I've been looking at both with alot of care lately. I'm attracted to link because I think it will be easier to tune (since there are more maps available) and its stand alone. I'm afraid of xede because its so new, its piggy back, and I don't know what tuning it will look like.

With link I know the car will run fine from the start and require minimal tuning. I don't know what to expect from xede, and it looks like there is still some confusion and difficulty getting everything to work from research on m.net. What do you guys think?

I've never tuned a car before, so I'm weary in general.

 

is the 1.6 link production really done?

 

the 1.6 link has been in production for years but the exede is new to the 1.6

 

I believe FM might have 1 or 2 links for the 1.6 left. I would give them a call and talk to them soon if you want one. This might force you to finally buy something to.

 

Haven't screwed with an Xede, but I'd think it would be easier to tune because it only does magic in boost, and allows the stock ecu to do everything in vac, run the a/c, fans, idle, n what not. The Link must be programmed to do *everything* so there's more opportunity for problems.

 

I would just buy a MS setup, cheaper and better than link. But I would go with exede, more of a future there.

 

I wouldn't buy the link because it IS out of production, and the future is unknown as to avalibilty of spare parts in the future. Had I know that this was going to happen I wouldn't have bought one, I would have bought the Hyrda.

The Xede on the 1.6 won't allow you to remove the AFM as of yet (unless BEGI has made headway with that). Even with the 1.8 swap you want to do, you'll still be running 1.6 electronics.

The MS is cheap and good, but the build/install/troubleshooting/tuning is going to be more difficult than a Hyrda from FM or a Xede from Begi.

 

Stephanie says I can run MAP and kill the AFM. I know its more than 2x the price of a build MS, but with xede I'll get customer support, and tuning will be alot easier. I want to get ron popeil action on the install so I can drive the car when I'm home, which is rare.

I think I agree with you guys that link is not the best choice. I hope if I do run xede, everything works. I've messed with piggyback applications before on vw's, and its a nightmare. I know xede is supposed to work like stand alone...but its a $1600 gamble I don't want to take.

 

I chose the Link over the Xede because it was proven to work.

There is a lot of support for the Link as there are a lot of them out there. As well, a few friends are running them which makes the tuning easier.

As for Xede, well Bell is behind it and they seem to be a company that really stands behind its products.

 

^ That's the reason why I also went with the LINK.There is quite a few people running them locally.

So If I run into a problem,it's only a phone call/PM or a quick visit away from solving the problem.

 

diyautotune should have a plug and play MS soon... certainly by the time hustler actually gets a turbo.

 

By that time the MS would be a museum relic.

 

i like the link because of the fleibility in n/a OR boosted. it's very reliable.

 

really? will ac work too? ****!!!! I can't decide what to do!!!

 

if i can get the MS to work, you can....enough said :P

and yes A/C works, no check engine lights, no AFM, no BOV Recirc.

 

I don't want to deal with the wiring cluster ****. I'd like to get ms to work...it will save me like $400. However, its probably worth $400 to me to plug the **** in and know I can at least limp it to the dyno to get it tuned. I battled with Haltech for 4 weeks just to get the car to ******* start, and I don't want to go through that again.

 

well have scot or someone who has done this before or can do this with there spare time to build it. Hell i had ADbradley build mine he even checked it to make sure the car would run with it. I ran 3 wires plugged it in and it ran woohoo. Tunning and tweaking is up to me but otherwise i have a solid unit with several base maps to choos from. for alot less than even most emb's and none of the splicing and dicing hassle.

 

so did you buy a prebuilt one, or have adbradley order everying, put it together, and wire it up? What did that cost you?

I'm kinda weary about sending someone money, and hoping they come through on it.

 

talk to diyautotune. they've been hinting at this for a while now, tell them you're waiting.

but you could buy a prebuilt one like i did and do the soldering mods yourself in half an hour.

 

so help me here, I can't seem to find the info. From reading the FM stuff, it looks like I have to not only buy the serial / usb box, but I also have to buy software to adjust the maps?

Is it a total bitch to tune with the little key pad?