Ok, I was going to use an AEM ems computer but I have found out that it will probably be a problem...so now I have decided that with the help/info from james @ east coast swappers im going to go with a link/motec/or powerfc standalone, basically what im looking for guys are the pro's and con's of each...do any or all of them have UEGO...or as i know it as automatic weather tuning...what are the prices of them all b/c ive looked but they only show distributors and the distributors say "call for pricing" I have found a price on the powerfc which is 1400 shipped with the commander for free, its the hand held thing if some of you dont know(a 500$ value) and which one is more user friendly for people like myself that only know the basics of tuning. I mean i know about duty cycles/AF ratios, but ignition timing etc i dont know...please all you guys info would be greatly appreciated and might help my desicion a little easier...thanks!!!

p.s. from the research i have done so far im leaning towards a link....

Ok- we'll start with the cheapest first-

If you can find a used link plus with a plugin harness they go for around 700-1k. This is an alright system. I ran mid 12's in my RS on a link plus. The downside of this system is that link treats air temp compensation as an option. In speed density air temp has a direct effect on how dense the air getting into the engine is. If you do not have that information it will throw off your readings. And because link thinks of it as optional even if you add the optional sensor their control algorythms do not work well for compensating for large changes in air temperature. So- if you live in an area where the temperature changes drastically day to day or season to season you will need to have your laptop with you at all times to make small changes to the map.

Next we have the powerfc at $1400. The powerfc is an ok system but is basically impossible to tune with the little commander module. It's just too slow to move through the menus and get good data plus it doesn't datalog so you can't just make a run and go back and make changes. There is a company called fc-datalogit out on new zealand though that has made an interface for the powerfc that allows you to hook your laptop up to it and update your maps that way as well as datalog and a few other features like launch control. I think that system runs about $400-$500. So you're looking at $1900 for a system that is imo inferior. Also- they don't make a plugin unit for your car so you'd have to get a wrx unit and wire it in.

Finally we have motec. With motec you can do pretty much anything you want. For that priviledge you pay out the nose. A basic motec system is gunna cost you 3k and that includes no extra features like launch control, datalogging, wideband input, etc. It's very complicated and I wouldn't recommend trying to tune it yourself if you are not familiar with standalone tuning. The thing is with a motec you can make maps for whatever you want. If you have a sensor you can make a 3d table to react to conditions presented from that sensor. While it is very powerful it's also very difficult to get setup.

And now I'll present a 4th option. Autronic SM4. These go for about $2500. They have basically all the same features as motec but you wont be paying to unlock stuff. With the autronic it's all unlocked. It's a bit less sophisticated than motec but that means the learning curve is not as steep. It will run the car with no problems and make great power and does not have any of the shortcomings I listed with the other systems. If you're interested in an autronic system shoot me a pm and we can talk about it. I run one on my RS now.

Hope that helps,
Adam

I run an Autronic as well and they have all the features you need for a street/strip or track car at a good price. Best price/performance of any standalone ECU IMO.

Let me add Element Hydra www.elementtuning.com

will a hydra run a wasted a spark coil?

Yes. 12345

I have a link I've been meaning to sell. It was on my WRX, not sure if it's the same for 2.5 or not. Maybee someone here knows. :D

I switched to a re-flash because I don't know anything about tunning (and I do mean absolutley norhing. I just learned how a turbo works before I got my wrx :lol: ) and it was tunned on a 93deg day and it was starting to get cold around here . . . it was on my car when I got it from a guys in FL.

Let me know it you decide on a link.

a 44s link /plug n play link won't work for what he needs

ah, thanks. good to know.