Advice needed on AEM support

J

jcjcf1

Contributing Member
Joined
13 May 2004
Messages
154
Location
Erie, CO
My '92 has the base CTSC(Whipple, self-installed), and I'm considering a hi-boost option with AEM ECU. Since there doesn't appear to be an experienced local AEM pro, I would probably take the car to SOS or Autowave(either is 1000+ miles away). I'm also willing to learn to log and analyze data output with a laptop and the AEM software.

I need some factual advice from those with AEM/CTSC hi-boost experience. Is lack of local AEM support too big a problem to consider this? Is taking the car to live at 5000 feet a potential problem with the initial setup at sea-level? Anyone installed an AEM yourself(with a base map specific to your setup from someone else) and fine-tuned it yourself with the AEM software? Any problems with Acura dealership service for basic mechanical maintenance? Would simply going with the Comptech hi-boost option(and no AEM) be a better choice, all things considered? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!
 
If you have a dyno in your area I would recommend having a tuner fly in and tune the car where it will be driven. With your mile high altitude and the varying temps in CO your AFR's could end up incorrect if tuned in LA et. al.. Try Devin Pierce who works with AEM. He may do it , or Mike at Autowave
 
Woody has the best plan, if you decide to go AEM then fly someone in, make sure the tuner is very good, lots of possitive refferences from other NSX owners with AEM.

The installation of the hardware is not the issue, the dealer will not want to do any diagnostic work on the car if it is engine related, they just do not understand the AEM, and you should really not expect them to, all other aspects of dealer care should not change. Having said that, if you make the move to the AEM, I think you need to be one of those guys that is willing to learn about the AEM & NSX, how they work together and not be afraid to take on most of the maintenance issues of the car. Since you did the Whipple as a self installer you sound like the right kind of guy. I have the 9lb Whipple and AEM (self-installed). I am not sure what you are looking for but If I had it to do over again I would opt for the new Autorotor and AEM, running at standard boost. You will get the power of the 9lb, lower IAT, and less peak boost. When I got mine the Autorotor was not available, and now that Shad is not with Comptech I do not think the conversion kit will ever come from Comptech, or you can do the AEM with out the 9lb pulley and have it tuned out to what the 9lb on the stock ECU would have given you. One thing to think about is the AEM will add alot of mid-range improvement and some peak HP to your current setup. IF that is your goal then maybe just the AEM (and supporting mods) and a good tune is all you need.

I meaning "ME", would not do the 9lb Whipple without the AEM, the risk is to high and the control over the OEM ECU is to little. If you want more help than this, you will have to provide more info on how you drive your CTSC now, and why you feel the need for more power.

Best of luck in your quest.

Dave



jcjcf1 said:
My '92 has the base CTSC(Whipple, self-installed), and I'm considering a hi-boost option with AEM ECU. Since there doesn't appear to be an experienced local AEM pro, I would probably take the car to SOS or Autowave(either is 1000+ miles away). I'm also willing to learn to log and analyze data output with a laptop and the AEM software.

I need some factual advice from those with AEM/CTSC hi-boost experience. Is lack of local AEM support too big a problem to consider this? Is taking the car to live at 5000 feet a potential problem with the initial setup at sea-level? Anyone installed an AEM yourself(with a base map specific to your setup from someone else) and fine-tuned it yourself with the AEM software? Any problems with Acura dealership service for basic mechanical maintenance? Would simply going with the Comptech hi-boost option(and no AEM) be a better choice, all things considered? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
jcjcf1, I am in total agreement with woody and dave, they both brought solid info to the table.

Woody hit on the point of your altitude and I think that the AEM should be fine tuned on a dyno or if you have no access to one then a wideband uego and drive and tune will work. I remember living at tahoe(off subject but I use to run the virginia city road course a couple a times a month.)well anyway the altitude played havoc with my carburetored car and 4x4,the AEM should adjust on its own but I still would go with tuning where you drive.

Dave hit the nail on the head when he advised that you throw yourself into learning your S/C setup and EMS, its the advise I give most often to people that I build a n20 kit for or guys that have it on their car and want to show me how cool it looks,hey boys will be boys! I explain that yeah it looks cool but it will toast your motor if you dont take care of it and do monthly maintainence !
but in a deeper sense with a new robust EMS like the aem you need to school yourself and AEM has a board also for learning and exchange of tuning tips. good luck,I wish you the best for your car and what lays ahead
 
Many thanks guys for taking the time to give me your input!! - WOODY, DDozier, BadCarma, and also those who sent me PM's.

Although I'm willing to spend the time and effort to learn the ins and outs of fuel management and setting up and tweaking the AEM, it sounds like the lack of a local guru/tuner is a BIG negative and potentially a very expensive learning experience(blown engine). No surprise there I guess. I would love to move the NSX toward what I think it could be, but maybe I'd be better off keeping it as-is and dedicating the bucks to my next sportscar, whatever that is going to be. Won't sell the NSX though. Decisions, decisions.

Any other thoughts out there? I still may take BadCarma's "wideband uego and drive and tune" approach despite the inherent risks.
 
hondoctors said:
I would definately recommend Jeremy (Servion Tuning) to tune your car. He has tuned a few of our friends cars here in Las Vegas, and he happens to be in Colorado Springs. You can contact him through his website. http://www.serviontuning.com/ Let him know Jarrod from Hondoctors sent you.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendation! It's great to hear of a possibility reasonably close to home.
 
Racerxjling said:
I know Mike from Autowave is willing to travel. He tuned my 92 AEM/hi boost setup...he knows his stuff.

Jeff
Click to expand...

I second that! http://www.autowaveinc.com/

Mike is the only one that works on my car, and if there is anything wrong, I won't hestitate to fly him in.
 

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