Engineered Performance

John Concialdi
Founder, AEM Electronics

In our industry, when the words “automotive” and “engineer” are used in the same sentence, it usually brings about a feeling of resentment toward OE lab coats introducing performance-hindering technologies like on-board diagnostics and power-reducing traction control systems. However, there is an entire subset of automotive engineers who have found their calling in developing solutions for producing power in spite of these technologies. John Concialdi, founder of Advanced Engine Management (AEM) and currently an engineer at AEM Electronics and AEM Induction Systems is one such person.

As an R&D engineer for a Weber Carbuertor subsidiary in the ‘70s, Concialdi predicted the eventual dominance of electronic fuel injection (EFI) technology and purchased the department, transforming it into the first iteration of AEM. With in-house dynamometers, a hunger for performance and an engineering eye for development, Concialdi worked with some of the largest import performance manufacturers and OEs at the time in helping research and develop products for the exploding automotive aftermarket. This led to many original forerunners in the import drag racing scene to seek Concialdi’s help and utilize his tuning prowess for their racecars. It was around this time that AEM was already making waves as a manufacturer with its intake filter systems, many of which were federally certified for public-roadway use, arguably ushering in the introduction of import performance tuning to the masses.

AEM’s presence continued to explode in the 90’s and the company eventually purchased and absorbed a semi-competitive manufacturer, which it owned until a few short years ago. “I certainly could have been better in the business aspect of that. And, we may have introduced some products that did not sell that well because we didn’t ask our customers (or enough of them) if the product was really needed.” However, during this time, Concialdi was still at work engineering solutions that he felt were absolutely necessary. “[pullquote]WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY. ADAPT OR DIE, RIGHT?[/pullquote]Our UEGO controller gauge was and is a huge success because it is reasonably priced. I remember my first Horiba Mexa 100 that cost $7,500 and my first MOTEC meter that cost $6,500. Our UEGO is accurate, responsive and has an MSRP of just over $200.” Even prior to the release of the gauge, Concialdi orchestrated an affordable engine management system that was engineered to be both easy to install and capable of utilizing OEM- quality sensor connections. “That’s why we made some of the first Plug-and-Play ECU’s,” Concialdi notes.

With his eye focused squarely on the performance aftermarket, Concialdi continues to research, develop and help bring about solutions from an engineering perspective. “The EPA and CARB have seen to it that there is no latitude for modification of cars used on the road so we see a lot of dedicated race cars now.“ However, tuner-friendly platforms like the FR-S/BRZ and the forthcoming Focus ST will continue to pique Concialdi’s interest, no matter what OE engineers and federal lawmakers throw out. “A year ago I would have said that direct injection would pose a challenge but we now have something to address that. At this point, we are not afraid of
any new technology. Adapt or die, right?”