AEM Series 2 Plug Play EMS 306601 User Manual

							
  
 
 
ADVANCED ENGINE MANAGEMENT INC. 
2205 126
th Street Unit A    Hawthorne, CA. 90250 
Phone: (310) 484-2322 Fax: (310) 484-0152 
http://www.aempower.com 
Instruction Part Number: 10-6601 
© 2010 Advanced Engine Management, Inc.   
 
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Installation Instructions for: 
EMS P/N 30-6601 
1991-1993 Silvia S13 SR20DET 
1991-1995 Nissan 180SX SR20DET 
 
WARNING: 
,! 
This installation is not for the t uning novice nor the PC illiterate! 
Use this system with 
EXTREME caution! The AEM EMS System 
allows for total flexi bility in engine tuning. Misuse of this 
product can destroy your engine! If  you are not well versed in 
engine dynamics and the tuning of management systems or are 
not PC literate, please do not atte mpt the installation. Refer the 
installation to a AEM trained tuning shop or call 800-423-0046 
for technical assistance. You s hould also visit the AEM EMS 
Tech Forum at http://www.aempower.com 
 
NOTE: AEM holds no responsibility for any engine damage that 
results from the misuse of this product!
 
 
 
This product is legal in California for racing vehicles only and should  never be used on public highways. 
 
Note: Part number 30-6601 supersedes and  replaces P/N 30-1601 and 30-1601U 
 
Vehicle Series I EMS Series II EMS 
1991-1993 Silvia S13 (SR20DET) 1601/1601U 6601 
1991-1995 Nissan 180SX (SR20DET) 1601/1601U 6601  
						

							
Thank you for purchasing an AEM Engine Management System.  
 
The AEM Engine Management System (EMS) is  the result of extensive development on a 
wide variety of cars. Each system is enginee red for the particular application. The AEM 
EMS differs from all others in several  ways. The EMS is a stand alone system, which 
completely replaces the factory ECU and  features unique Plug and Play Technology, 
which means that each system is configured  especially for your make and model of car 
without any jumper harnesses. There is no need to  modify your factory wiring harness and 
in most cases your car may be retur ned to stock in a matter of minutes.  
 
For stock and slightly modified vehicles, the supplied startup calibrations are configured to 
work with OEM sensors, providing a solid st arting point for beginner tuning. For more 
heavily modified cars, the EMS can be reconfi gured to utilize aftermarket sensors and has 
many spare inputs and outputs allowing the elimin ation of add-on rev-limiters, boost 
controllers, nitrous controllers, fuel computers,  etc. It also includes a configurable onboard 
1MB data logger that can re cord any 16 EMS parameters  at up to 250 samples per 
second. Every EMS comes with all functions in stalled and activated; there is no need to 
purchase options or upgrades to unlo ck the full potential of your unit. 
 
The installation of the AEM EMS on the supported vehicles  uses the stock sensors and 
actuators. After installing t he AEMTuner software, the start up calibration will be saved to 
the following folder on your PC:  
C:\Program Files\AEM\AEM Tuner\Calibrations\Nissan\  
Multiple calibrations may be supplied for each  EMS; additional details of the test vehicle 
used to generate each calibration can be found in  the Calibration Notes section for that 
file.  
 
Please visit the AEM Performance Electronics  Forum at http://www.aempower.com and 
register.  We always post t he most current strategy rele ase, PC Software and startup 
calibrations online. On the forum, you can fi nd and share many helpful hints/tips to make 
your EMS perform its best.  
 
 
TUNING NOTES AND WARNING:  
While the supplied startup calibration  may be a good starting point and can save 
considerable time and money, it will not replac e the need to tune the EMS for your specific 
application. AEM startup calibrations are not  intended to be driven aggressively before 
tuning. We strongly recommend that every  EMS be tuned by someone who is already 
familiar with the AEM software and has successf ully tuned vehicles using an AEM EMS. 
Most people make mistakes as part of the l earning process; be warned that using your 
vehicle as a learning platform can damage y our engine, your vehicle, and your EMS. 
 
