Opinions on failsafes

neo8222 · 02-20-2013, 12:53 AM

In the next few weeks I'm looking to get a new electronic boost controller and a methanol fail-safe device. Initially I was looking at a AEM methanol fail-safe but after reading some posts on other boards and seeing the issues people are having with them I am starting to reconsider. My budget will be $600 for the boost controller, fail safe, and a triple gauge pod to go with my AEM HD diesel methanol injection system I already have.

Does the AEM meth fail safe really have that many problems? Would the Aquamist DDS3 be a better choice for the fail-safe system? If so where can I buy one? I looked on amazon and a few other retailers but didn't see them for sale. Are there any other methanol fail-safes I should consider?

I'm planning for a 14.5 PSI waste gate tune no methanol, 23 PSI fun tune that will engage the methanol at 15 PSI, and in scramble running 26 PSI for a few seconds. What would the fellow Subi people recommend for a good failsafe system that will fit my budget?

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jareds · 02-20-2013, 11:37 AM

What have you read about the AEM fail safe?
I have one and have had no issues.

neo8222 · 02-20-2013, 11:59 AM

I've read about internal MAP sensor failures, overheating to the point of burning people if they touch the gauge, over time becoming so inaccurate that they send false alarms on a regular basis, etc.. but it seems that it's more of a 50/50 chance. Some work flawlessly and then other break down in a matter of months. It could also have been issues with the first run of gauges and the new ones work well, I'm not sure which is why I was asking for opinions.

reid-o · 02-20-2013, 02:40 PM

AEM has a forum, and customers often will post their complaints (bugs and failures) there. You might want to check that out, as it's a bit easier to read through since all of the posts are specific to their products.

The aquamist hardware really is top notch, but I think that the AEM methanol failsafe features are a bit better. This doesn't make the purchase decision easier for you unfortunately. It lacks logging features and doesnt have the as many points on the failsafe window as the AEM, but the consumer support is the best.

I've had the AEM serial gauge for many years, and I think because the electronics are kept outside the engine bay it should last for some time. My biggest concern would be the reliability and longevity of the AEM methanol flow sensor, since that would likely be the point of failure. I haven't heard anything about it though.

neo8222 · 02-20-2013, 03:05 PM

That's actually what I had read about was a flow sensor failure within months of purchase. I'm just trying to see if it's a isolated thing or a common problem.

shaman · 02-20-2013, 10:09 PM

AEM is user mappable, and separate from the water/meth system. The DDS3V10 system is widely available as well, if you know how to look for them, and are ok with used. I have a NIB AEM failsafe sitting at my parents house i will probably never use, as I went CMGS from coolingmist, and when I get back to the states I will be installing an Aquamist HFS-4 most likely.

02-20-2013, 12:53 AM	#1
neo8222 Scooby Newbie Member#: 311321 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pensacola Vehicle: 2002 WRX STI White	Opinions on failsafes In the next few weeks I'm looking to get a new electronic boost controller and a methanol fail-safe device. Initially I was looking at a AEM methanol fail-safe but after reading some posts on other boards and seeing the issues people are having with them I am starting to reconsider. My budget will be $600 for the boost controller, fail safe, and a triple gauge pod to go with my AEM HD diesel methanol injection system I already have. Does the AEM meth fail safe really have that many problems? Would the Aquamist DDS3 be a better choice for the fail-safe system? If so where can I buy one? I looked on amazon and a few other retailers but didn't see them for sale. Are there any other methanol fail-safes I should consider? I'm planning for a 14.5 PSI waste gate tune no methanol, 23 PSI fun tune that will engage the methanol at 15 PSI, and in scramble running 26 PSI for a few seconds. What would the fellow Subi people recommend for a good failsafe system that will fit my budget? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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02-20-2013, 11:37 AM	#2
jareds Scooby Newbie Member#: 249729 Join Date: Jun 2010 Vehicle: 2005 ADM WRX Black	What have you read about the AEM fail safe? I have one and have had no issues.

02-20-2013, 11:59 AM	#3
neo8222 Scooby Newbie Member#: 311321 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pensacola Vehicle: 2002 WRX STI White	I've read about internal MAP sensor failures, overheating to the point of burning people if they touch the gauge, over time becoming so inaccurate that they send false alarms on a regular basis, etc.. but it seems that it's more of a 50/50 chance. Some work flawlessly and then other break down in a matter of months. It could also have been issues with the first run of gauges and the new ones work well, I'm not sure which is why I was asking for opinions.

02-20-2013, 02:40 PM	#4
reid-o Scooby Specialist Member#: 103631 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mililani, Hawaii Vehicle: 2004 STI Black	AEM has a forum, and customers often will post their complaints (bugs and failures) there. You might want to check that out, as it's a bit easier to read through since all of the posts are specific to their products. The aquamist hardware really is top notch, but I think that the AEM methanol failsafe features are a bit better. This doesn't make the purchase decision easier for you unfortunately. It lacks logging features and doesnt have the as many points on the failsafe window as the AEM, but the consumer support is the best. I've had the AEM serial gauge for many years, and I think because the electronics are kept outside the engine bay it should last for some time. My biggest concern would be the reliability and longevity of the AEM methanol flow sensor, since that would likely be the point of failure. I haven't heard anything about it though.

02-20-2013, 03:05 PM	#5
neo8222 Scooby Newbie Member#: 311321 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pensacola Vehicle: 2002 WRX STI White	That's actually what I had read about was a flow sensor failure within months of purchase. I'm just trying to see if it's a isolated thing or a common problem.

02-20-2013, 10:09 PM	#6
shaman Scooby Newbie Member#: 164259 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Georgetown, Texas	AEM is user mappable, and separate from the water/meth system. The DDS3V10 system is widely available as well, if you know how to look for them, and are ok with used. I have a NIB AEM failsafe sitting at my parents house i will probably never use, as I went CMGS from coolingmist, and when I get back to the states I will be installing an Aquamist HFS-4 most likely.