AEM Ultimate Resource Thread>>>>

[lethal_vr4]

Yes the AEM EMS reads the stock knock sensor... however you can choose to see knock volts (voltage signal output by EMS). You can deciede what level of voltage is a knock count. I believe most people using the AEM EMS use 1V as a "knock".

[Antwan3000]

i have a rather n00bish question but it is a rather important question for me regardless...

here's the situation:..

i have a bad ECU and need to replace it.. i was intially looking to order one from somewhere like autozone or something for about $200-300.. but this didnt seem like the right choice considering the fact that my car is a future "weekend warrior" and i only want to go for higher quality replacement parts.. so i decided to price an ECU from the mitsubishi dealership.. it was priced at roughly $1200.. the higher price doesnt really mean it's a higher quality part but at least i know that it'll be a stock mitsubishi part instead of a potentially lower quality third-party replacement..

but after reading most of this thread, i'm very interested in an AEM ECU.. it sounds like just what i need for the long run.. my only question is this: can i just directly replace my bad ECU with the AEM and just drive my car normally without any adjustments?.. for example, i dont have a laptop yet and also i dont really want to get very deep into any tuning without a little more knowledge and research under my belt.. so basically i just want to fix my current ECU by replacing it with a AEM and just drive my car until i decide to play with the AEM later..

is this a viable decision?..

[FastOldGuy]

Originally Posted by mjannusch

Yes.

You decide what the knock threshold is by running the car at lower boost through the rev range when you know the car isn't knocking (ie: provide plenty of fuel and use a conservative timing advance range), then review your log of raw knock sensor voltage, and then plot out a knock sensor threshold calibration that's a little higher than what you logged for raw voltage. After that, when knock raw voltage exceeds your threshold, the knock control routines will apply whatever timing and fuelling changes you set up whenever the "Knock Control" checkbox is checked.

Generally, anything over about 1.5V is almost guaranteed to be "real" knock. True knock will have spikes much taller than the surrounding samples.

One thing to be careful of is that the logger via the serial cable (realtime logging) is not fast enough to catch all the knock spikes, so you are only seeing some events and not all of them. To get higher resolution you can use the AEM's internal logger set on the fastest speed and then download the log to your laptop afterwards for review.

I generally watch my knock retard and knock fuel parameters to determine if I am getting knock beyond my threshold I set. Those decay slower, so you'll be able to easily spot them in logs and know that excessive knock occured right before the fuel/timing adjustment gets kicked in.

Thanks I'm trying to decide how to best utilize the Gauge Tech and AEM. Its nice to get the help of those who know.

[lethal_vr4]

Yes, and No.

1.) You will need to connect the AEM EMS to a PC while the AEM is installed in your car to load a calibration file (tells ECU what you want to do).

2.) AEM provides a base map for a stock car, but I would hesiatate to tell you just to load that and cross your fingers. You will need at least some moderate tuning IMHO.

All this being said I am a AEM EMS newbie... I've only had mine installed a week.

[FastOldGuy]

Originally Posted by pacman3000gt

Realistic?

The EMS is infinitely configurable... you adjust what you would 'consider' a knock count. It's much better than relying on what the stock ECU's rendition of a 'knock count'.

You have a knock retard that kicks in once your knock parameters are exceeded. So it's more of a preventative measure when you compare it to what the stock ECU does.

NOW... this is entirely due to how accurately you have setup the knock calibration table... and more importantly... if the knock control is EVEN ON.

but back to what pjayp said... I almost never use the knock 'count'. I always check out the knock raw voltage.

Thanks pacman I'm going to need some help soon hope you will be available.

[mehlosTT]

God no___ every car has to be set up after installtion of the AEM EMS. The base workmaps that are uploaded for your car will get her running..quite rich, but running. And definitely NOT as dribale as the stock ECU....get a used ECU from the community here unless you want and have the hours and hours needed to learn and then the hours and hours to tune her.

Given your comments , a stock ECU is the right choice for your current needs.

Originally Posted by Antwan3000

i have a rather n00bish question but it is a rather important question for me regardless...

here's the situation:..

i have a bad ECU and need to replace it.. i was intially looking to order one from somewhere like autozone or something for about $200-300.. but this didnt seem like the right choice considering the fact that my car is a future "weekend warrior" and i only want to go for higher quality replacement parts.. so i decided to price an ECU from the mitsubishi dealership.. it was priced at roughly $1200.. the higher price doesnt really mean it's a higher quality part but at least i know that it'll be a stock mitsubishi part instead of a potentially lower quality third-party replacement..

but after reading most of this thread, i'm very interested in an AEM ECU.. it sounds like just what i need for the long run.. my only question is this: can i just directly replace my bad ECU with the AEM and just drive my car normally without any adjustments?.. for example, i dont have a laptop yet and also i dont really want to get very deep into any tuning without a little more knowledge and research under my belt.. so basically i just want to fix my current ECU by replacing it with a AEM and just drive my car until i decide to play with the AEM later..

is this a viable decision?..

[Antwan3000]

Originally Posted by lethal_vr4

Yes, and No.

1.) You will need to connect the AEM EMS to a PC while the AEM is installed in your car to load a calibration file (tells ECU what you want to do).

2.) AEM provides a base map for a stock car, but I would hesiatate to tell you just to load that and cross your fingers. You will need at least some moderate tuning IMHO.

All this being said I am a AEM EMS newbie... I've only had mine installed a week.

thanks for the speedy response..

i should be able to get access to a laptop/resources in order to load the initial calibration and such.. i just dont plan on getting the upgraded sensors for a while..

it doesnt need to be "race ready" or anything at the current moment.. i just want to replace the bad ECU so i can get it up and running again.. and then i'll go from there..

so far the AEM sounds pretty "plug and play" so i'll be definitely picking one up.. -thanks...

[lethal_vr4]

You might want to reload mehlosTT post. Yes, you can just plug it in and load the lastest cal... but I don't think anyone here will endorse that route. If you are not willing to take it to a tuner or even better learn how to tune I think you will be unhappy with your purchase.

[pjayp]

Originally Posted by lethal_vr4

You might want to reload mehlosTT post. Yes, you can just plug it in and load the lastest cal... but I don't think anyone here will endorse that route. If you are not willing to take it to a tuner or even better learn how to tune I think you will be unhappy with your purchase.

I'll 2nd that.

[Antwan3000]

Originally Posted by mehlosTT

God no___ every car has to be set up after installtion of the AEM EMS. The base workmaps that are uploaded for your car will get her running..quite rich, but running. And definitely NOT as dribale as the stock ECU....get a used ECU from the community here unless you want and have the hours and hours needed to learn and then the hours and hours to tune her.

Given your comments , a stock ECU is the right choice for your current needs.

i feel ya.. well here's another question:..

what will i need to do to get it driving as good as a stock ECU?..

even though i dont own a laptop, i should be able to get access to one.. but after that, where do i get the workmaps and such for a stock setup?.. and what other tuning will i need for a drivable/stock setup?..

the hours and hours of time are pretty much available considering the fact that (even though i'm still a "n00b") this is going to be a primary hobby of mine for the forseeable future and the fact that i already own another vehicle to drive on a daily basis (which makes my stealth a pure "project car")...

to make a long story short, i just want to get the Stealth back to a drivable/stock level.. since my old ECU is shot i cant run the car at current.. from what i understand, the AEM can directly replace the stock ECU and also offer many "piggy back" benefits aswell (for when i start to really start tuning my car beyond stock).. are my understands/assumptions unfounded?..