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This is the moment alot of you have been looking forward to.
We intend to post it in classifieds from now on but we felt due to all the discussion regarding this product's development here, its long coming release warranted a general post. Thanks!
| The ZEMulator has come a long way from just an idea into a full-blown ECU tuning device delivering performance tuning used around the world and in the highest horsepower Z's built by Z1 Motorsports. Its creation is by all means a crowning achievement which has involved a number of different parties ranging from engineers from differing backgrounds, hardware developers, and software developers. An extensive amount of time has been put into the testing of this product which has spanned over the course of a year, involved over a dozen beta testers from around the world and has a total combined 'clock time' in the hundreds of hours of usage. Along with its comprehensive 'grassroots' style users manual, full-color hardware installation manual, an active yahoo mailgroup specifically for ZEMulator beta testing communication and product support/development, this device brings the best of the best in tuning that caters specifically for one car, the Z32. |
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| The key to tuning an EFI system is having the capability to display and manipulate operating parameters of the engine in real-time. Providing real-time feedback to the tuner as to which parameters are being used such that they can properly adjust values to achieve desirable results is the tool of tuning. The ZEM does all of this in a windows based application that leverages the ZEM hardware to produce the results you want.
Here is a video of the ZEMulator running in real-time trace during a dyno pull of a Z32.
The software is designed to portray the elements of tuning in a simple, easy to understand format. No HEX editing is required, no confounded browsing through pages and pages of code to find your mark - it is all laid out in seperately labeled pages with both color coding and numerical values for easy viewing and editing.
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| Of the many comparable features it has to other management systems, one of the ZEMulator's key attributes is its ability to allow user-configurable aftermarket sensor input for displaying and datalogging. These inputs provide a vital source of information about differing engine conditions of which stock engine sensors will not reveal. Up to 7 additional sensors such as EGT probes, pressure sensors, wideband O2 sensor, temperature probes, or literally an endless list of automotive sensors can be used. In addition, up to 4 on/off type inputs such as switches or relays can be monitored as well. Threshold limits for input values are also user configurable and will warn you if any sensor exceeds a value you have configured so as to help provide an additional element of safety to your tuning.
Further development of the ZEMulator will include features such as an in-car dyno, A/F Auto-Tuning, multi-step rev limit control and many more. Future features are customer driven - if you have an idea, submit it! It just might be in the next revision!
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With the features this device provides there is really no realistic limit of parts you can bolt to your Z that you will not be able to tune for. It likely will have more scalability than you will ever use and as this device continues to be developed, newer and more useful features will be added of which will simply be a free download of the latest version. Base mappings for any configuration of parts on your Z will also be pre-loaded into the ZEM to provide a plug and play product with turnkey operation once it arrives to your doorstep. If any future modifications are made to your vehicle, base maps for your new configuration will also be available for download.
The ZEMulator is NOW in stock, available for purchase, and ready to ship for $750 through Z1 Motorsports. Check out the performance section on 300zx.com for more details including an online version of the user's manual. This package comes complete with all hardware, software, documentation, and support provided through Z1 Motorsports as well as through the ZEMulator yahoo mailgroup. To subscribe to the mailgroup, simply send an email to zemulator-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. This mailgroup has been actively used as an avenue for beta testing communication and idea requests for the past year of beta testing. It currently has 125 members and we expect that to grow.
Some historical information on the ZEMulator:
It goes without saying that the skills and talents of Z1 Motorsports have greatly benefited from the use of the ZEMulator in final tuning of customer's build-up projects. It has been used solely as the tuning device for our customers' cars and over 50 Z's have been tuned with it to date. Additionally, it has enabled us in almost every case to set new benchmarks for Z's with similar turbos and modifications, as well as allow us to further develop new products for the Z and know what works and what doesn't. Without this device it would be a nearly impossible stretch to have tuned the cars we have produced to their current power levels.
The ZEM was used to tune elite, high-horsepower Z32's of North America such as: "The Peacemaker" 811RWHP HKS2835 Powered TT
 
