# New AEM FIC . . . thoughts? **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [February 4, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240 "2008-02-04T06:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/1 "2008-02-04T06:17:05Z")
I’ve been reading about it over on s2ki about running it on my buggy… seems like its a good little unit. ---
**Author:** ![wrayzor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wrayzor/32/6021_2.png) [@wrayzor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/wrayzor)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/2 "2008-02-04T07:32:28Z")
never read too much about it but i think I would opt for K-pro, piggy backs make me nervous ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 7:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/3 "2008-02-04T07:37:50Z")
im thinking $400 compared to $1500… especially on mild setups like my s2k ---
**Author:** ![dyingwish](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dyingwish/32/6041_2.png) [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 8:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/4 "2008-02-04T08:33:08Z")
> [@9/1 & 9/2 Wing Festival at Dunn Tire Park](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/9-1-9-2-wing-festival-at-dunn-tire-park/34712/7): > > im thinking $400 compared to $1500… especially on mild setups like my s2k Why do you need a $1500 system? I assume you are referring to Motec/AEM standalones right? They can be had for far less that what you quoted, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/5 "2008-02-04T09:28:39Z")
I dont need a 1500$ system, im just saying the FIC is probably going to do what I need and more simply than an EMS. ---
**Author:** ![wrayzor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wrayzor/32/6021_2.png) [@wrayzor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/wrayzor)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/6 "2008-02-04T09:35:52Z")
what is your car running on now? ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 9:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/7 "2008-02-04T09:41:48Z")
the vortech supplied black box and map box with the FMU ---
**Author:** ![dyingwish](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dyingwish/32/6041_2.png) [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 9:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/8 "2008-02-04T09:41:55Z")
I’m not terribly familiar with f20C motors, but what is the adavantage of the AEM FIC vs K-pro? ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/9 "2008-02-04T13:13:57Z")
I really dont know since i havent had anytime with k-pro yet… everything i hear is good though. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 7:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/10 "2008-03-24T07:44:48Z")
BUMP for the heck of it… this thing is gobbling up ngk-r’s ☹ ---
**Author:** ![dyingwish](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dyingwish/32/6041_2.png) [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/11 "2008-03-24T09:08:19Z")
If you think you are up to messing with the FIC, go for it. Just be conservative when you tinker…you already know that. Post up a pic of the plugs, I’m curious what is happening… ---
**Author:** ![Hycomp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Hycomp](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hycomp)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 10:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/12 "2008-03-24T10:42:55Z")
> [@Rocky's pizza is closing.....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rockys-pizza-is-closing/35609/8): > > BUMP for the heck of it… this thing is gobbling up ngk-r’s ☹ I forget if it was mentioned in your other thread but are you running a thicker headgasket or stock compression? I’m not sure how the black box deals with timing (perhaps retards according to boost or tps or some combination) but stock honda maps tend to get pretty aggressive with timing under partial throttle conditions (especially if backing out of the throttle and then rolling back in). I have a good example of too much partial/full throttle timing in a comptech boosted S2K sitting in my garage right now (nice hole melted through piston 1 and initial melting on piston 2). ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/13 "2008-03-24T14:48:05Z")
I’ll try to get to the plugs soon. It is stock HG and compression, basicly all stock engine. I’m not surprised since its a 12lb pulley with no mods, but for now i’ll stop driving it. one tank of fuel and 2 sets of plugs so far on the whole car. I’m almost positive the vortech box deals with timing… there are 2 boxes total, one which interpruts the map signal. ---
**Author:** ![Hycomp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Hycomp](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hycomp)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/14 "2008-03-25T10:05:11Z")
My guess is the black box is set up for either running lower boost on stock compression or potentially higher boost on lower compression so in your case it is just not quite pulling enough timing. You might be able to retard your base timing a tad and be ok. I would just keep an eye out for a used AEM EMS although the AEM FIC looks like it would work just fine in your case. ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/15 "2008-03-25T12:33:55Z")
method by which you retard the base timing a tad? its not like it has a distributor and i dont think its wise to strap a BTM to it to add to the clutter :tounge: ---
**Author:** ![Hycomp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Hycomp](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hycomp)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/16 "2008-03-25T13:06:29Z")
> [@CALLOUT: 05+ Black Stang GT that tried on the Red Cobalt](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/callout-05-black-stang-gt-that-tried-on-the-red-cobalt/35562/84): > > method by which you retard the base timing a tad? its not like it has a distributor and i dont think its wise to strap a BTM to it to add to the clutter :tounge: Hmm, good point I’ve been playing with B and H stuff so long I forgot the F20/22 does not have a dist. :doh: Perhaps some home depot octane booster instead? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/17 "2008-03-25T14:13:31Z")
NOS octane boost ftw??? ---
**Author:** ![imported\_gearhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_gearhead/32/5957_2.png) [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-aem-fic-thoughts/195240/18 "2008-03-25T14:19:12Z")
here is the sparkplug report: 2 of each cyl… 4th through the 1st cyl. [![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000015.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000015.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000015.jpg)[![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000014.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000014.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000014.jpg) [![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000013.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000013.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000013.jpg)[![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000012.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000012.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000012.jpg) [![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000011.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000011.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000011.jpg)[![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000010.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000010.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000010.jpg) [![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000009.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000009.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000009.jpg)[![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000008.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000008.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000008.jpg) [![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000016.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/th_s2000016.jpg)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/gearhead313/S2000/s2000016.jpg) I dont see any signs of serious detonation… no?