As many of you know I am selling my S2000 and buying a different car, which is due partly to the fact I cannot seem to find the quality of parts I expect with a background in the Domestic side. For a baseline build with a simple low power bolt-on turbo or supercharger there are some decent options but take it much past 400WHP and the problems start to grow exponentially. I still work with lots of members locally

One such problem was the lack of ways to get a good tune which starts with a good ECM.


AEM ECM
Great for a low budget race car, impossible to beat for the cost but requires refinement on anything but a racecar.

Strengths
PNP Operation on all non-DBW cars
Base Calibrations are built-in
Large amount of adjustability in every aspect of control over the car but to have the power comes a great responsibility, you have to do a lot of tuning to get a refined end product.
It does have a very good boost control
The nitrous tables are great
You have the flexibility to change sensors and other pieces of hardware with it.
Low initial cost
Widely used so most tuners can tune it and find good reference

Weaknesses
In general the problem is with the lack of flexibility as compared to other standalones.
Many of the breakpoints are fixed and cannot be changed
There are issues with the base sensor calibrations,
The knock control on the V1 is worthless and the V2 still has kinks
No OBDII Compliance

So overall the low cost and easy install and integration makes it well worth the money for most.


Hondata KPRO
Perfect match for a low HP build especially in states that require OBDII compliance but the cost is high and flexibility low.

Strengths
Very Good Base Calibrations
Great Data logger integration
OBDII Compliant
Boost Controller and Nitrous Maps

Weaknesses
Very expensive and hard to install comparatively
PNP Wiring but requires extensive mechanical changes
Very Little Flexibility for addition Inputs and Outputs
Only a few tables can be modified and the extent of these changes are quite limited
Very Basic Boost control w/ no feedback
Better Knock control than the AEM but still nearly worthless
No Antitheft Deterrent


Hondata FlashPRO
Perfect match for a low HP build especially in states that require OBDII compliance but the cost is high and flexibility low.

Strengths
Very Good Base Calibrations
Great Data logger integration
OBDII Compliant
Uses the factory ECU so no installation is requires
Very Low Cost
Usable Knock Control

Weaknesses
Very Little Flexibility for addition Inputs and Outputs
Only a few tables can be modified and the extent of these changes are quite limited
No Boost control or Nitrous Maps
Better Knock control than the AEM or KPRO but still not great



So the point of this list was to discuss other options, I have been looking at the Motec, Haltech and ProEFI units. I think we can all agree that Motec is the top choice for many but the $5,000-$10,000 price tag is a bit steep unless you have sponsors. The Haltech I have yet to use and know that Jeff Evans has been working with it but I don’t think it has many if any advantage of the AEM, though input is wanted.

This leads me to the ProEFI, these systems do offer more flexibility are reasonably priced and have a great array of wizards and built in functions such as the ability to use the GM flexfuel sensor to sense the Ethanol contact of the fuel and make changes accordingly.

http://www.proefi.com/Product_List.html

 

Theres a few DSM guys up here who run ProEFI and always have great things to say about the ProEFI. My buddy went from a AEM EMS to a ProEFI when he built his 2.3L stroker and says startup and everything is better.

 

Good post.

It's obvious to most but I would add that FlashPro is only available for 06+.

Hondata discontinued Kpro for 06+ after FlashPro came out.

AEM EMS has been made to work with 06+ in a dual-ecu setup, similar to how the Kpro worked for 06+ while it was on the market.

 

Since I have been looking at upgrade parts for the Mustang I can't beleive how much less everything is. Mostly the tunes look easy as pie, add on parts seem to make real gains and there is so much more just stuff. Grated the tunes are canned tunes but for one price they will tune your car forever no matter how many parts you put on and send it to you right through the net.

I think the options and cost are just more cause the S2000 is unique which is what made me want one. It is probably one of the best looking cars IMO out there, its just pretty with great lines. Just going over 400hp with the car costs $$.

 

Very good post.

 

The haltech platinum sport 1000 is a great ecu, in saying that though here in aus everyone knows how to tune them.. The aem nobody I know of has a clue.. Some tuners even replied ae-what? Lol they never heard of them.

 

I think because haltech products are designed and manufactured in Aus? I mean, it is great ems.

 

Flashpro cost is high? How much do the domestic solutions cost? Most of them are flashable/tunable from the factory, right? Like the 06+?

 

Been running Greddy EMU for over a year and almost half that supercharged. It is doing a great job firing my ID 1000 injectors, runs like stock. OBDII compliant.

People that have issues with it have lousy tuners to blame. I've done 100% of my own work on it and have many hours into learning the ins and outs of the software. I truly believe it doesn't give up a whole lot to standalones, and has some advantages over them.

 

I run AEM. Works fine for the price especially.

It all really depends on who is tuning your car imo.

I really wanted to make the switch to Haltech. My shop of choice (Full Blown) has had so much success with the haltech unit it is unbelievable and makes me want to make the switch to it.

The IS300 guys are venturing into the proefi and have nothing but great things to say about that system as well.