I'm sure a lot of forum members would like to hear some first hand reports on the AEM on an FD. So what's the verdict? Worth it? How would you compare/contrast it to what you currently have?

 

getting one installed at kdr right now...let you guys know when i get the car back....

 

I really want to hear about mounting this thing since. Is it true that it does not fit in the stock location?

 

Seen this posted in another thread somewhere here too. I can't believe that they would actually do that, make an ECU to replace the stocker and it won't even fit in the same place. I can only hope that this is just a rumor. If not, I'll wait for the 2nd edition (the one that they will make to fit) to come out.

Frank

 

No, it doesn't fit exactly in the stock location.

If you cut away at a small bracket piece that was used to mount the stock ECU bracket, you could fit it in the stock location.

I'm not finished with my mounting, but I wedged the ECU in there and held it down with some wires and the plastic kick panel cover.

That's probably the worst side of the installation.

It took me about 15 minutes to do the whole swap.
Turn the key and the car started and when it warmed up, it was idling better than the G-force ECU.
I drove around and datalogged for about 4 miles.

That's incredible considering a stand alone EMS with base maps.

J

 

I would expect more feed back than this. I guess everyone is to busy racing eh. So whats the words? yes, no, maybe?

 

What mods do you have?

 

Big mods:
GT35/40
SX FPR
Two fuel pumps (forgot the vendor name)
1050cc secondaries (waiting for 1600cc or higher volume injectors and going 850cc on primary)

The base maps will lean out beyond 5psi from 4500rpm and higher. Cold start doesn't work that well with my set-up (simplified vacuum spider and solenoids).

I'll have more feedback as soon as I get more time to work on the car. The interface is completely new to me as I'm used to the E6K DOS program. The AEMPro has many more features and options.

J

 

I have been using the AEM for a couple of weeks with very good results, the car is mostly all stock at this time.

More mods to come though.

The AEM is super configurable, the software takes a little getting used to, but once you use it for a bit it's no problem.

Would like to hear more feed back on this unit also.

Any body checked out their Forum?

 

I concur. The base map is complete crap. The cold start is tuned completely wrong, and it is not safe to run the car above 5PSI. Tip in is tuned poorly, as are the accel enrichments.
On the positive side, the software appears very powerful. This ecu is an algorythm crunching machine, with some big processing power that enables functions not conceivable on other ECU's.
It is a shame that some twit at AEM that probably tuned his own car with NO tuning knowledge gave a thumbs up to the program and released it for public consumption. Bad idea. People will blow up cars with the base program. I hope they are humble enough to accept my proprosed changes. I will make my program available to the forum as soon as I install the unit in a basically stock car and tune it.
Until a few of us on the forum can offer some maps, I would stick with the PFC. Too bad Apex can't fill stock on the PFC's fast enough -- the Datalogit has made it a VERY powerful piece. We are blessed to have such an inexpensive/powerful/tunable combination available for our cars.
I'm gonna go make a mess of the AEM forum now with my constructive criticism!


George

 

WTF I think Jason at AEM has done a awsome job. I haven't seen the FD unit or map first hand so I will say nothing about the map other than I think he has put alot of time and effort into bringing the AEM to the fd and I never seem to use comas, ops. well has anyone with a stock fd dynoed with the AEM yet so we can see if what exit 13b says is right. Cuz a big company like AEM and a great guy like Jason, why would it be so off??????

 

We pointed out the things we've seen with our set-up first hand. It requires a little modification here and there as ANY EMS would. On the plus side, the EMS and software are very powerful.

If you haven't used the base map or run it, then how do you know if he did an awesome job on it???
I agree that the hardware and PnP works fairly well.

No offense, but how can you comment on something you haven't used yet? I'm not denying your experience with aftermarket EMS and AEM's quality, but you have no basis for your comments.

Another thing to note, the serial port fell off the case. Fortunately, I got it to mount back on without taking the AEM unit apart (voiding warranty).

J

 

Exit,

Did you lower the crank fuel or pulse maps? How about the warm enrichment?

I haven't been able to find much time to mess with it, but I want to see if I can smooth out the cold start tonight and any suggestion will help.

J

 

Did no one read the little flyer that came with the unit stating specifically that the unit was tuned for starting purposes only, and that was done so no one would take their car and take it out and blow it up. A lesson that was obviously learned from the Honda guys thinking the base maps were meant to be raced with untuned. So before you start jumping to conclusions and thinking someone at AEM doesn't know what they are doing READ.

 

damon1 is right about the base map and all I am saying is that I have a good Idea of how much time Jason at AEM has put into it. and sure the base map could use some work. I have never met anyone who was completey have with any map even after alot of tuning. I just thing your judging was alittle harsh. No pun intended.

 

How am I harsh? If you READ my posts, you'll see that I mentioned that it'll need tuning and most people know (or any semi intelligent person) that base maps are a starting point and not the end all map. I think it's so damn rudimentary, we'll move on to other impressions.

