Hey guys,
Havent seen the topics lately. I dont know if this was posted already, but does anybody know about the new aem engine management? Is it like the Power FC-more user friendly or like haltech and alike, which are all out for hardcore tuners, not that the Power FC is for a begginer.
Any info would be greatly appreciated
Erik

 

Erik,
We just received some flyer info on that item. From what I can tell, (they aren't descriptive) it is designed and priced like a DFI setup, but is more geared for the average user. More to come as I hear it. FWIW, my AEM guy told me that it kicks *** over the Power FC, but what do you think he would say, "no, this thing really sucks..."

 

thanks for the info, Dave. I guess the product is too new to make any conclusions or decisions. But we'll see, AEM has a good rep.
Erik

 

There's some info on it here:

http://ferrari.colowatch.com/php/sho...sb=5&o=0&part=

Looks to be pretty decent.

Mike

 

Wow, didnt expect it to be that expensive. Up to $3400, that more than the Power FC i beleive, so we should expect it to be much more capable, but its prob not gonna be the unexpensive Motec replacement.
Erik

 

Overpriced. Overrated.

Go with Hondata. Best system you can buy for the money.

Just get a bunch of guys together to go in on a stage 4.. then everyone else get a stage 2. That's the cheapest way you can go, and in my opinion.. Hondata pisses on the Power FC. I've messed around with both of 'em. Hondata rocks.

 

Sorry to rag on you but don't you think you should give the AEM a chance?

Personaly I'd like more info on it, but I realize that it is still very new and that good "qualified" info will be hard to get.

Being in the market for one of these "drop-in" ECUs makes this a very interesting topic for me.

Regards,

 

Does the Hondadata ecu use all the origional sensors as well... I hear the AEM does...

 

Hondata is a plug and play unit, and utilizes all OE sensors.

Considering the similarities, the AEM unit is $1500.00 I think, and the Hondata is $1195.00 for the full stage 4.
But if you have a friend with a stage 4 all you need is the stage 2, which is $395.00 I think.

Much more cost-effective if you ask me.

 

Of course, once you add in the price of an OBD1 ECU and a harness adapter, you're pretty much at the same price! It will probably come down to if you want some of the Hondata extras, like launch control and full-throttle shift.

Mike


[Modified by TypeR_126, 10:31 PM 11/11/2001]

 

Good point. I overlooked that because I am putting Hondata in my 92 CX which is already OBD1...

umm.. yeah for a ITR I guess there are a few options with equivalent perks..

 

You have to burn new chips each time for the Hondata. the Zdyne just lets you reprogram, thats prolly what i'll end up with.


[Modified by Crossett, 9:45 AM 11/12/2001]

 

Power FC

 

The Power FC has definitely been the popular king of the hill lately as far as programmable ECUs go, and at $1300 it is a good buy!

BUT the Power FCs biggest weakness is in the software support for us English-speaking folks. If the AEM is everything it looks like it is then it will give the Power FC a good run for it's money. And with the software there the AEM might just come out on top. Time will tell. Personally I think that Apex has dropped the ball on this side of the market. The power FC is not even on their web site

Oh, and a question for those that might know: Can the AEM (or PowerFC for that matter) use the wide-band Honda O2 sensors to run closed loop?

I know that the AEM pro kit does but they don't mention if their drop in kit does or not. This is a big deal because if this is possible then we can finally hook up a true O2 sensor to the ECU and tune fuel ratios off the dyno.

Regards,

 

Just spoke with a tech at AEM this is what he said:

The PnP version does support UEGO Honda's wide band O2 sensor. This means that the ECU will not only be able to run closed loop in higher air/fuel ratios (i.e. fewer emissions and better mileage) but also be useful as an accurate air/fuel meter for tuning purposes. Not sure if the PowerFC has this or not.

The units will be available in early 2002

The preliminary pricing is: $1868 for the PnP and $2368 for the full race system.

The systems will also be pre programmed with mappings for specific models (i.e. GSR, TypeR, Si, etc.)

There will also be some sort of dashboard display available.

That's all I looked into.

Regards,

 

PREPROGRAMMED is Good.

 

What's the difference between the PnP version and the full race version?

 

PnP version will plug into the factory wire harness. The full race version uses a universal connector. AEM says that the internals are the same. You may have to do some custom wiring if you want to take advantage of some of the "extra" features in the PnP version because the factory harness doesn't carry all the signals (i.e. Exhaust Gass Temperature, Wide-Band 02 sensor).

There isn't much info on these systems yet because they have not been released. Early December for the Pro kit and early 2002 for the PnP kits.

Regards,

 

actually you can get a rebrnable chip for hondata. Just thought i would let you know.

 

Yes but AEM is on the fly all the time, not when you have your Stage 4 or you buddies stage4 waiting to burn a new chip.

 

AEM= Good stuff

A True Standalone ecu that has no limits, data logging, Plug and Play(uses factory harness), windows OS, 32 bit system.

$1480 -Doing a groupbuy, Reserves your today.

Haltech = 1,400 with all nessary componets (map sensor, terminal harness etc) And offcourse tuning on dyno .~170/hour

Hondata= 1,100 BUT you will need a 0bd2 to obd1 harness(~$250) from skunk2 or others and then a obd1 ecu(~$300). (For you force induction people it can only support up to 20psi's i think)

 

aem sounds good so far