AEM ECU or Hondata ?????

[kannon]

My 2 cents:

I think comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

Like has already been said, AEM is a standalone engine management system. Hondata lets you modify the system designed for your engine. You are probably best comparing AEM to Motec or its ilk.

The Hondata system is nice in that it allows you to modify an already mature management system, which takes into account barometric pressure, etc. Take a look at the circuitry on the Honda ECU, there is a lot going on there which is responsible for good gas mileage, reliability and drivability. A drawback I see in the Hondata system is everyone who has them fights with idle. An advantage is, you have a problem, you can call up and talk directly to the people responsible.

[falconGSR]

the whole issue with supporting VTEC is fuel management above and below the crossover point.

the honda ecu can vary the VTEC point based on load, but on a WOT run, on a given engine, the engine will activate VTEC at the same RPM (4400 rpm on my stock '00 GSR).

if you want to move around your VTEC point with the AEM system, i think its best to have completely separate fuel/timing maps for each VTEC crossover point you choose.

you can move the VTEC point around 'on the fly' with Hondata, but some hondata users arent happy with this cause you still have to go and compensate all your hi/lo maps for this change.

i think Hondata is best for people who want the stock VTEC point and just proper fuel/timing compensation for boost etc.

the AEM is MUCH more flexible, MUCH more programmable, and will likely be more difficult to set up.

make your decision based on how involved you want to get with engine management. both are viable options. I am anxious to see how convenient it is to program the AEM system. You have to program the AC compressor cycling if you still have AC etc.
Joe

[94Accord]

I've never seen a Hondata work. But I have watched how EASILY my friend has gotten his built motor (9:1 CR b16) to run w/ 550cc injector. When he 1st got the AEM, he had hte stock injectors, but had the Vortech FMU. He plugged the AEM EMS in, pulled up the base map for a SI, car started right up and idled. Drove around for a week or so @ 7psi. No problems just had to lean it out a bit to adjust for the FMU. Installed the 550 injectors, took off the FMU, raised the boost to 13psi w/ a manual boost controller for now, and added the GM 3Bar map sensor. Car fired right up, once the played w/ the fuel for a few mins (literally) they drove the car around and it hits boost just fine. It traps 83mph in the 1/8 spinning the tires all the way through 1st, 2nd, and most of 3rd, w/ out any tuning on a dyno, just seat of the pants. Once he gets a wideband the AEM can actually tune itself. Just set it up rich, tell it what A/F reading you want and it will adjust the settings to attain that A/F ratio. The AEM EMS will also allow him to use his n20 kit as a spool up kit for when he runs raise gas and bumps the boost up to 22psi.

If anyone has any other questions about the AEM EMS i'll try and answer them.

[cetane]

Well on monday my car is getting a complete over haul, Hondata gasket, fluidyne raditor, water injection (alchol mix), back to 10psi, and the AEM EMS. I will let you know how easy or hard it is.

[CivicR]

I think it depends all on the user of the systems...some people like easy stuff..some people like complex stuff...the person wanting a easy to tune not so complex box may go with the Hondata....a person like me thats a tech head will go with the EMS...there may be less "programs" already done out there...but I feel that the AEM system has more room to grow...there is alot of funtionality with the AEM unit...its just a matter of using it to its fullest...not just slapping it on there and hoping it works with the base "program"...you guys cant forget that these units are not for the "average" user...these are sophisticated units that have the abiliy to control alot of funtions...I think the complexity was lost when the units were introduced to the general consumer market...not just the high-end racers...its just like all the turbo's and SC units out there...you have some people that have major success with them...and then you have the dummies that blow there motor the first time out after they installed and then blame it on the unit not themselves...just remember these engine management units are very complex devices that needs lots of tuning...they are not plug and go like most people think

[DennisGSR]

from doing a litle research I found that the AEM is harder to tune

[lcopas]

Hey DennisGSR,
What do you find that lead you to that conclusion ?

[Hondata]

Some points of clarification.

Start here anatomy of the OBD I ecu to find out some of the major advantages of the stock Honda ECU.

Then ask yourself:

1) Am I going to tune this myself,
2) Do I need to adjust every parameter
3) Is this a track only car

If so the Hondata system may not be for you (even though three of the 5 fastest NA Hondas in the world run Hondata systems, and the US landspeed record at 184 mph is held by 2l Hondata tuned Vortech supercharged Civic)

Feedback from our tuners experienced in tuning many EMS systems is that the Hondata system takes about 1/2 to 1/3 the time to tune. This is mainly due to the stock Honda base maps and easy to use software.

I am the first to say that writing chips is not the most elegant way of making changes, but for someone who has stage 4 and a chip programmer, tunes can be written for NA hondas for as little as $295 and for boosted Hondas $545. These tunes will run just as well as those tuned for a stage 4 and better than any EMS for the reasons listed in the link above. Not to mention way cheaper.

Only a small percentage of our customers but stage 4 systems, the vast majority of our systems are stage 2 and 3.

kannon : We are not aware of any outstanding idle issues since the idle software update last September. Can you please contact me about this

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 15, 2002 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Hondata ]</font>