AEM 30-1500U

[ViperPict]

Thoughts/ experiences with the AEM 30-1500U EMS? I've heard a lot of horror stories about them catastrophically malfunctioning (earthing issues?) but that they tend to be fine with 'Rev B Mods D' level of hardware updates undertaken. Swithering right now...

[Dr-Bob]

Sold mine even after the mods they are a little temperamental..

I know of two UK Vipers that had issues make that three one in NI as well so much that he had three spares.... One took out a NA DCPerformance engine ..

I went SCT ..... Joel went Motec ...

[ViperPict]

Dr-Bob said:

Sold mine even after the mods they are a little temperamental..

I know of two UK Vipers that had issues make that three one in NI as well so much that he had three spares.... One took out a NA DCPerformance engine ..

I went SCT ..... Joel went Motec ...

Were these issues after the hardware upgrades?

AEM have offered to service and do the required upgrades to the unit prior to me putting it into my car...

I have tried SCT - no luck as yet.

I have also tried Split Second - may work but a bit of a 'clunky' solution.

[Dr-Bob]

From what I was told, The main issue with the AEM was it does not like heat...

The AEM that took out an engine was an upgraded unit BUT!!!! was fitted by a mobile auto electrician ...

Mine was the modded version but was never 100% happy so sold up and went SCT via Chris at DCPerformaance ..

[ViperPict]

Dr-Bob said:

From what I was told, The main issue with the AEM was it does not like heat...

The AEM that took out an engine was an upgraded unit BUT!!!! was fitted by a mobile auto electrician ...

Mine was the modded version but was never 100% happy so sold up and went SCT via Chris at DCPerformaance ..

AEM assure me that the hardware upgrades resolve the overheating/ earthing issues (but I guess that they would say that). Maybe locating the unit somewhere where it'll experience minimum heat?

My issue with the SCT option is that it does not allow for much versatility - I like to be able to tweak!

The Split Second option does permit tweaking but, as I said, is 'clunky'.

[Joelism]

I think the GEN 2 AEM has an almost 100% failure rating, modified or not !

[ViperPict]

Joelism said:

I think the GEN 2 AEM has an almost 100% failure rating, modified or not !

Concerning! What is the issue?

[Joelism]

Never got a definitive answer. DC Performance worked with AEM on the initial development of the AEM and one of their customers loaned AEM a car as a "mule". I actually had the first unit demo'd to me by Scott Armish the AEM engineer involved in the design for the Viper. Initially I was very enthusiastic and it looked great.....at that time there was no P+P option and it allowed a lot of people to start producing driveable horsepower without the complication of hard wiring etc. Initially a few design issues of the hardware bugged the system, the extra earthing seemed to be sorted by a modification, also there was an isolation problem internally which was also rectified with the factory updates. Soon after a couple of units failed with me I lost interest and went down the more complicated and expensive Motec route for what should prove to be a rock solid reliable proven system. The AEM was with my limited knowledge, too much packed into a small hot space with too many demands, a few design shortcomings and probably componentry which was not up to the job. I'm glad I went the way I did with Motec, its the real thing (at a price!) and has great capability.
To the best of my knowledge everyone has given up on the AEM including AEM themselves. I notice they have now introduced an ecu for the SRT...the Infinity. However I believe it is designed and manufactured by another company ?

[ViperPict]

Joelism said:

Never got a definitive answer. DC Performance worked with AEM on the initial development of the AEM and one of their customers loaned AEM a car as a "mule". I actually had the first unit demo'd to me by Scott Armish the AEM engineer involved in the design for the Viper. Initially I was very enthusiastic and it looked great.....at that time there was no P+P option and it allowed a lot of people to start producing driveable horsepower without the complication of hard wiring etc. Initially a few design issues of the hardware bugged the system, the extra earthing seemed to be sorted by a modification, also there was an isolation problem internally which was also rectified with the factory updates. Soon after a couple of units failed with me I lost interest and went down the more complicated and expensive Motec route for what should prove to be a rock solid reliable proven system. The AEM was with my limited knowledge, too much packed into a small hot space with too many demands, a few design shortcomings and probably componentry which was not up to the job. I'm glad I went the way I did with Motec, its the real thing (at a price!) and has great capability.
To the best of my knowledge everyone has given up on the AEM including AEM themselves. I notice they have now introduced an ecu for the SRT...the Infinity. However I believe it is designed and manufactured by another company ?

Thanks very much Joel, much appreciated.

I certainly can't afford Motec right now though!

[ViperPict]

Joelism said:

To the best of my knowledge everyone has given up on the AEM including AEM themselves. I notice they have now introduced an ecu for the SRT...the Infinity. However I believe it is designed and manufactured by another company ?

AEM still support all 30-1500U's out there, offering all the required updates that have not been undertaken.

