Both of these EMS are around the same price and I'm unclear what the advantages and disadvantages are of one over the other. Can anyone with experience with both clue me in on any of the differences/advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks.

 

call GT Motorsports, I think they sell both

 

I'll give you one, one of them is Locked and the other one is not They are both great EMS and has their own advantages and disadvantages. IS will have a better resolution than Utec so drivability will be better, I dont really see it as a problem with Utec if you are running low boost. I love my utec since I can always go in there and do some minor changes if necessary. I'm not sure if the IS can retard the timing when knock is detected coz that is something I like about Utec too. Utec can also control boost but I'm not sure if the IS can. Utec is a parallel EMS so it really has full control of your timing and Injector and not just scaling like other Piggy back when on boost.

For some drivability is a priority so if that is you then the IS might be better for you.

 

I guess I should leave more info. If finances allow it, I'd be going with a single turbo setup or vortech, maybe jwt 530s, at the end of this year. I'm really into reliability, and will probably be getting pistons, rods, and head gaskets at the same time. I know everyone says the stock DE block can handle up to 400rwhp, and I won't need any of that, but I'm into the spend a little more now to save a little later thing. I'll want to boost about 8-9 psi, and will request that it be tuned more for a higher and flatter torque curve than high peak HP.

So deciding which ems is best for my application is part of my putting together a budget for the setup. The IS would allow me to use the FCON navigator, which is cheaper than using gauges. If I went with gauges, I'd use the innovate for AFR, boost, oil and water temp, and oil pressure. I have an idea on where I'd put all those already, so placement isn't a factor. I just don't think that my monitoring should be the deciding factor on what ems to use.

All that being said, I do like the fact that the Utec has the timing retard. Does anyone know if the knock amp from HKS can be hooked up to the IS or just the V PRO?

And what does resolution mean when you're talking about ems?

 

One other factor you should consider is are you the type of guy that will leave everything to the tuner? IMHO, being able to do some logging is a must since you cant look at your gauges 100% of the time. Utec can give you that option so you can analyze the data later on. You can also hook up your laptop or get a CarPC and use the UTI software with Utec. UTI will do the auto logging for you and it also give you some Audible if knock is detected, Shift point is reached, Coolant Temp reached a certain temp...etc.

I usually have my laptop on when I'm driving hard or when Temperature changed dramatically, I have UTI logged everything and I check all the data later on to see if my tune is still spot-on on that Temperature (Suck to live in the North East).

Regarding the Resolution, Utec only have 10 load (X) column and the RPM increment by 250rpm (Y). I'm not sure what kind of increment IS has but I'm pretty sure it is less than 250rpm and more than 10 column. This mean your matrix will be bigger on the IS so you can fine tune it more. For example, let say you want to run 20 psi. Since Utec only has 10 column, then the best you can do is have it set to 2 psi increment. (x1 = 2psi, x2 = 4psi, ..... x10 = 20psi) If you are running less than 10 psi then it is not a problem since you can set every column to 1 psi increment. This goes the same with RPM, the smaller the increment then the better you can fine tune your car. You still need to talk to your tuner since there is no point of going to Utec if your tuner can't tune them

 

GTM is 35 mins from me, so if this goes down it will 100% be them to do it, and I already know sam can tune both. Warning signals sound nice, that was one of the questions I wanted to know about the IS that I forgot. Does anyone with an IS know if you can set warning signals through the FCON Navigator?

 

If you are going with GTM then I'm pretty sure they will push for IS (coz only HKS dealer can make changes) unless you insist on Utec.. lol

 

Between those two I would get the UTEC. I'm still very happy with mine. One day I will upgrade to one of the big boy EMS.

I like being able to make changes when needed without driving all the way down to a tuner just to have him pull out a couple degrees of timing when it gets hot.

 

+1
I used to knock when it was 95F+ deg outside and Utec logs will tell you which Cell you are knocking. All you have to do now is pull a couple of deg around that Area and it usually solve the knocking or if your A/F is to lean then just add some fuel and that usually fix it. No need to go to a Tuner if the problem is minor Don't get me wrong, I still prefer to go to a tuner to get a full tune

 

Bro, just call Sam or anyone at GTM for that matter. They will answer all of your questions regarding both. They sell and install both. They went over both options with me and I chose the HKS iS. The harness is the same as the FCon so if you decide later to upgrade to the FCon, the harness is already there. Plus they do a buyback of the iS and will give you credit towards the FCon. The only drawback of the iS, like others have said, is that only a certified HKS approved shop/tech can tune it. GTM will do whatever you want cuz it's your money.

 

So if i just went straight to the Fcon pro- which can adjust these things on its own, I wouldn't have to worry about these things. The IS can't do this for you?

 

Like Hex Said, call Sam and he maybe able to explain more what are the pros of the IS. Good Luck.

 

Just talked to someone at GTM. The Fcon Navigator can do audible warnings. I figure I would have spent money on about 4-5 gauges from innovate (I liked the visual red led warnings) to add up to the cost of an Fcon pro. I just may go that route. I like that it tunes itself also for minor adjustments.

 

If you are going to spend the money for a engine build , an FCon EMS . Go ahead an spend the money on a Turbo kit . A single that has the capabilities of putting out ....BIG.... WHP . Or a Twin Turbo kit able to do the same . You will not be happy for long with 400whp on a DynoJet dyno . Just look at all the guys trying to make more power with there SCer's and some single turbo kits

 

I'm not looking to build a beast, I'm just looking to be able to run very safely some boost on a daily driven car.