Don't mean to deviate, but take my impressions for what you want. People are inquiring about this unit and I'm giving my impression after spending cash on a new EMS. I opted for AEM instead of Haltech in order to learn a different EMS (it's fun!). So, if you want to give me heat for my explanation, have at it. It's annoying when I try to help others by giving my experience with a product (AEM or GT35/40 or what not).

btw, it's fairly safe to run 5psi on low rpms with this map (whether it's lean or not).

Ok.... it's out of my system.

The units option is very cool. You can enter factors and scale your own units (kPa, psi, C, F, etc). The datalogging is very cool and gives several types of displays/readouts.

I haven't figured out the cold start yet, but when I get more time on the car, I should be able to nail it.
I'm sure cold starting and the upper portions of fuel and ignition will need some tuning for any FD (ranging from minor with stock to major with single turbos).

There isn't much for a write-up since it's very straight forward (PnP). I can say that for a base map, you can be up and cruising (NOT boosting) in no time at all.
Autotuning isn't ready yet, but I think it'll help map the low end boost and cruising.

I'll get some tuning after I install a ported engine in the FD.

J

 

this is where thought you where harsh. I didn't mean to affend you. You seam to take it very personal. I have messede with the software, I have not seen the map yet. but to say it is complete crap.

ok well I am sorry if I said the map might not be all the crappy and thay AEM did a great job biulding a plug and play stand alone. maybe it is crap. You seam to take it to the heart so I withdraw my statement.

 

No offense taken. But you're qouting somebody else, not me dude.

I never said it was crap and Justin from PTP told me that Jason put in a lot of work.

Like I said before, the PnP and base maps are very impressive for starting out.

I sidetracked last night and tried to figure out why my friend's FC is not starting as smooth as my ol' FC (both Haltech E6K based). I'm afraid the engine is toast since he did a few runs around and above 20psi on pump fuel.

J

 

sorry ajax I was juast talking about what exit13b said. but it appears it all got out of hand. I hope I didn't hurt anyones fealings.

 

Sorry guys.. I don't have time to post like I used to! Here is all I have so say about the base map: AEM had a specific goal to kick the PFC's a**. From a hardware perspective, they have accomplished this; however, they have fallen short on the programming side. The greatest feature of the PFC is that it is programmed so well that you can install it on a car with given mods and experience great results without further refinement. The maps are slightly rich, the timing is conservative, and tuning reveals this hidden power. As an added benefit, the ECU can be installed on a completely stock car with GREAT results: power is increased, driveability is better, etc, etc. Now, how is it acceptable that a vehicle specific ECU does not even meet the criterea of a stock ECU? Really! Is it asking too much to be able to install this ECU on a stock car and drive it agressively without fear of blowing your engine? Let me assure you that if a STOCK car recieved this ECU, and was then driven in a mildly agressive manner (read, above 5 PSI) it would only last a few MILES? Sorry... there is no excuse for this.
In addition, I am personally looking for an ECU that can be shipped in quantities such that there are never any shortages. AEM seems equipped for this, so they just need to correct the base maps! They directly insult the PFC, and Apex's handling of the PowerExcel dealers, etc -- this leads me to believe they are trying to compete with the PFC. This would be great! Just deliver a product that can be applied to the same vehicles with the same results!
Uggh, at least submit base maps that are grossly rich so that we have to tune fuel OUT of the car -- not the other way around! This is violating a fundamental rule of tuning!! Always start with extra fuel, and work towards lean.
I'm done. I hope someone else will take over where I left off. I have nothing bad to say about AEM, the people at AEM, or the hardware. The base map is bad -- that's all! I hope they have the sense to put some money into the base maps. I am going to post my maps on their forum. I hope they are humble enough to accept the needed changes. To everyone else, BE CAREFUL! If you drove your car with a broadband on a daily basis you would FEAR driving your car with the base map....
Hope I didn't upset anyone -- I am only here to inform and help!

 

My car will be done shortly and Jason is going to be tuning it. I can't wait! With the nitrous i'm hoping for mid to upper 600's. His car made 680rwhp and i've got a very similar setup. I'll let everyone know how it goes......good or bad......although good is always a plus

 

I will add that the base maps near idle will need to be leveled out. I had dips on the low rpm low vacuum area of the map. It's easy to smooth out, just need to pay attention to it.

J

 

How many people with an FD are running the new AEM unit?
I am trying to figure out what ECU to go with... I currently have no experience with tuning a ECU but that doesn't mean I don't want to learn. My current mods are in my sig...and I am looking at getting cat-back, upgraded radiator, 1300cc injectors, and I have a profec B on the way. I will eventually probably get M2's twin turbo setup...eventually.
How should I determine what ecu to go with? People seem to advocate the Haltec (I have done searches) but people with the other ones seem to like them just fine also.

any input would be wonderful
-D

 

If you do not have anyone to help you. I would suggest the PFC. The AEM unit is very nice but there is a HUGE learning curve if you do not have any experience tuning. This is the boat I am in now. However, I am leaving my self plenty of time to learn.

 

How long do you think it takes to learn? How helpful is the manual (for AEM)? Is there someplace to learn what all the adjustable parameters signify and what on our cars that affects?