Quality Features
02-07-14, 03:21 PM
#1
Quality Features
Hello all, I'm looking for some advice/information. I'm definitely going to be needing an EMS in the near future when my engine is complete. I'm wondering what are the features that you guys look for that an EMS absolutely has to have (safety features, options, standard features) for it to be considered quality or good enough for your cars. I read early today that "quality EMS" and "cheap" don't usually go together, as with most things, so I do know that price plays a role but I don't want to get an inferior EMS just because I saved some money and than blow my engine. At the same time I don't want to buy something that is "overkill", (if there is such a thing with EMS), just because it's expensive and I assumed it would be just what I need
On Haltech's website they said:
"There are many differences between engine management systems. Things to look at include:
The number of inputs and outputs. Having more inputs and outputs offer more functionality in the way of ignition and injection types as well as extra outputs to control extra devices. Tuning resolution is also very important. The Haltech systems have 32×22 point mapping which gives excellent tuning potential. Finally, remember to make sure your ECU has closed loop O2 control, idle control and boost control all as standard."
I've tried a few "advanced" searches and browsed through the EMS section, but its usually a thread about people asking what is better or which to buy, I'm more interested in what you look for when you are ready to get yours, for that tells you "This is quality/This is crap/not good enough". I want to buy something that will do the job correctly not just buy something because it's what is most common.
*** If it matters at all this will be for a 12A that is being converted to turbo and EFI. I will be using a S4/S5 Turbo II intake. I have more details if it matters**** Thanks for any help gents.
On Haltech's website they said:
"There are many differences between engine management systems. Things to look at include:
The number of inputs and outputs. Having more inputs and outputs offer more functionality in the way of ignition and injection types as well as extra outputs to control extra devices. Tuning resolution is also very important. The Haltech systems have 32×22 point mapping which gives excellent tuning potential. Finally, remember to make sure your ECU has closed loop O2 control, idle control and boost control all as standard."
I've tried a few "advanced" searches and browsed through the EMS section, but its usually a thread about people asking what is better or which to buy, I'm more interested in what you look for when you are ready to get yours, for that tells you "This is quality/This is crap/not good enough". I want to buy something that will do the job correctly not just buy something because it's what is most common.
*** If it matters at all this will be for a 12A that is being converted to turbo and EFI. I will be using a S4/S5 Turbo II intake. I have more details if it matters**** Thanks for any help gents.
02-07-14, 04:42 PM
#2
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for a rotary the most important thing is the ecus accuracy. the rotary has a strange ignition pattern, and if the ecu can't do it properly, then you get big carnage. the Japanese tuners like to use a datalogger to test new ecu's on an engine, and they run the power FC, HKS Fcons, and motec.
#2 is the software, apparently the HKS Fcon-V is the best rotary ecu, but the software is in japanese and not even available to a non HKS tuner*. or if you want a practical example the haltech E6/8/11 software is horrible compared to the platinum stuff, the platinum has the same features, but the software is 10,000times better. i wouldn't use an E6/8/11 again by choice, but i'll happily use the platinum.
#3 is the features, its nice when the ECU can run everything, in the old days we'd have a fan control, boost controller, fuel controller and maybe more stuff...
4 is price. if money is no object, Motec is the easy choice, but since it is we're looking at Adaptronic and haltech.
if you're asking personal preference, i like the Haltech platinum stuff, and i have an Adaptronic here to test. the power FC is good too, if you have an FD.
#2 is the software, apparently the HKS Fcon-V is the best rotary ecu, but the software is in japanese and not even available to a non HKS tuner*. or if you want a practical example the haltech E6/8/11 software is horrible compared to the platinum stuff, the platinum has the same features, but the software is 10,000times better. i wouldn't use an E6/8/11 again by choice, but i'll happily use the platinum.
#3 is the features, its nice when the ECU can run everything, in the old days we'd have a fan control, boost controller, fuel controller and maybe more stuff...
4 is price. if money is no object, Motec is the easy choice, but since it is we're looking at Adaptronic and haltech.
if you're asking personal preference, i like the Haltech platinum stuff, and i have an Adaptronic here to test. the power FC is good too, if you have an FD.
