DSMConvert's Airflow AFC - Frequently asked questions

[Rawyzf]

Any new updates on the AFC?

 

[Rainman]

Now it has warmed up a bit here in Ottawa so I am loving that. The car is running pretty good AFC-wise. No FC to speak of and only a bit of hesitation that I suspect will be eliminated with a proper dyno tune. Got my FMIC and hardpipes installed, so this has improved things even more. However, I have an exhaust manifold leak so this has tempered my enthusiasm. Once I get this fixedd and get my wideband installed (somet time next week I hope) I will get this thing over to the dyno so that I can get the info back to you John.

R

 

[BradC]

wont be on stock rods, im not braindead, just dont want to run the stock T25R past 14psi, the 75 shot goes on after that. Im not gonna bother upgrading the turbo, the stocker is fine and spools really quick.

As long as your pump can handle it and its a wet shot, the AFC doesn't need to know about it...the fuel is added with the N2O...

 

[lcruz64]

what's the deal on this product is it out of stock or backordered, or they just don't want to sell? I've been trying to buy one and noone answers my emails or pms and I can't find a number that I can get a hold of someone. Any input will be apreciated since I have no idea what's going on.

 

[DiscreetSpeed]

what's the deal on this product is it out of stock or backordered, or they just don't want to sell? I've been trying to buy one and noone answers my emails or pms and I can't find a number that I can get a hold of someone. Any input will be apreciated since I have no idea what's going on.

i believe john said that some were coming in here soon.

 

[Rainman]

John, can you comment on the capabilities of the DSM AFC versus other higher end units, for example the GReddy eManage, or the more expensive MPI or Unichip options. Is it purely the issue of timing control that sets these units apart from the DSM AFC?

I am loving my unit and waiting to get to the dyno to have it tuned once my wideband and my DP arrive. I just had my custom FMIC installed last week and it still runs wonderfully even though the AFC has not been adjusted for this. However, when I went to the dyno yesterday to enquire about tuning I was a bit surprised at the response from the tech there. This tuning shop is fairly high end and mostly caters to clients with deep pockets, so I take most of what they say with a grain of salt. But, the tech was pretty negative about the Split Sec AFC upon which the DSM AFC is based. He essentially said that there software was crap, and the unit weak, etc., etc..

Now, I have not had a chance to use either the GReddy eManage nor the R4 software that comes with the DSM AFC, but I have seen screen shots of both. It appears to my simple eye that they both run off of tables that simply tell the unit what to do for a given engine RPM to achieve a particular A/F ratio. I don't understand why one unit would apparently be better than the other if they work on the same principle.

There is, of course, the intangible "brand name" effect which counts for SDA in my book. As far as I am concerned, if the DSM unit works effectively for a fraction of the price you can call it DSM, WTF, JFK or whatever you want. Name brand doesn't necessarily mean s***. However, I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

R

 

[jurgs01]

There is a lot to a piggyback. Most likely there is a microcontroller inside that runs at a certain speed. The higher the speed and the more ports used in the controller the more expensive it is. Faster processing capabilities mean better response to the changes in your car. I have no idea what units are being used and am not going to comment on it, but I have experience programming microcontrollers and the difference between high-end and cheap units is amazing. In the end, a user will not be able to see this. If you take this to a guy who is used to dealing with high-end processing capabilities with more control and interface then of course he is going to think something low-end is not as good.

 

[CasopoliS]

DSM's AFC seems to work well on my car. It pulls much better and smoother. Its all about "value". As you know, the Mazda ECU can be a bit of a pain... DSM's AFC is one of the least expensive EMS systems out there. It does the job, install is easy, and its good on those without the deep pockets. I think people with deep pockets might look down on the split second because they can afford, and have used, the high end EMS systems. Its not crap for someone with a tight budget that wants some tuning capabilities. It does not control timing, which sets it off the most from it's competitors. As far as response time... that I do not know. For those going ALL motor.... it is wise to get something that controls timing and other things. For those like me with some bolt-ons, who want to get the most out of their bolt-ons, and who want to run those modifications safely on a stock lower end... the DSM AFC will do just fine.

 

[noclue119]

Ok here is the thing. The afc works by changing the MAF and O2 sensor values based on your rpm and MAP. In turn the ECU changes the fuel and timing curving. we have very limited control of what the ECU is doing. When it comes down to it, the ECU still has the control, the AFC is just trying to influence the ECU to produce the favorable outcome.

