LT1 OBD2 Tuning Software
11-22-2014, 07:33 PM
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LT1 OBD2 Tuning Software I did a search and came up with a few good posts but they were kinda old (at least I'm honest) so I don't know if things have changed or not. So I felt the need to make a thread over a few questions I have.
First things first, I don't know anything about how to tune a car or what I need really so bare with me. I really want to learn this stuff.
Car is a 1996 Pontiac Trans Am
1) It seems like Jet DST is the best tuning software for my car. But I've heard nothing but good things about HP Tuners, so I'm wondering if its made for my car or not. I found old threads that said no but it's 2014 we can put a robot on Mars but can't use HP Tuners with LT1 cars. So is it made for an OBD2 LT1?
2) If I go with the Jet DST is there any thing else I need?
3) Is Jet easy to learn on?
4) If/When I get stuck and need help I'm sure I'll turn to LS1Tech for the answers. Will you guys being willing to help me?
5) Am I on the right track wanting to tune my car myself or is it better to just have it done?
The reason I'm asking questions now is because that's a lot of money for me at the moment and I really don't want to waste $500 bucks on something I'll never be able to use properly.
As always any help is much appreciated.
First things first, I don't know anything about how to tune a car or what I need really so bare with me. I really want to learn this stuff.
Car is a 1996 Pontiac Trans Am
1) It seems like Jet DST is the best tuning software for my car. But I've heard nothing but good things about HP Tuners, so I'm wondering if its made for my car or not. I found old threads that said no but it's 2014 we can put a robot on Mars but can't use HP Tuners with LT1 cars. So is it made for an OBD2 LT1?
2) If I go with the Jet DST is there any thing else I need?
3) Is Jet easy to learn on?
4) If/When I get stuck and need help I'm sure I'll turn to LS1Tech for the answers. Will you guys being willing to help me?
5) Am I on the right track wanting to tune my car myself or is it better to just have it done?
The reason I'm asking questions now is because that's a lot of money for me at the moment and I really don't want to waste $500 bucks on something I'll never be able to use properly.
As always any help is much appreciated.
11-22-2014, 11:45 PM
#2
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not the LT1 that Hptuner has problems with, it's the older PCM, I have Hp for my LT1 95 TA, but I converted it to a 24 x 2001 PCM which is what Hp tuner is made for. My personal experience is the 98 or 99 and older PCMs take 30 minutes to flash. I guess you call it flash at that speed? The 2000 and newer PCMs take 30 seconds to flash. I tried the Cats tuner on my lt1 older set up. It was very slow and could not change lots of things.
Just my experience. Hope this helps.
Just my experience. Hope this helps.
11-23-2014, 07:03 AM
#3
Launching!
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OP no HP tuners is not available for the 90s LT1.
I know there is a slow write option for the LS computers, but how much slower it is then the fast write I don't know. Jet DST is Tunercats OBD2 Tuner. Look at their website link.
It's not the LT1 that Hptuner has problems with, it's the older PCM, I have Hp for my LT1 95 TA, but I converted it to a 24 x 2001 PCM which is what Hp tuner is made for. My personal experience is the 98 or 99 and older PCMs take 30 minutes to flash. I guess you call it flash at that speed? The 2000 and newer PCMs take 30 seconds to flash. I tried the Cats tuner on my lt1 older set up. It was very slow and could not change lots of things.
Just my experience. Hope this helps.
Just my experience. Hope this helps.
11-23-2014, 08:05 AM
#4
Just so you are aware of the option, not necessarily suggesting it.
The 96-97 cars are very easy to convert to the 94-95 PCM which is cheaper to reprogram, flash takes probably 3-4 minutes. Not,really an option for emission testing though.
The JET program was developed by Tunercat and they bought it, one of very few good products they offer.
The 96-97 cars are very easy to convert to the 94-95 PCM which is cheaper to reprogram, flash takes probably 3-4 minutes. Not,really an option for emission testing though.
The JET program was developed by Tunercat and they bought it, one of very few good products they offer.
11-23-2014, 09:09 AM
#5
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the reason there's no HP tuners for LT1s is our PCM is "slower" than LSx PCMs.
I've thought about the OBD1 swap. I could do it I don't have emissions testing. But to me it doesn't seem worth it yet.
Ok so if I go with the Jet DST what else would I need?
I've thought about the OBD1 swap. I could do it I don't have emissions testing. But to me it doesn't seem worth it yet.
Ok so if I go with the Jet DST what else would I need?
11-24-2014, 07:41 PM
#7
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just so you are aware of the option, not necessarily suggesting it.
The 96-97 cars are very easy to convert to the 94-95 PCM which is cheaper to reprogram, flash takes probably 3-4 minutes. Not,really an option for emission testing though.
The JET program was developed by Tunercat and they bought it, one of very few good products they offer.
The 96-97 cars are very easy to convert to the 94-95 PCM which is cheaper to reprogram, flash takes probably 3-4 minutes. Not,really an option for emission testing though.
The JET program was developed by Tunercat and they bought it, one of very few good products they offer.
I have a friend that drag races LT1's he says www.fastchip.com/ Is the best there is with on line info sheet you fill out then mail your PCM. This guy does have quite a resume.
Hope this helps, I sure don't want to lead you astray.
Trending Topics
11-24-2014, 07:56 PM
#9
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
11-25-2014, 06:31 AM
#12
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with caprice, if it takes 30 min to flash then you are doing something wrong like using a pc that is slower than the LT1 pcm. lol it only takes 2-3 min to flash. You can slow the buffer speed if problems with writing the pcm have taken place, but most can run pretty quick. 10 min would be very long and maybe the longest if you dropped the buffer to the slowest it would go.
11-25-2014, 11:47 PM
#14
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with caprice, if it takes 30 min to flash then you are doing something wrong like using a pc that is slower than the LT1 pcm. lol it only takes 2-3 min to flash. You can slow the buffer speed if problems with writing the pcm have taken place, but most can run pretty quick. 10 min would be very long and maybe the longest if you dropped the buffer to the slowest it would go.
11-27-2014, 09:05 PM
#15
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with caprice, if it takes 30 min to flash then you are doing something wrong like using a pc that is slower than the LT1 pcm. lol it only takes 2-3 min to flash. You can slow the buffer speed if problems with writing the pcm have taken place, but most can run pretty quick. 10 min would be very long and maybe the longest if you dropped the buffer to the slowest it would go.
For data loggers I keep running across Autotap. But when I google it, it comes up as a diagnostic scanner. Are they the same thing? Is there something better to use?
One more question that may answer them all, is a data logger, when talking about tuning, the same used to read the car when diagnosing? Like reading fuel trims, and everything else? As I was typing this it might have just clicked for me. If it is sorry for the questions I was assuming JET DST would be able to read all of that.