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Read and understand these instructions BEFORE attempting to install this product.  
1)  Install AEMTuner software onto your PC  
The latest version of the AEMTuner so ftware can be downloaded from the AEMTuner 
section of the AEM Perform ance Electronics forums. Seri es 2 units are not supported 
by the older AEMPro tuning software.   
 
2)  Change Cam/Crank Angle Sensor: AEM trigger disc MUST be used   
On Nissans, discrepancies have been observed  in the OEM cam/crank angle signals 
between model years and/or trim  levels. To avoid confusion the Series 2 EMS does not 
support the OEM Nissan trigger pattern. A r eplacement trigger disc is now included 
with every Nissan EMS and must be installed bef ore attempting to start the engine. An 
AEM trigger disc is supplied with each 30- 6601 EMS which fits SR20DET cam angle 
sensors. Please consult the foll owing instructions supplement, which will be installed to 
the C:\Program Files\AEM\AEM Tuner\Instructions folder: 
‘10-6600-C for EMS - 30-66XX supplement-  CAS trigger install KA, GA, and SR 
engines.PDF’   
 
3)  Remove the Stock Engine Control Unit 
a) Access the stock Engine Control Unit (E CU). The location of the ECU on the 
180SX, Silvia, and 240SX vehicles is behi nd the kick-panel on the passenger side 
of the vehicle. 
b) Carefully disconnect the wiring harness from  the ECU. Avoid excessive stress or 
pulling on the wires, as this may damage th e wiring harness. Some factory ECUs 
use a bolt to retain the factory connectors, and it must be removed before the 
harness can be disconnected.  There may be more than one connector, and they 
must all be removed without  damage to work properly with the AEM ECU. Do not 
cut any of the wires in the factor y wiring harness to remove them.  
c) Remove the fasteners securing the ECU to  the car body, and set them aside. Do 
not destroy or discard the fact ory ECU, as it can be reinstalled easily for street use 
and troubleshooting. 
 
4)  Install the AEM Engine Management System 
a) Plug the factory wiring harness into the AEM  EMS and position it so the wires are 
not pulled tight or stressed in any manner . Secure the EMS with the provided 
Velcro fasteners. 
b) Plug the comms cable into the EMS and into your PC. 
c) Turn the ignition on, but do not  attempt to start the engine.  
d) At the time these instructions were written, new EMS units do not require USB 
drivers to be installed to the PC. 
e) With the AEMTuner software open, select  ECU>>Upload Calibration to upload the 
startup calibration file (.cal)  that most closely matches the vehicle’s configuration to 
be tuned. Check the Notes section of the calibration for more info about the vehicle 
it was configured for. These files  can be found in the following folder:   
C:\Program Files\AEM\AEMTuner\Calibrations\Nissan  
f) Set the throttle range: Select Wizard s>>Set Throttle Range and follow the on-
screen instructions. When finished, check that  the ‘Throttle’ channel never indicates 
less than 0.2% or greater than 99.0%, this  is considered a sensor error and may 
cause some functions including idle f eedback and acceleration fuel to operate 
incorrectly.  
5)  Wiring accessories to the EMS: 
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Please follow this suggested wiring diagram when adding accessories such as UEGO 
gauges, MAP sensors, IAT sensors, or switches for use with the EMS. Note that wire 
polarity is not important for t he Air Temperature sensor.   
+5V Sensor Power
Switched Input
41 Sensor Ground
IAT Sensor
29 26
AEM EMS 
P/N: 30-6600
Sensor Ground
MAP Signal
35
29 37 Sensor Ground O2 Sensor 1
19
29
Ground Switch 6
Air Temperature Sensor 
P/N: 30-2010
Black (Sensor Ground)Green (MAP Signal)
Red (+5V Sensor Power) Black (Battery or chassis ground)
Red (+12V power, 5A fuse)
AEM UEGO 
P/N: 30-5130
Brown (Analog - signal)
White (0-5V Analog + signal)
Pink (Switched +12V Power)
MAP Sensor 
P/N: 30-2130-50
 
