dont do a thing yet ...maybe we do a group buy on a better system if someone can prove it or maybe we work on this who knows...but dont do anything until this is perfected...learn from my mistakes...tomorrow should give us all some answers

 

i know nothing about tuning cars etc... however it seems like you're getting majorly screwed. I always find it easier to talk to a retailer/dealer with a lawyers letter... you might want to try that and maybe you might get some good results, especially for all that money you spent.

my 2 cents

 

This is what I've been trying to say on many of my posts. I know I got blasted by some people who've axes to grind or idols to prop up. It's kind of funny to read about all this stuff after reading all the attacks of guys like Al who are actually doing something that works and does not muck-up your car.
Just because somebody gets a big name in any field, it does not necessarily mean that their **** does not stink. Also, spending tons of cash on big name crap does not necessarily mean success, neither does trusting on somebody's rally racing credentials.
The most valuable words I've heard when going down the modifications route are "caveat emptor"

 

I am all for getting a product right before it is shipped out. I also know you can spend 3 days or 3 years getting a standalone tuned.

It would be nice if it was easier and less risky but it isn't. You want 600 hp from a 2l motor- you are going to be using a standalone. The aem is working for me although i think the ignition issues are weak. If it turns out we need to upgrade the ignition to work right than they need to step up and say so!

I cannot wait to finish putting on the cdi and coils to see if that was the problem. The tight gapped plugs are working fairly well though as a temp fix...

 

They did the same **** with the NSX, wait for v.84 then v.94 or something like that now they are on v1.xx and still problems. Oh well.

 

Note to carphoto and silverevo8 to ask: PLEASE keep this thread relevant.

Thanks for the preaching but let's stick to specific issues and things about tuning the aem and other standalones or problems with them as opposed to some general "don't get scammed" lines or references to past flame wars pertaining to Al(who deserves credit for contributing and being civil for a change). If you are actually tuning with an aem fine- My apologies(I know carphoto isn't) Otherwise, go to a general thread...

This thread is too important for any of us with 15k+ in mods and an aem... Sorry if I am grumpy but I really want to get to the 600 hp range with my c16 map on the aem and would like to avoid blowing up the motor...

On another note, here is what I am using for an ignition fix:

msd ss blaster coils (4) part #MSD-8207
aem cdi ignition c2di
msd 8.5mm custom cables with boots

 

To them that is only a good start - that EVO is going to be the most powerful in the world and it should be rolling very soon - They are not into posting on the forums - they are quiet and carry a big stock unlike myself who like to post all the time !

 

As my good buddy Jan Shim would say "Welcome to Motorsports!"

I don't care what your "plan" is . . . when you start making 2 x's the stock power of the stock car - thinsg happen - its part of the game !

 

Again - to reiterate - I have many many dyno pulls with 550 plus whp on stock plugs, stock coils and stock ecu which show the stock ignition is capable to serious power levels

The issue is with the aem settings they are usuing in the hardwear are not good

AEM knows they are bad

The soultion is NOT to go out and buy a new ignition system - its for AEM to fix the problem

 

say AEM should give us all FREE C2di's and aftermarket coils - that would be a good start

BTW - don't assume that PLUG n PLAY stand alones are filled with issues - like I said before the LINK pnp board I used on my STI/WRX conversion was a dream with NO problems what so ever and ran perfect in all temp changes and all driving conditions

The only problem is it had to crank a bit longer than stock

I drove several WRX's that were tuned with a LINK at the performance factory in NYC that operated BETTER than stock WRX's

What we have here with AEM is a good overall system with nice features which was brought to market without proper testing on the evo

The issues that need fixing (so far) are

#1 - ignition system is weak - bad inputs

#2 - rev limter is not working well with ign system

#3 - cold start issues

#4 - needs a mounting bracket

Other than that the aem is kick *** - I really like it and I for one are confident that AEM will fix the problem b/c they have too much to loose if they screw this up

 

PS - in case anyone is aksing - "WHY" I am playing with the AEM - I test everything on my own car so when people call me up and ask what i recomend I can tell them what works and what dont work

I tried out 8 sets of cams in my car and countless other mods so i know what is godo and what is not good

So far - there is no good ecu options beyond the reflashers out there

The Utec may be a good choice and I will try that also when its out

The Tx's tuner looks nice also if I didn;t already have the motec

A word on motec - they are the best in the world - I just wish I could afford it - there is nothing better

 

originally posted by dynoflash
Sounds good to me... Yeah right, I would like aem to fix this too... just figure adding a proper ignition upgrade will be power producing as it has been on my past cars. I was going here anyway otherwise I would be more annoyed.

Tuning = pushing things till they break or others break things(sucks but its how we learn) and backing off a notch or going a different path... being test mule can really suck... having your car broke because you didn't know this is worse.

Good luck

 

I am shooting for a relaible mid 550 whp on pump gas - - the stock ignition should be sufficicnt - I already did it with my reflash

I dont think we have to change anything - - aem needs to start beeing a human and treating us repectfuly

 

being a test mule does suck. i feel your pain, as my first car 2000 galant gtz V6 supercharged by RIPP modifcations was also a mule. I was under the false pretenses that everything was worked out, but as i did not know or did RIPP, that they cars they had worked on were not a closely releated as they originally thought. The end result was numerous trips to their shop and upgrades that were not originally planned.

After a while, I had to say to myself....."dont worry, its just money"

 

Al,
What about the Apexi Power FC, have you tried that yet? Or has anybod tried this with a larger turbo setup?