ECUs and Tuning Discuss Engine Management, Tuning, & Programming

MS3 or first gen AEM pnp?

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Old 02-03-2011, 02:42 PM
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Default MS3 or first gen AEM pnp?

A used first gen AEM PNP unit costs about the same as a new MS3 w/ msx mod. Any feelings for which is the better unit? Ease of use? ease of tuning? Stability? Capability?

Through strange circumstances (I'm a packrat) I actually have both. Need to decide which to install and tune and which to sell off!

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Old 02-03-2011, 02:56 PM
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resale on the AEM is higher I bet.
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Old 02-04-2011, 12:00 PM
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I've got both, just wondering which way to go replacing my DIYautotune PNP unit I've been using the last couple years. Wanting to add sequential spark/fuel, use the larger fuel tables and faster processing. I've got a built bottom end in with some minor head work. Wanting a more capable ECU to up the boost safely. Wanna join the big boy club pushing closer to 300hp but safely.

Whichever I don't use will go up for sale along with the DIY PNP unit to help pay for dyno time!
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Old 02-04-2011, 12:10 PM
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Talk to Savington about the AEM. You know how I feel about the MS...
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Old 02-04-2011, 12:23 PM
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Go with the AEM.
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Old 02-04-2011, 02:45 PM
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MS3X VVT is imminent.

my 01 runs perfectly on the MS3X but VVT is still on-off for the time being. I'm hoping spring at the latest.
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Old 02-04-2011, 03:13 PM
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Traction control is coming to MS3 in the next few months too, part of the same alpha as VVT.
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Old 02-04-2011, 04:46 PM
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Biggest advantage I see of the AEM is the knowledge base. Every shop with a dyno know's the AEM. It's going to be tougher to find someone with a dyno that knows what they are doing with the MS3.

Any other plus/minus features you guys think are important in making up my mind?
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Old 02-04-2011, 04:51 PM
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people who run the AEM generally like it. likewise with MS3. It's almost down to preference at this point.
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Old 02-04-2011, 06:30 PM
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I stand by my first assessment.

AEM will have higher resale value.

(in other words: you sell it and you will have more cash in hand than if you sold the MS3X)
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Old 02-04-2011, 06:46 PM
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Understand the resale completely! Of course I have less into the MS3 unit so resale isn't a big consideration. I've had the DIY PNP unit for several years. I'm familiar with using tunerstudio and fiddling with tune with MS. Big drawback of AEM to me is lack of familiarity for myself. Big plus for AEM is all the tuners in the area are familiar with it.

The AEM unit I picked up was from an autoXers car. He had a 99 motor in an NA with an MP62 supercharger on it. Not being familiar with NB motors and AEM I don't know how much of his tune I'll have to mess with to keep from blowing my car up. Anyone have a good base map to work with? My car has a 94 motor in it. Built bottom end, cleaned up head with minor porting. BEGI s4 system w/ 2860rs. Savingtons COPS, coolant reroute. MSpnp currently operating EBC, idle, has input from iat sensor, map sensor built in, stock temp sensor, stock cam sensor. AEM unit would need a map sensor added. Anything else obvious? O

f course all of these questions I really need to search for. Just thought I'd throw in the stupid questions while I was at it!
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Old 02-04-2011, 08:37 PM
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either is easy enough to get a base tune set up once your sensors are all working properly.
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Old 02-04-2011, 09:32 PM
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Keep in mind I don't think he has any plans for vvt.
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Old 02-04-2011, 10:27 PM
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Do you plan on having a shop tune the car? If yes, which one is your preferred shop familiar with?
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Old 02-11-2011, 10:32 PM
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The AEM will do VVT and knock control TODAY - can't say that about the MS3.

I liked my MSPNP when I had it, but the AEM is simply a more powerful ECU.
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Old 02-14-2011, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Savington
The AEM will do VVT and knock control TODAY - can't say that about the MS3.

I liked my MSPNP when I had it, but the AEM is simply a more powerful ECU.
Oddly enough, the first successful test of VVT on MS3 happened a day after you posted that.
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Old 02-14-2011, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by y8s
MS3X VVT is imminent.

my 01 runs perfectly on the MS3X but VVT is still on-off for the time being. I'm hoping spring at the latest.
Originally Posted by Matt Cramer
Oddly enough, the first successful test of VVT on MS3 happened a day after you posted that.
Yeah, well it's warm like spring today...
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Old 02-15-2011, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Matt Cramer
Oddly enough, the first successful test of VVT on MS3 happened a day after you posted that.
Glad to hear it. Are you guys doing full PID control for VVT?
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Old 02-15-2011, 12:00 PM
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Yes it's full PID control.
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Old 02-15-2011, 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Savington
Glad to hear it. Are you guys doing full PID control for VVT?
Nothing else will do for us.

See this thread for details:

https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/so-my-megasquirt-does-veeveeteez-55609/
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