Hydra or Haltech EMS?

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

I will buy a stand alone soon. My engine will be out of the machine shop soon. I can't decide between the Hydra and the Haltech Platinum Sport 1000 which is kind of new.

Both have Plug-N-Play connectivity and have almost the same specs, except for the internal map sensor in the Haltech which is 2.5bar. The Haltech has new hardware and a new awesome software (youtube it), but the hydra is more used judging for what I read.

Need some guidance!

Thanks in advance

[Enthalpy]

It's mainly what your tuner prefers. I have run both systems in my car, and they both will meet your needs.

[962RACER]

platinum sport 1000 does NOT have knock control, bare that in mind if the hydra nemesis ur considering does have it. other than that, its a great unit with awesome software.

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

I already bought the hydra almost a year ago and I'm really happy with it. The knock sensor is great. I had to tune it myself, so I learned. I achieved 350whp @ 17psi and with the wide band and auto-tune is a breeze tuning the cruising. Check the Dyno video below. Thanks for the help though.

YouTube - Max's MR2 @ Ponce Playa Dyno 350whp

[Russell the Love Muscle]

Did you get new injectors yet? Other than your IC and intake manifold I don't see any reason why your not making well into 400whp...I made 363whp 289wtq at 18psi on a smaller turbo with stock cams



Looks good though, your car is clean, and not red; i'm so sick of red

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

Originally Posted by Russell the Love Muscle

Did you get new injectors yet? Other than your IC and intake manifold I don't see any reason why your not making well into 400whp...I made 363whp 289wtq at 18psi on a smaller turbo with stock cams



Looks good though, your car is clean, and not red; i'm so sick of red

Well I had a small accident with a rock... so I had to stop the project. Then I moved to Hartford, CT and left the MR2 at my parents house in PR. I didn't achieved more power with that configuration because I don't have to much experience tuning, so I maintained very safe. I will get back to it if I move back there, if not I'll ship the engine here and find a chassis for it.

[racer181818]

what website do u use to buy one of these?

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

Originally Posted by racer181818

what website do u use to buy one of these?

I bought it from KORACING :: High Quality Automotive Parts - Products. Kris Osheim is a great guy and gave me a lot of support.

[racer181818]

what do u think of AEM?

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

Originally Posted by racer181818

what do u think of AEM?

They are great and widely used, that means you'll find many tuners for it. The downside is that is much more expensive (AEM EMS = Hydra EMS + all extras). I'm really not the correct person to explain how good it is for MR2's, but overall is a great EMS. The Hydra is widely used in the MR2 community and you'll find a lot of support. If I get an EMS for my EVO IX it would be an AEM.

[Enthalpy]

Drawing from my personal experiences, I don't have a great impression of AEM EMSes. Their hardware is outdated and unreliable. They use socketed chips in their EMS that vibrate out of the socket every once in awhile, immediately killing the engine. I have personally seen this problem in 3 separate cars. Their trigger filtration is not as good as other EMS setups which can lend to issues as our wiring loom ages and shielding breaks.

I give you the caveat that I haven't touched the new systems primarily because I recommend against AEM to any customer that asks. I certainly hope AEM has improved. They had a lot to improve upon.

This is all my opinion, of course. You just got what you paid for.

[Maxuel_SW22_JDM]

Maybe the new version of AEM EMS has fixed all that, you'll have to research it. Also the Hydra 2.7 came out recently and it also could have improved a lot. Bottom line is that I'm very satisfied with hydra, no problems of any kind and since I have never used an AEM I cannot argue which is better.

[LeePeyton]

Socket chips fall out? Nothing a little scotch tape couldn't fix right XD

Still leaning towards the AEM...

[mister3]

i'd go for the VIPEC V44 which can be PnP for the MR2

[volvokvaloya]

Originally Posted by mister3

i'd go for the VIPEC V44 which can be PnP for the MR2

I really like Vipec also..have only great experience with them.
Link is also very much looking like Vipec..outstandig performance and great to work with in the dyno.

I am now building a engine for a friend of mine where we`re gonna use Electromotive Tec GT. Very exited on that system.

[ats_scott]

I know the OP has already selected a system, but just thought I'd add my opinion.
Aem=junk, hydra=horrible user interface, haltech (haven't tried the new stuff yet). Autronic=best user interface out there. Apexi PFC=most straight forward EMS install available for the MR2, especially for the DIY kind of guy, has knock monitoring, and interfaces with all stock sensors, stock idle air etc...

[ATSAaron]

Originally Posted by ats_scott

Autronic=best user interface out there.

Until you hit the "help" button and it says "TBA"

Of course the Power FC doesn't even have a help button. The help button might as well be speed dial to ATS. haha.

Aaron

[MANDALAY]

Originally Posted by ATSAaron

Until you hit the "help" button and it says "TBA"

Of course the Power FC doesn't even have a help button. The help button might as well be speed dial to ATS. haha.

Aaron

Not if your in Australia. The Autronic is awesome plus the owner is close by
But i picked MoTec which are also around the corner but heaps more accessories

Dang , both are Australian and every racing car here uses one or the other

[ATSAaron]

A bunch of the EMS companies (Haltech, Motec, Autronic, Wolf, etc) all date back to a senior engineering project at a university in Australia around 1984.

Aaron