First of all, I'm in no way affliated with Vishnu, Works or Greddy, but I have been doing tremendous research on these 3 engine management systems. I'm going to need help from you guys to point out if I'm wrong on my facts which could change my decision making.

XEDE - the most expensive of the lot over $1000 including software + harness + shipping. The features of the XEDE is so far the best of all compared to the other 2. It has 20 customizable RPM points and can do +/- 30% injector load on the fuel map. It has other features like boost control, intercooler spray control which can activate the intercooler spray at certain MAF loads, and NOS control? I haven't heard shiv say anying about the XEDE in relation to NOS, but it is a feature of the XEDE. It's almost a magical piggyback, probably the best in the market except for one bad point - it can't support injectors bigger than 660cc.

eManage - eManage costs about $500 including harnesses and software. It only has 5 rpm points??? (correct me if I'm wrong please) and can do only a +/- 20% injector duty. I asked around and it seems that the eManage supports injectors greater than 660cc.

Works Reflash - $500. It seems like a great deal, using the stock ECU to extract power from a stock car. But after looking at it carefully, $500 is an aweful lot to pay for a service, meaning I don't have anything to show for the money I spent. If I ever need to upgrade turbos, that $500 on reflash is gone, I have to get my ECU retuned through a piggyback or reflash the ECU again. It is also not as versitile meaning I can't bring my car to the dyno and start tuning the car myself.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the XEDE, but I need you pros to confirm my decision. I like the flexibility of the XEDE in a sense that I can use shiv's maps or tune the car myself (preferred). Plus I'm really interested in the NOS feature of the XEDE, but need to find out more. Please point out any mistakes in my research, your help is very much appreciated.

 

909, it's seem like you missing out a few others such as Apexi SAFC 2 or HKS AFC.
Depends on what you like to archive with the upgrade. Do you like to control boost? Do you want to control air/fuel? Or do you like to control both boost and air/fuel?

 

Actually Super AFC 2 and the HKS AFC arent really in my list because they can't control crank timing which is one of the things I want in my engine management system.

I've gone through all the stages lol....started with wanting the XEDE, then the eManage and then Works reflash, and then back to XEDE after I learnt so much more about them.

 

My .02 cents

909 - I was also doing some research on XEDE and e-manage.
They both seem pretty stable and also allow you some flexibility in tunning. I then found out about the AEM unit that is currently being tested by various tunners like Buscher just to name one.
AEM seems to be a pretty solid unit, but then again its no piggyback!!! Do some research on AEM and see what you think.
I am waiting right now to see what the tunners can do with the AEM. There will be plenty of choices in the next months to come, just have to be patient. I believe that TurboXS is also working to get theirs finished, if it hasn't already been finish.

 

The AEM standalone sounds really promising. I just have some questions about it. What happens to the imobilizer? And does it use the same air flow sensor? I know one of the main air-flow bottlenecks of the Evo is the air flow sensor. If I were to go with a standalone unit, it has to be one that allows me to do away with the stock air flow sensor. MOTEC so far is the only one that i know of which replaces the stock air flow sensor.

 

I see no point in a piggyback... it is a compromise. Get a true stand alone if you are going to do anything real

Mark

 

How about HKS F-CON? I think HKS should have one for our Evo soon.

 

HKS F-CON S, F-CON Pro are both piggybacks. They are great units but only HKS authorized tuners can tune the unit. HKS only releases the HKS Powerwriter software to HKS tuners and it's unavailable to DIY tuners like myself.

 

If you don't consider the price, at the momment the XEDE is probably one of the best options available right now.
If your willing to wait a little while there will be several options available for about the same money that will be far more flexible and powerful.
I am personally waiting on the APEX Power FC, and yes there will be a version that does away with the MAF.
APEX has made Power FC's for the earlier versions of the EVO, so I am thinking/hoping that there system is the one most likely to come out initially with very few if any software/hardware bugs. I am also told that APEX will have programs already set up for the US EVO VIII, so for those not comfortable tunning it could be a plug and play.
When will it be ready? possibly tommorow or at least within the next 6 months.

 

doesn't XS have one comming out also

 

For the money there is noone that can touch the E-manage. You can use 1000cc injectors if you please, timing is fully controlled, fuel maps are divided into 16 rpm levels, and injector pulse is also available to program. There is a feature to use VTA bov if you choose to. There is also a feature were you can delete the MAF and run a Greddy MAP sensor(not sure exactly how this works yet). Im extremely happy that I didn't have to go out and spend $1000+ to get a fully programable piggyback. I definetely recommend it.

 

Getting rid of the MAF requires using the e-manage pressure sensor. Put that bad boy into your intake manifold and you can run a MAP-style sensor and ditch the MAF.

Having gone with a piggyback for my Lancer, I also agree that there's no real choice here. Static reflash or programmable goodness?

 

Thank you, 909, for starting this thread!!!
I plan on getting one of these piggy back as well...


What hp can EVO achieve with 660cc injector??
Anyone got street prices for other piggy back systems??

 

what is the difference between a stand alone and a piggyback?

 

Standalones have a completely seperate "brain" that controls things like your ECU does now. A piggyback intercepts information coming to and from the ECU to alter things.