My ETA on the SOS Stage 1 is 12 days...I'm really looking forward to it.

I do have a few questions...the Stage 2 is $800 more, and with that you get injectors and an AEM EMS.

I'm already taking a big jump going with the Stage 1 (relatively, lol) and think I may want to go further in the future. An EMS and injectors could add up to $1700+, so it sounds kinda smart to just go with it.

Now, I still have my stock clutch and realize a Stage 1 is going to wear it out quick, and still have the stock diff, too. From what I hear, the diff should be OK provided I don't launch hard from a dead stop, but I think the extra power in Stage 2 may just wreck the clutch within a few days/weeks. I was kinda hoping to go 6 months or so.

Anyway, other than clutch and diff, the AEM has no OBD support, correct? I had entertained the idea of going with 6psi with the AEM and going to a new map and more boost with the injectors a little later after at least replacing the clutch. Would the AEM get me much of any gains at the Stage 1 boost level over the SOS FVM controller (which from what I hear is very well set up for 6psi or so)? Also, the OBD may help serve as "training wheels" for a while so to speak

I guess I could always sell the FVM later to someone wanting to go with one of the tuner kits I guess, but I think the market for a used one could be very limited.

Just curious of all of your feedback. Should I inquire about replacing the FVM with an AEM EMS and just running stock boost (and set the injectors aside) until I'm comfortable?

 

Congrats on your kit! I would definitely go with stage 2. Personally I can't imagine enjoying a stage 1 kit at all... Just not enough for me. Make the investment now, once, and you'll be glad you did.

 

Do clutch & EMS from the beginning for 3 reasons...
1. AEM EMS will give you a much safer, reliable & more powerful setup than an FMU/ rising rate thingie.
2. Do the clutch first before you even install the SOS kit & break it in properly. The stock one is going to burn eventually, might even happen on the dyno and you will end paying for tuning twice.
3. Of course you're going to want more power, its one of the oldest natural laws

Inspection is not a big deal with a S/C compared to a turbo kit. Just take the belt off, swap stock injectors & ECU and you are street legal again.

 

I'm in FL, so no inspection to worry about. The OBD has an appeal to me to know that something isn't totally hosed, though I realize it seems to be more for emissions...anything major would be quite apparent!

I'll inquire about it tomorrow. I should be able to go S2 since it hasn't shipped yet, just hope they will let me pay the normal premium as I got it in the March Group Buy. If I could just go with the EMS and forgo the injectors (for now) and stay with 6psi even better, as I can always buy the injectors and pulley later.

Can the AEM EMS put info out over the OBD port like boost, IAT, and Fuel/Air ratio, or can those be tapped right from the EMS?

I was thinking about a Bluetooth OBD data-logger and an Android app for some things. The idea of extra gauges is a little Fast and Furious if you know what I mean. Of course, if I HAVE to do gauges I guess I will.

I actually like the car as it is, so I can't see myself not being happy with ~300whp! Of course, if 40-50 more is $800 that really isn't so bad and I'm sure I'll like it more.

I really don't think I have much realistic desire for anything much over 350, as I think at more than that I'll be sinking way too much $$ into it. I have a nice stash I've made available for any issues, but it would be nice not to have to tap into it all that much!

Of course, if I get the EMS I may as well get a test pipe, LOL! I have a CT exhaust now which I love. Car puts down 191 on a Mustang dyno (baseline bone stock with out of spec valves, haven't dynod since the exhaust or valve adjustment) so it's in pretty good shape. 2002 72K.

 

if you got the income i'd say go with the stg 2. I was debating this myself but i cant justify spending way more over my budget. I could have went stg 2 but i'd be one broke mofo. But other then that my stg 1 kit comes on WED!!!! cant wait!!

 

go stage 2 or regret missing out on a good deal

 

OBD2 port wont do anything with EMS, you can get an AEM serial gauge to read most of that stuff straight from the EMS though.

 

I would go stage 2. It's worth the additional cost. Cool thing about AEM EMS is internal logging. You can go back and view logged IAT, rpms, AFR, boost, knock volts, coolant temp, etc.

 

I got 370 whp which was fun for say the 1st week now im certainly thinking to try maybe 14-16 lb boost hehe.. It's a matter of time before enough isn't enough anymore!