standalone EMS

[karlak]

Looking for input on what is the easiest to use standalone Engine Management System available. Ease of use and tuning would be top priority followed by cost.

[shackwrrr]

F.A.S.T. is a very common ems that has good phone support to walk you through the tuning
http://www.fuelairspark.com/Pages/17...lsXFIOver.aspx
AEM EMS is another common ems that is very capable system with lots of support
http://www.aemelectronics.com/engine...ystems-ems-11/

unfortunately they are both in the 1500 to 2500 range along with other common standalones including like haltec. Some systems go all out like MoTeC and autronic for over 3000.

Megasquirt is cheap but no matter what other people say its not that easy to setup, Yes tuning is easy but setup sucks.

You could also go with a piggyback, no not some apexi safc that might as well be sold at walmart in the toy section. I am talking something like the GReddy Emanage or powerhoue mapecu. The only problem is these can only do so much and sometimes its a little tricky how they pull timing for boost and other things like that. These are in the 400-800 dollar range.

The stock computer in these cars is pretty powerful and for around 35-95 dollars you can have your stock computer socketed and for 175 you can get an ostrich and start tuning your stock ECU. The learning curve is a little steep but you can get all the help you want and need right here on turbo-mopar. You can even have Rob (shelgame or boostbutton.com) make you up a cal for your needs that works for now and as you learn you can make changes as needed. I think this is the best and easiest way to start so you dont have to start from scratch.

So check out Boostbutton.com (thats where I got the socketing prices) and maybe give him an email.

Hey Rob, I just thought of something, whats it take to become a Moates dealer? It would be nice if you could offer ostriches prefilled with your tunes.

[karlak]

Guess I should add some more details. I have a car that has no wiring. I am starting from scatch so can go with anything I can afford. Yes the stock computers can be used but take a while to learn. Tuning by email does not sound fun. I was looking for options that might come with a Tuning For Dummies book.

[shackwrrr]

Guess I should add some more details. I have a car that has no wiring. I am starting from scatch so can go with anything I can afford. Yes the stock computers can be used but take a while to learn. Tuning by email does not sound fun. I was looking for options that might come with a Tuning For Dummies book.

I think FAST is about the most "user friendly" option and they have a number to call and they help you program the system.

[ShelGame]

F.A.S.T. is a very common ems that has good phone support to walk you through the tuning
http://www.fuelairspark.com/Pages/17...lsXFIOver.aspx
AEM EMS is another common ems that is very capable system with lots of support
http://www.aemelectronics.com/engine...ystems-ems-11/

unfortunately they are both in the 1500 to 2500 range along with other common standalones including like haltec. Some systems go all out like MoTeC and autronic for over 3000.

Megasquirt is cheap but no matter what other people say its not that easy to setup, Yes tuning is easy but setup sucks.

You could also go with a piggyback, no not some apexi safc that might as well be sold at walmart in the toy section. I am talking something like the GReddy Emanage or powerhoue mapecu. The only problem is these can only do so much and sometimes its a little tricky how they pull timing for boost and other things like that. These are in the 400-800 dollar range.

The stock computer in these cars is pretty powerful and for around 35-95 dollars you can have your stock computer socketed and for 175 you can get an ostrich and start tuning your stock ECU. The learning curve is a little steep but you can get all the help you want and need right here on turbo-mopar. You can even have Rob (shelgame or boostbutton.com) make you up a cal for your needs that works for now and as you learn you can make changes as needed. I think this is the best and easiest way to start so you dont have to start from scratch.

So check out Boostbutton.com (thats where I got the socketing prices) and maybe give him an email.

Hey Rob, I just thought of something, whats it take to become a Moates dealer? It would be nice if you could offer ostriches prefilled with your tunes.

I've thought about it. I think I'm going to start with the flashable computers and go from there. For sure, you will be able to get a custom tune pre-installed on the flashable computer if you desire...

