Side by Side comparison of Power FC w/ datalogit vs AEM EMS!?
10-08-02, 12:36 AM
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Side by Side comparison of Power FC w/ datalogit vs AEM EMS!?
I am getting frustrated in my quest for a engine management system (computer). I'm NOT getting haltech, PMS, E-manage or any of the chip style "remapped to flood your engine with gas without really tuning your car" kind of computers. I have narrowed it down to the Apex'i Power FC with the Datalogit software and AEM's new EMS (engine management system). Both of these are windows based and cost about the same ~$1,300. I want to compare the two and take suggestions, advice and hear about other options that I may not have known about. Hopefully this will enable me to finally decide on which one will better suit my needs and this thread can help others make their decision.
The Apex'i PowerFC is A'PEX's answer to the constraints and limitations associated with most piggy-back style fuel controllers. The Power FC is a complete, stand alone, total engine management system capable of handling virtually anything thrown in its path. From multiple point fuel and ignition control to boost settings. Many FD owners have used this setup to great results.
It's fully programmable fuel, ignition and boost 16 bit computer completely replaces the OEM 8 bit ECU
Tuning parameters include:
. Ignition timing maps for leading and trailing,
. Injector pulse,
. Timing adjustment,
. Fuel / ignition test,
. Boost control,
. Acceleration enrichment compensation,
. Ignition cranking fuel adjustment,
. Injector duty cycle,
. Water temperature correction,
. Rev-limiter control.
All parameters of the vehicle including water temp, oil temp, oil pressure can be monitored from the display.
Datalogit with PowerFC...
BASIC FEATURES
FC-Datalogit is comprised of two parts;
*FC-Box, the hardware interface that goes between your Power FC and a laptop.
*FC-Edit, the software that allows you to alter the settings on the Power FC.
One will not work without the other.
The Datalogit enables you not only to use the normal features of the PowerFC but now opens up a whole new world with that only a few companies had access to. It takes the basic features of the PowerFC and now gives you windows based access enabling you to do some things that you couldn't do with just the commander:
* Read the base fuel map.
* Alter points on the base map in blocks (1x1 2x2 3x3 4x4 etc) select a block with your mouse, type in the desired value, hit enter and all the points in the chosen block are altered.
* # or select a point or block of points and use the +/- key or "shift" +/-.
* # or up load / down load a whole maps (fuel correction, Ingl, Ignt, fuel base).
* # or cut and paste part or all of a map.
* Toggle the trailing ign map between absolute and ign split values.
* Alter the sequential turbo transition points.
* Save all your settings and Read and write some or all.
alter the temperature that you fans come on.
* And best of all...you can un-lock your maps if an Apexi dealer has locked them! (or lock them so they can't be seen with a commander...)
The AEM EMS (Engine Management System)
*Plug & Play Technology - No additional wiring necessary
*Installs in minutes!
*Runs on Windows™ Based Software
*16/32 Hybrid High-Speed Processor
*Base Maps included
*Onboard datalogging
*Sequential Fuel Injection
*Interactive, User-friendly Manual
*Nitrous, Boost and Knock control
*Forced induction compatible
These are just some basic features. I don't believe that the AEM can fit in the stock location like the PowerFC can. AEM comes all packaged together in one box and has a nicer looking Windows display although I don't know how user friendly either of them are. The PowerFC you have to buy separate from the Datalogit equipment but if you have the Datalogit I guess you don't really need the commander.
Are you able to alter the sequential turbo transition points and alter the temperature that you fans come on with the AEM? If anyone can give features that haven't been listed I'd appreciate it, and I guess I will update this post with them.
The Apex'i PowerFC is A'PEX's answer to the constraints and limitations associated with most piggy-back style fuel controllers. The Power FC is a complete, stand alone, total engine management system capable of handling virtually anything thrown in its path. From multiple point fuel and ignition control to boost settings. Many FD owners have used this setup to great results.
It's fully programmable fuel, ignition and boost 16 bit computer completely replaces the OEM 8 bit ECU
Tuning parameters include:
. Ignition timing maps for leading and trailing,
. Injector pulse,
. Timing adjustment,
. Fuel / ignition test,
. Boost control,
. Acceleration enrichment compensation,
. Ignition cranking fuel adjustment,
. Injector duty cycle,
. Water temperature correction,
. Rev-limiter control.
