LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

LT1 computer tuning

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-16-2006, 05:04 PM
  #1  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
nnolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default LT1 computer tuning

I know some of you guys out there are using tunercats. I just got mine and I was wondering if you guys could help me learn some of the parameters that I would want to adjust. I would think spark and fuel woud be the main ones. I am new to tuning PCM's but I am really interested in it, as for my own hobby or maybe even a job someday. But my engine repair teacher at my college doesnt know much about it. Any help would be appreciated as I am kinda feeling my way around and learning on my own. Thanks.
Old 02-16-2006, 05:08 PM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
 
blkchevyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

http://members.nuvox.net/~on.roz/cars/z28/tuning.html

http://para.noid.org/~lj/PCM%20Tutorial/PCMtutorial.htm

couple things to start reading.
Old 02-16-2006, 05:12 PM
  #3  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
harvickgm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

before you just start changing numbers.. the best thing in order to do it is, to get a wide band O2 so that you can get the AFR as close to 13 as possible. if its is a NA motor.. you can do it blindly and the experts can do it all day, but for you. that would be the first thing to get so that you can monitor it as well... and do you have a datalogging software... if not get one... TTS datamaster is what i use and you are going to need it to tune as well...
Old 02-16-2006, 05:22 PM
  #4  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
infinitebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,280
Received 46 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

I agree get a few datalogs before you start changing things related to fuel and spark, like you don't want to increase timing if you're already getting knock retard.

You can change most of the stuff in the constants table fairly easily if needed. A good first thing I usually do is change the fan settings so the engine runs cooler.
Old 02-16-2006, 07:52 PM
  #5  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
lafnlt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chi-Town
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

it's called a dyno w/wideband and LT1 edit, it's the real only safe way to make the most power.
Old 02-17-2006, 12:19 AM
  #6  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
nnolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I have an OBD II, I think datamaster only makes them for OBD I. I was looking at an autotap data logger, and where can I find a good cheap wideband o2?
Old 02-17-2006, 09:29 AM
  #7  
TECH Fanatic
 
blkchevyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by lafnlt1
it's called a dyno w/wideband and LT1 edit, it's the real only safe way to make the most power.
actually the cars i tune show a totally different air fuel ratio on the dyno then they do on the street/track

i prefer the hand held widebands.


but testing on the street isnt the safest.

Last edited by blkchevyz; 02-17-2006 at 11:43 AM.
Old 02-17-2006, 11:32 AM
  #8  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Camaroholic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Waco, TX
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I use AutoTap when tweaking on OBDII LT1's. It does a reasonable job. I like Datamaster so much better, but they don't offer an OBDII version.

As for widebands, several of our sponsors carry the Innovate Motorsports systems. Check out http://www.innovatemotorsports.com - and look through the Sponsors Sales & GP section here, there always seems to be a GP going on. I run the LM1 wideband with the RPM module on my 98Z.
Old 02-17-2006, 01:11 PM
  #9  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
nnolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Can the GM tech 2 be used as a wideband o2? Cause if so I have access to one of those. O and thanks for the great answers so far guys, you are helping alot.
Old 02-17-2006, 01:54 PM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
 
blkchevyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by nnolan
Can the GM tech 2 be used as a wideband o2? Cause if so I have access to one of those. O and thanks for the great answers so far guys, you are helping alot.
never used one, but i dont think it can. a wide band o2 will have to be put into the exhaust stream
Old 02-17-2006, 02:09 PM
  #11  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
harvickgm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

no,the tech 2 will not work, wide band has to have a completly different O2 in the exhaust to work.. but i hear the new GM cars are coming from the factory with wideband system... not sure when though... you can find some on ebay...
Old 02-17-2006, 04:17 PM
  #12  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
nnolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

some what, wideband o2s?
Old 02-17-2006, 04:41 PM
  #13  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
harvickgm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

yea, sorry... you can do a wideband O2 search on ebay and usually there are some for sale for pretty decent prices.. around 350-400
Old 02-20-2006, 02:14 AM
  #14  
Staging Lane
 
HeBen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default careful with the fan settings

Originally Posted by infinitebird
A good first thing I usually do is change the fan settings so the engine runs cooler.
Careful with this. It must not exceed your thermostat rating or else your fan could run constantly and burn out quickly.
Old 02-20-2006, 12:20 PM
  #15  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
nnolan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

good point
Old 02-20-2006, 07:52 PM
  #16  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
infinitebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,280
Received 46 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HeBen
Careful with this. It must not exceed your thermostat rating or else your fan could run constantly and burn out quickly.
Well yeah if you set it ridiculously low. I'm just talking about changing it to something more reasonable. The stock setting is more than 45 deg past where the stock stat opens. That's way too high IMO.
Old 02-21-2006, 04:41 PM
  #17  
Staging Lane
 
HeBen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by infinitebird
Well yeah if you set it ridiculously low. I'm just talking about changing it to something more reasonable. The stock setting is more than 45 deg past where the stock stat opens. That's way too high IMO.
Agreed.

I saw some handheld tuners at the autoparts store for like about 300-500 bucks or something and thought that there must be a cheaper easier way using my laptop. Does anyone know the cheapest way to get into tuning my 95 formula? I think it's an obdII.
Old 02-21-2006, 04:44 PM
  #18  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
infinitebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,280
Received 46 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HeBen
Agreed.

I saw some handheld tuners at the autoparts store for like about 300-500 bucks or something and thought that there must be a cheaper easier way using my laptop. Does anyone know the cheapest way to get into tuning my 95 formula? I think it's an obdII.
www.tunercat.com

costs around $200 for the software and a cable (if you want serial, buy it from akmcables.com, if you want usb, get the one from moates.net).

This also allows you to do a real tune, unlike with a handheld.
Old 02-21-2006, 06:43 PM
  #19  
Staging Lane
 
HeBen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by infinitebird
www.tunercat.com

costs around $200 for the software and a cable (if you want serial, buy it from akmcables.com, if you want usb, get the one from moates.net).

This also allows you to do a real tune, unlike with a handheld.
Yeah. That's what I'm looking for. Thanks man. I'm checking out the site right now. It looks like I might not know as much as I thought I did about reprogramming my car. There's alot of abbreviations that I'm not familiar with. I'll keep looking till I figure it out. Any other site you know of to help me to really know what I'm doing? Also, I'm not sure but as near as I can tell the software seems to cost about $380 and I'm guessing the cable would be extra. it says this:

Software Available Price
OBDII Tuner Package (an OBDII Definition File is also required - see below) $300.00
OBDII Definition Files (each)
$79.95

on this page
http://www.tunercat.com/tnr_desc/do_tc.html

is that right? thanks again man.
Old 02-21-2006, 06:51 PM
  #20  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
infinitebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,280
Received 46 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

You don't want the OBDII stuff. You have a 95 which is OBDI. You just need the OBDI Tuner program and EE def file.


Quick Reply: LT1 computer tuning



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 PM.