Deciding on Engine Management and which one to use

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west_minist
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Deciding on Engine Management and which one to use

Post by west_minist »

Welcome to the world of more power and control.

When we reach this level, there are so many options, that it become difficult to make a choice. I hope this small write up will help you.

When you have decided to go EMS, you next choice really depends on the follow pertinent factors:
  1. Your budget
  2. Tuning experience
  3. Tuner support
  4. product support
  5. Functionality
  6. versitility
  1. Your budget is very important and it determine what you can get and when. I would like to advice potential EMS owners to take their time and make the wise choice when deciding on a unit. Sometimes we rush and get things, only to realised that

    we could have take our time and save a little bit more to get what we really want.
    Once you know where you want to be, get an EMS that can really support your needs + more. Do not limit yourself. Again, save some more and get the proper unit needed.
  2. Have some knowledge of tuning can help you decide on a unit. Even if you totally depend on your tuner, some time in the future, you may want to tune or make minor changes and understanding that unit is a plus. In this particular area, your tuner should be helpful in teaching you.

    It is very important that your tuner share and tutor you, since in reality, the EMS is really yours and he is providing service and support to you.

    Most of all, this Tuner should be an Authorised Tuner by the manufacture. Warranty and Manufacture support depends a lot on this.
  3. When purchasing an EMS, Tuner support is the key. Even if you have some idea of Tuning, you can only get so much of out the unit to your capabilities. Have a more experience EMS Tuner can help you reach your gains.

    Some manufactures only support their products if install and tuned by a Dealer/Tuner. This is another area you should take into consideration for EMS support and RMA issues.

    Your tuner should be helpful and willing to go all out for you. The person should be knowledgeable and must show genuine support to you - not only for money.
  4. Product support is very important. If there is not a Dealer in your area, many manufactures do not support you.
    Sometimes the unit is not even support on your car, but you love its features, but have to move to another EMS because of the lack of support. If the product has support, the dealer or the Authorise Tuner will try to gain support. This person(s) will have all the necessary tools like scopes and so on to gain support for your application.

    The EMS should have as many useable functions, which would enable you to use many additional features in your application. For example, the control of water injection and many other features.
  5. Functionality of the unit is very important.
    You want full control of your car as much as possible, using back as much stock sensor as possible and many other supporting features. Chat with you Dealer on this topic.
    The unit should have the features you need + more. Many times a unit list many features, but during clearful analysis, you will see those features and only available in few applications.
    As a new EMS user, you should feel comfortable with the feature and the cost of such feature. There is no way that an EMS with few features can cost more that another mature EMS with a lot of supporting functions and so forth. Wathc out for these type of EMS's.
  6. The EMS should be versitle as much as possible. It much fit and meet your expectations. This part is very important.
    The EMS should have full stock or oem functionality. These days, many EMS's can do this. Work with your Authorise Dealer on these issues.
I hope that this little extract was helpful in clearing your way in preparing a list of EMS and making a final decision on them.
west_minist
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Posts: 1713
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Re: Deciding on Engine Management and which one to use

Post by west_minist »

Which EMS is good for you is another issue.

Per my little discussion above, it really depends on your budget and support.

Most of the time, you pick an EMS because you have heard about it. It could be through a magazine, the internet or by friends or users. Review of mediums and start putting that data together. Once you have, you can then move on to the next decision level.

A lot of potential EMS owners are aware of hype. But how do you know an EMS is hype. When look at its applications and usages. These two areas are very important. Your project will tell you what you should get. Talk with an EMS consultant or an open minded dealer or experience user for help.

When spending your hard earn cash, you should look for the best within your budget. Remember to be not to hasty.

In this world, many of us are familiar with Greddy, Apexi PFC, Autronic, Link, Hydra, SDS, Microtech, Haltech, AEM and so forth. How do you go about deciding?

Well first, you need to know what you want and your engine options and full use of engine sensors as much as possible, keeping your project cost down.

If you have Variable Vavle Timing and maybe lift, many of the ECU's do not support it and if there do, not on my cars. In many of these supporting features, you want all support in one devide. Not mutliple devices and you want a device that is mature in handling these features. So as you can see, we are looking like we are preparing a comparison list. This list is very important.

Again, Dealer/Tuner support is key and that person be Authorised, adds value to your project.

Depending on your needs, many cars have VVT, so the Microtech, the SDS and Haltech is out. Remember that one device is good and not a grocery store of modules. So the Greddy is out too. We are now left with the Apexi, Autronic, Link, Hydra and AEM.

Now support for these prodcuts are the key. Local support is only left to the Autronic, Link and Hydra. AEM is good, but in the end, support is the key, otherwise you stuck with a unit and many EMS owners can tell you the horrors of no support.

Now the old links we economical. Not there are not and want to rival mature EMS's with more functions and capabilites at those prices heading 1500USD and up. Many EMS manufactures, includign Tuners will tell you the new Link's are over price and the capabilities are still small. There market heavily. This is another area you need to review carefully. Get pass the hype and glamour and review the EMS closely.

We are now down to 3 EMS's. The Apexi, Autronic and Hydra.

The Apexi support is non existent with no Authorised Dealers and Tuners. THe apexi was really made for racing and seeking for street and racing function is limited. One suffer depending on your needs. Not only that, its features is lacking and terminologies are strange. If you chat with more experience tuners who tune many other EMS, there all refer to the Apexi as being in its own game. The cost of the unit is good, but if you put a few dollars more, you can end up with a more powerful EMS.

We are now left with teh Autronic and Hydra. Both are very good and offers many supporting features. The decision to go with either is really depend on you, but the following can be helpful.

One many supporting issues and help forums. Hydra EMS has its own forum with experience technical support stuff can can reply immediate to your needs. Phone support is great. Hydra EMS also works through Authorise trained Dealers and Tuners. So from day one, you will not find a Dealer/Tuner on their own. Hydra backs their Dealers and Tuners fully.

Hydra constantly upgrade their models with more features and the EMS owner needing support. Do you know how many products out there have Quad Camm support or supports complex cams operations and also try to get your car behaves as stock, since my cars are driven on the Street? You will find a lot of the features of the Hydra in Motec and many other expensive ECU's like GEMS, Pectel and so forth.

With the Hydra software, a new EMS owner can get to tuning quickly. In fact, the Hydra are shipped you basic maps for your model to get you working and driving. You will still need to be tuned, but all the MAP shipped for your application has been street tuned for full operation.

As an Authorised HYDRA EMS Dealer & Tuner, I am happy to support you with all the supporting tools and knowledge, inlcuding that from my Manufacture. My listing is located here:- http://www.hydraems.com/Hydra%20EMS%20D ... m#Barbados

If you do need any help with your project, do not hesitate post or contact me.
west_minist
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Posts: 1713
Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 11:08 pm
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Re: Deciding on Engine Management and which one to use

Post by west_minist »

EMS Comparison - Hydra, Autronic, AEM, Wolf 3D, Link G3, Power FC

The document compares the a number of well know ECU's, highlighting Functionalities and cost.
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