AEM vs. HONDATA

[B16TURBO]

whats the major difference and which one is the best?/

[Ferris]

neptune

[Jeffrey]

Neptune.

[Importslut]

um that wasn't a question. So now you two tell me why Neptune is better then AEM or Hondata?

[suspendedhatch]

There's actually no contest. AEM makes the best engine management for our cars. And since a version 2 box is coming out soon, most places have them for sale quite cheap. Motec is technically better, but much more expensive and it's not plug n play; and most of the advanced features ie traction control etc will never be put to use. Nor does it have the built-in wizards for running Honda sensors etc.

The AEM is worth it's cost. However, AEM is overkill for most people who just need to slightly adjust fuel and ignition timing.

The major limitation to any system that runs on the factory ECU is the hardware. You have one single coil output so you are stuck running distributed ignition. Everyone who has had a Honda/Acura for some time knows that the distributers/internal coils/internal ICMs are notoriously unreliable and costly to replace. People who make serious power with high compression, high RPM, or high boost also find that the factory ignition system is too weak and too slow causing "breakup". Besides that you don't have extra programmable inputs and outputs for features like WOT shifting, boost controllers, adding sensors and being able to trim fuel and ignition timing with them ie EGT, UEGO, knock.

You also have to watch out with some software as it doesn't have full control of the ECU's trims so you get inconsistent results. I have seen firsthand with Crome for instance that the ignition timing will vary from one pull to the next with no changes made to the calibration.

Last but not least is that from what I've seen, "live" tuning is very limited with OEM ECU based systems. The longer it takes and the more tedious it is to tune your car, the less likely you are to get a good tune.

[Teknik_DC2]

The question is do you wanna belive this guy^ or would you rather belive Cortney Green who has discussed wich is better many times on this forum.  Keep in mind Cortney is one of the best honda tuners in the country so I'm sorry but I would belive his word over this guys anyday regarding the better system.  This post of his pretty much say's all you need to know in regards to his views on AEM. 

Ok, just for the record. I love AEM but I would NEVER use one on a B or K series Honda! I will use AEM systems on a camaro, supra, evo, S2000, viper, SRT or mustang.

Neptune is actually better and has more options than Hondata. The only real reason I use Hondata is because it has on-board logging and has RTP which is needed when you are trying to dial in a 1000hp fwd car at the track.

In order to make AEM run perfect on a B series setup you need to change EVERYTHING. You need a MSD billet distributor 390.00 or a T1 trigger kit 550.00. If you want to do a COP setup it will be another 700.00+

Neptune with installation dyno tuning and rental = 575.00


or


AEM 1300.00
MSD dizzy 390.00 or T1 kit 550.00
MSD or M&W ignition 390.00-800.00
Labor on above 350.00
Tuning 200.00
Dyno Rental 185.00

2815.00 - 3385.00


That would buy a bad ass full-race manifold and a sick turbo with the money you would save by doing NepTune.

You are absolute idiot if you run a AEM on a 200-700hp b series car. Its just a waste of money.

Its kinda funny that almost every fast car I see at RMR has Neptune.

[Daviticus]

This is a toss-up, at least between the last two posts. I've seen a lot of suspendedhatch's work lately in searching information regarding the 3-stage VTEC cars [even found you on an offshoot of a gas-mileage search, on gassavers.com] and he's got quite a bit of time and thought into his AEM setup.

However.

Last but not least is that from what I've seen, "live" tuning is very limited with OEM ECU based systems. The longer it takes and the more tedious it is to tune your car, the less likely you are to get a good tune.

That's if you're doing it yourself. Unless someone is a tuning specialist and is tuning dedicated track cars, they're not going to know how to do everything properly to get the best tune. To me, it's worth the money to take it to someone [like Cort] who's been doing this day-in day-out for years on the same systems, and has an established reputation of success. That way, I don't have to worry about how long it takes or how tedious it is, I just get a proper tune at the end of the session.

[runsnines]

Hondata actually has plenty of inputs and outputs. Strain guage contol for doxbox transmissions with faceplates, Full throttle shift, onboard logging which is MUCH better than AEM's onboard logging. Analog 5v inputs for wideband o2, fuel pressure and oil pressure or EGT. Hondata has a High speed USB vs a rs232 serial on AEM. They both have a good boost controller setup but Hondata is much better.

As the post says above, the overall cost the get the AEM running perfect on a B,D,H or F engine is just stupid. Running it on a K series is a bad idea also.

I have tuned a crap load of cars on AEM and it is awesome for cars that just dont have any other options.

[B16TURBO]

I DONT LIKE CORTNEY GREEN HE TALKS TO MUCH FOR ME I THINK AEM IS BETTER PERIOD

[Rabbit]

I don't think thread was about who likes Cortney and who doesn't.

[Importslut]

I DONT LIKE CORTNEY GREEN HE TALKS TO MUCH FOR ME I THINK AEM IS BETTER PERIOD

so what have you don't for the car scene in Utah? Have you ran 9s? Have you tuned more vehicles then you can count? That's what I thought. Now I'm going to sit back with some popcorn and wait for someone else to come tell you how stupid your post makes you sound.

[Importslut]

Also if you knew aem was better, why'd you make this thread?

[B16TURBO]

WHY YOU GETTING ALL BUT HURT HOMIE IS NO LIKE YOUR NAME IS COUTNEY GREEN LOL LOL

[Importslut]

I'm not getting butthurt. But you talking shit on one of the best tuners in the nation when you couldn't even decide what engine management is better makes you look very unintelligent. I really hope Cortney chimes in here to make you look worse then you already do.

[B16TURBO]

LO LOL LOL I DONT REALLY CARE