The 811RWHP run video on a dynojet Sean Wagner's "Wagz" 744RWHP TD05+N2O Powered TT
 
The 744RWHP run video on a dynojet"Outlaw", Patrick Heard's NOPI 2003 X-Box Winning 741RWHP TT
  "Aziator", Chris Damato's 596RWHP HKS2530 Powered TT
 
The 596RWHP run video on a dynojetJoel Grannas' Single-Turbo 546RWHP Convertible Z32
 
The 546RWHP run video on a dynojet"T Kapoor's 410RWHP Stock-Twin Powered TT
  Todd Reeves' 340RWHP Non-Turbo Engine (10.5:1 compression) with twinturbos and supporting hardware installed. First of its kind.
.jpg) .jpg) Sean Holloman's Stage5 NA Z32
 
The 215RWHP run video on a dynojet"When I decided to build my Z I knew two things...I would start with the finest car available, and modify it with the best parts and electronics. There would be no compromises. The project started with a stock low mileage 95tt. It ended with a daily driven, reliable, 410rwhp beast. One thing made that all possible. The Zemulator. Sure the other quality parts made a difference; Greg Dupree products, HKS products, etc.. but what made it all come together was the tuning. With the Zemulator, we were able to totally custom tune my car on the dyno in real time quickly and effectively using the stock ECU. Honestly, I had never seen such an innovative and technologically advanced performance tool for the Z. I watched in awe as my baseline dyno numbers got blown away run after run, tweak after tweak. I realized the true tuning potential of the stock ECU as my runs skyrocketed to 400whp + numbers. All this on stock turbos. To me, the Zemulator is the way to go. I certainly wouldn't have done it any other way."
-T Kapoor, Cincinatti OH "When The Zemulator was still in its beta stages it was tested out for the NA Z on my car many a time. Even though I had the Ashspec ECU chip before dyno tuning was done, getting more horses out of the motor was possible with a big hand to the Zemulator. Several test pulls were made between the JWT chip and the Zemulator on the NA and there was a 15 HP difference between the two on my Z. Another very nice thing about the Zemulator is it allows you to run safety maps just like the factory settings. The Zemulator helped a great deal when getting more power out of the engine by just changing settings from the driver's seat!"
- Kai Bernstein, Gainesville FL When I first started considering an ECU upgrade, Iassumed JWT was the only way to go. But as you probably already know, they are WAY overpriced and lately, the turn around time for this upgrade is terrible. So I started looking into other options. A friend recommended me to talk to Ash. I checked out the website and was going to get the ECU upgrade. Then I saw the Zemulator and quickly realized it was the ONLY way to go. The possibilities are endless with this device. After having the Zem in my car for a while now, I can say I absolutely LOVE IT because of it's ease of use. I am a beginner when it comes to tuning cars and the Zem has made it easy. Besides the Zemulator, is the service that comes with it. Ash put together a very extensive operator's manual which is very clear. Ash has even helped me on an individual basis to help get my car tuned. The bottom line is, there is no other option. The Zemulator is the greatest tuning device ever to hit the market. Thanks for all your help!
-Aaron Kimball, Las Vegas, NV "The ZEMulator has many positive aspects. The ZEM has real time tuning, unlimited fuel map adjustability, and the ability to datalog any of the sensors you may be running. All of these allow you to tune the car to the highest possible power output. The hardware is pretty simple install to anyone that has basic wiring knowledge. The software is also pretty simple, as long as you understand the basics of fuel maps, timing maps, and how they work. If you don't, you can learn by reading through the thorough explainations in the Zem Documentation that is included. Congrats to Ash on a fine piece of equipment for the z32!"
