SplitSecond FTC vs. Standalone vs. AEM F/IC

[fatti03msp]

Im sure there have been threads made before about these but i couldn't find anything.

So my question is what is the best way to go for my situation and im sure there are others that are wondering the same question as me too.

Im in the middle of rebuilding my motor and to get full potential out of my car im going to need some timing control. ATM i have the SSAFC v2. Its was really easy to install and the program is easy to operate, but theres no timing. I plan on doing alot AutoX with my car so im not shooting for 400+whp and i would like to be a lil over 300whp. So my question to you guys..... What features would i be missing out on if i went with the SS FTC or the AEM F/IC. Im just trying to figure out if i will really need all the extra stuff you get with standalones. They are more money and seem like they are harder to hook up and get running.

I dont know much about the AEM so any info you guys have on that will be great too.

SplitSecond FTC (http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_165&products_id=1307)

AEM F/IC (http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_165&products_id=1501)

Standalones

Microtech LT10 (http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_165&products_id=481)

Haltech E6X (http://***********************/mazdaspeed2.htm)

Haltech E8 (http://***********************/mazdaspeed2.htm)

These are the ones im interested in.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

[Knox Joe]

To my knowledge with the AEM or FTC you can only retard timing and not advance it. That's why I haven't bought either yet. I'm going with a Haltech or Microtech, I need to be able to fully tune the timing for methanol.

[fatti03msp]

that blows

[haze20]

If you go standalone why not the AEM EMS. Most people I know who have used it say its their favorite by far.

[fatti03msp]

i never really see anyone on here running it, its either microtech or haltech. Just makes me feel better to know that i could hop on and there are vendors that can help out and other members that are running these standalones that can help as well if i run into a problem. That is mainly why i didnt include it in the list.

[zuku26]

Split second has a unit with timing control. Spli second seems to be the easiest and most popular unit...I'm assuming for a reason. AEM has also caught my eye recently especially for the cost of the unit. From what I understand there have been only and hand full of people to get it running right on the Pro. With that said I've read that the AEM is basically a megasquirt device, The members on my Suzuki samurai and swift sites, (my true passion) swear by Megasquirt. and those rigs are built for everything from hardcore competion rock crawling to auto-X. So the unit must be that universal. Microtec also looks very appealling but the cost scares me, when I can do everything I need with a SS or AEM

[fatti03msp]

ya but like Knox Joe stated if its not possible to advance timing then it might not be the best, i too would like to run methanol.

[Outlawstar98]

From what i have read, the AEM EMS doesnt work with our cars that well.

I would recommend getting the Microtech, because thats what im going to be getting :) and make sure u have a way to get inspection stickers haha. Cause with a Full Standalone u wont pass emissions wish you know. (i got connections to a person taht owns a shop :) )

[Knox Joe]

Microtec also looks very appealling but the cost scares me, when I can do everything I need with a SS or AEM


its not possible to advance timing then it might not be the best, i too would like to run methanol.

what he said

[fatti03msp]

From what i have read, the AEM EMS doesnt work with our cars that well.

I would recommend getting the Microtech, because thats what im going to be getting :) and make sure u have a way to get inspection stickers haha. Cause with a Full Standalone u wont pass emissions wish you know. (i got connections to a person taht owns a shop :) )

my buddy works at a mazda dealership, he will be able to help me out. We where going to build my motor, but due to me needing a car ASAP i was the smartest choice.

[kz9]

I know Im gonna be nailed to a post for this.

E-Manage

Its simple and does what you need to do. Plus its only like $500.

I run it on my car, and no problems.

[haze20]

Terbow had a AEM EMS on his at one point but said it was overkill for what he wanted. I think Tekkie has one is his but he doesn't post on here often.

[Captain KRM P5]

haltech e6x or e8. i ran a microtech, had a haltech before it. if i had the choice to do it again, it would be a haltech. simply put, you get what you pay for. you can wire in the haltech as an inline standalone and not have to worry about wiring trickery to befuddle the computer. you have a unit with arguably the highest resolution and most features available on it. if you want to run the kind of power and equipment you are talking about it, for this car, there is no comparison unless you want to spend thousands more on a motec or similar system that has no base maps or forum support. at the same time, you aren't going to want to shortchange yourself with something that will just get you by. at this level, you want to do it once, do it right and be happy with the results.

pdhaudio was making over 365 whp with an e6x and a mental addiction street sleeper kit, reliably daily driven turn key, no nonsense. the AEM, as i recall, had a hard time with the crank trigger signal on these cars.

haltech software is simple and straight forward. you have control over practically every variable that will affect how the engine runs. you have the benefit of 3D tuning and offline tuning - neither of which the microtech has. You have double the resolution on a comparable unit to a microtech. Input for wideband, output for RPM based boost control and output for things like - yep you guessed it - methanol injection. You can run, if needed, extra fuel pumps or staged extra injectors. You can set a valet map that is readily switchable. If you get the E8, you don't even need a set of sensors like you did with the E6X - works right off the factory stuff under the hood.

good engine management costs money. and there are levels of engine management that will work great depending on the level you are at or aim to be at. for me, at this level, my money would be on the haltech. i've used both, tuned both, run both personally.

[808MP5]

idk... but i choose microtech because that's what i have (but never installed yet)

but i would take ken's advice and get the haltech

[fatti03msp]

Thanks for all the info ken i really appreciate it. So the Haltech E8 is what i think im going to go with. Dam that SOB is expensive lol.

But im still going to keep the microtech in the back pocket due to price, and i get what your saying ken about just doing all at once

Fot those of you that have the haltech E8 or know about it, is there anything extra i need to buy for it? I know it says it runs off the stock sensors, but just wondering if there is anything else i should know, and does they completely replace the ECU?

Now the e-manage, i was talking to AlejoNIN(think thats how you spell it) and from what i was getting out of our talk he didnt like it very much and ended up switching to splitsecond. Im sure the AEM works, but i want to keep my choice of EMS to something that has alot of info on the forum.

[Captain KRM P5]

a good person to talk to about the E8 is my good buddy JDM Sam :D he runs it on his MSP and his car rips pretty good.

[fatti03msp]

alright cool thanks for the info ill shoot him a PM when the time comes closer to pick up a EMS