you could easily do it reliably and simply on a correctly setup chip using a 2g MAF. The reason I say this is that with a SD system, you have to retune each time you make a mod or change something. Lots of people are using it and it works great, but you do have that drawback.
DSMLink is very good and totally proven. Makes power, is reliable, is user freindly enough for a knowledgable every day tuner and is'nt horribly expensive.
If you go standalone, get something that lots of DSM people have used so that you have a large "team" with you. If you run into trouble with, say AEM EMS, you have lots and lots of people to call upon for help. If you do this with Microtec or something that very few DSM people use, your help will be harder to find if at all. Community is a huge part of something if you are new to it. And no, tuning an RX-7 or another type of car is not the same as tuning a DSM.
Personally, I'd get an Eprom as you need it for the first 2 options. get a good, well planned out chip, one with pump gas and race gas maps on it and all the other options. If you ever outgrow this, or wish to fiddle more, you can get DSMLink.
I suggest against a full standalone at this point because you don't need it yet power and mod wize and because they are much much more difficult to tune, especially for a beginner. Plus for the cost of all the parts you will need, cost of the unit itself, shipping, duty, tax ext, a standalone will be quite expensive. You will be able to go faster if you choose a simpler engine management "suite"
best of luck, and keep it between the lines.
