ECU options for a ZETEC?

[G2sound]

According to my tuning shop, the GEMS ECU in my ZETEC powered Superformance S1 is antiquated and of questionable reliability. Anyone have a suggestion for a new stand-alone ECU that they have had good luck with?

[rzempel]

I like the Emerald, others swear by the Pectel. The advantage to the Emerald is that it is very easy to learn the interface, the disadvantage is that it doesn't work with Ford coolant sensors--you need to replace them with Bosch units. The Pectel, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve but is designed to work with stock Ford parts.

[JohnCh]

Another vote for Emerald. BTW They’ve added some new capabilities including user defined sensor calibration that eliminates the old Ford sensor incompatibility. All you need is a freezer and a pot of boiling water. Their software does the rest.

 

 

-John

[BCBirk]

SDS offers a reliable system at a budget price with good tech support (from my experience), however there are a few drawbacks:

- MAF, temp and crank position sensors on the zetec will need to be replaced. This is not a very big expense, however the crank sensor requires precise modification of the pully that can be costly.

- There is no software available in order to interface with a laptop, however the programming module is fairly intuitive.

Overall, I'd say it has good value.

[G2sound]

Anyone have experience w/ AEM ECU's. They are U.S. made. My tuning shop is recommending them. Cost is around $2000 with an additional $300 for the harness. How does this compare to the Emerald and Pectel? Where can I buy Emerald in the U.S.?

[JohnCh]

The Emerald K3 is available directly from Emerald in the UK for 580 GBP, which is about $925 at the current exchange rate. I don't have first hand experience with either AEM or Pectel, so can't comment on how the various units compare.

 

-John

[rzempel]

Another vote for Emerald. BTW They’ve added some new capabilities including user defined sensor calibration that eliminates the old Ford sensor incompatibility. All you need is a freezer and a pot of boiling water. Their software does the rest.-John

 

 

Actually...not. That belief set me back several months, and created a great deal of frustration during my recent upgrade. It wasn't until I was ready to throw in the towel that Dave Walker, at Emerald, told me that the Ford sensors are incompatible. I switched to Bosch, and all of my earlier problems disappeared. Other than that, I like my Emerald ECU (and its capacity to self tune--not just run in closed loop like everyone else's ECU).

 

Randall

[JohnCh]

That's odd. I was under the impression that they added the sensor calibration specifically beacuse of the Ford issue. Does the Ford output curve have a funky shape that differs from most other sensors?

[rzempel]

That's odd. I was under the impression that they added the sensor calibration specifically beacuse of the Ford issue. Does the Ford output curve have a funky shape that differs from most other sensors?

 

I was under that impression, too. IIRC, the Ford sensors have about 10 times more resistance than Bosch (3,500 Ohms versus 350).

[Cherik]

I'd agree with your tuningshop's view on the GEMS. I started with one and had a lot of trouble with it. Quite obsolete.

The Emerald and Pectel are popular systems. I switched to a DTA s60, simply because it was the most up to date and interfaces with just about any sensor source. Calibration is straight forward. It's been rock solid for years and a lot of miles. Other DTA 7-users that I'm aware of have been quite impressed with them as well. Esp. the S-series.

 

http://www.dtafast.co.uk/

 

It allows for a basic startup configuration and develop and refine it as you learn more. It has a "scope" feature which is very useful for map debugging. Their logger is excellent.

 

I sound like a salesman for them... better stop.

Still snowing here, 10" down, 8" more to come... ughh.

[yellowss7]

I have a DTA ECU as well, but mine is the older E48 model. 10 years old. No complaints. The Jenveys work very well with it.

 

Tom

[Guest speedcraft]

which GEMS model are you running?

[MichaelD]

MegaSquirt should have the bugs worked out of theirs. Folis has been their tester for a fer years now.

[G2sound]

Not sure what the model is. Small blue box w/ no interface. The only way to change parameters is to flash the chip. I went with the AEM. Easy interface, logging function, upgrades are free, etc. The loom is almost finished. Hopefully Dyno-Tuning on Saturday. Should have it back (it's been six weeks) by next week... fingers crossed!

[Guest speedcraft]

...sounds like you're on your way. i'm running the GEMS miniDLS as part of a Raceline kit. pretty easy to program and has a 3 prong plug to hookup to your laptop. never had an issue with it [as well its a little light blue aluminum box, model & S/N is on a foil label on the end of it].

 

let us know how things turn out.

[G2sound]

Tap, Tap, Tap... That's my fingers as I wait for a call from the shop to tell me that it has started up and they are getting ready to put it on the dyno. Is this how it feels to quit smoking? I'M GOING MAAAAAAADDDDDD!!!!

[bug man nrg]

Emerald is coming out with a new ECU in late April to May it is called the K6 .How do i know this ?

I am the emerald and Jenvey dealer here in the USA

[slomove]

Emerald is coming out with a new ECU in late April to May it is called the K6 .How do i know this ?

I am the emerald and Jenvey dealer here in the USA

 

Interesting. Please make sure to post a link here somewhere when you have more info.

[solder_guy]

MegaSquirt should have the bugs worked out of theirs. Folis has been their tester for a fer years now.

 

I like the idea of MS .. with the thought of soldering my own board !

 

solderman!