[stevieturbo]

Joelism said:

Never got a definitive answer. DC Performance worked with AEM on the initial development of the AEM and one of their customers loaned AEM a car as a "mule". I actually had the first unit demo'd to me by Scott Armish the AEM engineer involved in the design for the Viper. Initially I was very enthusiastic and it looked great.....at that time there was no P+P option and it allowed a lot of people to start producing driveable horsepower without the complication of hard wiring etc. Initially a few design issues of the hardware bugged the system, the extra earthing seemed to be sorted by a modification, also there was an isolation problem internally which was also rectified with the factory updates. Soon after a couple of units failed with me I lost interest and went down the more complicated and expensive Motec route for what should prove to be a rock solid reliable proven system. The AEM was with my limited knowledge, too much packed into a small hot space with too many demands, a few design shortcomings and probably componentry which was not up to the job. I'm glad I went the way I did with Motec, its the real thing (at a price!) and has great capability.
To the best of my knowledge everyone has given up on the AEM including AEM themselves. I notice they have now introduced an ecu for the SRT...the Infinity. However I believe it is designed and manufactured by another company ?

The Infinity is a completely new ecu and supposed to be very good. Although if the software is anything like the older stuff....wouldnt care how good it is, the software sucks !

[ViperPict]

stevieturbo said:

Joelism said:

Never got a definitive answer. DC Performance worked with AEM on the initial development of the AEM and one of their customers loaned AEM a car as a "mule". I actually had the first unit demo'd to me by Scott Armish the AEM engineer involved in the design for the Viper. Initially I was very enthusiastic and it looked great.....at that time there was no P+P option and it allowed a lot of people to start producing driveable horsepower without the complication of hard wiring etc. Initially a few design issues of the hardware bugged the system, the extra earthing seemed to be sorted by a modification, also there was an isolation problem internally which was also rectified with the factory updates. Soon after a couple of units failed with me I lost interest and went down the more complicated and expensive Motec route for what should prove to be a rock solid reliable proven system. The AEM was with my limited knowledge, too much packed into a small hot space with too many demands, a few design shortcomings and probably componentry which was not up to the job. I'm glad I went the way I did with Motec, its the real thing (at a price!) and has great capability.
To the best of my knowledge everyone has given up on the AEM including AEM themselves. I notice they have now introduced an ecu for the SRT...the Infinity. However I believe it is designed and manufactured by another company ?

The Infinity is a completely new ecu and supposed to be very good. Although if the software is anything like the older stuff....wouldnt care how good it is, the software sucks !

Been looking into that but would require expensive manufacture of a loom. Plus the 30-1500U is at a very reasonable price.

[fatboy18]

Its not a reasonable price if it takes out your engine through failure!

Its weather you trust it or not?

[ViperPict]

After a lengthy chat with AEM, they admit there is an overheating problem with all the current associated with all the drivers etc. But the risk of catastrophic failure is very much reduced through the hardware mods (basically beefing up some of the key pins/ connectors) and proper installation. Also, I think I am going to install some internal fans in the device - should completely knock the overheating issue on the head!

[Viper]

have you got someone up your way who can set it up correctly on a rolling road? make sure they dont lock it with a password after the tune is complete

When you say you want to 'tweak it' what does that mean? as i remember seeing the AEM software on Joels laptop, and it just kept scrolling down with all the settings/options and figures. I know i wouldnt want to be adjusting any of them without some tuning experience.

budget for several hours on a dyno, make sure your laptop has the right OS and ports, and the lead to connect to the AEM is included

Edited by Viper on Wednesday 28th August 19:04

[ViperDave]

Not sure I would be confident if the manufacturer is admitting there is an overheating problem. Beefing up the connections may mean the risk of damage to the AEM is mitigated against catastrophic failure of the AEM, that doesn't read to me thought like there is no risk to your engine if it starts feeding it the wrong fuel and timings.

Plus if the unit is already overheating then even with extra fans they aren't going to do any good if they are just blowing hot air straight from above the exhaust or radiator over it.

Granted I know nothing about AEM's or any other ECU, and these are just my thoughts based on what I have read above, and my experiences with electronic components, if it was me I would be nervous.

[ViperPict]

ViperDave said:

Not sure I would be confident if the manufacturer is admitting there is an overheating problem. Beefing up the connections may mean the risk of damage to the AEM is mitigated against catastrophic failure of the AEM, that doesn't read to me thought like there is no risk to your engine if it starts feeding it the wrong fuel and timings.

Plus if the unit is already overheating then even with extra fans they aren't going to do any good if they are just blowing hot air straight from above the exhaust or radiator over it.

Granted I know nothing about AEM's or any other ECU, and these are just my thoughts based on what I have read above, and my experiences with electronic components, if it was me I would be nervous.

The fans, even blowing hot air, will be like night and day to the heat within the unit. The temp that the fets/ mosfets get up under current is very high - the fans should make a massive difference.

[stevieturbo]

If a plug in install wasnt essential, it would open up options I think.

ie, leave the OEM ecu in place to take car of it's duties, then piggyback another ecu on top to take care of engine running duties.

You'd need to find a competent installer, but it should be doable. Given the level of integration with the main ecu in modern cars, this route is becoming more common.