Sup everyone i was thinking about getting a utec in the near future hopefully it satisfies what im looking to do. Im probably going alky in the future but dont wanna run alky all the time so i want to get my car tuned for 93 octane on 1 map alky+93 on 2ndmap and maybe alky+race gas on third map, so with the map selector i can switch between the maps quickly? and turn on my alky when i want to race? Does the utec pass emissions? thats all i can think of right now any help would be great thx guys.

 

i can answer one question: yes, the maps can be switch very fast.

 

You can switch between up to 5 custom maps (actually map sets - fuel, timing, & boost) at the flip of a switch.

If I recall correctly, the enging must be below 1800 RPM when switching (I'm always at idle just to be safe).

It can be set up to run Alky.

Proper tuning with UTEC is not simple, and depending on your skill level, it takes a lot of dedication to learn what you are doing (I'm still not there). An option would be to have a tuner set things up for you.

On the other hand, if you do choose to learn it, it's hard to find a better stand-beside EMS.

I've heard the new SAFC's have some nice features now, but I don't know if they have multiple map functions. might be worth looking at though.

 

IMHO you should get the AEM EMS from Buschur Racing. A new UTEC w/map selector, Bosch Tuner Lite, and MAP sensor will cost ~$1,550.

An AEM EMS from BR w/Bosch wideband, MAP sensor, AIT sensor, boost solenoid and 2 maps (91 and 100 oct) is ~$2,400 and the AEM can do so much more and do it all better. It's the best. To pass smog years from now, pull it out and temporarily replace your stock ECU.

I'm keeping my UTEC because I can't afford to change...but if I could do it all over again....

 

if you pull your ems out for emissions then plug it back in all the info still there? and is it easy to just pull it out? im a newb to this stuff

 

IMHO, UTEC will be more than sufficient for most people out there. Good thing about UTEC is that you retain the use of teh stock ECU, so it will be easy for trouble shooting and smog. AEM EMS is very power unit and it replace the stock ECU entirely. Good thing is that you now have the ability to control other parameters, such as idle quality, fuel enrichment, and many other features for fine tuning. The bad thing is that you will have to tune them.

So my suggestion is that if you you are newbie and if you are not going to do some crazy mods to your car, UTEC will be sufficent. If you plan to make a monster out of it and have a fully build engine, EMS may be a better choice.

I personally would like to spend more time in tuning for power, and not to spend hours to tune for idle. Either way, you can't go wrong with UTEC or EMS.

 

It will be very easy if you retain teh stock MAF, intake box, and boost solenoid. It will just take a longer time if you need to revert them all to stock. But don't forget that if your car is already highly modified, a stock ECU may no longer be able to handle your mods, such as fuel injectors upgrade.

 

If for some reason you need to temporarily flip back to the stock maps, it takes 1 to 2 seconds because the UTEC has a pass through mode.

In my opinion any "pump gas" map set that is worth running to begin with, should also pass emissions easily.


If you need to pull the UTEC for any reason, it's 10 to 15 minutes and takes a 10mm socket, and a screw driver.

No spicing or special wiring is needed on the UTEC

The tuner is a bit more complicated, in that you don't want to run with your wide-band sensor unless it is powered or you will ruin the WB sensor in the downpipe.

Since it would be suicide to tune very much without either a WB or EGT readout (a little old fashioned to tune on EGT's alone, but do able) some type of WB unit should be used, as well as a boost gauge readout (either a regular guage or some other easy to read display - MJ's Digital Dash, or the $$$ GameBoy set up from TBXS $$$ etc...)

 

utec should pass emisssions though right? without pulling it since its just apiggy back instead of replacing the ecu

 

Never mind, I read your reply wrong , yes you get the idea

 

to clarify, if your car will pass with your other mods on stock maps, it will pass with the
UTEC in Pass Through Mode.

If your mods are causing you to run too rich, etc... you would need a properly tuned set of maps to pass OR remove/disable the offending mods.

 

"But don't forget that if your car is already highly modified, a stock ECU may no longer be able to handle your mods, such as fuel injectors upgrade."

This is a very good point, make sure that you understand what you are getting into when you start getting into higher stage mods.

 

If you ever need help with a UTEC I can help you out since I am local and have been dealing with them for quite some time. I just got back from tuning petes car with alky.

Or let me take you for a ride and show you the difference between a regular ecu and a utec car.



Plus this is WI. The don't put your car on the rollers because the car is 4wd, all you have to do is pass a sniffer test. Not really sure what that all consists of though.

 

I wonder how your car would run on stock ECU with all those mods if you pull your AEM out
Claiming that AEM is the best is really a bald statement. What pro racing team uses it? (that's road course or rally racing not 1/4mile racing).

 

I think the AEM is based on the GEMS ECU, so i think its pretty widely used.. But I do agree with your other comment.. If you are running the AEM EMS, and have a pretty highly modified car (I think its a waste to use the AEM if you didn't have a highly modified car) the likelyhood of being able to plug in the stock ECU at some point in the future, and have any chance of passing is slim to none..

At least with the UTEC, if you switch to a map that makes the ECU happy, it will pass an OBD-II check..