Project Mustang: An Effort to Standalone

One of our big projects involving we're tackling on this Mustang is the installation of a standalone engine management system, namely the AEM Infinity. While AEM does a lot of work to get you up and running quickly and efficiently, we’re learning that replacing the powerful OEM ECU of a modern car is not as easy as it looks. However, …

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So what problem are you trying to fix with the AEM Infinity, since the stock PCM can be nearly infinitely tuned and is still emissions compliant? The only real advantages I can see to using the AEM Infinity are the switch-on-the-fly maps and the ability to datalog on one device, while having a lot of disadvantages that all come from using a "race-only" (and expensive) ECU.

Or is your intent to make your Project Mustang race-only?

In reply to Sky_Render:

I was going to ask a similar question - what is the advantage of going full-standalone?

They are showcasing an advertiser's product, most likely. However, unlike some other rags, it sounds like they are also answering a big question a lot of potential buyers will have at the same time instead of just showing the optimal configuration.

Those are actually all valid answers. In some cases with project cars, we're not always "solving problems" but rather "exploring options." The answer we come up with is that it may not be the ideal setup for a "street" car that has to retain a lot of functionality in ancillary systems, but for a dedicated track car the switchable maps and faster i/o speeds are a great combo. I was building an engine swap car, or a kit car with Coyote power, I know one would be at the top of my list.

In some ways, we're asking the system to perform beyond its design intent, and that's where we've been running into hurdles.

Does it have the ability to control some creature comforts in a 'regular' car? Say I want to drop a Coyote in an F-150, is there an easy way to retain AC, or are those sorts of things a standalone from the standalone?

In reply to mazdeuce:

Wouldn't any F-150 that's new enough to have the ECU tied into HVAC stuff have a factory Coyote option?

Seems like a lot of time, money and trouble to be able to change "maps" on the fly. But I'm old school from the days when the "map" was in the driver's right foot, and when it rained the foot map took care of the rain issue.