PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Laptop+Scanner+Brains=Tuning (Maybe?)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 04:50 PM
  #1  
GrndPndr09's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Laptop+Scanner+Brains=Tuning (Maybe?)

Here is a new question for you guys (hopefully ). If I have a laptop and a code scanner (OTC Code Scanner) with a usb plug and of course an OBDII plug, can I tap through it with my laptop to use the setup for programming? I'm just trying to "PLAY" I'm not really in the mood right now to spend $600 on a kit to tune that is gonna get used once, but I spent $220 on a scanner for work and a grand on a useful laptop so if I could get through this way it would be awesome! Thanks ahead of time!
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 05:55 PM
  #2  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

no, you need an interface that allows progamming. unfortunately, you need to pay to play with your car.

Ryan
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 07:06 PM
  #3  
GXPPOWER's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: crossett, Arkansas
Default

or a friend who is a good programmer. im sure i could give my brother 30 min with an obd-II and a laptop and he would figure out how to do anything.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 08:55 PM
  #4  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

if you can figure out how to do anything in 30 minutes, I'd like to meet you.

Ryan
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 09:11 PM
  #5  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
FormerVendor
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Default

I'm pretty sure ***** Wonka could hook up a Chocolate Tornado intake in line with the scanner all you would have to do is get more Brontosaurus Burgers so Fred Flintstone could Yabba Dabba Do his feet faster. Don't worry my brother inlaw figured this out while on the Jon just a few seconds ago.

Your'e not kidding right, cause I'm thinking we could market this.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 09:56 PM
  #6  
foff667's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,986
Likes: 3
From: Clermont, FL
Default

Originally Posted by slow
if you can figure out how to do anything in 30 minutes, I'd like to meet you.

Ryan
werd...I got a dozen obd2 cables...come on up and have at it lol
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2006 | 11:45 AM
  #7  
Gordy M's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth, MI
Default

To do any tuning, you need to start with bi-directional cables. Most generic scanners are read only cables. If the cables are bi-directional, they are usually proprietary and you would have to backward engineer the code to use the cable. Then you would have to develop a program to read the PCM, while the PCM has about 512 meg (04 vettes and LS2 engines have 1024) only about 80 is programable. You would have to use a compiler language to develop you program but, unfortunately, GM used a proprietary program language to write the PCM so you would have to hack that language and learn how it works. Then after you have all that working you can trial and error test your program to work out most of the bugs. If you are going to run boost, then you have to rethink the program again for 1,2 or 3 bar changes. Now after about 1-2 years of tinkering and $60-200K in engineering changes, software, etc you might have the ability to program your PCM. There are a few hundred steps I left out but you should get the drift. Other wise you can spend 500-800 bucks and start scanning and programming tomorrow.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:49 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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