# Apexi Power FC vs AEM EMS **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [April 26, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991 "2008-04-26T12:22:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gongster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gongster/32/5615_2.png) [@Gongster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gongster)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/1 "2008-04-26T12:22:04Z")
I am considering a standalone engine management solution, and I do not have experience with either systems. I am in the process of researching both systems and comparing them however I would appreciate some input from people that have used both systems. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Happy240sx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/happy240sx/32/5515_2.png) [@Happy240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Happy240sx)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/2 "2008-04-26T12:42:56Z")
What specifically do you want to know? I’ve owned both systems and tuned both systems many many times. ---
**Author:** ![Gongster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gongster/32/5615_2.png) [@Gongster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gongster)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/3 "2008-04-26T12:56:34Z")
Basically capabilities between the 2 systems and pros and cons. I noticed the Power FC costs $500 less then the EMS. Is the EMS worth that extra $500? ---
**Author:** ![Happy240sx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/happy240sx/32/5515_2.png) [@Happy240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Happy240sx)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/4 "2008-04-26T15:02:49Z")
> [@Climbed Mt. Rainier \*PICS\*](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/climbed-mt-rainier-pics/16769/27): > > Is the EMS worth that extra $500? Understatement of the year… ---
**Author:** ![jammin1911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jammin1911](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jammin1911)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/5 "2008-04-26T15:09:27Z")
haha, nicely put danno. In my newbie opinion the AEM EMS is better value for your money regardless of the additional cost – but it still comes down to budget. The PowerFC does what it does well, but it does a bit less and more importantly, it’s a lot more difficult to make it do what it does - the AEM is tuned via Laptop, the PowerFC is tuned via Commander and its extremely annoying and time consuming ---
**Author:** ![matty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/matty/32/5043_2.png) [@matty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/matty)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/6 "2008-04-26T16:43:11Z")
with the additional 500 your saving tho, you can buy the datalogit kit for the pfc and then tune via laptop you also get wuite a few extra features with this kit ---
**Author:** ![Gonad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gonad/32/5481_2.png) [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/7 "2008-04-26T21:52:56Z")
I’ve owned both. Starting with the PFC - I was totally new to tuning and I’ll be honest, wasn’t sure what I was really doing. I spent (read: wasted) countless hours trying to tune it, learn it, etc. Even had a friend (who owned an AEM) try and help me with tuning it but the units on the maps made no sense (apparently Apexi uses some sorta unit for load points). I only owned it for less than a season and I was happy to get rid of it for an AEM EMS. After I bought the AEM, and spending some time with a friend tuning it, I’m glad I went to AEM. Now both are powerful EMS and there are high HP cars running PFCs as there are AEMs. But if you want my opinion: AEM EMS (and I wouldn’t trade it, even for a PFC w/ Datalogit). ---
**Author:** ![\_RSTuning.ca](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/_rstuning.ca/32/6098_2.png) [@\_RSTuning.ca](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/_RSTuning.ca)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/8 "2008-04-27T12:58:56Z")
In the right hands, both systems will accomplish the end result, which is to have control over your motor and upgradability down the road. both have great features. aem has a bit more. if your budget allows it get aem if not then apexi. ---
**Author:** ![slipperysilvia](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/slipperysilvia/32/5485_2.png) [@slipperysilvia](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slipperysilvia)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/9 "2008-04-27T14:13:58Z")
well said radick… ---
**Author:** ![Heatw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cdc98d/32.png) [@Heatw](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Heatw)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/10 "2008-05-04T22:05:07Z")
and the number one reason aem is better …a power fc wil not eliminate your maf without buying the special version for more money… and then u still need datalog it to tune with a laptop and it’s not even by apexi you have to buy 3rd party software and hardware to do this…what a waste of money. i had a power fc for my Drag gtr basically i sold it they just don’t do what i want for the car. ---
**Author:** ![Fobwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ea924/32.png) [@Fobwall](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fobwall)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/apexi-power-fc-vs-aem-ems/114991/11 "2008-05-04T22:16:07Z")
I guess in the end, the AEM probably works out to be cheaper and if anything, it’s “better” as well. But I won’t get into that debate.