Time to start tuning with my car. My buddy is real good with raeding the computer tables and all. My question is whats better. Iv heard that Tunercat is eaiser and cheaper and lt1 edit is $200 for the program and $50 for the cable. I want something i can really get in depth with. I dont want to do just the basics. I will be doing H/C this winter and want a program i can tune my car to its full potentional. Whats the real difference between the two when it comes to program.

 

I heard that Tunercat does not support the LT1. 2nd hand info, so I could be wrong.
I use LT1Edit. So far, it has done everything that I need, although I am told that it is a bit outdated compared to Tunercat (not as intuitive).
It was expensive, however, and locks itself to your PCM.
I am also quite computer literate, so learning its GUI was fairly easy.
I used it to tune my STS Turbo and all the trimmings, and I was quite pleased with the results.

 

ok, now people say its a lot more expensive then tunercat. I emailed them and it was $200 for the program and $50 for a datalogger. So $250 isnt that expensive. But i heard people paying $500+ for lt1 edit, what gives?

 

What year LT1? It does make a difference with Tunercat.

 

its a '94 lt1, OBD-1

 

Then you'll spend about $90 for the TC Tuner and the def file. Then you'll need to get a cable. TC does not sell the OBD1 cable. They are anywhere from $35 in kit form to $100 fully assembled. TC does not sell dataloggers. There are many to chose from from free ones to $250 ones.

 

I'm just starting to look into this as well, but the one thing I noticed about tunercat is that each module is seperate. You buy the base program, then add money for:

1. Definition file
2. BIN editor
3. Hex editor
4. Upload/Download program
5. etc......

So when making a comparison, see what all comes with LT1edit and add up the total Tunercat price.

Also, Tunercat was created to read 94-95 LT1 computers.

Also, check you PM's.

 

For 94-95 OBD1 LT1s, you don't need 2,3,4,5. just the Tuner and the 94-95 def file. That comes to about $90.

 

How do you edit the BIN files then? Is it built into the base program for the LT1 cars? As said, I am also new to this and learning.

 

You order the base editor ($70) and the EE definition file ($20).

The editor & definition file include the uploader/downloader so you can read and flash your PCM.

You do everything in the Tunercat software. You read, edit, and flash all in the same interface. It's under drop down menus across the top of the screen. Not difficult to use.

I use both programs. Each has advantages over the other. I like the user interface of LT1Edit better, as I find it to be a little more organized / compartmentalized in to functions. But Tunercat has a good price, and does pretty much the same stuff - and I also like how they built the uploader/downloader in to the main program. So I ride the fence.

 

ok, so i buy the tunercat:

Program--$100
Deff. file--$20
Cable for--$50ish

Complete kit to tun my car for----$170.00 ??

Sounds too cheap to me. Iv always heard how expensive it is to buy all the software. But for $170ish i can reprogram my computer i.e. fuel/spark curves, timing etc. etc.?

Sounds too good to be true.

One more thing, my buddy has a BigStuff and i like how you can see real time adjustements. So when im driving his car, he can see everything thats going on when im driving. Does any of these able to do that or do i just need to drive it and record whats going on, is that what the datalogger is for. Say i make a pass and it records it to a file where i can go back and look at what happened?

 

still need a datalog,like datamaster or an equivelent.

 

ok, where and what brand or so do i get. Is it a seperate piece then that i need to buy?

And also they dont have a air/fuel meter built in them do they? If not ill need to buy a wideband then also.

 

Program is only $70, def file $20 and can be usen on unlimited cars.

 

well they got a tuner that was $70.. and RT Tuner for $99. I thought the RT was a little more advanced.. no?

 

You have to have a modified PCM to tune in real time with the RT Tuner. Without it, it works just like the regular tuner. Read the first paragraph in the RT Tuner description.

 

I'm confused. I was just at a mechanic's and he had TunerCat for my LT1 (97). But when I went to the TunerCat website, they make no mention of support beyond a 93 LT1. What gives?
Also, LT1Edit appears to be a lot easier to understand, but TunerCat appears to have a lot more power (more flexibility).

 

ok, makes more sence now. So basically this is how it works. I do a pass and log the pass on the data logger. Find what i need to change and re-flash the ecm. Do another pass and see how it ran then. Might be a little more to it but in basic terms is that how it works then. I been talking to LT1 edit guys and there kit is $250 + cable. Which isnt too bad eaither. So i might flip a coin.

 

Tunercat supports 93-95 LT1s although you need a chip burner to do the 93s. They used to have a Tuner for the 96-97s, but they sold the product rights to Jet who now sells it after jacking up the price and making it a VIN locked product.

Yea, that's how most tuning is done unless you want to pay for the emulator PCM and tune in real time. Aslo, consider that when you buy LT1edit, it will be VIN locked to one car only for that price.

 

yea, im pretty sure im gonna go with the tunercat, unless lt1 edit has more or better options then the tunercat. And 1 more, how much is the emulator PCM? That would make it a million times better but depends on how much ill be looking at for it. Gotta weigh the options, i can get a BIGSTUFF for $2k, i just dont wanna get to the point where a few more dollars i could have just bought a new computer ya know. But sounds like ill just get a programmer and call it a day.