02-07-14, 05:33 PM
#3
for a rotary the most important thing is the ecus accuracy. the rotary has a strange ignition pattern, and if the ecu can't do it properly, then you get big carnage. the Japanese tuners like to use a datalogger to test new ecu's on an engine, and they run the power FC, HKS Fcons, and motec.
#2 is the software, apparently the HKS Fcon-V is the best rotary ecu, but the software is in japanese and not even available to a non HKS tuner*. or if you want a practical example the haltech E6/8/11 software is horrible compared to the platinum stuff, the platinum has the same features, but the software is 10,000times better. i wouldn't use an E6/8/11 again by choice, but i'll happily use the platinum.
#3 is the features, its nice when the ECU can run everything, in the old days we'd have a fan control, boost controller, fuel controller and maybe more stuff...
4 is price. if money is no object, Motec is the easy choice, but since it is we're looking at Adaptronic and haltech.
if you're asking personal preference, i like the Haltech platinum stuff, and i have an Adaptronic here to test. the power FC is good too, if you have an FD.
#2 is the software, apparently the HKS Fcon-V is the best rotary ecu, but the software is in japanese and not even available to a non HKS tuner*. or if you want a practical example the haltech E6/8/11 software is horrible compared to the platinum stuff, the platinum has the same features, but the software is 10,000times better. i wouldn't use an E6/8/11 again by choice, but i'll happily use the platinum.
#3 is the features, its nice when the ECU can run everything, in the old days we'd have a fan control, boost controller, fuel controller and maybe more stuff...
4 is price. if money is no object, Motec is the easy choice, but since it is we're looking at Adaptronic and haltech.
if you're asking personal preference, i like the Haltech platinum stuff, and i have an Adaptronic here to test. the power FC is good too, if you have an FD.
About #1 where you stated the importance of the accuracy of the ECU, is there anyway to, accurately, find out about the accuracy of an EMS before purchasing it, or is it kind of a situation where you have to find someone who has tried it before and ask (tuner/past customer)?
Also about #2 anywhere you can point me to do some research on "softwares", because just using the 2 examples you gave even within Haltech Platinum & Motec there are so many options.
Personal preference is always welcome from experienced guys like yourself
I've gone and looked in the Management forum and it seems the most popular seemed to be the Power FC, Haltech, and Megasquirt. I didn't really see much on Motec maybe because, as you said, price. Back home I never heard of Megasquirt ever it was all about Microtech and Haltech that was pretty much all anyone spoke about.
02-07-14, 08:50 PM
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i've heard of Japanese tuning shops putting a new ecu on an engine, and then a datalogger on that. the JDM tuners stick to the PFC/FCON/motec/chipped stock ecus...
software is easy, you can download it from the ECU makers website, and then just play with it.
microtech is/was popular, the ecus seem to be accurate and reliable, but they use such old software you can't save maps yet! its like stone age stuff.
software is easy, you can download it from the ECU makers website, and then just play with it.
microtech is/was popular, the ecus seem to be accurate and reliable, but they use such old software you can't save maps yet! its like stone age stuff.
02-08-14, 08:11 AM
#6
We have all the latest up to date info on the Adaptronic units here;
Adaptronic Engine Management | Standalone Engine Management Systems | ECU
You can also download the software if you go into the universal units and hit notable features tab.
There is also an Adaptronic section on this forum too!
Adaptronic Engine Management | Standalone Engine Management Systems | ECU
You can also download the software if you go into the universal units and hit notable features tab.
There is also an Adaptronic section on this forum too!
02-08-14, 12:51 PM
#7
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We have all the latest up to date info on the Adaptronic units here;
Adaptronic Engine Management | Standalone Engine Management Systems | ECU
You can also download the software if you go into the universal units and hit notable features tab.
There is also an Adaptronic section on this forum too!
Adaptronic Engine Management | Standalone Engine Management Systems | ECU
You can also download the software if you go into the universal units and hit notable features tab.
There is also an Adaptronic section on this forum too!
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