PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

EFILive vs HPT question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2019 | 07:44 AM
  #1  
99Silver6.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 93
From: Spring Hill, KS
Default EFILive vs HPT question...

Would I honestly be missing out on much if I went EFILive over HPTuners? I can get into EFI for the cost of a license (I was given an older cable). So, investment in HPT will be substantially higher. There’s no special requirement I need in a tuning suite. Just figured it would be a nice tool to have.

Last edited by 99Silver6.0; Sep 17, 2019 at 07:55 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2019 | 09:23 AM
  #2  
kinglt-1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,897
Likes: 254
From: Ft. Wayne, IN
Default

From what I have heard EFI live is pretty good...probably better then HPt. However HPt has far more support and a much wider user base.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2019 | 11:50 AM
  #3  
ddnspider's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

Go efi if it only costs you the license.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 01:07 AM
  #4  
CattleAc's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 428
From: Dakota Territory
Default

Originally Posted by 99Silver6.0
I can get into EFI for the cost of a license (I was given an older cable)..
I'd grab that cable in a heart beat. I use HP Tuners, but I'd love to have both. I'd like to learn on both.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2019 | 12:23 AM
  #5  
RevGTO's Avatar
Pontiacerator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Default

To me that's a no brainer. For the cost of a license it makes no sense to spend the money to purchase an entirely new tuning suite. For a 99 Silverado, EFILive will give you all the tuning power you need.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2019 | 03:35 AM
  #6  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by RevGTO
To me that's a no brainer. For the cost of a license it makes no sense to spend the money to purchase an entirely new tuning suite. For a 99 Silverado, EFILive will give you all the tuning power you need.
I did not see a 99 silverado mentioned, but if that is indeed the vehicle, be aware that that pcm/bcm combo had some glitches that are not found in any other years. I have no idea if this could affect anything the OP has planned or not.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2019 | 07:57 AM
  #7  
99Silver6.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 93
From: Spring Hill, KS
Default

My old truck was a 99 Silverado but, sold it some time ago. I did fight some weird issues in that truck before I ended up putting in a newer PCM. I would be using this cable on my 99 Camaro though. I have some seat time with EFI Live but havent ever used HPT so just wanted to get some input. Appreciate it guys! Gonna go ahead and buy an EFI Live license.

Last edited by 99Silver6.0; Sep 17, 2019 at 10:41 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2019 | 01:03 AM
  #8  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by 99Silver6.0
My old truck was a 99 Silverado but, sold it some time ago. I did fight some weird issues in that truck before I ended up putting in a newer PCM. I would be using this cable on my 99 Camaro though. I have some seat time with EFI Live but havent ever used HPT so just wanted to get some input. Appreciate it guys! Gonna go ahead and buy an EFI Live license.
I learned a long time ago that when you see 10 year member under a username, that name is likely not referencing their current ride, lol.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 18, 2019 | 06:25 AM
  #9  
99Silver6.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 93
From: Spring Hill, KS
Default

Originally Posted by gametech
I learned a long time ago that when you see 10 year member under a username, that name is likely not referencing their current ride, lol.
Its all good. I sold that old truck and never felt like trying to get my name changed. Plus, I’ve had 4 Rams since then!
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2019 | 12:05 AM
  #10  
joecar's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Default

Let me know how you go.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2019 | 01:34 PM
  #11  
99Silver6.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 93
From: Spring Hill, KS
Default

Originally Posted by joecar
Let me know how you go.
I bought an EFI Live license for the cable. Gonna keep it and mess around with it on my car. Im not a tuning master but, wanted to have it around in case I need it.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2019 | 11:00 PM
  #12  
andy burdess's Avatar
On The Tree
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 105
Likes: 12
From: Iowa
Default

Efi live for the ls1 pcm is superior in my opinion. The ability to flash different operating systems once the controller is licensed is great for making everything I tune flex capable. I have both and use both on a regular basis just prefer efi for gm stuff
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2019 | 12:12 AM
  #13  
NSFW's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 198
Default

The thing that makes EFI especially interesting to me is that they have a custom OS that gives you a fuel table with RPM and MAP axes. Whereas GM used one with ECT and MAP, and then added PE on top of it... which just seems really hacky. RPM and MAP (or RPM and load) makes a lot more sense to me, and there's no need for PE with that approach.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2019 | 03:34 AM
  #14  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by NSFW
The thing that makes EFI especially interesting to me is that they have a custom OS that gives you a fuel table with RPM and MAP axes. Whereas GM used one with ECT and MAP, and then added PE on top of it... which just seems really hacky. RPM and MAP (or RPM and load) makes a lot more sense to me, and there's no need for PE with that approach.
I have no idea what you are talking about, because the HPT SD tables have RPM vs MAP. Both do, plus a lot of other tables that may affect them. Perhaps you need a bit more time perusing your software capabilities?
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2019 | 10:51 PM
  #15  
NSFW's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 198
Default

Originally Posted by gametech
I have no idea what you are talking about
First, I should specify that I'm only familiar with the P01 and P59 PCMs, so this might not apply to others.

That said... I'm talking about the table that tells the PCM what air/fuel ratio to use. HPT calls it "Open Loop F/A" and EFI Live calls it "Commanded Fuel."

It's not the same thing as the VE table. Both affect the air/fuel mixture, but they have different meanings and serve different purposes. One should reflect the actual VE of the system - there's an objectively correct value for each cell in that table. The other should reflect what mixture the tuner wants - there's tons of room for opinion in that.

(And, yeah, sometimes you have to abuse the VE table to get the results you want...)
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2019 | 02:18 AM
  #16  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by NSFW
First, I should specify that I'm only familiar with the P01 and P59 PCMs, so this might not apply to others.

That said... I'm talking about the table that tells the PCM what air/fuel ratio to use. HPT calls it "Open Loop F/A" and EFI Live calls it "Commanded Fuel."

It's not the same thing as the VE table. Both affect the air/fuel mixture, but they have different meanings and serve different purposes. One should reflect the actual VE of the system - there's an objectively correct value for each cell in that table. The other should reflect what mixture the tuner wants - there's tons of room for opinion in that.

(And, yeah, sometimes you have to abuse the VE table to get the results you want...)
Now I understand what you are talking about. The fuel adder for ect vs map is there to keep from frying your motor in an overheating situation. HPT has other tables for normal commanded fuel situations.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2019 | 06:11 AM
  #17  
joecar's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Default

Originally Posted by 99Silver6.0
I bought an EFI Live license for the cable. Gonna keep it and mess around with it on my car. Im not a tuning master but, wanted to have it around in case I need it.
Did you get a V1 or a V2 (V2 has LCD)...?

If you need help with anything related to EFILive, let me know, I'll point you to a bunch if info.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2019 | 01:10 PM
  #18  
99Silver6.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 93
From: Spring Hill, KS
Default

Originally Posted by joecar
Did you get a V1 or a V2 (V2 has LCD)...?

If you need help with anything related to EFILive, let me know, I'll point you to a bunch if info.
Sounds good! Its just an older V1 cable. Figure Itll suit me fine.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE