Landracing Forum

Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: lsrjunkie on March 09, 2015, 04:34:34 PM

Title: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 09, 2015, 04:34:34 PM
After some consideration, I'm looking into a stand alone ECU for ignition control that is expandable to EFI in the future. I've done some research and talked to a few different companies, but haven't really found the information I'm looking for. I'd like to use a cam and crank sensor so the spark will be sequential. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: maj on March 09, 2015, 05:09:02 PM
How much do you want to spend
MS3 pro looks good value for money & to have a lot of room to expand later , has many features of a high end manager
AEM has a few ecu options too   
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 09, 2015, 05:31:58 PM
Price isn't a huge concern. My grand father once told me a poor man can't afford to buy cheap things. That being said, the MS3 looks pretty good to me as well. Problem is I don't know enough about any of it to make an informed decision. I know how it works, and what I want it to do, just not sure how to go about it. I'll look into the AEM stuff. Thanks Maj.
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on March 09, 2015, 06:07:11 PM
While I'll need to upgrade to include EFI, I found the Electromotive software pretty easy to use on their ignition module.

If you want to check out the package, you can download the software on their site -

http://www.electromotive-inc.com/

It'll get you the dashboard and the owner's manual, and might influence your decision.
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: Rex Schimmer on March 09, 2015, 09:01:28 PM
You might try Performance Electronics, http://www.pe-ltd.com/joomla/, they are out of England but have a pretty good US office. Lots of good stuff on their web site which is very helpful, and the cost is competitive. I am thinking about converting my Zetec motor in my little roadster over to their system.

Rex
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: maj on March 09, 2015, 10:09:25 PM
If you have limited efi experiance then a easy to use system would be the Link g4 or Vipec , good quality , not cheap
I went with the Link, and found it real easy to setup and learn , Vipec is out of the same stable and has a couple of different features , otherwise just about the same ecu
my earlier one can interchange maps between the two , but latest release i believe has more difference
 
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: Stainless1 on March 09, 2015, 10:37:41 PM
Motec is a good choice, and Dave Dahlgren at Engine Management Systems would be a good guy to discuss your requirements with. 
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: Fiatdude on March 09, 2015, 11:07:12 PM
I've got some input on this -- --

First -- Who's gonna do the tuning on this????? Have you got a Dyno/Tuner guy you love and trust???? (if not,,, get one).... Because you can't tuna fish without putting it on the dyno!!!!!! --

Then after you have your dyno guy/tuner safely in your back pocket, then get whatever system HE recommends and loves.

I've got an Electromotive TechGT system in my Ghia and I've been fighting this bastard for 3+ years -- and I still can't depend on this system to make my car run the same from one time to the next -- everything has been completely rebuilt 2 or 3 times -- Whine Whine Whine -- -- BUT I can't find ANYONE out here on the West Coast that can point a finger at any one thing and say that is the bugger.... and now I'm gonna pull the damn thing out and throw in a AEM EMS4 -- -- I so tired of hating this car -- I really want to love this thing

The thing I want to express is, find THE GURU you love and live and die with him ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !!! !!
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: Skip Pipes on March 10, 2015, 02:20:09 AM
In my experience, it’s the “Tuner” that counts. Can you talk to them on a level you “both” understand?

Additionally, Is there a community site that supports the proposed system? Just observing the chatter on these boards can bring a wealth of information to discuss with your tuner. Does the maker have really solid tech support?

I’ve considerable experience tuning OEM systems in racing; however, I turned the entire tune project over to a new (to me) tuner. Why, my new system is a stand-alone AEM Infinity. I could have installed the system and worked from a base MAP and tuned up to what I think the engine needs. However, the modest sum I invested in the “tuner” was the best money spent. He knows the product, how it works, the system strategies employed.
 
Additionally, this wasn’t a plug & play system as I need to build the harness for my car. I also wanted boost control strategies, as well as engine cooling strategies.

Well meaning people will encourage you to spend a lot on hardware. Determine (realistically) how many stand-alone capabilities you will really need. How many channels to log. Traction control?  I could have spent more on hardware; however, it just wasn’t necessary for my application. I put (a modest) amount of money into the tuner instead.
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: dw230 on March 10, 2015, 01:47:04 PM
Fiatdude,

The AEM systems are good choices. Both John Romero and Nathan Stewart on this board are AEM employees and LSR involved.

DW
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 11, 2015, 11:55:22 AM
Thanks for all the info guys! I'm still doing some digging. My biggest problem now is finding a tuner in my area. I'll keep you all posted on how things progress.
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: NathanStewart on March 12, 2015, 04:08:37 PM
Feel free to email me with any questions you might have: nstewart@aempower.com
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 18, 2015, 10:57:54 AM
After much consideration, and talking with a fellow a lot more knowledgeable than myself, (Thanks Nate!) I believe I have come up with a few options that may work. The more research I have done the more it is looking like I won't make the jump this year. I have decided to stick with what I know and get the car sorted out first. After that... Well it's anybody's guess. Thanks again for all the input!
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: JamesJ on March 18, 2015, 11:55:14 AM
BUT I can't find ANYONE out here on the West Coast that can point a finger at any one thing and say that is the bugger.... and now I'm gonna pull the Dodge thing out and throw in a AEM EMS4 -- -- I so tired of hating this car -- I really want to love this thing

The thing I want to express is, find THE GURU you love and live and die with him ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !!! !!

You can try Nelson Racing engines, they have done electromotive systems in the past from simple to high HP twin turbo motors...   
Title: Re: ECU for spark and fuel management... Suggestions?
Post by: distributorguy on June 04, 2015, 04:48:13 PM
I have a MS3Pro set up an a flathead Ford and its pretty simple to work with, many options including E85, boost, etc...   
The MS3x is also good if you need less external controls. 
AEM is great, a lot more expensive for essentially the same end controls. 
We've had major issues with FAST dropping programs.