I finally got a reply about the Hydra EMS. In my experiences it is one of the best plug and plays for the price on the market. Here is the original email and reply:

We hope to have them available in the next 2-3 months.



Regards,

Andrew Nam
Hydra EMS America
Tel: 510-870-1550
Fax:510-740-0911
inquiries@carmodifications.com
www.hydra-ems.com


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Thank You.

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan King
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 1:00 PM
To: carmodifications@aol.com
Subject: Hydra for 350z/G35



I was wondering what the status was on the Hydra for the 350z/G35. There are a lot of us TT/Supercharged G’s and Z’s that are anxiously waiting for the arrival of this unit.



Alan

 

This is the same response that inquires got a year and a half ago. I hope they are able to release an ecu.

Have you actually used a hydra ecu? What are your impressions? I have not heard anything from this company in about a year, didn't know if they were just vaperware or if they had gone under.

 

I have used them on Subaru WRX's. I hope they are actually working on it for the G35/350Z. This is probably the easiest system to tune I have ever used. We these the WRX had one of the smoothest torque curves I had ever seen on that car. That tells me the resolution and interpolation is pretty darn good. I've also had some experiences with them on Supra Single Turbos. I really hope they come out with it for our cars. I really want a plug and play that lets the owner tune it. This is the only option I see possibly happening.(crosses fingers)
Alan

 

New update concerning the Hydra. This is what they wrote:

HydraEMS-NA



Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 112

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

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We now have trigger and DBW readings. It will prob be released before SEMA.

 

Awesome. I love the Hydra. Its one of my favorites. Great control and excellent resolution.

 

is it still a piggy-back ems?

 

No, the Hydra is a stand alone ems.

 

ooo i am ready to buy! aem is taking too long

 

Im thinking if AEM is taking a long time and may even drop the idea of a stand alone . This one will take along time too

 

AEM could not communicate with the DBW and as I have been told that is there only problem. They have just not put any more R&D time into the car. Hydra has a good track record with DBW system since they were one of the first to get a standalone working with the DBW on the subaru STI. I have alot more faith in them then AEM. At least they've given us a date that isn't a few quarters away! That's promising.

 

If AEM's only problem is DBW they should at least release a version that must be used with some kind of aftermarket cable throttle body and then once they get the DBW issues figured out release new firmware or something to include that as well. I know everybody is just tired of waiting for it.

 

that would exactly be what they have as the "universal" EMS that is available already today.

 

a) AEM has plenty of other issues besides running DBW... their box doesn't yet understand the cam/crank sensors without physically modifying them...

b) AEM has said that they will be making a complete replacement ECU for this application, not a piggyback type system... In other words, it will need to speak/understand the CAN bus protocols and be able to cooperate with all the other vehicle computers, not the least of which is the body control module...

c) the current universal system can't be used, not only because of the cam/crank synch issues, but also because it is meant to directly drive inductive coils... our coils have built-in ignitors and need a logic level trigger...

An AEM solution will be over a year away. IF one is eventually released it will be "the ****" in terms of features/dollar. But until that point this community desparately needs a solid system that has full control over fuel and spark (AEM adds boost control, traction control, on-board datalogging, and a million other things that are great to have but aren't "required" for safely tuning a motor)

 

Sorry for the OT, I just had to comment that I thought it was funny that you included this

in your post on an international forum...

 

Been waiting for the Hydra for a year now. This is great if and when they can have it done. I've seen it on a R34 Skyline when tuning and it seems very good as a stand alone.

 

is AEM now planning on continuing their standalone EMS again?

a few months ago they told me on the phone they have permanently dropped the 350Z EMS project for the forseeable future

 

Probably. They will just reverse engineer something like the hydra box and be a month or so behind. That's usually par for the course in this industry. If the UTEC comes out I will not be using the Hydra.