Engine Management

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Engine Management


This section will cover OEM engine management functionality as well as aftermarket engine management options and basic information to help you choose which route to go for that best suits your needs and goals. Please refer to the Tuning section of the forum for detailed information and to ask questions.

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Q: What is NGC?

A: NGC stands for Next Generation Controller. It refers to the PCM's that are used in all '03 and newer Neons and SRT-4's. There are many rumors floating around regarding the NGC and how it effects tuning and performance. Most of these rumors are just speculation and have yet to be backed up with real proof. Below is a link to a thread with some good information and an idea of what the NGC discussion involves:

NGC and You



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Q: How can I tune my engine to make more power?

A: A gasoline internal combustion engine requires three things to run. Air, fuel, and spark. To tune your engine, you need to be able to change and modify one, two, or even all three of these parameters. The ability to make reliable and controlled changes to these is what we call "tuning". A standalone Engine Management System (EMS) is the ideal way to take control of all three. Piggyback systems only work in conjuction with your stock ECU and therefore are more limited in their control.

There are several aftermarket engine management solutions:

-Megasquirt is probably the most popular standalone system used on Neons that allows tuning of all engine parameters independantly via PC. Below is a link to the Megasquirt forum, where a great deal of information on this standalone EMS can be found:

Megasquirt Forum


-AEM builds a highly popular EMS called....you guessed it....AEM EMS! It is offered as a "plug and play" (no wiring required) unit, as well as a universal unit. The only drawback to AEM's very nice hardware/software is its price....which can be 10 times as much as MegaSquirt.

AEM Electronics


-Electromotive is a long standing company that produces standalone engine control units, as well as several other tuning products. Their TEC-2 unit has been used on several record-setting high HP Neons in the past. Their current standalone is called the TEC-3, and it is quite nice. It is also very expensive. You might be finding a theme here.....

Electromotive Engine Controls


-A'PEXi makes the very popular piggyback Air Fuel Controlers (AFC) that are used quite often on Neons. The newest version is called the Neo, but there are several older versions as well. AFC's offer some fuel control, but work with the stock ECU, so they do not have full control. They offer no ignition control.

A'PEXi Electronics



-MSD is a well known company that makes the popular DIS-2 ignition system (distributorless ignition system). This unit lets you control your ignition timing, but offers no fuel control.

MSD DIS-2



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Component and Sensor Functionality


Below is a list of OEM sensors, solenoids, and other components that are relative to engine management. Locations and component descriptions are listed as available.


IAT - Intake Air Temperature sensor - Located on the airbox (or in a bung on an aftermarket cold air intake). Used as part of the PCM's calculations for fuel trim. Lower readings will result in additional fuel injected, since cool air has more oxygen per volume than warmer air. This is why extremely cold temperatures can hurt fuel economy, while at the same time increasing power output. These differences are minimal, but important in fuel adjustment by the PCM.


ATS - Ambient air Temperature Sensor - Located on the lower radiator support. Used to monitor outside temperature to be displayed to the driver on vehicles equipped with the compass/temp rearview mirrors.


BTS - Battery Temperature Sensor - Located on the battery blanket (when equipped). Used by the PCM to determine correct battery charging voltage. *On vehicles that do not have this sensor, alternator output is instead influenced by readings from the ATS and IAT, along with preprogrammed algorithms within the PCM.


TPS - Throttle Position Sensor - Located on the front side of the throttle body. Used along with other inputs by the PCM to determine driver demand, for calculating fuel injector pulse-width as well as adaptive strategy and fuel trim programming.


O2S - Oxygen Sensor - Also known as HO2S (Heated Oxygen Sensor) - Located in the exhaust system. An upstream (HO2S1/1) sensor, located ahead of the catalyst, is used by the PCM to determine combustion efficiency by reading and reacting to oxygen content in the exhaust stream. A downstream (HO2S2/1) is placed after the catalyst, and is solely there to monitor catalyst performance.
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