cossie51

Considering upgrading my management from my pectel T2 and wanted to know if anyone has tried or knows anything about the link ecu Range.

Mark Shead

the mapper is more important than ecu make sure you have that side sorted first.

Mark

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

I've got Link G4+storm in a box ready to fit to my forged CVH

Caddyshack

Totally agree with Mark, use what the mapper knows inside out and go with that, you get the best support that way.

Ridgey

iTrader: (5)

I'm getting one in a couple of months for my electronics and ignition upgrade.

nixon_2wd

Have you any experience with fully individual cylinder mapping (not only gain) and the benefits of this? Is the price worth the extra on a street/track-car.

I've currently got a Vipec V88 ecu, however, considering to swap for a Life F88.

zvh

ive just had a life f88 fitted and mapped to my rs turbo running 60lb siemens deka 4s . with closed loop boost and the adaptive knock control and wide band etc etc its transformed the throttle response and running , was previously on a p8 with waisted spark etc , the life racing soft ware is very good .

nixon_2wd

Awesome!

Mark Shead

i would use a Emtron over them all.I have mapped quite a few it take advantage of cyl trim and knock

Mark.

stevieturbo

Very little out there better than Life ( who make Syvecs ). Their F88R would be equivalent to an S8, although they also do the F88 in lower spec/cost too which can make it slightly more affordable if it's only on a 4cyl engine.
Or Syvecs S6 is another good alternative at lower cost.

And their safety features ( with appropriate sensors fitted ) are second to none.

But on a more modest budget, Link would be fine too. Link used to make ViPec which were almost identical, so if people were happy with it they should be fine with Link.

Adam-M

What's people's thoughts on simtek

cossie51

I was just looking the idea of a management system a bit more up to date than my pectel T2 which works fine on my current engine spec but I want to change spec and run more power in the near future. My only dislike of the T2 is lack of cold start but otherwise it's been fantastic but things have moved on and I like the idea or more control and features plus engine protection you get with a more modern management system and the link is sensible money but just wanted some feed back on the product before spending the money.

stevieturbo

Explain exactly what Simtek is and which model ( because they're usually Subaru specific...so not quite applicable to a Cosworth ).

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Arent simtek the old partners of that waste of spunk secs ?

stevieturbo

There could be various Simtek's hence why I asked for clarification.

There's a Simtek who sell wiring parts etc, there's a Simtek who offer Subaru ecu's ( made by GEMS ) and now you're suggesting there could be another Simtek

Adam-M

Simtek ecu made by gems I'm talking about

stevieturbo

If you can find a competent installer they'#re probably a quite decent ecu and not too badly priced.

I've only used a couple on Subarus, but I found the software truly dreadful.

Although I think there is a user on here, cant recall his name who think the GEMS is fantastic and software great too.

But I've used a lot of ecu's and GEMS is right down at the bottom of my list for well designed software.

But if you're not tuning it, then that aspect doesnt really matter. What matters is that whoever is tuning it, can make the most of it for your needs and application. That applies to any ecu.

cossie daz

Brands hatch performance do this ecu and heard good things about him

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

James @ Auto dynamix is a dealer and mapper of Link series ECU's

cossie51

Brands Hatch performance are only 30 mins away from me and I did have a chat with Clint on Saturday when I popped in for a new map sensor.

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Happy days then .

markk

iTrader: (2)

Me?

Have you used GWv4?

If you used the old GWv3 -shocking.

The problem (if you call it a problem) is it is too configerable for the average user.
You will not find a more adaptable ecu for the price than Simtek. Trust me, I tried. Fits any 4 cylinder engine.
No where near enough info out there on them.
Speak to Steve Simpson direct or Andrew Gallacher.

Just for info, other than the factory running under normal use, I also have DBW, individual COP, eng accel based traction, 40 channel onboard logging, 2 stage launch, 2 stage antilag, twin vvt control, WI, iss, NOS control, EGR, 8 position calibration pot, twin inverted boost solenoid control, 8 pwm out, oil/fuel pressure protection, PRP depression load targeting, turbo speed sensor input.

i could go on. No other ecu comes close on spec vs price.

