Thanks to all. Great info.

 

Powdrkeg7, sorry for getting so far off topic. A few things in your thread peaked my interest. I'll start a separate thread for that.

I haven't used it but I'll vote the Link as well. There is a lot of info for the Miata application. There's also the huge user base that can be tapped for questions.

 

The Link was the best choice for me. Pretty much a PNP installation and very easy to use for a person who does not know much about tuning a car.

 

Tec3 and Hydra. looked at the EMU and AEM software too and it looks much better than both.... but I've heard of hardware bugginess in those.

 

I think that I'll start saving for the link. I think that the extra $ up front may help to save some $ later when I take it to dyno tune.

Thanks again

 

Has anyone ever used Apexi?

http://www.apexi-usa.com/product_ele...=197&pageNum=1

 

I was hoping someone would chime in with a AEM opinion as well.

 

I mentioned AEM in my post, but it seems like the price is above what he's looking for.

 

I doubt this thread will get much longer but it should probably go in general Miata as more info here is non-emanage related.

I'd add Motec info but I've just messed with the software while not attached to the car because my dash is apart while I move gauges around and rewire some stuff. Plus it snowed yesterday. Plus I bought the car in December and don't have the friggin title yet so it's not registered in MD. :(

Frank

 

Which Motec are you running?

 

M4 pro with advanced tuning and logging (TM) and integrated PLM wideband.

Frank

 

I've used the EMU and TEC3 on miatas. The EMU was the easiest to tune, but the TEC3 is more capable as well as being stand alone. I have also tuned a Power FC on a FD RX-7 and love it. I wish apexi made a PFC for the miata.

 

so you did, I must have missed it. I was wondering about the tuning interface specifically.

 

http://forum.aempower.com/forum/index.php?topic=17194.0

you can download it and the manual at their forums. give it a whirl, it's pretty sweet if overly detailed.

 

Overly detailed, thats a good way of putting it.

It's definitely pretty. Lots of graphs, charts, tables, etc... All the options you could ask for. Looks like you're using something straight out of Star Trek to folks around you.

Problem I had is that it's so complex you need a passenger to go along on tuning runs to operate it. Trying to do it yourself is suicidal.

Like say for instance you have the fuel page up, (one-click, not too bad, is there a keyboard shortcut?) and you want to change a 19% to a 22%. You cannot simply go to the cell and type something in. You either have to hit the + key 30 times or you have to right click on the cell, and choose "set value" from a menu, then type in the number and press enter.

Have you ever tried to use a mouse on a laptop in a moving car with a stiff suspension when the laptop is at an odd angle in the passenger seat? Now consider that some of the buttons and cells are really tiny. Now add in the fact that you're trying to drive a car at the same time and you can only glance quickly at the screen to see if the mouse is in the right f*****g place before you click.

 

What version of the software were you using? Sounds like you were using an older version.
I used an AEM in the Miata I sold this month and I could just click on a cell and type in a number, no right click required (still have to hit enter, though). I had no problem tuning the car on the street. I just used the datalogging (not the on-board, but the laptop logging).

FWIW, Ive used the 1.6 Link, AEM and a Megasquirt on the turbo miatas I've owned. I found that once I learned to navigate through all the menus with the AEM and got comfortable with the logging, it was the easiest to tune.

MY $0.02

 

Hmm, I just downloaded it and tried again. I stand corrected.

Not sure why it didn't work when we were tuning the car. It was a PnP AEM on a friend's 2G DSM. I have no idea what version he was using.

I do know that both of us had the problem, so it wasn't my imagination.

 

I think that I'm settled on the Link for ease of use and installation purposes.
I'd prefer to buy used due to cost, but understand that my options may be limited. Any recommendations on Link versions, provisions, add ons etc?

I'm currently at 10 psi and want to get to ~15ish. I have a Greddy, Jim B's pipes and SAAB intercooler, Bipes and BEGI AFPR, 255 lph fuel pump and 1.8 injectors. RX7 clutch pack diff and ACT Extreme clutch.

Also, if anyone has knowldedge around sourcing a used Link, I'm interested. Please send them my way.

Thanks to all.

 

Also Racing Mazda Down pipe and 2.5" exhaust on rebuilt 1.6.

 

Wow your set up is damn near identical to mine.

I wouldn't say that the Link is easier to tune than other less expensive ECUs. It's only advantage is the fact that there are so many Link'ed turbo miatas running around, you can get started with someone else's map. If you had to tune it from scratch, I'd think it would be tough and take a while.