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Any feedback from anyone to which they think is a better unit ???
I know that the Hondata unit is very popular here on the board - but I have not seen any comments about the AEM unit
Any and all comments are welcome ...
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 11, 2002 05:04 PM: Message edited by: lcopas ]</font>
The Hondata seems like the best tuning route for the price but the AEM isn't too far behind price wise. The AEM however will offer you more all around from what I've read. It depends on what you want to do. It seems like the Hondata is the easiest way to get up and running quickly while the AEM still getting there with the base maps as you have to tune your setup still. I hope that kind of made sense [img]smile.gif[/img] . Hondata is definately a good option though. I'm going with the AEM unit in my Supra.
Guy with a turbo civic around here running the AEM. Seems like a good setup so far, does everything he needs.
I still run an FMU, so i guess im still in the dark on both [img]confused.gif[/img]
Get an AEM EMS unless you want to have to go somewhere and get a chip burnt everytime you make a change. Plus the Hondata is still a piggyback.
What is the best price ya'll have been able to find out there ?
Anyone have any good leads ?
I'll throw my $.02 in. Realize I don't have either, but was thinking the same paths as you. In the end, I'm a band-aid type.
For OBD II, the AEM seeems like a better choice on paper. You don't have to deal with the OBD I conversion for Hondata, and the the AEM functionality appears equal to or more than the 4B from Hondata. Total equipment cost is less than a OBD II 4B. Cost is probably comparable to a OBD II 2B but has much more functionalities. The downside to the AEM is being a guinea pig for lack of base maps and support currently and lack of tuners with experience.
For OBD I, Hondata seems to beat everything hands down due to the low cost, you're not really going to have to hack much up, and there seems to be quite a good deal of support, base maps that work and tuners with experience.
Happy shopping!
What about Link Engine Management Systems? They have stand alone units available and by comparison should out perform Hondata right? Anyone have any info regarding the Link EMS?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 94Accord:
Get an AEM EMS unless you want to have to go somewhere and get a chip burnt everytime you make a change. Plus the Hondata is still a piggyback.</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here is what I know, based on experience (having tested and tuned many managment systems on many different makes of cars):
"Standalone Engine Managment": A microprocessor or discrete component based control unit that recieves all of its inputs directly from an engines sensors, calculates the necessary output requirements (on its own), and sends all of its outputs directly to the engines drivers (injectors, ignition module, VTEC, IAB, etc...). Standalone systems do NOT require any external components to recieve or send input or output signals, unless there are saleable options that can be added.
"Piggyback Engine Managment": A microprocessor or discrete component based control unit that modifys input signals to (or output signals from) a standalone engine managment system. In either case, a piggyback unit will not cause an engine to run on its own.
Now, I read the term "Hybrid" here in refrence to the Hondata system. That's fine for now. Just bear in mind that the Hondata box is not in the input/output stream and does not interpret or change the input or output signals. It does, however, provide the user ability to change parameters that directly affect the microprocessor calculations (IE fuel and ignition maps, among others). This leaves the ECU to run as a standalone unit.
The Hondata external box is connected to Denshikigens factory engineered IO port that originally allowed the Honda engineers to communicate with the *standalone* processor during program execution (for tuning purposes). Hondata played mix and match with the internal data map and uses this port only to protect the Hondata from being hacked. Call it standalone or call it hybrid.. I don't care. But call it inferior to any other standalone system for VTEC systems and you are a Fuc*ing RETARD.... PERIOD.
Go ahead (anyone) and name one other standalone system that allows you to map every ignition and fuel point for BOTH cam profiles at *every* RPM. You can't get that with the PMS, it isn't provided with the Haltech, and even most Motec don't deliver that kind of multicam support (at 5 times the price).
There is only one company (Honda) that has ever supplied the market with a proper engine managment for VTEC engines. Since then, only two companies (Hondata and Zdyne) have provided the market with a fully programmable version of that proper system. We have yet to see if the AEM unit stacks up.
test
Arturbo, are you sure that's not possible with the AEM? From my understanding you could do that but obviously this wouldn't be a simple task until you've done it once.
Also keep in mind that the AEM will do:
-Knock sensor control
-2 step rev limiter for launching
-functionality for NOS control built it (add fuel, change timing, etc)
-ability to adjust fuel/timings maps on the fly for varying conditions (i.e. your base maps you set can be modified when intake temps change, boost change, etc)
-have as many maps as you want and switch without having your laptop do it (put a button or switch on a dash with a digital display to change modes - low boost, high boost, valet, track)
-upgrades ignition spark duration if you wish
-can use wideband O2 sensors directly connected
-EGT can be used by the ECU to kick into a pre-programed cool down or limp mode if you run your car too hard
-user programmable inputs and outputs (like the map adjustments I mentioned...outputs for displaying a number of things...this is huge)
-can monitor fuel pressure in your logging to help troubleshoot
-built in turbo timer (maybe added value to turbo people since you don't need a 100+ dollar unit)
-full control over automatics (not that this is a huge thing for Honda folks)
-essentially unlimited programming for your needs..
I think most of these features are things that are above and beyond what people realize. I also know that some of these features require time to program and setup if you've never done this before but I don't think any stand alone with more and more functionality gets any easier when it's this new. Base maps and trick programs are already being produced for Supras and I'm sure it's going on with Honda stuff in general too. I'm still not saying Hondata isn't the best solution for the price when dialing in a SC'ed GSR but I don't agree with you Arturbo that the Hondata is on par with this EMS.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 12, 2002 03:49 PM: Message edited by: BurntGSR ]</font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 12, 2002 03:52 PM: Message edited by: BurntGSR ]</font>