I'm about to purchase either an emanage or utec, I have heard bad things about Greddy, but the tuner I will use prefers it. He said that he has been using the emanange since it came out and really understands it very well. Since I really don't plan on doing any tweaking myself (tuning is the department that I lack skills in), is it possible that the emanage wouldn't be a bad choice in this case?

I have an 04 6mt, turbonetics kit, I will be installing larger injectors, and my goal is 400hp. I realize in the future if I wanted more and built my engine, the Utec would be the better choice. Assuming I don't, could the greddy get the job done safely?

 

Both systems have features to recommend them, as you seem to already understand. Go with what your tuner is most comfortable with. The Emanage is more than capable of handling power levels up to 400-450 whp. There are pros and cons to every system, but piggybacks are all pretty limited to begin with.

SC

 

I know that the emanage blue has had poor reviews, how does everyone feel about the emanage ultimate, it seems to have a lot of features, what sets the utec apart from that unit?

Also, I am in the process of installing gauges, Should I just not hook the AEM wideband up until I have the piggyback system? It looks like the gauge hooks directly to the sensor on the exhaust, does this change when the utec or emanage is installed?, how does the piggyback systems get linked into this?

 

They both work fine, but the difference is that the UTEC has absolute timing and fuel control while in the positive, and the EU works by scaling so values, so there is a possibility of adjustments to your tune when the ecu makes adjustments, regardless they are minor and both would work for your power goals.

 

The emanage is a piggyback, whereas the UTEC is more of a parallel engine management system. When the UTEC takes over control (at the user defined settings), the tuner has absolute control over timing and fuel injector pulsewidth.

On the emanage, you tuner will be tuning by using "offsets" of what the stock ecu is doing, at the time of tuning. The problem with that is that the stock ecu is always changing its tuning characteristics. You have no idea what thestock ecu was doing when your tuner tuned the emanage. What if the stock ecu ws reading hot IATs and it already had alot of timing pulled. YOu tuner may have just thought that your engine "liked alot of timing", but in actuality the stock ecu was already pulling timing......later on down the road, all the extra timing that tuner added will cause detonation when the stock ecu changes its own maps to a more aggressive tune.......

see where I am going with this?

 

How about another choice? Haltech. More powerful than the UTEC, easier to tune with, better software interface, and can be used as a boost controller as well.

 

Utec can also control boost... Haltech does have a better Software Interface and has a lot more bells and whistle, but so do Fcon and ProEFI. You can't compare Utec to them coz the price is close to triple of Utec.

 

UTEC = $900 and you need a MAP sensor (another $100) if you are tuning for boost. Also, tuner wideband for UTEC is $400

Haltech = $2300, comes with a MAP sensor, and utitizes the factory widebands (on 04.5 and newer)

Not triple, not in my book, and tuning time should be decreased because of the ease of tuning.

Also unlocked, unlike FCon.

Finally, at least in my experience (of over 1 year running a UTEC, and a recent switch to the Haltech), the UTEC causes some strange hiccups as it transitions from the stock ECU to the UTEC controlled portion of the map. I know this effect increases as you go to larger injectors, as well

If the Haltech was out when I boosted my G, I would have gone with it straightaway, rather than dicking around with the UTEC. Fortunately, I am able to sell my UTEC for a decent price to someone how is still going with stock injectors, and non-boosted, which will make for a smooth map with the UTEC.

For the original poster, given his goals of larger injectors and 400 rwhp, the Haltech is a much better choice, even considering the price differential.

 

I know Haltech is a great EMS and I for one is thinking about changing. The OP's goal is 400whp and 440 inj is enough to handle that. Utec does have problem scaling once you go past 6xx injector. At 440cc Utec does not have a problem what so ever even in Hot Start. You are right about the smoothness especially going between ECU and Utec Control.

Does Haltech have gear dependent Boost control? Haltech is the cheapest of all the Standalone EMS out there but if you compare Utec to Fcon then it is close to triple especially if you want the Knock Amp.

 

I'm also looking into selling my UTEC for a ProEFI or Haltech down the line. For now I'm out of money so the UTEC will have to work for now.

 

What bout AEM? anyone ever try that?

 

im curoius about AEM as well... anyone?

 

^ no plug and play. I would love to get my hands on one though. The AEMpro software rocks....