6)  Ready to begin tuning the vehicle. 
a) Before starting the engine, ve rify that the fuel pump runs for a couple of seconds 
when the key is turned on and there is suffi cient pressure at the fuel rail.  
If a MAP sensor is installed, check that the Engine Load indicates something near 
atmospheric pressure (approximately 101kPa  or 0 PSI at sea level) with the key on 
and engine off. Press the throttle and verify t hat the ‘Throttle’ channel responds but 
the Engine Load channel continues to meas ure atmospheric pressure correctly.  
 
b) Start the engine and make whatever adjustments may be  needed to sustain a safe 
and reasonably smooth idle. Verify the ignition timing: Select  Wizards>>Ignition 
Timing Sync  from the  pull-down menu.  Click the ‘ Lock Ignition Timing’ checkbox 
and set the timing to a safe and convenient  value (for instance, 10 degrees BTDC). 
Use a timing light and compare the physical timing numbers to the timing value you 
selected. Use the Sync Adjustment Increase/Decrease  buttons to make the 
physical reading match the ti ming number you selected. 
 
Crankshaft timing marks are not labeled fo r some vehicles. Consult the factory 
service manual for more information. The  diagram below shows labels for the S13 
and S14 SR20DET:  
 
 
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c) Note: This calibration needs to be properly tuned before driving the vehicle. It is 
intended for racing vehicles and may not oper ate smoothly at idle or part-throttle. 
NEVER TUNE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 
 
7) Troubleshooting an engine that will not start 
a) Double-check all the basics first… engi nes need air, fuel, compression, and a 
correctly-timed spark event. If any of these  are lacking, we suggest checking simple 
things first. Depending on the symptoms, it may be best to inspect fuses, sufficient 
battery voltage, properly mated wiring connec tors, spark using a timing light or by 
removing the spark plug, wiring continuity  tests, measure ECU pinout voltages, 
replace recently-added or  untested components with known-good spares. Check 
that all EMS sensor inputs m easure realistic temperature and/or pressure values.  
 
b) If the EMS is not firing the coils or injectors  at all, open the Start tab and look for the 
‘Stat Sync’d’ channel to turn  ON when cranking. This indicates that the EMS has 
detected the expected cam and crank signals;   if Stat Sync’d does not turn on, 
monitor the Crank Tooth Period and T2PER  channels which indicate the time 
between pulses on the Crank  and T2 (Cam) signals. Both of these channels should 
respond when the engine is cr anking, if either signal is not being detected or 
measuring an incorrect number of pulses pe r engine cycle the EMS will not fire the 
coils or injectors. 
 
c) If the Engine Load changes when the throttle is  pressed this usually indicates that 
there is a problem with the  MAP sensor wiring or software calibration (when the 
EMS detects that the MAP Volt s are above or below the min/max limits it will run in 
a failsafe mode using the TPS-to-Load table to  generate an artificial Engine Load 
signal using the Throttle input ). This may allow the engine to sputter or start but not 
continue running properly.  
 
Page 5 of 13  
						

							
Application Notes for EMS P/N 30-6601 
1991-1993 Silvia S13 SR20DET,  1991-1995 180SX SR20DET  
 
