Tuning with AEM FIC

[Spectre1130]

I'm running an APR stage 1 chip tune on my 97 1.8t quattro right now. Someday down the road soon I was going to do a BT and wanted to be able to tune it. I was looking at the AEM FIC for now and think it should work for trying to make 260-300 HP. I was going to try doing it myself (this will be my first time tuning), and was wondering if anyone has used the AEM FIC before and could give me input on how user friendly it was and if it worked well for them. Since this would be my first time trying tune I have been reading up on tuning basics, and was also taught a little bit when I worked at a performance shop. So I'm not too afraid of trying it (also because my engine is pretty old anyways and I'm going to get a new one soon), but was hoping someone could give me advice on how difficult it is to tune these cars with it.

I also had other questions like if it is possible to hook up a MAP sensor with the factory ECU (the AEB doesn't have a MAP right?), how much power can the factory auto tranny reliably hold before failing, and does our factory ECU not work well with a piggyback such as the FIC?

[mykeg6]

There are some of us here in the Philippines who are using the AEM FIC.

My friend made 470whp+ on his car.

The downside is we can't remove/reset the oem speed/rev limit but you can use a chipped/reflashed ecu with it.

It also doesn't allow timing advance.

I am using a 4bar map sensor to tune over 30 psi.

Although I don't tune my car myself, I can say that its user friendly.

I just don't want to risk blowing my engine. lol

It also has some cool features.

The FIC8 has a built-in boost controller.

I also use my AEM FIC6 to control my meth injection.

It lets me control what rpm or boost the methanol injection turns on.

I strongly suggest going manual transmission and upgrading your rods before going on a BT setup.

[Spectre1130]

I wasn't too worried about the motor, if I blow it up, I blow it up, I am about to pick up a junkyard motor and build it with forged internals, and was gonna try to have that ready for when I had the BG kit ready. I wanted to learn to tune on my old crap motor.

Although I am really debating doing a manual swap, it's just so much work for a car so old since I could probably find one with a manual for like 2000.

Thanks for the reply, it gives me a little more faith in this idea. Since I already have the APR stage 1 chip with it I thought it would be easier to run the higher boost with the BT without having to clamp the MAF. (I think thats how it works). I was going to be purchasing the FIC6. I'm also unsure if the APR chips change the speed limiter, but I'm not too worried about going insanely fast, and also not too worried about the rev limit because of my auto tranny.

I'm going to try to increase compression a little with the 034 head gasket that is slightly more slim, that way I won't have to run quite as much boost to be able to make power. I was shooting for maybe only 15 lbs. Did you add that MAP aftermarket, if so how? Since the AEB's didnt have a MAP. Can you enable a MAP reading option through VAGcom and wire one in?

[mykeg6]

I wasn't too worried about the motor, if I blow it up, I blow it up, I am about to pick up a junkyard motor and build it with forged internals, and was gonna try to have that ready for when I had the BG kit ready. I wanted to learn to tune on my old crap motor.

Although I am really debating doing a manual swap, it's just so much work for a car so old since I could probably find one with a manual for like 2000.

Thanks for the reply, it gives me a little more faith in this idea. Since I already have the APR stage 1 chip with it I thought it would be easier to run the higher boost with the BT without having to clamp the MAF. (I think thats how it works). I was going to be purchasing the FIC6. I'm also unsure if the APR chips change the speed limiter, but I'm not too worried about going insanely fast, and also not too worried about the rev limit because of my auto tranny.

I'm going to try to increase compression a little with the 034 head gasket that is slightly more slim, that way I won't have to run quite as much boost to be able to make power. I was shooting for maybe only 15 lbs. Did you add that MAP aftermarket, if so how? Since the AEB's didnt have a MAP. Can you enable a MAP reading option through VAGcom and wire one in?

The external 4 bar MAP is connected to the AEM FIC6 and it isn't connected to the ecu.

That way, I can tune over 25 psi. If you will be boosting only up to 25 psi, the AEM FIC already has a built-in boost port and you will not need an external MAP sensor.

Our MAF sensors are clamped.

See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sECmiN7EwA

[Spectre1130]

So our sensors are clamped during boost from the factory or am I misunderstanding you? If not, why would I have to clamp it, my car sees 20 lbs of boost as is with the APR chip, so I wouldn't think I would need to clamp it in the FIC config.

So I can install a MAP sensor and use it with the FIC to aid in better tuning then correct?

[mykeg6]

You only need an external 4 bar MAP sensor if you plan to go over 25 psi since the built-in boost port on the AEM FIC only goes up to 25 psi.

It is possible that you do not need to clamp your MAF since you have an APR chip.

I needed to clamp mine since I am using a stock ecu.

[Spectre1130]

Ah okay.

Also why does the FIC not allow for timing advance or retard, I thought it was supposed to. Is it just our car's ECU fights it too much?

[mykeg6]

Ah okay.

Also why does the FIC not allow for timing advance or retard, I thought it was supposed to. Is it just our car's ECU fights it too much?

It only allows you to retard the timing.

AEM FIC cannot advance your timing higher than stock settings.