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View Full Version : Cheaper EMS alternatives / Standalone Alternatives...

steve shadows
06-08-2011, 08:36 PM
Hello All!

I know it's been a while since I have actually posted a thread on here, I am still tuning and helping a lot more lately with remote support and base maps etc,

Lately I have been thinking quite deeply about how to bring the rest of the tuners and tech savy peeps in the Nissan community closer to the idea of using EMS or piggy backs that are more fitting for their power levels, cost effective and also more attractive for beginners or people who aren't looking for a LOT of power (320 and under max levels) or so...

Lately I have been tuning lots of the FIC units remote and also in person and wanted other peoples take or feedback on this piggy back unit, any good outputs or bests with it and any more serious setups running it? Did you disable the top speed limiter separately on the unit etc?

Also Haltech has released a 500 series unit which I was also curious for feedback from users if anyone has used this on SR/KA lately,

Hope to spur some good debate on the cost effective EMS alternatives in this thread and outputs, dyno stories if you have any to match, also any newer systems that fit this price range 400-750 that you like, that would work with KA-T as well as SR and other setups...

Cheers
[email protected]
06-08-2011, 08:39 PM
megasquirting
GroundPerformance
06-08-2011, 08:44 PM
Nistuning.....
nomma
06-08-2011, 09:03 PM
im having a guy just flash the chipset on a u12 for my setup. gonna cost me about 300 because i have to get a wideband o2 system. then buy the ecu and have him tune it. cheapest way ive found.. he's also going to set it up for consult and put a plug and tune port in for it so i can make minor adjustments when needed.
steve shadows
06-08-2011, 09:18 PM
This is excluding nistune or eprom burning,

Looking for units that can be tuned in real time W/O an emulator etc...

FIC has surprised me and I wasn't a big fan of AEM really before that, personally like the Haltech over AEM products...

curious what you guys are paying for megasquirt also anyone else on here who has stories about the tomei unit, I have tuned a few and they were really straight forward and easy to get going but not sure on how price competitive, it might also help to know that haltech builds the units for tomei or that's the word out there...
GroundPerformance
06-08-2011, 09:51 PM
I guess TunerCode doesn't count also.. I've read about AEM FIC really looks good AFC on steriods with timing controls.
Prime
06-09-2011, 01:30 AM
My uncle tuned his Pinto on a Megasquirt V2 board. Dailies fine, no real flat spots or anything. We got it running in the garage, took a couple of runs around the block, then he decided he wanted to tear the interior down for some work. Hasn't been dynoed because of that, and my ass dyno is useless cause the car doesn't weigh a damn thing. But overall it was pretty straightforward, and I think he paid about $400~$500 for pre-built unit plus some goodies.

And yes, I said Pinto. Once tuned, he's looking at around 450 horses out of a turbo 2.3 SOHC. It's even got a body kit. From the 70's. I was blown away. Google "Pinto Pangra" to see the kit.

edit: Random, but I googled it myself, and read an article saying "only 5 intact Pinto Pangras are known to exist"... my uncle has two. Guess that makes 7.
Om1kron
06-09-2011, 02:09 AM
so you're not down with the new aem stand alone unit

EMS-4 Universal Standalone Engine Management System - Wideband O2 UEGO, Water/Methanol, Stand Alone Engine Management, Piggyback F/IC, Tru Boost Controller, Gauges, Automotive Performance Electronics (http://www.aemelectronics.com/engine-management-systems-9/ems-4-universal-standalone-engine-management-system-58/)

???
battle_240sx
06-09-2011, 10:42 AM
my car will be getting a megasquirt unit soon. they are working on some new pnp stuff of the sr20det that they will be testing on my drift car. i dont know all that they are going to do for the ecu but they told me in the last email that they sent me that it will be something new. when i get more details i will post them up.
steve shadows
06-10-2011, 01:39 PM
so you're not down with the new aem stand alone unit

EMS-4 Universal Standalone Engine Management System - Wideband O2 UEGO, Water/Methanol, Stand Alone Engine Management, Piggyback F/IC, Tru Boost Controller, Gauges, Automotive Performance Electronics (http://www.aemelectronics.com/engine-management-systems-9/ems-4-universal-standalone-engine-management-system-58/)

???

This is a solid unit too actually.

The idea is to get an actual EMS, Engine Management System, or Standalone, although I admire the DIYs in my experience the cars that come out best on the dyno...just speaking from ten plus years of tuning here...no need to flame in support of the dinkyier mega/nistune platforms