Make: Nissan  Spare Injector Drivers: Inj 5, Pin 23 
Model: Silvia and 180SX  Spare Injector Drivers: Inj 6, Pin 105 
Years Covered: 1991-1995  Spare Injector Drivers: Inj 7, Pin 14 
Engine Displacement: 2.0L  Spare Injector Drivers: Inj 8, Pin 114 
Engine Configuration: Inline 4    
Firing Order: 1-3-4-2    
N/A, S/C or T/C: Turbocharged    
Load Sensor Type: 0-5V MAF  Boost Solenoid: PW 2, Pin 111 
   EGT 1 Location: Pin 5 
# Coils: 4  EGT 2 Location: Pin 15 
Ignition driver type: 0-5V Falling E dge trigger  EGT 3 Location: Pin 44 
   EGT 4 Location: Pin 115 
Number of Injectors: 4 (P&H drivers: In j 1-4)  Spare 0-5V Channels: MAP, Pin 35 
Factory Injectors: 370cc Saturated  Spare 0-5V Channels: ADCR11, Pin 33 
Factory Inj Resistors: No    
Injection Mode: Sequential    
Knock Sensors used: 1  Spare Low Side Driver: LS2, Pin 45 
Lambda Sensors 
used: 1  Spare Low Side Driver: LS4, Pin 102 
Idle Motor Type: Duty-controlled solenoid  Spare Low Side Driver: LS5, Pin 10 
Main Relay Control: Yes (not user progra mmable)  Spare Low Side Driver: LS6, Pin 11 
Crank Pickup Type: Optical    
**Crank Teeth/Cycle: 24 (AEM trigger disc)  Check Engine Light: LS10, Pin 24 
Cam Pickup Type: Optical  Spare High Side Driver: HS1, Pin 28 
**Cam Teeth/Cycle: 1 (AEM trigger disc)    
Transmissions 
Offered: Manual/Automatic    
Trans Supported: Manual    
Drive Options: RWD  Spare Switch Input: Switch 2, Pin 43 
Supplied Connectors: N/A    
AEM extension/patch 
harness 30-2995    
     
   A/C Switch Input: Switch 6, Pin 41 
 
Wire View of AEM EMS 
 
WARNING:      
*All switch input pins must c onnect to ground; the switch s hould not provide 12V power to 
the EMS because that will not be  detected as on or off.  
 
The function of several pins have been changed  from the original 30-1601 EMS, please 
see the pinout chart for more info. 
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Engine Wiring Harnesses, ‘swapped’ engine installations
Many Nissan wiring harnesses have been found  to contain significant differences between 
model years and/or trim levels. Likely diffe rences include: Crank signal, Cam signal, 
Ignition switch wiring (the Ignition switch input  controls the Main Relay output), injector and 
coil destinations. Official document ation for some vehicles was not offered in English, so it 
would be very wise to double-c heck the pinout destinations for these circuits. This is 
especially true if the vehicle contains a ‘swapped’ engine or if  the wiring harness has been 
cut, spliced, soldered, tapped or modified in any manner. It is the user’s responsibility to 
check that the wiring on the v ehicle matches the pinout chart below. AEM will not be held 
responsible for loss or damage that can occur if  the EMS is installed in a vehicle in which 
the wiring harness does not matc h the AEM-supplied pinout chart!  
 
Primary Load Sensor, EMS Fuel Strategy   
 The factory MAF (mass air flow) sensor(s) can be removed  to help decrease intake air 
restriction; the EMS can be c onfigured to use a MAP sensor to determine engine load.  
It is recommended to use a 3.5 bar MAP  sensor or higher (P/N 30-2130-50).  
The factory Mass Air Flow sensor can be used  as the primary load input for the AEM EMS 
if desired. Please check the Notes section of each calibration for more info about the 
vehicle setup and fuel stra tegy that calibration was configured to use.  
 
EMS Fuel Map, Boost Fuel Trim Table 
The 30-6601 maps provided utilize the “Boost Fuel Trim Table”  to provide a 1:1 fuel 
compensation above and below atmospheric pr essure. In the startup calibration, the 
“ Boost Fuel Trim Table” is configured to provide twice  as much fuel when the manifold 
pressure is twice as high and half the fuel when  the manifold pressure is half as high; this 
should help simplify the tuning process for di fferent vacuum and boost levels. Notice the 
values in the main  “Fuel Map” do not change above 100 kPa (0  psi boost), the fuel 
correction is being made by the  “Boost Fuel Trim Table.”  
Note: the “Boost Fuel Trim Table”  must be adjusted if a different MAP sensor is installed or 
if the Load breakpoints are adjusted. The Boost  Fuel Trim value should be set to -90 at 
10kPa, 0 at 100 kPa, +100 at 200 kPa, +200 at 300 kPa, etc… 
 
Peak and Hold Injector Drivers 
Injectors 1-6 include Peak (4 amps) and Hold (1  amp) injector drivers. These drivers may 
be used with peak and hold or saturated type  injectors. The factory Nissan wiring harness 
may contain a resistor pack to prevent excessive current when  using low-impedance 
injectors with the stock ECU. With the 30-6601 installed, us ers can elect to remove and 
bypass the OEM resistor pack for more precise control of low-impedance injectors.  
 
