What do you guys reccomend for a stand-alone ecu system? It's a pretty heafty purchase on all of them, and before I buy I want to know if any of you have any opinions on these... Right now i'm leaning towards the apexi fc.

-late

 

I'm pretty sure most would say the best is the AEM EMS but i've heard many good things about UTech's aswell.

 

AEM all the way. I have seen it and it has amazing things.

 

bang for your buck - SAFC II
best unit - Utec or AEM EMS

don't forget the reflashes that many have available. Sometimes the standalone system is more than a typical driver will ever use.

 

I may be biased, but before you do anything, be honest about your goals. Is this your daily driver? Do you have any expertise in EFI tuning... do you plan on learning? Will you be upgrading your turbo? You get the idea. The AEM unit is excellent, so is the HKS as far as stand alone units. But be prepared to lose a bit of the stock features/drivability...(cold start, security, etc..) Flashes and piggyback units retain the stock features but they are somewhat limited in functionality. Do your homework and you can make a more informed decision.

Hope that helps a little.

Good luck.

-J

 

Aem is the most versatile, it offers some features others do not. I went through what you are doing right now, did alot of research and went with the AEM in the end.

Shane

 

Well, yes the car is a daily driver right now, but I really wan't to get into EFI tuning, because many people no nothing about it, and fine tuning a car can make all the difference. Basically all i wan't is the freedom to tune my car to each individual modification i make, and keep everything running in harmony. I see many people that buy bolt-on after bolt-on and make their car slower.

 

Get the xede fro Vishnu.

 

I'd say go UTEC. That is my plan. Do some searching and read up about it here and on Turbo XS's website. It is a piggy back so it keeps the stock drivability but it has the ability to control many of the things that a true standalone can, for about a quarter to a half of the price. It may not be quite as versatile as the AEM but it is very easy to tune and I think it would be a good entry-level unit to help you learn about tuning. The gains it gives are very impressive and it is MUCH easier to install and tune than the EMS. None of this is my personal experience (I'm buying one Tuesday), but it does come from research and the personal experience of some members on this borad. Plus, it costs way less than the EMS and about as much as the XEDE for the same performance (more or less). I was stuck between the EMS and UTEC for a while, but I finally decided that (much like you) my car is a daily driver, I don't know enough to tune the EMS to its full capability, plus price was a big factor as well. So I went UTEC. Who knows, maybe the EMS is a better option for you, but I feel like you and I are more or less in the same boat. FWIW.

 

Thanks alot for the responces and suggestions, i'm gonna lookin into both of those units very deeply.. i'll let u know if i end up buying :P

 

How much extra power do you actually get form the AEM over AFC? I was looking at the dyno day AEM from turbotrix and one guy on BR Stg4 + AEM put down 378whp/348tq on pump gas 22psi.

I have YET to see a number such as that on pump gas w/o AEM.
Not to say there cant be or wont be but just how much better is the AEM?!?!

I had a VPC setup on my 90AWD Talon and it was great but it was no standalone. I always wanted AEM but could never afford it. Now that I can, I donthave anything to put it on!!! yet...