I am planning to sell my UTEC and go with a standalone ECU like AEM EMS or Hydra.

They both have auto tune features but i'm not sure if it really works.

Can someone explain a few things about this auto tune ???

BTW which standalone do you recommend?

they are both very similar in that they both work primarily off of large PWM for fueling, both have extensive sontrol maps down even to individual cylinder fuel corrections.

I am not as familiar with AEM but it has much better tuning software. It is much much easier to tune just by its ability to organize and look at logged data. AEM also adds individual cyl. timing correction. I am sure there are more differences, but they are very similar in their approach to control.

Todd

I agree with Hitokori, functionally very similar, software makes the difference.

Now more importantly, how much "set up" and basic tuning are you willing to do. There are AEM users on the Board. The Element Hydra has been worked on, calibrated, and tuned by Phil Grabow, such that he basically hands you a functioning standalone for the WRX or STi on par with a EcuTek re-flash. That is worth the price of about three ECU's to me, and all for the price of one.

For the ultimate in features and software, go Motec. You are on your own for getting it to run your car. Very few folks are willing to plunk down that $green$, so there is very little expertise outside of a handful of custom racing shops. If I were wealthy and retired, I'd give it a shot just for the challenge (but I'd drive around with an Element Hydra while I worked on the Motec).

I agree with Hitokori, functionally very similar, software makes the difference.

Now more importantly, how much "set up" and basic tuning are you willing to do. There are AEM users on the Board. The Element Hydra has been worked on, calibrated, and tuned by Phil Grabow, such that he basically hands you a functioning standalone for the WRX or STi on par with a EcuTek re-flash. That is worth the price of about three ECU's to me, and all for the price of one.


For the ultimate in features and software, go Motec. You are on your own for getting it to run your car. Very few folks are willing to plunk down that $green$, so there is very little expertise outside of a handful of custom racing shops. If I were wealthy and retired, I'd give it a shot just for the challenge (but I'd drive around with an Element Hydra while I worked on the Motec).


Correct me if I am wrong, I thought that the Hydra doesn't support DBW (drive by wire). When this EM first came out it caught my eye, I haven't really read up on it since (maybe I should :p ).

I have the AEM system; ran it on my previous car (turbo Integra GSR) and am just getting it worked into my WRX. It's a VERY powerful system, and I think the software IS superior to the Hydra's.

That said... the fact that the hydra ships with a REAL base map is worth A LOT. AEM's base maps on the WRX are BAD. The MAF-based map is unusable. The MAP-based map runs relatively smooth, but needs serious tweaking before you even THINK of trying to put your foot to the floor. Oh, and the way it's setup on the BASE map, the wastegate solenoid is set to 100% duty cycle ALL THE TIME. That's right, it'll boost up to 19 psi on the base map if you floor it!

GREAT system
GREAT software
POOR base maps

If you understand that you MUST tune it immediately before driving, it's a great package. From what I'm hearing about the hydra, it's a totally different experience.

The auto tune on most EMS is for fuel only. You plug in what you want your AFR to be at X-rpm and Y-boost and it will hit it. Go through the whole table plugging in your desired AFR, hook up your wideband, put in conservitive timing and take it for a spin. The auto tune takes care of the rest of your fuel tuning. Boost and timing still have to be taken care of.