Tuning can be pretty involved if you make more than basic changes. There is a lot to know and learn. It will take some time. 
LT1 edit vs CATS
LT1 edit vs CATS Im looking for a good tuning software that is user friendly. Im ok with computers but not great so i need something that doesnt take a genus to figure out. Its not that i need to do it right now or anything or that im to cheap to pay someone to do it. Its just something that i want to learn how to do for now so i dont have to rely on someone to do it and trailoring my car to them because there is no one near me that will tune obd1. That and it is something i hope to do for a living someday. So if any of you guys can help me out it would be greatly appreciated. Its just a learning curve, and something i have always wanted to do.
and i would also like to know what all i would need(Laptop, cables, ports, ext, ext) so any recommendations would be great too.
and i would also like to know what all i would need(Laptop, cables, ports, ext, ext) so any recommendations would be great too.
Of the 2, Tunercats hands down.
However, tunerpro is free AND datalogs as well
https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...ger-tuner.html
However, tunerpro is free AND datalogs as well
https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...ger-tuner.html
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,145
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From: Little Rock, AR
I agree, if you're not computer savvy, I would do plenty of reading.
The best way I've found to approaching creating aftermarket calibrations is to understand with as much detail as possible how the pcm works, and why it is doing what it its doing for a given set of conditions.
Most people who arent even that great with personal computers wont take the time to learn the inner workings of an engine management computer. Let alone the dynamics of the engine combustion process and how the two work together.
Not discouraging you at all, I think most people would benefit from better understanding how it all works and being able to make changes themselves. Most would rather leave that to someone who has the time to develop such knowledge and experience.
JMO
The best way I've found to approaching creating aftermarket calibrations is to understand with as much detail as possible how the pcm works, and why it is doing what it its doing for a given set of conditions.
Most people who arent even that great with personal computers wont take the time to learn the inner workings of an engine management computer. Let alone the dynamics of the engine combustion process and how the two work together.
Not discouraging you at all, I think most people would benefit from better understanding how it all works and being able to make changes themselves. Most would rather leave that to someone who has the time to develop such knowledge and experience.
JMO
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Verdad Gallardo I'm not horrible with computers with all said I prolly know a good bit more than you average person. I'm just not the greatest I have to sit and look at what I'm doing for a while before it clicks to me. What do I need to print off and what all do I need software and cable wise (links please). And what amout of memory on a laptop will I need. And thanks by the way for the info. It helps out alot.
If you go to each ( tunercat and lt1edit ) website, they state on there the minimum requirements to run their programs, the cables to use and even where to buy them. I don't remember exactly what they are right now, but you can just as easily look it up as I can......
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Joined: Oct 2007
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I'm not horrible with computers with all said I prolly know a good bit more than you average person. I'm just not the greatest I have to sit and look at what I'm doing for a while before it clicks to me. What do I need to print off and what all do I need software and cable wise (links please). And what amout of memory on a laptop will I need. And thanks by the way for the info. It helps out alot.
It really doesn't matter if you are good with computers at all. It has WAY more to do with how you understand what each table does to each engine function. Every table within the computer has a purpose. The more you understand what each table does, and how changes you make to each table effect the output the better you will be. Can you tune a carb? Don't think for a second that it isn't related. If you understand the concept of re-jetting a carb to lean/richen the mixture then you can apply the same knowledge to the tuner software to alter the mixture. When you are tuning a car that has a healthy cam, do you want to bring the timing curve in earlier or later? What amount of total timing do you want to run? These are basic engine parameters that old school people know the answer to and they will adapt to new style software better than someone who is green. Some of the stuff is self-explainitory when you go to the table, ie: rear gear ratio, tire diameter and crap like that. But some of the tables will have you scratching your head as to what their purpose is. You do not need to alter EVERY table when you tune a car, but the more knowledge you have of what every table does the better you tunes will be, especially in the driveability dept.
I have no working experience with either program yet, but from all the reading I have done, the impression I got is that tunercat is easier to work with but lt1 edit gets more in depth.
