Cheers.

Excellent point! With Haltech, we used a knock sensor on our turbo cars hooked up to a GM ESC module, but the setup was pretty ghetto. Another point for AEM...

 

[98Turbbo420A]

Well as it stands right now I've thrown the Haltech out. Here is the catch, remember I'm a turbo 420A. Does AEM's EMS come with a base map for my setup? The reason I meantioned the DFI is because HRC will have a base map for my car, which will be nice and a lot easier to tune. I'm really leaning towards the AEM but I want to make sure they have a program for my setup.

 

[BoostBabyYah]

I would go with the EMS only because I have one right now. The base models suck and to tune it right you have to find a dyno. I messed with it for about 2 months and got it to run really well. Then I had it tuned on a dyno and got a ton more power out of it. The EMS is very user friendly and offers more information than you'll know what to do with. My girlfriend has a Haltech unit, works great. I have nothing bad to say about the Haltech. Guess it just comes down to you. I prefer the EMS and I have both. Not to mention the EMS has probably the greatest tech support on the planet.

 

[STEVENICH]

Autronic has released their 2G DSm PNP boards.

 

[BoostBabyYah]

As far as the EMS knock sensor is concerned. GREAT, but. The knock sensor feedback as fast as the EMS datalogging is the knock sensor is still a LOT faster and the EMS can easily miss a knock. Your car can knock 2-3 times between a logging cycle at high rpm.

 

[ItsStockOfficer]

2g knock sensor is an absolute must with the ems

 

[RocketBoy]

Hmm...doesn't the EMS have a number that tells the system how many times to count/look for knock within a revolution?
Also, it should probably be said that a wideband o2 sensor is close to a must when you buy one of these units. It cuts down on the amount of time needed on a dyno, and makes you feel much more confident that you're not running too lean.

 

[ItsStockOfficer]

I dont think a wideband or dyno is nessecary at all with the ems....and hour of cruising got me great full throttle and very decent partial throttle.

Sean

 

[zac83]

rumors float around about the e6k and how they are fixing to release a new one that is alot more user friendly... guess they needed to make up for the ass kicking AEM is giving them go with the AEM unless you can call yourself a master tech without a big dumb grin on your face.

 

[rdrkt]

Originally posted by zac83
rumors float around about the e6k and how they are fixing to release a new one that is alot more user friendly... guess they needed to make up for the ass kicking AEM is giving them

Its not rumor its the e11. I would hardly call the buggy EMS that AEM released when compared to a 2-3 year old EMS an ass kicking.

 

[BoostCrazy]

I dont have any direct experience with the AEM in a dsm, but i am running the 30-1100 AEM in my supra, and its the best mod I got for the car...Bascially I have control over the entire car...boost, timing, fuel, nitrous, rev limit controls are easily adjustable in tables...If you have a wideband hooked up to this unit, it has a featured called automapping in which the computer will adjust its fuel maps according to a user-definable A/F ratio throught an rpm range....I really do think that you get the most for your money with the AEM...

If you havent joined the AEM forums yet, DO SO!! Jason and JD provide you with as much support as you need..If you ever have a question, they will answer it within a few hours, its great! My advice to anyone who is a serious tuner and not afraid to learn, GET THE AEM!!

 

[HighPsi91]

I dont think the AEM will have a plug in harness for the 420A let alone maps. You really need to call these companies before breaking out the checkbook!

 

[JET]

AEM doesn't have a neon or 2g NT EMS yet. Check out the Autotronic. Some of the neon guys are running that and have some decent maps. I have an EMS and it is great, very easy to work with. Like one other said though, it is basically a must to have a wideband. They are only $175 if you build your own, it wasn't that hard.

 

[autronicDSM]

autotronic? got a link for them?

 

[JET]

Sorry, I don't. They were mentioned on the AEM EMS board by some neon guys. Try registering for the AEM board and pm'ing them. I am sure they will have alot of info for you.

 

[greathuskie]

on supraforums there was a huge debate on standalones, Jason from AEM was in it and the guy from MoTeC was in it and it was really really long but very informative

it was in teh MKIV forum

 

[STEVENICH]

Originally posted by autronicDSM
autotronic? got a link for them?

WWW.AUSSIEIMPORTSLLC.COM

WWW.AUTRONIC.COM