what are my options if I want to upgrade my emu? I hear a lot of good things about AEM Series 2 and Hondata KPRO. The noob question is when I buy the emu/ems, it is a simple plug n play or do I have to remove my ecu and send it to Hondata/AEM for a core exchange?

 

I think that the Hondata is a flash and is only applicable on ap2's, I personally have a greddy emanage piggy back (plug and play) tuned by Giles. I have intake, exhaust and tp and made 228 whp on a ap1 and the powerband is smooth, powerful and much better than stock

 

Both the AEM and Hondata K-Pro are "plug n play"

The Hondata requires the use of a RSX Type S ECU (you can provide a used one, or Hondata can provide a brand new one) that they will modify and install the K-pro daughter board in. The crank and cam sensors, trigger wheels and valve cover need to be changed to '06+ S2000 units. You do not need to do anyting with your stock ECU so there is no down time other than that needed to swap the sonsors (3-4 hrs.) More info can be found here

The AEM does not require you to swap cam and crank sensors or trigger wheels, and there is no core. However, the software is not quite as user-friendly nor simple as Hondata's.

Both are very capable platforms, having used/tuned both systems, I prefer the Hondata. Others will prefer the AEM. Both are good.