Fast is in a totally different market the the aem ems. Domestic stand alones are alot more money then import stand alones. If you own an import and pay over $1500 for everything on a stand alone it's your own dumb fault for not shoping around unless you go with a motec

 

Don't forget anti-lag, rev limiter change, timing controls, multiple outlets to control stuff like alcohol injection, stutter box feature and I think it even has no lift shift controls.

I guess 1200 is just too much to spend on a stand alone when you have a setup that costs over $5000 you want to throw a 200 stand alone on it. That's like using house paint and a wagner to paint a new ferrari.

 

In terms of price/feature set you will not beat an AEM. It has all of the features of a $7K Motec unit, for a fraction of the cost. Well, except for the data telemetry, but you have to pay mondo extra $$ for that on a Motec still.

Its just a question of if you need those features or not.

Now in terms of price.. AEM is not *supposed* to be sold for under $1700 for most pnp boxes. That is roughly the price AEM tells is distributors not to go under, because they want to keep the market value of the AEM up. If AEM finds out some place is selling them brand new, for cheaper, that will cause problems for that shop in terms of their future relationship with AEM as they have been told explicity not to sell under a certain price. Thats not to say that you can't get a deal on one from "someone you know", etc. Anyone who has run a business or marketed a product will understand this. Just a little insight into the price comparison....

 

What your not getting is that I dont want "The Best" I want "enough". a 400 dollar Megasquirt is "enough". Plus its simple to service or fix, its open source, and really is not difficult to wire, esp if u dont care about having ABS or AC or anything else.

Megasquirt gets the job done, sure I might lose 5-10% peak power compared to the AEM or maybe even Microtech, but who cares. The bang for buck ratio of the Megasquirt is very hard to match. Lets say that 400 vs 850 microtech leaves me 450 left over.

I can get a 150 wet shot for that.. that extra 150whp will either (A: blow my motor since it couldnt take more power than the megasquirt anyway, OR B: Make way more power than what I could of made with no NOS and no microtech)

Its "enough", it works, its not the best but it lets me spend money on thing that matter more like house payments.

 

Slash.. seems like the MS fits the bill for you very well given your requirements. Let me know how it turns out because, I actually want to try it on this side project I am working on. Its more of a project, and I don't need all the bells/whistles of the more expensive computers.

I actually started down the path of designing my own fuel computer at one point, but quickly realized I probobly couldn't beat the cost of a MS by much at all.

 

Who ever said I was spending $5000 on my powertrain? See you guys go on assuming...

Heres how it stands with an example.

Lets use a MK3 supra as a guinea pig.

Open Downpipe, $80
Profec Type-S $250
CT26 upgrade $720
Clutch $400
FPR $100
Megasquirt II $400
New FMIC (not necessary under 500HP but lets say I do it anyways) $500
Walburro 255 ($100) (not necessary either, but good for safety)
Metal HG and ARP studs (200)

Now I'm finished.... Thats it.. ~400whp, done, over, left alone.
I'm confident it can do this safely and easily because guys running SAFC ($250) + a lexus AFM ($100) (No ignition control and sketchy fuel control for $50 less) have made 440whp on stock intercoolers, stock injectors, stock fuel pump.

For just a sunday runaround fun car that isnt there to be "king of the hill" Its plenty. I can get it dynotuned and forget about it. The entire vehicle might cost around 5000ish maybe 6K if I was unlucky buying it.

For this type of setup Megasquirt is "enough". I dont need a monster EMS becasue I dont have a monster vehicle, its like taking a battleaxe to a sheet of paper when a scissors is "enough".

The car will start, it will drive, it will be 12:1..

Now if I had a built motor, or a larger turbo, and I was going for broke, there is NO WAY I'd use a Megasquirt, it would be a great addition to use the AEM then. But sometimes its just overkill.

Application specific is the way to judge these things out, I never said Megasquirt was better EMS vs EMS, its just better for lower end applications because its not overkill.

If I ever do get megasquirt and then decide to go after something else down the line, I can easilly sell the unit because its not car specific and make back about $200. Or hell, rig my daily driver with it or something.

 

LOL Yeah. I'm just lucky I live in this day and age. I would really hate being limited in my options. Hell there are even computer controlled "EFI" carbs now! Fuel injected carbs! How insane is it getting.

Here is the question, what is the next big thing that would make EMS really shine?

I think some sort of programmable traction control / abs control system like the new F430.. so many settings for all sorts of conditions.. Launch control is nothing new, but the rest sure is cool