is the AEM EMS a standalone unit that replaces the ecu or a piggy back unit like Hondata?

 

EMS replaces the stock ECM.

 

Hondata is not a piggyback unit. The AEM is fully programmable and for the most part doesn't require any rewiring of the car, it just plugs into the stock harness. To reprogram it, you just connect it directly to a laptop and can edit the settings on the fly.

Hondata sells varying "stages" of their ECU some of which have more options such as a two-step rev limiter. Anything from Stage 2 on up has the option to be reprogrammed on a dyno by a Hondata dealer or anyone who has the right hardware. The main difference from AEM is that instead of just connecting the ECU to a laptop, you have to burn a memory chip with the new settings on it and replace the one that's in the ECU. Hondata makes this relatively easy to do, but you still need to buy a chip burner which costs about 200 bucks.

If you don't plan on doing a lot of dyno tuning and reprogramming of the ECU, the lower Hondata stages will be suitable and you can just have it programmed by a shop. If you're going to be doing lots of changing of parts and would like the ability to quickly change settings via a laptop then AEM is the way to go.

 

thanks...for some reason i thought the hondata was a piggy back. :dunno:

 

Another big difference is that the Firmware (the EMS itself) and Software (the laptop program) for the AEM are both upgradable... and AEM seems to be pretty good about adding flexibility and new features in. The AEM also accomidates additional inputs and outputs, although I'm not sure about the Hondata.