How much better is a simtek compared to a Gems
 

Hi
Could some of the ecu boffins tell me how much better the simtek is compared to a Gems ecu?

Also is a motec streets ahead of the simtek or are the similar?

Cheers for the advice;)

Dannytwo

Anyone?

Unless your into rallying, hardcore motorsport, or have the ability/skills to plug in a laptop and know what your doing the difference is negligable AFAIK

Depends if your mapper is more adept at mapping one "better" than the other. Choose the one that your mapper is happier/more competent in mapping. After all it's the quality of the map that will give you the biggest smile/value for money.

USP features are nice... but pale into insignificance compared to the quality/safety of the map. In any case it's not as if the Simtek is "lacking" e.g. dual switchable maps and MAFless to name but two! ;)

As said, features aside, you'd never even know what you're running. Depends also, which sort of features you 'crave' e.g. ign timing ret/adv, MAFless, etc, etc...? If you have certain features in mind, then tell us and that will help single out a particular ECU... Then you can look for a mapper that is excellent at mapping that ECU... ;)

Gems is mafless ;) and its a very good ecu, teh simtek gives you just as much though (except the knock correction for the time being unless they have released the patch?) but either one will be a good choice :D

Tony:)

Cheers for the advice guys.

Tony,how does the gems let you know about knock? or is it different for each mapper?

I'm pretty certain the GEMS does have a good ign adv/ret feature too...

I remember reading a magazine (Jap Per IIRC) article where they bought a v.3 (or v.4) white STi wagon and the ECU 'saved' the engine after the journalist had been on track. ;)

http://www.gems.co.uk/?content=pages&id=impreza-implant

It will cut back boost and the multiplier when it sees knock, the simtek would give you a visual warning (soon to be corrected if it hasnt already been).

Tony:)

Yeah at the mo, the Simtek flashes a CEL for knock (a la the PFC)... but, as TB says, there is allegedly a software patch coming soon where it will allow active ign adv/ret (allowing it to function similar to the OEM JECS ECU)... ;)

The exact Gems ecu i'm on about is the Gems em20,as far as i know this is quite an old ecu now,so would the simtek be better then it.

There are also "version 1" versions of Simtek boards too, I believe.

If you do go Simtek, then by that rationale (and if buying 2nd hand), then ensure you get the latest incarnation of it....

Hi mate
Could you explain this a bit more please
Cheers

Older 'boards' with less software 'features', I believe. Quite basic - not as good as what is now available

Indeed, even a PFC is more 'desirable' than the older Simtek.

This might be for only MY93-96 cars though - not sure about the other MYs.

This one is for the MY 01 onwards so should be the better board then, hopefully!

Yeah, therefore bound to be latest technology, obviously. :)