​

stevieturbo

Yes I have and as said I've used many other ecu's too, but between GEMS and AEM, they are by far the two most awkward systems out there with terrible software

It doesnt really matter what an ecu can do...if it is so difficult to make them do it.

But as said that can come down to familiarity with the systems and of course the actual abilities of that system ( and of course whether the user needs the features ). But when the software itself is not intuitive, it always make it more difficult to do anything.

If you are not using the system yourself and just wish to drive/use the car, then you need to find a tuner who can make it do what you need to do. So whether the system is easy or hard is sort of irrelevant. That applies to all systems at any price.

You could have the best system in the world, but if the person using it doesnt know how to, it could be worse than the cheapest system with someone who does know how to use it.

Always find a package, not just one or the other.

AJC

iTrader: (6)

Anyone looking at fitting a LINK ecu, let me know if you're interested in saving some money as I have one for sale with a loom to suit a YB. Thanks

cossie daz

Depends on price and which one ??

cossie51

Was this on your car and if so why are you changing ? Asking as looking at putting like on mine.

markk

iTrader: (2)

Totally disagree, I find it pretty easy, so much so when I do look at other ecu software, Link, Haltech, ECU master, general what I call fast road ecus I feel like its been written for my 9 year old to work with. Very often with zero flexibility in utlisation.

I do agree with the latter. Find somone good with whatever you choose.

stevieturbo

Haltech have probably run in faster cars than GEMS ever will and they are very flexible.

Link perhaps less so, but then they are a more budget type ecu. I dislike their software too ! But on a price point they're still good value

I hate any system that forces you to require the mouse/mousepad to be functional to use the software. Totally impractical when in a moving car

markk

iTrader: (2)

I didnt realise that the ecu was measured in mph or the fact it can run for a massive 8 sec quarter or whatever time.
How fast the car is has never been a consideration for me.
Usage such as rpm range, functions and conditions to be used in always for me as well as accessible support if something is needed.

I agree about the mouse use too which is why I dont think you know GEMS software at all but give it a hard time.
A UK company who produces top end motorsport electronics. Not an imported joe blogs can build a car and try to map it because our software looks like fischer price developed it kind if thing that I see with most.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Had a link on my skyline and cossie brilliant ecu for the money did everything well and easy to use cold start worked really well throttle transient was really good plenty of load sites to accomadate big power . Can really only see the worth in buying a syvecs or life is for more complicated setups like heat management turbo speed along with multiple throttle control . Steady mapped mine due to the resemblance to vipec and will quite happily manage a 700 bhp road track car but the emtron what mark has now is probably a great competitor for the above ecu . The link ecu I think is actually under priced for what it is imo

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

I'm lookimg forward to having my Link set up heard it's a nice management .

Mark Shead

which one is above ecu as you name 4 lol.

Mark

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

I spent ages looking at management ..and tbh its the most strellful thing out of the whole build for me ..hope I made the right choice it may be a little over kill for a CVH but we will see.

Adam-M

It will be a lot better than the standard stuff anyway matt

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Dont be smart you know I mean the link g4 lol is brilliant and can only see going for any of the others on a complexed engine

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

It will be more than fine

Mark Shead

As long as you have a good mapper that's all you need to worry about as that's more important than the ecu.

Mark

stevieturbo

Do you not think an ecu that can perform on engines making in excess of 2000hp, pulling several g's and running in extreme environments, controlling many many things during that time is not a test of abilities ? 8s cars in terms of actual motorsport is pretty slow these days

And I fully agree, a UK company that makes top product that can perform all over the world in some of the fastest cars etc is great.

That's why I use Syvecs !

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Yea mate I took you're advice and asked my mapper and he said link will be fine ..so fingers crossed ..thanks .

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Cheers Jay