tuning equipment reccommendations

[91turbolaser]

hi everyone. i need to purchase some sort of tuning tool like a safc,wb, or whatever. i currently am running 550's, have a bolt on AFPR,255 pump, and keydiver chip for 550's. i would like to invest in some other equipment for more precise tuning and be ready for when it comes time to slap a 50trim etc on. so basically i was wondering what everyone reccommends. i may and probably will be upgrading injectors down the line as well, just so you know. unfortunately aem and other standalones probably out due to extreme prices. thanks for the advice. i look forward to everyones opinions.matt

[Hal]

DSMLink... plug it in and be driving/tuning in minutes.

Simple enough for the novice to use/understand, excellent support, and powerfull enough to go 9's @ the drag strip.

1g DSMLink is literally a couple of weeks away

[v413nc3]

Yeah I second the DSMLink. Anything more complicated and you're probably looking into having someone tune it for you.

[biglady112]

For the likely chance that he doesnt have an eprom what other things might he tune with. This is a 92 or 93 AWD car. He doesnt drive the laser now.
Steve

[Hal]

If DSMlink isn't an option, then just get an AFC or maybe a VPC if you can score one cheap

[fusionsport]

I would do the greddy emanage-as it is easily upgradable as you can afford it. Stock (about 300 bucks)it works just like an AFC without the goofy screen. Add the "Support Tool"(about $115), which is software and a special cable, and you are now able to tune on your laptop. Add the Ignition harness($35) and you can now control timing as well as your MAF signal. A special secret is the ignition harness has 8 leads allowing you to add in either secondary iunjectors OR control your OEM ones via a 16x16 map. While in the end you could have just bought a DSMlink or had a good run on an AEM box, the initial costs are very low and allow you to upgrade as you can afford it, and the car will stay running while "untuned"

[91turbolaser]

they all sound good, but 1g dsmlink definately sounds the best!! my car is already socketed for eprom chip due to keydiver chip already installed. is the 1g link really close, because i will definately wait on it if its less than say 2 months or so from purchase to the public. any solid info that this may be true? i would really love to wait, get the link, and do it right the first time. laptops are cheap on ebay too. thanks. matt

[Hal]

Last week, Tom said it was four weeks out.

That included a week off for a family vacation.

Hal

[91turbolaser]

no kidding!!!! wow i am definately waiting for it and investing in that. i dont think i could spend my money any better!!!!!!!!! thank you hal for the update.honestly, is this something that a non experienced tuner like myself can figure out and learn without a whole lot of trouble?? thanks

[Dallas J]

DSMLink is like the cats meow... I dont think I would have modded my car without it. I would never have tried to run 780cc injectors, or even bought a 50-trim if I didnt have it. You cant beat the function and support it has, not only by the creators, but also by the users for the money.

-Dallas J

[jmakado]

.honestly, is this something that a non experienced tuner like myself can figure out and learn without a whole lot of trouble?? thanks
i have an afc and mitch has dsmlink. tuning with his dsmlink is WAY EASIER than with my afc. no worrying about setting low/hi throttle pos. points or getting your fuel trims to stabilize or any of that other crap. you can just plug it in and make changes as you feel more comfortable and understand more. check out some of the screen shots at www.dsmlink.com and you will see just how easy it is to do the basic stuff. if i could do it over again i would have just gone straight to dsmlink from the beginning and saved many headaches.

[91turbolaser]

thats fantastic and what i plan on doing. i will do it right the first time. thanks soo much for these helpful responses. by the looks of things and the input ive received, i feel confident i can figure this out and learn as i go. thanks again guys. if i understand correctly a laptop is really necessarry for full use of link right? are there any specs i need to know in purchasing one strictly to run link. such as ram, HD space, OS, etc. thanks.

[biglady112]

Matt, just go to dsmlink.com , and look there. It will have all the details that you need for everything. PM me and I can give you our password and stuff so you can look at the forums if you would like to.
Steve
Oh yea expect it to be between $450-$550 for the link. Thats my guess as is is gonna be cheaper than for 2G's.

