Tuning Solutions

If you even start to think about modding your DSM, whether it be a 4g63
or a 420a, you should put some time into thinking about a tuning
solution. Now, I know there are many choices and you can easily get
confused. Well, I'm here to break it down for you.

ECMlink/DSMlink
- This is considered a piggyback because it runs off of the stock ecu.
You have full control over everything though. I don't really consider it
a piggyback because of everything it can do. There are so many support
forums out there for link, and ECMtuning even has their own forum, so
you get help right from the developers. Link allows you to adjust fuel
tables, timing tables, adjust anti-lag, launch control, DTC's (diagnostic
trouble codes), allows you to run speed density, etc. The only downfall is the price tag.

Megasquirt
- Standalone. This is mainly used on 420a's. It allows for control of
ignition, fuel and idle air. This requires a megasquirt ecu, and there
are many tuning programs to use with it.

SAFC/SAFC2 - Piggyback.
This only allows control for fuel. It can be used on 4g63 or 420a. The
biggest injectors that can be safely used with this are 650cc. Being
that you cant monitor or control knock, a data logger is almost a
necessity when using a safc. Being that there are so much better tuning
solutions out there, the safc is outdated and rarely used. This requires
tapping into the stock ecu.

Ostrich/Jackal - Piggyback. This is
used on EPROM ecu's in 1g or 2g DSM's. This requires a burnt eprom chip,
and basically, you burn the chip every time you change something with
your settings. Jackal is for 1g DSM's only, and its purpose is for speed
density. There isnt much support on the web for these two, so people
are afraid to use it. Jackal itself is still beta, and the owner doesn't
even own a DSM anymore. You will use Tunerpro to mod your settings.

Ecuflash/Ceddymods
- Piggyback. Used in 98-99 4g63 DSM's and EVO's. This requires
purchasing EVOscan, and obtaining the free program ECUflash, as well as
purchasing a open port 2.0 cable. You must have a "black box" ecu if you
have a DSM. This can do everything link does, for less than half the
price. Ceddymods is an add on that allows for NLTS, stutterbox, speed
density and more.

The EVO 8 ECU will work in your DSM. This requires one of the following. 1) Purchasing the Motorsports Engineering plug and play EVO 8 to DSM harness or 2) doing all the wiring, switching pins, splicing, etc. which is a huge PITA. The EVO 8 ECU is the better ECU compared to the 2G black box (H8) ECU.

AEM/full standalone - Your pretty much in
control of EVERYTHING. Be warned though, you can easily mess something
up. There are pre-made maps you can upload to the ecu to get started.
Recommend only for professional tuners or people who really know what
they're doing. Like link, only downfall is the price tag.