Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesm
i've used a hydra on multiple cars in the past (fm miatas) and always loved them. by far the best all-around standalone i've ever owned (comparing to AEM and half dozen megasquirt varieties). if i were to buy another project car, i'd almost definitely use one again if possible.
i say almost definitely because there is one big issue, the reason i wouldn't be interested in using it on my 86. i can just flash my stock ecu, and for all intents and purposes (i'm not a racecar driver) get all of the same benefit for a small fraction of the cost. we're absolutely blessed to have cracked, writeable stock ecus, why on earth would anyone not just do that? all of the extra features listed are things that can be done with the stock ecu.
i'm not arguing there isn't a value proposition here for people on the very edge of the hobby, who actually do this sort of thing competitively and want an advantage, or people who are doing engine swaps, etc. i just can't imagine this being $1000 worth of better than a flashed, stock ecu for the average guy.
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It's really not over a $1000 more than Ecutek at least once you get the flasher, tune, license, map sensor, maf, and have to pay for multiple tunes. I would say the cost is similar but with the Hydra you tune yourself or pick any tuner you like. It's a tangible product that when your done is something you can sell.
From the professional tuners I've talked to there are definitely limits with the OEM ecu and there are also issues with bricking (damaging it) your factory ecu. Much of the lower cost stuff is really limited.
As far as what the OEM ecu can do compared to the latest Hydra, no it can't do the same things, doesn't have near the resolution in tuning, doesn't have a 45 psi map sensor, doesn't have build in speed density tuning. doesn't have the same closed loop fueling strategy (target any AFR at any load or any TPS without having troublesome open loop closed loop delays, doesn't allow boost control without eliminating the purge control, it can't control two fuel pumps independently, it doesn't have anti-lag, it doesn't have a performance and tuneable traction control system, doesn't have the tuning strategy to tune ITBS, and it doesn't have the level of tunable knock control. it doesn't have advanced expressions to program outputs anyway you want, and it can't keep itself from turning driver aids back on while racing.
Now I think the factory ecu is great and will work for many but the Hydra EMS is simply an option for those who need no limits, need to address specific issues they have with the OEM ecu, or want to tune themselves or with any tuner. If free reflash software and OEM reflash solutions really could do it all then we wouldn't have sold thousands and thousands of Hydra to the Subaru and Mazda market. They simply don't work for everyone's setup well.
Now if you haven't used the latest Hydra software or you're curious about it, I urge you to get a copy and explore it.
http://www.hydraems.com/software/