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

LT1 tuning options

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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:21 PM
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Default LT1 tuning options

I'm considering buying some tuning software for my 95 LT1 Z28. Bryan from PCMforless has already dyno tuned it but I want to be able to fine tune it at the track and make some changes. I know I'll need a wideband..I was considering the LM-1 or dynojet wideband commander. As far as the software the only 2 I know of is LT1 edit (which it is currwently tuned in) and tuner cat. Which one is better to buy and if i did go with tuner cat can I use that with my current lt1 edit tune? I'm new to the whole tuning my car thing but I want to be able to figure it out. Any help is appreciated
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 07:14 AM
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cant anybody give me some help/suggestions on this topic??
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 08:12 AM
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I do not recomend the lt1 edit. If u loose connection in away durring reflash ur comuter gets whiped out.
I use a system call F.A.S.T. , There are a few more out there but they are all expensive. I payed about under 2k for my fast system bank to bank with with band o2. The nice thing about it is the car no longer uses the maf. It runs on speed density and the o2s are not used either.
Just my 2 cents.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 08:14 AM
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I ordered a Bryan Herter tune for my 95 and put it in tuner cat in order to install it in the car.

I would call Bryan and see what he recommends!
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 08:39 AM
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LT1edit and tunercats are definitely a more affordable route to tuning yourself than to step up to aftermarket engine management.
Im currently using/learning LT1edit, but alot of people recommend tunercats.
You can use tunercats on a pcm thats been edited by LT1edit, not a problem at all.
Just read your pcm with tunercats, and you have a .bin file that contains the same info as Bryans LT1edit .lt1 file. Both programs speak the same language to the PCM, they just save them as a different file type on your PC/laptop.
There are also places on the web that have downloadable programs that will change a .bin to a .lt1 or the other way around.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 09:24 AM
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Tunercats lets you do a more then LT1 Edit IMHO. LT1 Edit is a little easier to Navagate then TC.

I started with LT1 Edit in 1999 and last year bought all the TC tuning sofeware for every thing
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 09:29 AM
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Thanks guys... Does anyone know where i can buy Lt1 edit? I found the tunercat website but I'm not sure exactly waht I need for my car.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 03:50 PM
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I highly recommend tunercat as well, especially for obd1, which yours is.

It is much cheaper (~$100, compared to ~$250 for lt1edit), it is not vin locked, it can change more parameters, and it can read .bin and .lt1 files (Lt1 edit can only read .lt1).

On the tunercat website you need the Tuner program (first one listed on the page, v. 2.10). Then you also need the $EE definition file. On the "supported PCMs" page, it has $EE listed in the 'program id byte' column, and it is the only one that has "FLASH" in the 'eprom type' column.

I haven't used lt1edit so I can't comment on which is easier to use, but I found everything to be quite easy to get to in TC once I played with it for like a week. Also, TC is the preferred software of choice for most LT1 tuners today, so it will probably be easier to get help with it should you need any.

Last edited by infinitebird; Mar 31, 2006 at 03:57 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 05:21 PM
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Thanks alot!
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by infinitebird
I highly recommend tunercat as well, especially for obd1, which yours is.

It is much cheaper (~$100, compared to ~$250 for lt1edit), it is not vin locked, it can change more parameters, and it can read .bin and .lt1 files (Lt1 edit can only read .lt1).

On the tunercat website you need the Tuner program (first one listed on the page, v. 2.10). Then you also need the $EE definition file. On the "supported PCMs" page, it has $EE listed in the 'program id byte' column, and it is the only one that has "FLASH" in the 'eprom type' column.

I haven't used lt1edit so I can't comment on which is easier to use, but I found everything to be quite easy to get to in TC once I played with it for like a week. Also, TC is the preferred software of choice for most LT1 tuners today, so it will probably be easier to get help with it should you need any.
Is the RT version any better? and do I need a certain kind of cable?
I also dont have a laptop yet...I was planning on using my pc for now(just to learn how everything works) and my friend said he'd let me use his...I;d eventually get my own. Do I need some sort of scan tool to tune/data log??

Last edited by 95z6spd; Mar 31, 2006 at 06:46 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 06:46 PM
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RT won't work on the LT1's. RT stands for "Real Time", which the LT1 doesn't support (and you'd need special hardware to run it on EPROM based cars as well).

LT1Edit is found at http://www.carputing.com - I use both LT1Edit and Tunercat, each has their strengths and weaknesses. I like the LT1Edit user interface better, but Tunercat is less expensive. That may be because I (like Ellis) started using LT1Edit in 1999 (June, to be exact... User #3 I think, but #1 to drive a car after programming ).

And hit me up when you're ready for a cable.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 95z6spd
Do I need some sort of scan tool to tune/data log??
Camaroholic answered your other questions, so I'll just say that yes a data logging program is very useful for doing your own tuning. I recommend datamaster (www.ttspowersystems.com), it is by far the best for obd1.
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Old Jul 4, 2008 | 05:25 PM
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i was looking at getting TC for my 95 formula firebird how much is this for the program and cables.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 95Banshee
i was looking at getting TC for my 95 formula firebird how much is this for the program and cables.
Around $90 for the program and $50-$100 for the cable depending on who you get it from.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 01:09 AM
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tuner cat FTMFW. i had edit, and prefer TC. a better program and better deal IMO. and for a wideband check out the the PLX group buy offer from EDO. they are a sponser and have a thread on here. 225 shipped for the controler,sensor and choice of black or white face gauge. best deal going check it out.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 01:33 AM
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on the tunercat can you adjust the secondary fan turn on point. that is one of my main conserns.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 01:40 AM
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yes you can turn the fans on when ever you want, i usually set them to both come on at the same temp depending on what thermostat is in it.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 95Banshee
on the tunercat can you adjust the secondary fan turn on point. that is one of my main conserns.
You can adjust anything with it. There is more to adjust than you will ever use lol.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:31 PM
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While I know lots of people in the LTx section know their stuff, you might try the LSx section PCM Diagnostic & Tuning (I thought there was a general tuning section...) since I believe some of the LSx software is LTx compatible.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Formula350
since I believe some of the LSx software is LTx compatible.
err... nope.
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