Hey guys, I came across something from one of my vendors. I work in the HVAC commercial field and i was just skimming through their catalog when i came across something that looked quite familiar.

Now Im NOT saying AEM uses this solenoid valve but it looks awefully similar and appears to work the same way. I have seen AEM sell "their" solenoid for $130 or something like that. This one is $70. Just thought i would throug this out there because it could be a cheaper alternative.



Scott

 

Needs a 12v coil... but it still might work.

 

Can't see the picture. Which make and model solenoid are you making reference to?

 

There are several MAC solenoids that will work as boost solenoids, but the AEM is only available from AEM.

Meaning, MAC won't sell you the exact part number that AEM ships with their BCS kits.

And yes, the AEM is the best one.

 

What is the difference between the solenoid that MAC builds for AEM and the off the shelf solenoids that you can buy from MAC? The "ID" numbers that AEM puts on the solenoid may be unique, but I bet that MAC is not building a unique solenoid for AEM, or that AEM needs anything different that Autronic, GEMS, or other companies that use the same blue solenoid for boost control.

I've understood that the AEM is an off the shelf MAC solenoid...

 

I'm going off memory here, which probably isn't exactly right..

But the MAC part number I have here (36A-AAA-JDBA-0GA) is what everyone used to think AEM was using. Only until testing the MAC vs the AEM back to back is when they found out differences.

I believe it has to deal with the resolution the solenoid has running high duty, like 90%+.

In that situation, the AEM solenoid will maintain boost more stable than the MAC solenoid.

I'll try to get an "expert answer" from someone shortly.

 

using a mac 12v solenoid on my car. Got it off ebay from some Honda shop, its been working just fine for me. Boost is rock solid.

I can get the actual part number from it tomorrow.

 

That would be great. Can you provide any information on the specifics of the back to back testing, including the MAC part number that was tested against the AEM? The MAC solenoid you made reference to has the coil identification "DB", which MAC lists as a 5.4V coil. I recall that the AEM uses the "DE" coil, which is a 12.7V class "f" high temp coil (both listed as offered options when ordering a MAC 35 series solenoid). If the test did not test the identical solenoids, that could be the reason for the variation in results.

The AEM solenoid IS a Mac solenoid -- 35A series. The only question is whether it is somehow special or unique, and can only be obtained from AEM, or whether an off the shelf solenoid ordered from MAC would be functionally capable of doing essentially the same function.

 

Agree.. We though we track down the one that AEM was using, but the adjustment were so little that we end up back to MBCs. Example 20 % duty was 25 psi and 25% was 40 psi.. It was kinda odd. I had much better luck with the GM $20 dollar part. I'm going to try and use the boost controller solenoid that comes out of the boost control gauge that AEM sells; lets see if that works better.