Ok.....I'm new to the Scan and Tune game. I just bought an AutoTap with the GM Enhanced features (newest version from Autotap.com)......

Now I see I can download EFILive version 6.....which I did (but I haven't received the Autotap yet, so I'm just poking around the software). But I've also seen on this site references to Flashscan. So I go to EFILive.com and see they offer an upgrade from EFILive v6 to Flashscan.

So.....what's the difference? And once I get my Autotap, what can I do with the EFILive v6 that I downloaded???? Is it a full working version?? Can I actually edit parameters??? Does it work on honor policy, they're trusting people to buy the license (which I will do if it works)????

I hope this isn't one of those "it's been asked 1000 times" questions.....I have looked around the site quite a bit and didn't come across an direct answer to my question.......

 

EFI Live 6 is a version of their Scanner software, Flashscan is a Tuner and Scanner package offered by EFI Live (the scanner is Version 7)

The Autotap "cable" (actually the "brain" box piece) will work with both Autotap and EFI Live's scanner software, however You need to purchase a license for the EFI Live software to use your autotap cable with it.

So basically:
Autotap Basic = Lets you scan standard OBDII params, not very useful on our cars as we need the enhanced params to really try to tune
Autotap w/enhanced -- good starter scanner, offers standard OBDII and items specific to GM vehicles
EFI Live V6 = Much better scanning software than autotap, requires a license
EFI Live V7 = Latest scanner version
Flashscan = Scanner and Tuner package

The upgrade to flashscan only applies if you have an EFI Live scanner license already

 

Ok.....so if I understand that correctly EFILive v6/7 is a "scanner only".....and what I downloaded I will also need to purchase a license for.

Flashscan is a scanner AND tuner.

So I'm guessing I'm probably cool with what I've ordered until I figure out what I'm doing.....and then if I'm gonna pay for anything more I should probably just jump right to Flashscan instead of buying the EFILive license too (and sell the autotap)? Does that sound sensible?

 

XZZ-4,
It is a bit confusing and I'll try to help explain. EFILive is the name of the company and they were the first to offer real-time scanning and logging of data from the OBD2/ALDL Port/Plug with the specialized data (Enhanced Parameter Identifications or PID's) for the LS1 series engines. AutoTap, here in the US, which makes generic GM OBD2 scanning and logging software and hardware also has been the US distributor for EFILive which is based out of Auckland, New Zealand.

Version 7.X of their Software can both Scan and Tune using two separate software applications which can be used together to scan, read and write to the PCM via their hardware interface unit called FlashScan. FlashScan plugs into the OBD2 connector and to your PC via a USB connector (compatible with USB 1.0 and 2.0). Additionally, FlashScan can be used as a data logger for about 30 minutes of data without the PC if you want to log.

I have been fortunate to be one of the V7/FlashScan Beta Testers. It's great equipment. As much as I liked Version 5 and 6 of EFILive, Version 7 and FlashScan are light years ahead. It takes about 2 minutes to read a 512 kB PCM and about 4 minutes to read a 1 MB PCM (2003/2004 I believe are 1 MB). It takes me about half a minute to Flash the PCM on my 2000 Yukon XL. I can leave the scanning software up and running on my laptop, review the data, make the change to the .tun (tuning file) and re-flash it without disconnecting or shutting down anything. The FlashScan module only communicates with the Scanning or the Tuning software at a given time like a two way radio, it either is transmitting (flashing) or receiving (scanning).

I hope that this helps.

All my best,

Steve

 

Yeah.....thanks, both of you guys are a big help actually.

So like I said in my last post......I might be best just using my autotap w/Enh GM to learn what the heck I'm doing.....and then once I gain some knowledge and get comfortable I could sell my autotap and buy a Flashscan? Sound like a decent plan? No reason to have both right....especially considering what you just said about Flashscan being "light years ahead"......

 

No you can't sell your autotap if you use it to upgrade to flashscan. not unless your paying full price for your flashscan. Then you can sell your autotap.