All parameters of the vehicle including water temp, oil temp, oil pressure can be monitored from the display.
Datalogit with PowerFC...
BASIC FEATURES
FC-Datalogit is comprised of two parts;
*FC-Box, the hardware interface that goes between your Power FC and a laptop.
*FC-Edit, the software that allows you to alter the settings on the Power FC.
One will not work without the other.
The Datalogit enables you not only to use the normal features of the PowerFC but now opens up a whole new world with that only a few companies had access to. It takes the basic features of the PowerFC and now gives you windows based access enabling you to do some things that you couldn't do with just the commander:
* Read the base fuel map.
* Alter points on the base map in blocks (1x1 2x2 3x3 4x4 etc) select a block with your mouse, type in the desired value, hit enter and all the points in the chosen block are altered.
* # or select a point or block of points and use the +/- key or "shift" +/-.
* # or up load / down load a whole maps (fuel correction, Ingl, Ignt, fuel base).
* # or cut and paste part or all of a map.
* Toggle the trailing ign map between absolute and ign split values.
* Alter the sequential turbo transition points.
* Save all your settings and Read and write some or all.
alter the temperature that you fans come on.
* And best of all...you can un-lock your maps if an Apexi dealer has locked them! (or lock them so they can't be seen with a commander...)
The AEM EMS (Engine Management System)
*Plug & Play Technology - No additional wiring necessary
*Installs in minutes!
*Runs on Windows™ Based Software
*16/32 Hybrid High-Speed Processor
*Base Maps included
*Onboard datalogging
*Sequential Fuel Injection
*Interactive, User-friendly Manual
*Nitrous, Boost and Knock control
*Forced induction compatible
These are just some basic features. I don't believe that the AEM can fit in the stock location like the PowerFC can. AEM comes all packaged together in one box and has a nicer looking Windows display although I don't know how user friendly either of them are. The PowerFC you have to buy separate from the Datalogit equipment but if you have the Datalogit I guess you don't really need the commander.
Are you able to alter the sequential turbo transition points and alter the temperature that you fans come on with the AEM? If anyone can give features that haven't been listed I'd appreciate it, and I guess I will update this post with them.
Last edited by crai6m4ck; 10-08-02 at 12:56 AM.
08-06-04, 11:46 AM
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i have seen lots of people saying the aem is around 1300 and same with the pfc well i found the pfc for 1100 and i have only found the aem at 1450. where are you getting the prices from?
08-06-04, 12:58 PM
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I prefer the software of the AEM over the PFC. It is extremely flexible and there are lots of little options, such as the ability to measure boost in PSI, kg/cm2 ect, that make it easier to work with. Initially, the AEM software was a bit overwhelming because there are so many options, but now that I've been playing with it for a week I feel more comfortable with it.
The AEM definately has more features than the PFC/datalogit. However, I have also heard that the AEM does not accurately measure timing. A reliable source told me that the timing jumps around at high rpm, even after shiming the crank angle sensors, and raising and lowering them in relation to the timing wheel.
I have not been able to verify this yet. Tomorrow I may purchase a timing light, install my AEM computer with a flat timing map, rev it to 7000, and see if it jumps around. I'm not sure if I can see it jump if it only does so once or twice so I'm not sure how useful that test would be.
I spoke to Mitch at AEM about this. He said the timing is as accurate as the stock ECU (surprise surprise) and if it lost the timing signal it would default to 0 rather than the correct value +/- a few degrees.
The AEM definately has more features than the PFC/datalogit. However, I have also heard that the AEM does not accurately measure timing. A reliable source told me that the timing jumps around at high rpm, even after shiming the crank angle sensors, and raising and lowering them in relation to the timing wheel.
I have not been able to verify this yet. Tomorrow I may purchase a timing light, install my AEM computer with a flat timing map, rev it to 7000, and see if it jumps around. I'm not sure if I can see it jump if it only does so once or twice so I'm not sure how useful that test would be.
I spoke to Mitch at AEM about this. He said the timing is as accurate as the stock ECU (surprise surprise) and if it lost the timing signal it would default to 0 rather than the correct value +/- a few degrees.
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