- Joel Grannas "The software that comes with the Zemulator is stable, user friendly and I had no real problems using it. It missed a few convienences here and there, but I have been using one of the first (beta) versions of the software and I haven't tried the new version yet that enables you to connect a labjack DAQ, so you can monitor additional sensors. Specs of my car: twinturboed 1990 NA 2+2. The engine in this car is a '93 NA engine, which had done 110000km before installation. No internals were changed, engine still has a CR of 10.5:1. The turbos, injectors, fuelpump, oilpan, ECU and a few other bits are from a manual '90 Z32TT. This car was tuned using the zemulator for 98RON octane and 13-14psi boost. A ROM image of a similar Twinturboed NA, tuned by Ash Powers, was used as a base. Sofar the car has done 15000km (car is used daily on the autobahn) and a recent compression test reveiled no compression loss since installation of the engine, so the engine is still in the same good condition as when it was installed. I have used the Zemulator and it has proven to be an extremely useful tool for tuning purposes."
- Eric (300zx-twinturbo.com) I just wanted to take a little time to share my experiences w/ Z1 Motorsports & Ashley Powers. Ash and I had been "online friends" since the earliest days of my project Z beginnings back in November 2000. Ash actually was the person who had custom built my white face EL gauges and he and I spent multiple times discussing my build up plans. I had always wanted to get Ash to spend some time w/ my Z but being all the way in FL i just figured it would never happen. After doing much research & discussing my options w/ roughly 4 shops, i made my decision to have Z1 motorsports do my build up. This was a choice that was made easy when Russell made me feel comfortable in my decision and gave me a very good build quote. Long story short, Z1 completed my build up in late May 02, but i still had much i wanted to tweak on it prior to having it put on the dyno for some real tuning. On day 4 we took my Z to the dyno, it would be a huge understatement to say i was just a bit nervous. My nerves were more like a school kid waiting for his final exam grade, you had done all the studying, all the homework, all the things to get ready for the test, and now the test was here. So we put her up on the lift & Ash starts going to work w/ the ZEMulator & we do a few baseline runs, all normal so far, then he does his magic and before we know it we see 586rwhp before we even spray. This was where my nerves really went through the roof. Ash assured me the car was showing all good signs during the first 10 dyno runs and that she should run very smooth for the NOS runs. Then Ash dials up 20psi of boost, turns on the NOS systems, does more of his ZEMulator magic, and I hide behind my camera while he takes her through the first 3 gears. Then he asks if i'm ready, hesitantly i say "lets do it!!!!" (bad nike ad) and as I watch through my camera display I see the NOS spray & hear the roar of the engine. As I see the spray turn off I turn to the readout & have to double take as I see 744.7rwhp @ 700.2 torque and my jaw drops and I scream like a little girl who just got asked to the prom. I am a firm believer in the work that Ash & the Zemulator are capable of and the great work they are doing down in ATL at the Z1 shop! Ash gave me no reason not to feel 100% confident in his work, and honestly he worked harder on my car than anyone I knew for the past 6.5yrs of owning it.
- Sean Wagner ("Wagz"), Blacksburg VA
The original idea of such a device came to Ash Powers as one of his many "fabrication adventures" many of you know him by and although he pioneered the 'open tuning' of Z32 ECUs, developed a line of ECU upgrades, and was a large technical contributor and leader in the development of the ZEM, the complete development of the ZEMulator would not have been possible without the efforts of several key people around the world. Ash Powers and the Z1 Crew would like to openly thank the following people for their contribution to this project:
Jeff Beaulieu - First and foremost, your dedication to this project is inspirational - I'm delighted by your enthusiasm and input and am truly happy to also know you as a friend. =)
Niclas Lindstrom - your input and knowledge was instrumental in this project, you are truly astounding!
George Indorf - Your hardware engineering skills amaze me, keep up the great work!
Spencer Long - Its been a pleasure working with you - I look forward to seeing our next project come to life!
Bob Rogers: A beta tester anyone would be lucky to have! Thanks Bob!
Russell Floyd Z1 Motorsports
www.z1motorsports.com
1990+ Nissan Z specialists Used Parts, New parts, Service/Repair and Performance 1200 Carrollton Hwy
Temple, Ga 30179 770-562-8668
770-562-8664 (fax) .JPG)
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INFO: ZEMulator Official Release! - 