[91turbolaser]

oh thats cool man i didnt know it was supposed to be cheaper! ya ill look up some more on their site. cant wait for it to come out tho, soo awsome. ill pm ya tonight man. later

[Hal]

The DSMLink Palm client offers all of the same features as the laptop client.

1g DSMLink will require a Palm OS 3.5 or later but prior to 5.0.

Hal

[91turbolaser]

really, i could just use my palm that i use as my datalogger, but isnt there a drawback to the palm? if not dsmlink will be a quite cheap investment for all the tools i will get. my palm isnt color though which may make it hard. i dont know thats cool though that i could use a palm if i want as well.

[hoffman]

No drawbacks. It's the same as using a laptop.

[91turbolaser]

does color screen help enough to invest in a palm with color?

[v413nc3]

Meh, I hate using a Palm to tune, but that's just me. I prefer the laptop. And just to clear up some misconceptions. DSMLink is awesome for what it does, but it does still have its own limitations. For 90% of the people out there it will be more than enough for all they'll ever want to do.

[ryanman]

does color screen help enough to invest in a palm with color?
Yes, get a color one. It allows you to see each color for each sensor and it's value alot easier. Black and white is a PITA cause all you see is a bunch of black lines going across the screen.

[91turbolaser]

ya im sure just like anything else, it does have its limitations,but should be more than enough for me. i figured the color would help out alot, dont know yet , but i still might use the laptop. ok ones are pretty cheap now. thanks guys

[Hal]

Yes, get a color one. It allows you to see each color for each sensor and it's value alot easier. Black and white is a PITA cause all you see is a bunch of black lines going across the screen.

Edit -> PDA Setup -> Single Chart

Toggles between one chart with all the data or up to six individual charts stacked. Obviously lower resolution, but it is there.

[Zarco]

Before this thread I was about to order a AFR off of ebay. I am getting tired of waiting for dsmlink, but i have been this patient thusfar.....im sure it will be worth the wait. Thanks for all of the info on dsmlink, by the by,does anyone know where i can get my ecu ready for dsmlink(eprom)? also, dsmlink requires a serial port does it not? i will use my black/white data logger untill i can get a laptop to tune with(there are no serial ports on my new laptop)..... i have never used the program, is there someone in colorado springs area that would be able to help me tune/ teach me how to tune? Thanks, Marco

[patsevo8]

The SAFC is well worth your $$. Unless you are planning HUGE power to the wheels, standalone is not your pick of the litter.
My opinion only though. :)

[Mirage]

by the by,does anyone know where i can get my ecu ready for dsmlink(eprom)?

When you say get your ECU ready for DSMLink, Are you meaning getting your eprom socketed or getting an eprom chip installed?

If you do not have an Eprom ECU, then you'll have to find one in order to use DSMLink. It is impossible to install a chip onto a non-eprom board and you MUST have an eprom ECU in order to install DSMLink.

As far as getting your factory eprom socketed, I'm sure there are a few people around here that still socket ecu's. You can also get it socketed by the guys at DSMLink.

As far as the laptop not having any serial ports, you can buy adapters to adapt the serial connection to a USB. People have had good luck with these as far as I remember, but I'll let someone else elaborate on that issue as I don't remember any details.

Marcus Martinez

[v413nc3]

The SAFC is well worth your $$. Unless you are planning HUGE power to the wheels, standalone is not your pick of the litter.
My opinion only though. :)


DSMLink isn't a standalone and it's about twice the price, which makes it MORE than worth it. The AFC really isn't that good. You have to use stock timing and your tuning capabilities are severely limited.

As far as a standalone. The AEM EMS is as far beyond DSMLink as DSMLink is beyond an AFC. But they're making advancments in the Link every day. Sooner or later it will be worth it to choose one over a standalone I hope. Until that day, I will stick with the AEM.