I'm going to be putting a turbo motor into my gxl soon and I was wondering which EMS was being used by most of you guys. I know everybody says that you should get the EMS that someone in your area can tune, but other than that, is one EMS better than another? I'm currently leaning towards a haltech E6x but I have no idea why. All EMS's seem to have the same stuff, but one has to be preffered ?

 

Updated title to better reflect question

 

Mostly Microtech in Australia, mostly Haltech in the US, and then it drops off to just a smaller amount of people using Electromotive, Wolf, and SDS. Motec is the most common for speedway racing.

They don't all have the same stuff, but they all run the fuel and ignition, which is your main concern. Preferences are based on a lot of issues, such as local support, extra bells and whistles like boost control or closed loop control, or small differences like injector resolution or a certain interface that somebody may or may not like. Basically, what one person likes may not even be a consideration for another person. The important thing is to get an EMS with good local support so you don't have to try and figure it out yourself. Australia is a really long way to tow your car for EMS help.

se and why?

 

It comes down to processor performance, options, and additonal outputs.  User interface is also a huge point, but this is subjective for different people.

They all basically run the same, and they all can make power.  Some of them have their limitations, but usually it's minor.

This is why I stress (local) support is key, because unless you're a pro at this (in which case you wouldn't be asking these kinds of question in the first place), you are going to run into problems trying to get everything to work correctly.  We can only offer so much help with text (or even over the phone), but nothing can compare to have someone there in person helping you troubleshoot problems with your EMS...

With that said and done, I do prefer Haltech systems for performance for the price and ease of use.



-Ted

 

Microtech. Cheaper, does what you need, and 99% of people use 1% of the features of the Haltec. At least, in my opinion...

 

wow. this thread pulled in some heavy hitters! Thanks for the advice guys, Evil, Ted and Aaron. The microtech or the haltech are both big names and I will start to research their respective levels of support in my area. One more question though, I know there are a couple of different haltechs and microtechs, which is best of each of these EMS's? E6K, E6X, lt8? Thanks again for the help.

 

E6k is the predecessor to the E6x and the LT8 is basically the only microtech ECU you'd think about for your 13b, you could get the ltx8 which comes with built in ignitor so you can use normal bosch coils, you can also get a 3-bar sensor equipped lt(x)8.

 

Best is what you can get support for locally.
The ECU is only as good as the tuner.
GOOD ECU's can perform like crap if not tuned correctly.
A BAD ECU can perform well when tuned well.

Some limitations for the E6X verus the Microtech LT8...
E6X does staging versus load only; Microtech is load and RPM.
LT8 cannot handle some of the very high injector sizing staggers that are popular - i.e. 550 primary/1600 secondary; E6X has no problem with this combination.
E6X has dual map capability and user selectable trigger.
E6X has better resolution on fuel and ignition maps.
E6X requires laptop for connection; Microtech has hand-held controller or laptop option (be aware that the laptop "dongle" might cost extra).
LT8 is able to use all stock sensors; E6X can use some of Mazda sensors, but requires it's own air temp sensor at minimum.
E6X uses GM-type sensors, which are very economical to replace; LT8 uses stock Mazda sensors which can be very expensive to replace.
E6X can be user configured to use on other vehicles; LT8 needs to be sent back to Microtech (AUS) to reconfigure internally for other vehicle use.
E6X "kit" price around $1,200; LT8 "kit" price about $900.


-Ted

 

where can i find these tuners around my area? the phonebook? on the net somewhere?

 

Ask around online?
Houston, TX right?
RP is in-state, and they are Haltech dealers.
bdc196 is also in-state, and I know he does at least Haltechs also.



-Ted

 

thanks ted, i'll check the south forum too. i was hoping there would be an MT tuner around here, but i guess i'll have to go with the haltech. it's all good though. as long as i get it tuned right then that's all that matters.

i'll pm and ask a few people. i have a few friends that would like to go stand alone(not rotary related), but can't find anyone.

 

Thanks Ted, The info you supplied is really the kind of info I was looking for. From what you've given me, I'd say that the microtech is probably my choice. I like the fact that it uses the stock sensors and its a little cheaper too. Now this of course depends on whether or not I can find a good tuner. Do you know any in the NY area?

 

NY?
How close are you to KDR?


-Ted

 

Just a quickie, IIRC, _all_ LT8s are laptop programmable now only the old MT8s were not.

 

Yeah, but I heard the MT-series are all discontinued right now, so it's redundant info.

The LT-series still requires that stupid dongle, and some places charge extra for it.  RX-7 Store has it included with the price though.



-Ted

 

That was my point about the redundant info, but yeah now I can see what you really ment about the 'dongle', I thought they all now came with it, however I could very well be wrong..

 

Where's KDR? Is that the one in Maryland? If it is, I am not close but it might be worth the drive.

 

sorry Therx7ist, don't mean to hijack, but since we're on the same topic....

i checked MT's website. i also tried to call them, but i can't find their number. it says their closest dealer from me is tallahasee, FL. and out of the whole "dealer" list there is only about 3-5(i think) in the whole country... is that ALL? sucks for the guys who really want to go the MT way..

 

It's really all about personal preference...Ted mad e very good pointj about tuning, it is the absolute key. My brother and the techs at Z-1 have a lot of experience with the electromotive TEC2 and even the new TEC3. When the time comes, thats my choice...even a car well tuned on piggybacks will be more driveable and more powerful than a poorly tuned standalone.

 

Well it isn't an american product, theres heaps of dearlers in Australia, we can't help it if americans can't see a good product when it hits them in the face...

Call around a few of the shops with dynos in your area, even if they're not dealers that might still be familiar with tunning them.

 

Uh, what about you Aussies have a problem trying to set-up a proper distributor network in the US?  Microtech isn't the only one - Haltech and Wolf have fucked up trying to get a real dealership network established in the US for years.



-Ted

 

Haha it was a joke but anyway...
I thought Haltech had a reasonable support network over there? 'The hitman' spent a fair bit of time over there didn't he?
I don't know much about the internal working of these companies but i'd have to assume its more about the demand for the product rather than them '******* up' these chances to have a good dealer network in the US...

But im certainly not going to stand up for these companies, they obviously have enough business to keep alive and well.

Enlighten me about these **** ups on their part though, havn't heard that before, im interested.

 

hahah, I forgot smileys in there.

Haltech dropped their Haltech USA office a couple years ago.
It was a huge fiasco on why they were dropped.

Wolf was going through a couple guys (forgot their names - Ron? & ?) for USA distribution, but those guys fucked everything up too.  So Wolf has not USA center either.



-Ted

 

Ahh...good 'ole Ron Foreman. Let's not even go there.....

 

Ron Foreman!
hahha, someone's got a good memory.


-Ted