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At what point does an EMS become necessary?

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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 08:11 PM
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MX_504's Avatar
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From: Atlanta
GA At what point does an EMS become necessary?

Hi all, I've got a '93 Touring with an aftermarket air intake and catback. I'm picking up an aftermarket (reputable brand) SMIC tomorrow. At what point does it become necessary (or heavily advised) to install a standalone EMS or at least a piggyback chip? I've heard both yes and no, and am not quite sure, since it's strictly my daily driver. I may begin doing occasional track days in a couple of years, but for the time being, the car is strictly my daily.

And out of curiosity, what causes the 3K hesitation? Is it just fuel mapping, or turbo timing? Also, mine seems to only really have that hesitation in 3rd gear, and occasionally in second. And the hesitation is sometimes more harsh than pothers, even at the same throttle opening. Any sound explanations for this?

Thank you very much for your time,
Lane
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 09:06 PM
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From: Atlanta, GA
Generally people will say that you are fine with intake, catback, downpipe, and smic if you run 93 octane fuel and are sure your boost pattern stays at the stock 10-8-10 pattern. Once you delete the catalytic coverter, increase boost at all, or run 91 octane with a few mods then it is highly advisable to get an aftermarket ecu and get it tuned.

Remember, a Power FC (esp. used) is MUCH cheaper than an engine rebuild.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 0110-M-P
Generally people will say that you are fine with intake, catback, downpipe, and smic if you run 93 octane fuel and are sure your boost pattern stays at the stock 10-8-10 pattern. Once you delete the catalytic coverter, increase boost at all, or run 91 octane with a few mods then it is highly advisable to get an aftermarket ecu and get it tuned.

Remember, a Power FC (esp. used) is MUCH cheaper than an engine rebuild.
Thank you so much for the help! I'm not 100% positive on the boost pattern, but I know there's a leak, and I'm thinking it's in the accordion piping running to/from the IC, so hopefully this new IC (and hopefully piping) kit will cure that.

I do always run premium. Mazcare in Marietta (the closest shop to me, at 45 minutes away) gave us a quote of roughly $7k for an engine rebuild, assuming they did all of the labor. I've only got about 82k original miles, and fair compression, so I'm looking to get another year or two before a rebuild.

Again, thanks so much for the info, and have a wonderful day/ evening/ tomorrow/ rest of your life!
-Lane
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 0110-M-P
Generally people will say that you are fine with intake, catback, downpipe, and smic if you run 93 octane fuel and are sure your boost pattern stays at the stock 10-8-10 pattern. Once you delete the catalytic coverter, increase boost at all, or run 91 octane with a few mods then it is highly advisable to get an aftermarket ecu and get it tuned.

Remember, a Power FC (esp. used) is MUCH cheaper than an engine rebuild.
This is pretty much it. The stock ECU does not have the fueling capacity past 11-12psi on 91oct. 93oct will run slightly higher than stock boost but on a hot day or if something isn't just right you will have issues. Removing the Catalytic converters is one of the main ways that the boost will naturally run above stock 10-8-10psi.

EB Turbo
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