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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

New high end ecu announced from AEM


Chris Wilson

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I have never been a fan of AEM stuff, but apparently this is made by outside contractors and those in the know claim it is a big step up from anything else they have done. If you have the knowledge you can write your own stuff to control functions, as you can with the top end Adaptronics ecu, and when Motec finally bring out their new range, it will be possible with some of those. It will be interesting to compare these in the coming year. I like the idea of having enough processing power to make inbuilt fast and plentiful logging without slowing the ecu processor possible. You can end up with lots of boxes if you aren't careful, and it's not always easy making them speak nicely to one another.

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You can end up with lots of boxes if you aren't careful, and it's not always easy making them speak nicely to one another.

 

Referring to the Motec there Chris? :D

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I see why Motec limit logging in the ecu to 4 megs, I believe they don't want people logging so much stuff it could potentially slow the main function of an engine ecu down, they recommend adding a dash or the their Advanced Central Logger if you need to log chassis stuff and GPS to any great extent. I added a GEMS logger to my M800 set up, and it was a bit of a pain getting everything right (thanks Andy Blyth / Scott :)). Having all in the one box is appealing to me.

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I have a couple of DA99-L2's, it was easy enough getting them to read the ecu engine parameter data, you want to try getting them to read GPS data from the Motec ECU via CAN, and create a proper map in GDA ;)

 

Once working they aren't bad loggers at all, and the GDA software is pretty good once you get used to some of its tricks.

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Guest Apex Neel
I have never been a fan of AEM stuff, but apparently this is made by outside contractors and those in the know claim it is a big step up from anything else they have done.

 

Great forum here. Let me start by saying I posted that and even though I'm an AEM dealer, I don't sell their ECUs. I've run into technical issues with the Series I ECUs that made me stay away from them, and I didn't think the Series II were that much of an improvement. But I have been talking a lot with the engineers there, and they do seem to be listening. I know the management there, and they seem to be listening too. This is a big opportunity for them to show the market the level of excellence they are capable of and I'm cautiously optimistic this will be a big step forward.

 

If you have the knowledge you can write your own stuff to control functions, as you can with the top end Adaptronics ecu, and when Motec finally bring out their new range, it will be possible with some of those.

 

And this will be good for users and dealers, as we can build application-specific control code and have our IP protected. I'm also a MOTEC dealer and have been waiting 3 years for the "magnesium" series ECUs to be publicly released; hopefully AEM won't take quite so long.

 

You can end up with lots of boxes if you aren't careful, and it's not always easy making them speak nicely to one another.

 

Its tough when people use different terminology to refer to CAN variables. The default MOTEC CAN stream is an odd bird, and their inputs can be very odd as far as scales and offsets are concerned. This is an excellent example of when implementation determines the usefulness of a feature.

 

Having all in the one box is appealing to me.

 

Agreed, though MOTEC's CAN implementation, at least between their own devices, works quite nicely.

 

-Neel

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Great forum here. Let me start by saying I posted that and even though I'm an AEM dealer, I don't sell their ECUs. I've run into technical issues with the Series I ECUs that made me stay away from them, and I didn't think the Series II were that much of an improvement. But I have been talking a lot with the engineers there, and they do seem to be listening. I know the management there, and they seem to be listening too. This is a big opportunity for them to show the market the level of excellence they are capable of and I'm cautiously optimistic this will be a big step forward.

 

 

 

And this will be good for users and dealers, as we can build application-specific control code and have our IP protected. I'm also a MOTEC dealer and have been waiting 3 years for the "magnesium" series ECUs to be publicly released; hopefully AEM won't take quite so long.

 

 

 

Its tough when people use different terminology to refer to CAN variables. The default MOTEC CAN stream is an odd bird, and their inputs can be very odd as far as scales and offsets are concerned. This is an excellent example of when implementation determines the usefulness of a feature.

 

 

 

Agreed, though MOTEC's CAN implementation, at least between their own devices, works quite nicely.

 

-Neel

 

 

Hi Neel, In hindsight I maybe should have asked to quote that article. It will be interesting to see if AEM can show their strengths with this ecu. I believe their old Supra plug `n' pray ecu for the MKIV Supra TT was based on an old GEMS unit? It never really took off as their attempt at auto box control appeared to give people a lot of issues, some even claimed it damaged transmissions, but maybe they weren't set up right?

