Thread: AEM 30-1600 or the new AEM 30-6600

AEM replaced the 30-1600 with the Series 2 30-6600 so the price has dropped on the discontinued 30-1600l to $1058.00 here..

AEM Power Plug & Play Programmable Engine Management Systems

The 30-6600 sells for $1299.00. Is the series 2 30-6600 worth the extra 250.00 for a street B13?

the few things they changed would not make me buy one. I already have a brand new 30-1600. You can get the 30-1600 for under $1000.

The few minor things available on the Series 2 wouldn't make me run out and buy one either. The Series 1 was so good to begin with, it was really hard to improve on. They added a USB port, and CAN connections, and a few other minor things that might be amazing to have for some people, but for many of us the Series 1 is PLENTY good enough.

Series 2 software is more informative for those unfamiliar with AEM ems. If your going to spend 1000 on a s1 vs 1200 on a s2 I would go s2 . I would base it all on the price because other wise the systems are very close.

The series 2 tuning software (AEM Tuner) is somewhat backwards compatible with the Series 1 EMS [calibration files]. I've used it with great success on mine. I've also used the older tuner software (AEM Pro) with great success. The new software is more informative with detailed explanations of every setting built into the description. It is extremely helpful. The older software is less cluttered and potentially easier to wrap your head around if you're used to simpler programs.

are you sure on 100% since the Tuner software uses totaly different names for a lot of the tables.

I may have been working on old info. There do seem to be some compatibility issues and some workarounds. Here's a good thread to start: AEMTuner with Series 1 EMS?

For what it's worth, I opened up my Series 1, 1.19 firmware calibration with AEMTuner and was able to work with as much of it as I tried. I however didn't connect live to the ECU, nor have I tried to do anything complicated or involved with AEM Tuner.

Since this would be a step by step learning experience for me, I'm getting the impression the Series 2 would be more user friendly for the novice, but only worth it if the price difference is 200.00 or less?

I dunno, I learned on AEM Pro (Series 1) and seeing AEM Tuner (Series 2) I think I had an easier time starting out with the first software. However, you can download both, and some calibrations, and mess around with them and see for yourself which one you'd rather work with.

Just an updated opinion for anyone else looking to buy one of these.

I talked to a mechanic who not only races his own cars but has installed both series 1 and 2 into different makes of vehicles for customers.
His opinion is that the series 2 is an actual redesign and not just an upgrade and if the difference in price is 300.00, it's worth the extra.

I guess in this case it's back to the old saying "you get what you pay for."