AEM EMS v1 vs Stock ECU
Jun 4, 2014, 07:59 PM
#1
AEM EMS v1 vs Stock ECU
I have an opportunity to buy a AEM v1 for cheep but was wondering if it worth anything. Can the v1 give me more hp over stock ecu with both being tuned. What would be the reason to switch. Any help would be great Thanks in advance
Jun 5, 2014, 12:18 PM
#2
Are you tuning it yourself or having someone else or a shop tune it?
If you're doing it, then stock ECU gives you 'less' ability to break things and you'd want training on the EMS before you started.
If someone else is doing it, talk to what they know and use that. I have an EMS (because I went E85 before the ECU could do it) and I tinker with it, but if you're going to have someone set it and leave it, the stock ECU can do most things the EMS can. (I know the EMS can do crazy stuff, but if he needed crazy stuff, he'd know he needed the EMS).
Short and sweet, stick with the stock ECU unless your tuner knows the EMS very well.
If you're doing it, then stock ECU gives you 'less' ability to break things and you'd want training on the EMS before you started.
If someone else is doing it, talk to what they know and use that. I have an EMS (because I went E85 before the ECU could do it) and I tinker with it, but if you're going to have someone set it and leave it, the stock ECU can do most things the EMS can. (I know the EMS can do crazy stuff, but if he needed crazy stuff, he'd know he needed the EMS).
Short and sweet, stick with the stock ECU unless your tuner knows the EMS very well.
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O0oDC (Mar 8, 2016)
Jun 5, 2014, 12:46 PM
#3
If you are going to run an aftermarket ECU only do the AEM Infinity or something that is VE. Otherwise stick with the stock ECU.
I ran an AEM Series 1 for years with out any issues, I loved it but I could tune it and I had my maps super dialed in. So my car would start close to stock, and idle and drive very well. Most AEM EMS setups that I see are not that way.
The newer standalones out there are all VE, and are very fast and support flex fuel. So if you really want to spend money on an ECU stick with an AEM Infinity 6/8 or the ProEFI.
Also the last thing to remember with any ECU aftermarket or stock it is only as good as the tune on it.
I ran an AEM Series 1 for years with out any issues, I loved it but I could tune it and I had my maps super dialed in. So my car would start close to stock, and idle and drive very well. Most AEM EMS setups that I see are not that way.
The newer standalones out there are all VE, and are very fast and support flex fuel. So if you really want to spend money on an ECU stick with an AEM Infinity 6/8 or the ProEFI.
Also the last thing to remember with any ECU aftermarket or stock it is only as good as the tune on it.
Jun 5, 2014, 01:34 PM
#4
If you are going to run an aftermarket ECU only do the AEM Infinity or something that is VE. Otherwise stick with the stock ECU.
I ran an AEM Series 1 for years with out any issues, I loved it but I could tune it and I had my maps super dialed in. So my car would start close to stock, and idle and drive very well. Most AEM EMS setups that I see are not that way.
The newer standalones out there are all VE, and are very fast and support flex fuel. So if you really want to spend money on an ECU stick with an AEM Infinity 6/8 or the ProEFI.
Also the last thing to remember with any ECU aftermarket or stock it is only as good as the tune on it.
I ran an AEM Series 1 for years with out any issues, I loved it but I could tune it and I had my maps super dialed in. So my car would start close to stock, and idle and drive very well. Most AEM EMS setups that I see are not that way.
The newer standalones out there are all VE, and are very fast and support flex fuel. So if you really want to spend money on an ECU stick with an AEM Infinity 6/8 or the ProEFI.
Also the last thing to remember with any ECU aftermarket or stock it is only as good as the tune on it.
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Jun 5, 2014, 02:21 PM
#9
Are you tuning it yourself or having someone else or a shop tune it?
If you're doing it, then stock ECU gives you 'less' ability to break things and you'd want training on the EMS before you started.
If someone else is doing it, talk to what they know and use that. I have an EMS (because I went E85 before the ECU could do it) and I tinker with it, but if you're going to have someone set it and leave it, the stock ECU can do most things the EMS can. (I know the EMS can do crazy stuff, but if he needed crazy stuff, he'd know he needed the EMS).
Short and sweet, stick with the stock ECU unless your tuner knows the EMS very well.
If you're doing it, then stock ECU gives you 'less' ability to break things and you'd want training on the EMS before you started.
If someone else is doing it, talk to what they know and use that. I have an EMS (because I went E85 before the ECU could do it) and I tinker with it, but if you're going to have someone set it and leave it, the stock ECU can do most things the EMS can. (I know the EMS can do crazy stuff, but if he needed crazy stuff, he'd know he needed the EMS).
Short and sweet, stick with the stock ECU unless your tuner knows the EMS very well.
Its going to English Racing for a tune when I am done rebuilding it
Jun 5, 2014, 02:26 PM
#10
EvoM Community Team Leader
The stock ECU will also pass emissions, and even lie for you. Not so much the AEM. Something to consider.
Jun 5, 2014, 09:03 PM
#13
This. If you are living in King county you have emissions testing ever other year. With the AEM you'd need to have a stock ECU somewhere which would need to be tuned to pass emissions and then switch back. Unless this is a track/show only car go OEM.
Jun 5, 2014, 09:13 PM
#14
I think 90% of people, or more, with AEMs don't use hardly any of the functionality it offers you over a stock ECU.
I love what our stock ECU can do, BUT, there is a ton of utility in an AEM with all the inputs, outputs, triggers, failsafes, etc. etc. etc. They can do a lot. None of which is necessary to drive to work.
So, I mean it depends on what you want from the car. I'm being 100% serious when I say if you don't know what the AEM can offer over a stock ECU, than I'm positive you don't need it.
I love what our stock ECU can do, BUT, there is a ton of utility in an AEM with all the inputs, outputs, triggers, failsafes, etc. etc. etc. They can do a lot. None of which is necessary to drive to work.
So, I mean it depends on what you want from the car. I'm being 100% serious when I say if you don't know what the AEM can offer over a stock ECU, than I'm positive you don't need it.