AEM V1 vs Flash ECU? Which should I have?

**Greg E** · 04-21-2012, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Gearheadvr4

Chances of a Mitsubishi ecu having speed density?

It's been done before.

**Greg E** · 04-21-2012, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by mb3000

With an EMS you can pop an intercooler pipe on the highway, and drive it home without any major problems. Just takes a little work to get what you want out of it, where as the flashed ecu is less involved IMO.

You can do the same with the stock ECU. Read up on my disassembly thread on the "Limp Mode" table.

**BlackStealth** · 04-21-2012, 09:42 AM

If you pop an intercooler pipe and want to drive home, just disconnect the MAF connector and the flash ECU will go into limp mode.

The biggest turn-off I had with the AEM EMS was the long cranking times for our cars. I prefer to have my car start under 1 second with flash ECU.

**donniekak** · 04-21-2012, 11:18 AM

If you look at other Mitsubishi platforms, for the most part only dedicated track cars are running a standalone. There are tons of high horsepower evo's and dsm's running the stock ecu. I believe both of those platforms have run over 1000whp, on the stock computer.

**niterydr** · 04-21-2012, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by TurboSinceBirth

I would personally get the flashed ECU over the AEM EMS v1 or 2 if you don't have any tuning experience, don't plan on spending $1200+ for a complete tune, and don't expect to never mod your car again. Standalones have their benefits and can run like a stock car if you get a really good tuner, but it's so much easier to leave it simple if you don't plan on chasing down dyno or track numbers all day long. You'll have less headaches with the flashed ECU when it comes to tuning it in general or changing your tune for mods. The only reason I would buy an AEM would be if I had the time to learn to use it well. Otherwise, I'm too big of a DIY'er to spend the money on having a professional tune the car. I work more on my cars than I drive them but that's only because I can't leave them alone mainly because I want it to be like new again.

If people are paying $1200+ for a professional tune, I have been WAY undercharging!

**mb3000** · 04-21-2012, 11:50 PM

Tuning the EMS is easy, the negative reputation it has received is truly sad.

People aren't willing to work hard for results these days. Instant gratification is all the rage.

**TurboSinceBirth** · 04-22-2012, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by niterydr

If people are paying $1200+ for a professional tune, I have been WAY undercharging!

Go to any vendor on here or hit up any shop with an AWD dyno. They charge $150 an hour. If all they give you is a WOT tune, then you need to find another tuner. There's idle, cruising, decel, accel, part-throttle, cruise, A/C, cold start, hot start, knock table, multiple fail safes, and I'm sure as you know the list goes on and on. Sure you can charge a few hundred dollars to tune a car but it won't include everything mentioned above. If you want a stock running car with a standalone that makes good power you have to pay well for a full tune. It's not worth it imo when there are easier solutions out there like the flashed ECU. For now there aren't too many compromises using the stock ECU.

**Gearheadvr4** · 04-22-2012, 01:04 AM

Have to admit to a novice the AEM software is very intimidating at first glance. Maybe the v2 software is better.

**Greg E** · 04-22-2012, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by mb3000

Tuning the EMS is easy, the negative reputation it has received is truly sad.

People aren't willing to work hard for results these days. Instant gratification is all the rage.

If you're the type that likes to do everything the hard way....