AEM EMS in S13 KA-T good or bad idea?

[Knotmaster]

Im going KA-T and am going small right now but full build latter and would like to know some feed back on wether or not I should go ahead and buy a stand alone (AEM EMS) or a piggyback system (SAFCII, E manage) What do you think?

[Edub1]

Not trying to flame but that's kind of a dumb question. The stand alone is obviously superior by light years - it just costs a lot.

If you have the $$$ go stand alone. Myself and a few others are going with the MegaSquirtII. $410 complete from DIY autotune - I'd check that out first.

[480sx]

AEM EMS obviously is a hard core tuning system, but then again so is Megasquirt. However, with the aem unit its a direct plug and play. It also costs over a grand...

Im not gona lie, megasquirt is no cake walk. Wiring it up was strait forward, but extensive and time consuming. However thats the easy part. I just got mine running, and tuning it is quite the learning experience(that im still in the middle of, BUT SHE RUNS! ^^) Do alot of research before you go with it though. For your first tuning project im gona have to say MS might not be for you, again, its really extensive. Also, im fairly confidant that if you took your MS powerd turbo car to a tuning shop they probably wouldnt know what to do with it. Its not a widely used tuning system... I kinda feel like im really far out on a limb with it so far. DIY auto tune has the best customer service i have ever dealt with, but still, apart from them i feel like im all alone. It all depends on your set of skills, and your confidence level when dealing with cars/electronics.

A piggyback controller will get you into, and past 300 hp with ease. SAFC2 and a data-logging Wideband o2 system is the easiest way to learn how to tune yourself. The main limit of a piggyback controller is the ignition system. A piggyback controller simply cant control your ignition the way you need it to over a certain HP/ boost level. However, again, unless your going for massive amounts of boost/hp a piggyback controller will suit you fine.

Hope this helps

[S13FX]

Like stated above, learning how to tune on a piggy back with lower hp goals from the beginning is a great learning experience. It may seem like a waste of money in the beginning, but think about the money you will save if you learn slowly.

Other then jumping the big gun right away and blowing the engine every 1k miles, now that can get expensive.

[Edub1]

480, do you have the MSII and are you running it in conjunction with a WBO2 sensor? What problems are you encountering?

[Florida240sx]

Enthalpy ECU $500

[S13FX]

Enthalpy ECU $500

True, very easy, reliable way to do it. But then again you won't learn anything, and every time you want to retune it will cost you $100 bucks.

[Agent 47]

Safc+wbo2 if your power goals are within its safe limits or hold off until the new AEM FIC is released, if it isn't already.