 

I too am awaiting the Motec magnesium series with interest, I would rather it was late being released and pretty much bug free and sorted than rushed to the marketplace for customers to beta test ;)

 

There is a really solid fan base for the Syvecs / Life ecu here, as one of the forum members is now part of the Syvecs UK team. I would like to try one of these, I am slowly getting my head around the Syvecs software, but right now I need all the support Motec can give, as unlike many here I track my cars and like to tinker with set ups and logging. I would also like to see the new, (or is it just fairly new now?), Pectel Windows based software, do they offer any form of demo version? As I am unlikely to use even half of the features and capability of these high end units I am swayed a lot by ease of use of the software, both mapping and logging wise, at my level of understanding. How easy is the AEM stuff to work with, have you had a play?

 

Nice to see you here, in case people don't know, Neel is a very very well respected US based mapper, and engine control unit vendor. It's good to see you post, thanks.

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Guest Apex Neel
I believe their old Supra plug `n' pray ecu for the MKIV Supra TT was based on an old GEMS unit? It never really took off as their attempt at auto box control appeared to give people a lot of issues, some even claimed it damaged transmissions, but maybe they weren't set up right?

 

The series-I was a GEMS built ECU, and it had its share of issues. I wasn't a fan.

 

I too am awaiting the Motec magnesium series with interest, I would rather it was late being released and pretty much bug free and sorted than rushed to the marketplace for customers to beta test

 

3 years of promises is a long time; the M-series is getting long in the tooth. I too hope it will be a great product.

 

There is a really solid fan base for the Syvecs / Life ecu here, as one of the forum members is now part of the Syvecs UK team

 

It looks quite interesting; I may want to demo one and see if its something right for our customers. Do you know a contact there?

 

I would also like to see the new, (or is it just fairly new now?), Pectel Windows based software, do they offer any form of demo version?

 

I'm a big fan of it - its called CalTool. We're a US Pectel distributor and currently its my best seller. I'd be happy to set you up with some demo software - my FTP server is down for some reason but alternately you can email me your mailing address and we'll get it out.

 

As I am unlikely to use even half of the features and capability of these high end units I am swayed a lot by ease of use of the software, both mapping and logging wise, at my level of understanding. How easy is the AEM stuff to work with, have you had a play?

 

AEM really does shine for usability - its powerful and straightforward.

 

Nice to see you here,

 

Nice to be here! Feel free to ask any motorsports electronics questions; I'm happy to try and give my feedback.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Neel

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Guest Apex Neel
AEM tuner was a big step backwards over AEM Pro, the system requirements were rubbish.

 

I'm curious, what do you mean that the system requirements were rubbish?

 

For the Syvecs software jump on the forum and have a play

 

I've looked at the software quite a bit; I've also worked with the old Life Racing units in the past. We're at the point where I'd have to see an evaluation unit to determine if its something worth adding to our product line. We have a very good range of ECU products and I only carry those which have distinct advantages over others in the market - it has to be more than just a preference.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Neel

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I'm curious, what do you mean that the system requirements were rubbish?

 

From memory as its been a while since I played with it but you needed a higher res screen to get the most out of it, it was also based around .net framework and the graphics were slow to refresh, the same laptop running AEM Pro was just much nicer to use. On newer hardware it may well be fine but ECU tuning software should not require a lot of oomph.

 

Just my opinion obviously.

 

Its also worth noting that I am big fan of AEM Pro and used it for many years before swapping over to a Syvecs ;)

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Guest Apex Neel
From memory as its been a while since I played with it but you needed a higher res screen to get the most out of it, it was also based around .net framework and the graphics were slow to refresh, the same laptop running AEM Pro was just much nicer to use. On newer hardware it may well be fine but ECU tuning software should not require a lot of oomph.

 

I could see that for sure. Sometimes I fear the ECU market is so fragmented that no one is going to put a level of refinement we've come to expect from other components in our cars.

 

Its also worth noting that I am big fan of AEM Pro and used it for many years before swapping over to a Syvecs

 

I'm curious to learn more; we're big fans of the Pectel ECUs here and they share a common lineage.

 

I wrote a blog post about Vi-PEC; we're very happy with them too. Here's a link:

 

http://www.apexspeedtech.com/vi-pec-ecus-2011-apex-reports-from-sema

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