Please note that the injector response time  will be different with and without the factory 
injector resistor pack. If  the OEM resistor pack has been removed and bypassed, please 
use the correct battery offset wizard for your  injectors. Most battery offset wizards will 
specify  if they are int ended for use without a resistor pack.  
Page 7 of 13  
						

							
Wiring accessories to the EMS: 
Please follow this suggested wiring diagram when adding accessories such as UEGO 
gauges, MAP sensors, IAT sensors, or switc hes for use with the EMS. Note that wire 
polarity is not important for t he Air Temperature sensor.   
 
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Connection Diagram for EMS P/N 30-6601 
PnP These pins are used in the AEM-supplied startup calibration. They can be reconfigured by the end user. 
Available Not used by the startup calibration. Modifications to the OEM wiring may be required before use. 
Dedicated The function of these pins is fixed and must not be changed. 
 
Pin  1991-1995 Nissan 180SX SR20DET,  1991-1993 Nissan Silvia S13 SR20DET AEM EMS 30-6601 I/O Notes 
1 Ignition 1 Coil 1 Output PnP for Coil 1,  0-5V Falling Edge trigger 
2 Ignition 2 Coil 2 Output PnP for Coil 2, 0-5V Falling Edge trigger,  connects to pin 7 
3 Tachometer Signal  Low Side 7 Output PnP for Tachometer 
4 ECCS Self-Shutoff Relay Main Relay (control) Output Dedicated, EMS activates relay with switched GND 
5 Ignition pulse monitor EGT 1 Input Available, jumper set for 0-5V Input 
6 ECCS Ground Power Ground Input Dedicated 
7 Data Link Connector Coil 2 Output PnP for Coil 2, 0-5V Falling Edge trigger, connects to pin 2 
8 Ignition 3 Coil 3 Output PnP for Coil 3 
9 Ignition 4 Coil 4 Output PnP for Coil 4 
10 --- Low Side 5 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A max 
11 --- Low Side 6 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A max 
12 A/T Signal No. 3 CAN1H Output Dedicated, CAN high side 
13 ECCS Ground Power Ground Input Dedicated 
14 Diagnostics Clock Injector 7 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A Max 
 
 
 
 
 
Wire View of AEM EMS 
  
 
   
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Connection Diagram for EMS P/N 30-6601 
Pin  1991-1995 Nissan 180SX SR20DET,  1991-1993 Nissan Silvia S13 SR20DET AEM EMS 30-6601 I/O Notes 
15 Data Link Connector EGT 2 Input Available, jumper set for 0-5V Input 
16 Mass Air Flow Sensor MAF Input PnP for MAF Sensor 
17 Mass Air Flow Ground Power Ground Input Dedicated 
18 ECT Sensor Coolant Input PnP for Coolant Temp Sensor 
19 Oxygen Sensor O2 #1 Input Dedicated, 0-5V input signal 
20 Throttle Position Sensor TPS Input PnP for Throttle Position Sensor 
21 Sensor Ground Sensor Ground Output Dedicated, sensors only 
22 Crankshaft Reference Signal Cam (T2) Input Dedicated, must use AEM replacement trigger disc.   
23 Data Link Connector Injector 5 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A Max 
24 Malfunction Indicator Light Low Side 10 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A Max 
25 Exhaust Over Temp Warning Lamp Low Side 3 Output Available, Switched Ground, 1.5A Max 
26 Exhaust Temperature sensor AIT Input Available, Air Intake Temperature Sensor Input,  (2.2k pull-up resistor to 5V) 
27 Knock Sensor Knock 1 Input PnP for Knock Sensor 
28 A/T Signal No. 4 High Side 1 Output Available, Switched +12V, 1.5A Max 
29 Sensor Ground Sensor Ground Output Dedicated, sensors only 
30 Crankshaft Reference Signal  Cam (T2) Input Dedicated, must use AEM replacement trigger disc.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wire View of AEM EMS 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Connection Diagram for EMS P/N 30-6601 
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