[shackwrrr]

I've thought about it. I think I'm going to start with the flashable computers and go from there. For sure, you will be able to get a custom tune pre-installed on the flashable computer if you desire...

Crap, I forgot about those I guess the ostrich wouldn't be needed with those.

[turbovanman²]

Guess I should add some more details. I have a car that has no wiring. I am starting from scatch so can go with anything I can afford. Yes the stock computers can be used but take a while to learn. Tuning by email does not sound fun. I was looking for options that might come with a Tuning For Dummies book.

The stock setup is slighter harder to learn than any other standalone per say, plus Rob or others can help or send you a chip.

Check out "badassperformance and turboshad", I believe they are using Meqasquirt, or if not, see what they are using, they love their setups.

[Aries_Turbo]

JT (badassperformance) has a FAST on his ShelbyZ. Turboshad has the megasquirt.

Stock computer isnt bad as long as you dont look at the long list of tables and get overwhelmed. ive listed the main tables you need to tune most of the time to get the fuel and ignition timing dialed in well. there are about 6 of them and its not hard at all. if you look at all the tables, its easy to get overwhelmed.

the majority of aftermarket ecu's dont have good knock detection. its not a wise idea to not have good knock detection on a turbocharged car. its one tank of bad fuel or foolish decision with tuning away from a blown motor.

Brian

[turbovanman²]

JT (badassperformance) has a FAST on his ShelbyZ. Turboshad has the megasquirt.

Stock computer isnt bad as long as you dont look at the long list of tables and get overwhelmed. ive listed the main tables you need to tune most of the time to get the fuel and ignition timing dialed in well. there are about 6 of them and its not hard at all. if you look at all the tables, its easy to get overwhelmed.

the majority of aftermarket ecu's dont have good knock detection. its not a wise idea to not have good knock detection on a turbocharged car. its one tank of bad fuel or foolish decision with tuning away from a blown motor.

Brian

Oh yeah, right, FAST with JT.

Good points on the knock stuff.

[Austrian Dodge]

wiring (work) is the very similar on all EMS, so i'd go and take a look what IN/OUTs you want to use and how tuning friendly each system is.
download the software of your favorites and surf around, see what you like best and keep that in your decision process as you'll be working with that interface for quite some time.

i went with the haltech platinum sport, software and tuning is straight forward plus it suits all my IN/OUTs for a good price.

wow, that sounded like an ad LOL

[BadassPerformance]

JT (badassperformance) has a FAST on his ShelbyZ. Turboshad has the megasquirt.

the majority of aftermarket ecu's dont have good knock detection. its not a wise idea to not have good knock detection on a turbocharged car. its one tank of bad fuel or foolish decision with tuning away from a blown motor.

Brian

Yep, I'm running FAST (Classic, not the newer XFi) and it is probably the simplest most user friendly system out there. Closed loop WBO2 makes tuning a snap. I have run it with a distributor on the old 2.2L and now with a WS coil on the 2.4L with an added on eDist box. You can add a knock sensor if you want (I have not).

What kind of car is it on? If a 2.2L/2.5L? Race car or cruiser/daily driver?

[karlak]

Putting a TIII in a 1988 daytona as a semi dailey driver. Taking the TII out and installing in a 91 Daytona as a racer only. The 91 could end up with a TIII also if I can get a head repaired.

[Aries_Turbo]

on the fast classic, how does the knock sensor hook up? if its like the BS 3 and the XFI, you have to use a GM knock module and sensor which are not a good fit for our cars at all.

if you dont use a GM module, you have to make something that will output 8v when there is no knock and 0v when there is to connect to any of the speedpro/FAST/BigStuff3 systems.

Brian

[BadassPerformance]

Correct, they all require a GM knock sensor.

Karlak, if you're running race car on race gas, can tune OK w/o a knock sensor, at least I have been able to so far...

Also for the FAST system, Forward Motion sells a bolt in kit for the distributor setup. ... a tad more pricey than a MS setup but way easier IMO