HydraEMS
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 431
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From: Dodging bullets in L.A. Calif
HydraEMS
Well, finally finished installing a modified Greddy kit with a GT30 turbo and 3" downpipe.
I'm fairly familiar with the Hydra ECU's as I've been using it on my '04 Subaru STI (DBW) since 2004 and love its capabilities and solid performance.
So I asked Andrew (Hydra USA rep) to make a S2000 harness for me to use with a Hydra I bought off the NASIOC Subaru forums. I installed the Hydra and cranked the engine. As expected, the engine was running after a couple of cranks! even the idling was smooth off the base map.
I added a wideband 02 sensor so I can fine tune off boost, while I wait for my buddy to move and install his Dyno Dynamics dyno into his new shop location.
The Hydra is not as popular as AEM or other ECU's but is just as capable. Not many tuners are familiar with it but it's just as easy/ or hard as any other standalone ECU.
The beauty of the Hydra is that it can run either high or low impedance injectors. You can run low impedance large injectors 1000cc's or more without using a resistor pack. That allows the injectors' response to remain unchanged. Idling with large injectors and the Hydra is smooth. A lot of Subaru guys run 1600 cc's injectors and it's amazing to see their cars idle very well.
info on Hydra
http://www.hydraems.com/nemesis/neme...esis_spec.html
I managed to fit the Hydra in the same location as the stock ECU. Luckily it just fit
I'm fairly familiar with the Hydra ECU's as I've been using it on my '04 Subaru STI (DBW) since 2004 and love its capabilities and solid performance.
So I asked Andrew (Hydra USA rep) to make a S2000 harness for me to use with a Hydra I bought off the NASIOC Subaru forums. I installed the Hydra and cranked the engine. As expected, the engine was running after a couple of cranks! even the idling was smooth off the base map.
I added a wideband 02 sensor so I can fine tune off boost, while I wait for my buddy to move and install his Dyno Dynamics dyno into his new shop location.
The Hydra is not as popular as AEM or other ECU's but is just as capable. Not many tuners are familiar with it but it's just as easy/ or hard as any other standalone ECU.
The beauty of the Hydra is that it can run either high or low impedance injectors. You can run low impedance large injectors 1000cc's or more without using a resistor pack. That allows the injectors' response to remain unchanged. Idling with large injectors and the Hydra is smooth. A lot of Subaru guys run 1600 cc's injectors and it's amazing to see their cars idle very well.
info on Hydra
http://www.hydraems.com/nemesis/neme...esis_spec.html
I managed to fit the Hydra in the same location as the stock ECU. Luckily it just fit
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Dodging bullets in L.A. Calif
my S is '05
sorry if not clear, my Subaru STI is DBW.
the Hydra is DBW capable, it can handle the STI DBW throttle perfectly. Back in '04 it was the only standalone ECU that was available for the STI DBW.
Unfortunately, I believe due to "lack of demand" there's no harness for the DBW S2000 '06+ models. The Hydra ECU can control the DBW circuitry, but Hydra USA never made the harness for it. They concentrated on the STI since that car came out in late '03.
Maybe if people call Hydra USA and request DBW it may motivate them to make it. But to be honest, I don't think Hydra would want to take the time to develop the DBW for the '06+ S2000's. I think they're busy developing the CAN capable ECU's for the newer model cars.
For '06 check this, says it was under development earlier '09 but no updates
http://www.hydraems.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=862
sorry if not clear, my Subaru STI is DBW.
the Hydra is DBW capable, it can handle the STI DBW throttle perfectly. Back in '04 it was the only standalone ECU that was available for the STI DBW.
Unfortunately, I believe due to "lack of demand" there's no harness for the DBW S2000 '06+ models. The Hydra ECU can control the DBW circuitry, but Hydra USA never made the harness for it. They concentrated on the STI since that car came out in late '03.
Maybe if people call Hydra USA and request DBW it may motivate them to make it. But to be honest, I don't think Hydra would want to take the time to develop the DBW for the '06+ S2000's. I think they're busy developing the CAN capable ECU's for the newer model cars.
For '06 check this, says it was under development earlier '09 but no updates
http://www.hydraems.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=862
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Dodging bullets in L.A. Calif
I'd say it's as good as AEM in performance.
Software-wise it's not as user-friendly, it just takes some time to learn all the features but it should be no problem for any competent tuner.
It has a lot of excellent features and same as any standalone also a few drawbacks. Overall I'd say it's equal to AEM. In my case it's way better because I've had a Hydra in my Subaru for years and I got a killer deal on this one. Brand new, I think the Hydras are a bit more expensive than AEM's
As far as drivability, I've never had issues . The car starts in any weather and idles perfectly. It's all in the tune! So I'm still smoothing out the off-boost portion of the fuel map. Darn difficult as I can't keep my fingers on the keyboard on the streets of Los Angeles + KW V3's. I'll have to turn the settings to max soft on the V3's
For OBD2 you need to stick with OEM ECM's as there's no aftermarkets ECM's that keep that feature. I've heard rumors that there's a company developing one, but that's months away. Now, that would be the ultimate ECM!
Software-wise it's not as user-friendly, it just takes some time to learn all the features but it should be no problem for any competent tuner.
It has a lot of excellent features and same as any standalone also a few drawbacks. Overall I'd say it's equal to AEM. In my case it's way better because I've had a Hydra in my Subaru for years and I got a killer deal on this one. Brand new, I think the Hydras are a bit more expensive than AEM's
As far as drivability, I've never had issues . The car starts in any weather and idles perfectly. It's all in the tune! So I'm still smoothing out the off-boost portion of the fuel map. Darn difficult as I can't keep my fingers on the keyboard on the streets of Los Angeles + KW V3's. I'll have to turn the settings to max soft on the V3's
For OBD2 you need to stick with OEM ECM's as there's no aftermarkets ECM's that keep that feature. I've heard rumors that there's a company developing one, but that's months away. Now, that would be the ultimate ECM!
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 431
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From: Dodging bullets in L.A. Calif
LoL...
just very vague rumors...
there's actually no info on it anywhere and if it's ever developed it's a good few months away, perhaps even a year or 2, so don't hold your breath.
I'm sure they all have the tech-savvyness.... they probably just don't want to piss off the Nazis @ CARB & the EPA
But I don't see why they couldn't market it as their other products "for off-road use only, not for use in street-registered vehicles"
just very vague rumors...
there's actually no info on it anywhere and if it's ever developed it's a good few months away, perhaps even a year or 2, so don't hold your breath.
I'm sure they all have the tech-savvyness.... they probably just don't want to piss off the Nazis @ CARB & the EPA
But I don't see why they couldn't market it as their other products "for off-road use only, not for use in street-registered vehicles"
