ArGH! anyone have any suggestions to people that are new to aem ems. I am an IT support tech so Im very computer literate. I just have no idea how to do anything with this system, and to be completely honest Im slightly intimidated. The thing makes me feel stupid. Im not about to attempt to tune it, but I just need to get it started so I can take it to my tuner. or should I just trailer it there.

 

Every EMS I've messed with has base maps in it for the car. Load one of those and drive it carefully to a tuner that knows the EMS. They can be quite complicated. I've also found AEM's tech support to be very helpful. They might be able to help you lay down a base map so you can at least drive the car.

 

http://forum.aempower.com/bbs/index.php

research this site thoroughly.

 

its less complicated than it looks. it all depends on what you know about engine managment and tuning it. if your unsure leave it to someone that knows. its pretty easy to get into trouble quick. bugg j-dogg, he's an aem *****

 

Be sure to read all the instructions manuals that come with it. EFI basics, AemLog Users manual, and the Aempro users guide. I had to read them and skim over them a few times and it really helps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by allMotor93Hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Be sure to read all the instructions manuals that come with it. EFI basics, AemLog Users manual, and the Aempro users guide. I had to read them and skim over them a few times and it really helps.</TD></TR></TABLE>



pick up that big thick manual, sit down and read it carefully. Think of it as your "favorite harry potter for techies" book.

Dont rely on the fact that you're computer literate since this really has nothing to do with computers and more to do with engine theory.

 

thanks guys for all the help. I'm gonna start reading the pdf's that aem software provided and Im gonna spend a lot of time in the aem forums.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludetech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks guys for all the help. I'm gonna start reading the pdf's that aem software provided and Im gonna spend a lot of time in the aem forums.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ask lots of questions. specific questions we can help you with. like they said, read everything, wait a while, then read it again! it took me a long time to get my car dialed in with the EMS. but it should be smoother for you now that they arent releasing beta versions of the software every 3 months as you try to use it.

what version are they running now...still 1.03?

is this a street car?

 

I work in it also I know how you feel. I remember when I first started playing with my ems a few years ago. I was like hum what does this do.

I guess first thing maybe post your setup or what type of car it is going into the box you have ie 1000 or whatever. Then maybe someone on here will be nice enough to give you a base map that is similar to your setup and you can go from there.


Do you have a wideband by chance?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by falconGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what version are they running now...still 1.03?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They are at version 1.11 now..

 

Oh another thing I forgot. Keep your stock ecu for a while. That way when you blow a coil driver or burn out an ICM you can plug your stock ecu back in and see if the car sparks. It will save you a **** load of trouble shooting and time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by underpressure02 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh another thing I forgot. Keep your stock ecu for a while. That way when you blow a coil driver or burn out an ICM you can plug your stock ecu back in and see if the car sparks. It will save you a **** load of trouble shooting and time. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree.. But if you blow out the ICM then no ecu is going to help you.. Thats why it is eaiser to just run the EMS into a MSD box so you dont need the ICM all together..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by underpressure02 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh another thing I forgot. Keep your stock ecu for a while. That way when you blow a coil driver or burn out an ICM you can plug your stock ecu back in and see if the car sparks. It will save you a **** load of trouble shooting and time. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly. Keep your stock ecu and stock injectors just in case you have to swap the AEM out. I've had to do that twice already.

The AEM LOOKS complicated but isn't as bad as it looks. There are certain things in there that you will never use. As soon as you determine what those features are it'll get a lot easier. You can't really judge the complexity of it by looking at the interface anyway. Once you start making changes with it in the car you'll figure out what does what.

Have a reputable tuner do the WOT tuning and have him get the part throttle almost perfect. I almost guarantee you'll have to fine tune idle, cold start, and part throttle yourself to get it where you want it. Just remember UNDO (control-z) is your best friend.

 

That is some good advice. Do keep your stock ECU. I also try to keep a stock dizzy handy. It makes diagnosing problems soo much easier.

The EMS is not all that hard to tune. There are soo many features, but most of them you don't even use. The best thing to do is just read up on it, and ask questions. There are a lot of people on here that are willing to help.

If you need any help just call me at the number below or hit me up via AOL. I'll be glad to roll down to your area and help you out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by underpressure02 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh another thing I forgot. Keep your stock ecu for a while. That way when you blow a coil driver or burn out an ICM you can plug your stock ecu back in and see if the car sparks. It will save you a **** load of trouble shooting and time. </TD></TR></TABLE>
uhhh, alright Im a noob please help me.
when I blow a coil driver? first off what is a coil driver and why will I blow it?
What do you mean by blow out an ICM? what is an ICM?

also I do not have a wideband yet. I don't know which one to get

 

if you dont know anything about tuning then i would HIGHLY suggest that you get someone who is knowledgable to help you or just pay to have a professional tune it for you, i cant speak for all tuners, but normally i will go over the software with the customer and teach them what they need to know to tweak the tune as needed. its almost impossible to get a perfect tune in one or 2 days.

as for the wideband, imo go with the cheapy non guage type aem wideband, works great and is very simple.

 

haha i think everybody feels the same way when they first get their ems. I wouldn't even try to start it if you don't know for sure if all your settings are ok. There must be someone locally who could help you. Spend your time reading thru the ems forum and all the manual updates. Its important that you understand exactly what each setting does and what each map means specifically.