Hi guys, I've struggled to find any definitive setup guides for installing the VEMS standalone ECU and despite lots of assistance from the vendor I thought why not write my own to help others in the future (hopefully).
VEMS - Versatile Engine Management System is a one-size-fits-all standalone ECU system that needs considerable knowledge and expertise to set up and configure for specific requirements. Thankfully, Peep Päädam from Estonia knows exactly what he is doing and sells what he markets as a "Plug and Play" system for our cars (covering NA and Turbo). He will configure the kit to your requirements, with such extras as Coil on Plug, boost solenoid, bigger injectors, etc. I ordered the standard kit with Bosch LSU wide and sensor and MAC solenoid valve, it cost me about £1100 IIRC. Peep's email address is peep@vems.ee - he's happy to answer innumerate questions via email or can set up a Skype call if you prefer.
An important point to make at the outset is that the kits are made to order, expect a 5-6 week lead time, and due to Estonia's banking system not being on a par with our own, Peep currently requires payment via a bank transfer. I did my due diligence and spoke to others around the world who had ordered from him and felt satisfied but there was still some intrepidation when he emailed me the payment request from an online transfer service and I typed in my details.
He kept me up to speed with the progress of my order and asked some questions about my configuration and plans So that he could attenuate the tune to my requirements.
5 and a bit weeks later and my order arrived (via PhilKent on here as we ordered together) - as well as the kit elements there was a packet of spare pins and connectors, a couple of sheets of paper with pin outs and general info and the all-important +5hp sticker!
I had a good rummage in the box for the instructions, you don't get instructions. That's why I'm typing this!
Prior to arrival, I'd had a bung welded into the intercooler-to-inlet-manifold charge pipe for the Inlet Air Temperature sensor. A 10mm bung was ordered off eBay and £20 saw it welded in place:
Here it is nestled behind the AFM with a plug in it for the time being:
Air filter and AFM removed:
The IAT sensor screws in snugly and comes with a short adapter harness to connect to the AFM plug, so far so good:
A length of 3" aluminium pipe from ASH on eBay let me connect my air filter back up to the J-boot, I will be deleting the J-boot as some point in the future and relocating the air filter behind the headlight, I'll also be moving my oil catch can at the same time. It's currently under the passenger headlight mechanism where the old receiver dryer for the air con was (in case the eagle eyed where wondering what the extra hoses where for):
As far as the under bonnet stuff was concerned, that was that - done!
VEMS - Versatile Engine Management System is a one-size-fits-all standalone ECU system that needs considerable knowledge and expertise to set up and configure for specific requirements. Thankfully, Peep Päädam from Estonia knows exactly what he is doing and sells what he markets as a "Plug and Play" system for our cars (covering NA and Turbo). He will configure the kit to your requirements, with such extras as Coil on Plug, boost solenoid, bigger injectors, etc. I ordered the standard kit with Bosch LSU wide and sensor and MAC solenoid valve, it cost me about £1100 IIRC. Peep's email address is peep@vems.ee - he's happy to answer innumerate questions via email or can set up a Skype call if you prefer.
An important point to make at the outset is that the kits are made to order, expect a 5-6 week lead time, and due to Estonia's banking system not being on a par with our own, Peep currently requires payment via a bank transfer. I did my due diligence and spoke to others around the world who had ordered from him and felt satisfied but there was still some intrepidation when he emailed me the payment request from an online transfer service and I typed in my details.
He kept me up to speed with the progress of my order and asked some questions about my configuration and plans So that he could attenuate the tune to my requirements.
5 and a bit weeks later and my order arrived (via PhilKent on here as we ordered together) - as well as the kit elements there was a packet of spare pins and connectors, a couple of sheets of paper with pin outs and general info and the all-important +5hp sticker!
I had a good rummage in the box for the instructions, you don't get instructions. That's why I'm typing this!
Prior to arrival, I'd had a bung welded into the intercooler-to-inlet-manifold charge pipe for the Inlet Air Temperature sensor. A 10mm bung was ordered off eBay and £20 saw it welded in place:
Here it is nestled behind the AFM with a plug in it for the time being:
Air filter and AFM removed:
The IAT sensor screws in snugly and comes with a short adapter harness to connect to the AFM plug, so far so good:
A length of 3" aluminium pipe from ASH on eBay let me connect my air filter back up to the J-boot, I will be deleting the J-boot as some point in the future and relocating the air filter behind the headlight, I'll also be moving my oil catch can at the same time. It's currently under the passenger headlight mechanism where the old receiver dryer for the air con was (in case the eagle eyed where wondering what the extra hoses where for):
As far as the under bonnet stuff was concerned, that was that - done!