[QUOTE=candymanjl,Feb 18 2009, 09:16 AM] the FIC's software is a ton better than the emanage, plus it manipulates the stock ECU differently than the emanage that's supposedly better / more reliable.

 

I have personally been through this in my earlier years. If you could save up to buy a turbo and all the pieces to go FI, you should be able to save up for a standalone.

Don't cut yourself short with a standalone.

Think about it this way, piggy backs are like the automatics of cars. Standalones are like manauals of the cars which give YOU or the TUNER full control!

 

^^^ I understand the OP is turbo, so I tend to agree a standalone is going to benifit him more then someone like me with an SC and should be considered with a little mnore caution depending on boost levels, there is allot more timing control needed on a turbo set up. Comptech and Vortech require much less engine managment to be reliable then a turbo just due to the nature of how they effect our engines. If I go out and invest all my money on a used 3k SC to get started inb the FI game then thats what I have and by Comptech standuards is all that is needed. If someones got big money then sure. I dont, and you dont need to have big money to go FI if your smart and do your research. IF someone told me that I need to be prepared to set aside 10k to have a good reliable FI set up, I would never get one. That would be a shame, becuase thats just not relistic for the majority of us looking to step into this world and it really isnt neccisary. You can peice together a set up that works well. You dont need to go out and blow 10k to get started. Not evyone needs a standalone to get started. Or even as in my case where I am moderetly boosted on an SC. Maybe someday when I have 3 more grand to blow for that little extra reliabilty I will invest in a Hondata and tuning since emmisions are still required for me. So I could pick the cost of Hondata or FIC with basically the same power results? Hmm, If I had to pick Hondata then I wouldjust have nothing.

 

basically if you cant afford the EMS then you cant afford a rebuild. its better to wait a couple of months and save cos the boost is addictive and you'll want more, so will only end up buying it.

 

I had issues with my emanage blue. VTEC issues mostly. I haven't had anything go wrong with engine management since going with the AEM.