Thing like Haltech, UniChip and MPI also read rpm, MAP, maf, intake temp, etc and controls the injectors and timing direclty. It controls the injector and timing based on what voltage it puts on the line going to the sprak plugs and injectors. So basically, you are given total control of the car's fuel delivory and timing components.

 

[jurgs01]

DSM's AFC seems to work well on my car. It pulls much better and smoother. Its all about "value". As you know, the Mazda ECU can be a bit of a pain... DSM's AFC is one of the least expensive EMS systems out there. It does the job, install is easy, and its good on those without the deep pockets. I think people with deep pockets might look down on the split second because they can afford, and have used, the high end EMS systems. Its not crap for someone with a tight budget that wants some tuning capabilities. It does not control timing, which sets it off the most from it's competitors. As far as response time... that I do not know. For those going ALL motor.... it is wise to get something that controls timing and other things. For those like me with some bolt-ons, who want to get the most out of their bolt-ons, and who want to run those modifications safely on a stock lower end... the DSM AFC will do just fine.

That's the point. It is a good unit for the price. There is no point comparing it to higher priced units.

 

[low_psi]

Thing like Haltech, UniChip and MPI also read rpm, MAP, maf, intake temp, etc and controls the injectors and timing direclty. It controls the injector and timing based on what voltage it puts on the line going to the sprak plugs and injectors. So basically, you are given total control of the car's fuel delivory and timing components.

The MPI, Unichip and any other piggy back system reads the signals from a given sensor and outputs a modified signal to the pcm. This is exactly what the SS AFC does except it uses less parameters to create the conditions you want to see. Plus, when the AFC modifies the MAF signal, it's also changing timing, but un controlled. Only a standalone ems controls the sensors as an OEM pcm would.

 

[DSMConvert]

hehe so far you guys have been answering all the questions yourselves! I like smart customers that help eachother! Ok like everyone has said we built our AFC for the bolt-on crowd that wanted to be able to do light tuning without having to shell out a half grand for a unit. The AFC is primarily built to control and enhance mods such as fmic, dp, exhaust, intake, and upped boost levels. The big difference between our AFC and units such as the MPI and Unichip is indeed timing control. HOWEVER hehehe we have just finished testing on our own Fuel and Timing control unit and I will have a thread up with dyno #s and pricing here either tonight or tomorrow evening. The FTC will be a direct competator for the MPI and Unichip (not being hostile or anything just trying to give you guys an idea of what it is) and is made for built motors and turbo swaps. Like the name implies this will control air/fuel and timing. Ok now back to the software question. The R4 software is actually a pretty good tuning software package. It is true that it is not as advanced as some other high priced ems units out there, but thats not necesarrily a bad thing as it makes it fairly easy to tune right from the get go. Keep in mind that SS does the majority of tuning for exotics such as Bugatti, porsche, and bmw...if they're systems weren't up to par, millionaires wouldnt be trusting them with their expensive play toys. I've used software packages such as greddy E-manage, Unichip(have a collegue that is a dealer), dsm tuner, and a few multi thousand dollar programs we use on my partners Porsche lemans team cars. A lot of shops will bash a software package simply b/c they dont know how to effectively use it or b/c it doesnt have japanese symbols below it. So to sum it up the software is what you make of it. If you learn how to use any software package you can always acheive about the same results. We compared our AFC #s originall with the Unichip #s and we were able to safely pull the same #s as the unichip crowd, which just goes to show that its more the tuner than the software that determines a cars performance...hope this makes sense, if not let me know and I'll try to explain a different way.

 

[jurgs01]

I would definately get your unit over Unichip (for cost and performance purposes).

 

[Rainman]

All of the above replies make sense. Thanks guys. I figured as much with respect to a tuner's viewpoint on particular brands. You big up what you are familiar with and what you can produce results with. Personally, I'm much more in favour of going with something reasonably-priced if it produces similar results....even without the Japanese characters under the name...LOL!

Thanks again all,
R

 

[122 Vega]

But the unanswered question is when more will be available...

Britt

 

[DSMConvert]

currently have 6 afcs instock...had 10 a day ago, but 4 went right off the bat....im betting I'll be sold out again here sometime next week....

 

[CasopoliS]

I would start another thread with 6 spots in it. From roaming around the forum, it seems that more than 6 would be interested in getting this.

 

[chwood]

currently have 6 afcs instock...had 10 a day ago, but 4 went right off the bat....im betting I'll be sold out again here sometime next week....

and one of those was mine
delicious
(nana)

 

[CasopoliS]

haha... let me know if you got questions on the install Chris.

 

[Swerny]

one's mine