Hey everyone, new to the s2k world, but recently picked up a 2002 with AEM v1 EMS and an Inlinepro stroker motor. This all came about after deciding it needs a good tune since idle and starts are rough, unreliable when hot, problems starting when hot and with AEM the temp gauge is useless. So my options are get the old AEM tuned or spring for the KPro. Here are the pros for and cons I see based on my research/opinions so far:

AEM:
-Already installed, tune will be around a $1000
-Can have the car back in a day or 2

but
-Will not pass NC emissions
-Seems less reliable as a daily driver option
-Old system and serial connections
-EMS Customization option overload

KPro:
-OEM like reliability
-OEM gauges will work
-Will pass NC emissions
-Simpler to modify (i.e. less stuff for me to mess up!)

But:
-Will cost double or triple the AEM tune to get the ECU, tune, extra AP2 parts installed
-Car will out for a week

So cost is always a factor, but not sure if it is worth it to just deal with the AEM, and scramble to find a way to pass emissions each year and hope I don't overheat the car, or suck it up and go Kpro and pay to have no (or less) worries. What do you guys think?

 

get kpro.

 

i highly doubt it will cost 2 or 3 g's to get the car tuned on k-pro bro, youre probably looking at around 1500, which is only 500 bucks more than you were getting ready to pay...my advice is to shop around to find the best prices for the parts...its your better option because everyone ive ever know to run AEM EMS eventually went the Hondata route...and im partial to hondata anyway...it has never let me down, ever

 

IMO your final result is going to depend mostly on who you have tune the car. The AEM unit is without a doubt much more involved to tune than Kpro. You will also have to deal with the occasional random problems with the AEM EMS's if you stay with the AEM. The Kpro route seems to be a much more reliable setup for a daily driver, plus more tuners are familiar with Kpro and can get you a great tune without too much time on the Dyno.

 

I would stick with the AEM, but Kpro is also a solid unit.

Only thing that bothers me about the AEM is the injector drivers that go bad, and that it's not obd2 compliant.

AEM is easier to use, is more hands on and much more detailed.
Kpro is obd2 compliant, easier to tune, not as user friendly, I think.

They both have their pros and cons, but you already have the AEM so just stick with it. No point in ditching it now if it's fine still. Just get a good tune and enjoy it.

Plus you won't need to buy all the extra parts that you would need to get the Kpro working efficiently

FWIT i have the AEM version 1 and vie had absolutely no problems with it. You just need to get a competent tuner. The worst that can happen is the injector driver failure, which really is not that bigof a deal and can be fixed for $80 bucks straight through AEM. My car is daily driven, full race turbo'd pushing 460whp. Never had a problem.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like i may be able to get the AEM tuned for a little less, Another option would be to tune the AEM, enjoy it for a year then try and sell her to some lucky SC or FL resident who doesn't have to jump though these dang ODB2 testing laws.

 

I'm on the same boat as you OP. Have AEM but trying to decide if its really worth going KPro. I've decided that for now I'll just stick to the AEM until it fails and I'm forced to make the switch or I magically come up with $2.5K

 

Yeah Vic another option I'm weighing since I don't have boost or nitrous is to get a stock ecu and injectors and change them out before inspection each year. Just don't know if an ECU from ebay will work with the immobilizer on the car. Really a PITA these emissions are.

 

That might be a good option you should ask around on S2Ki, there are a few sponsors on there that also part out cars so I'm pretty sure you could get a new ECU, immobilizer, and key for pretty cheap.

 

ARGH after looking at the stock ECU swap option, looks like if I get a new stock ECU, imobilizer and key to crank the car, the next issue would be the CEL for the Wideband UEGO I have installed for the AEM. So I would have to swap the O2 sensor too. Got an email from inline pro that the injectors should be ok with the stock ECU but that is another unknown.