Dumb question totally new with this stuff
Dumb question totally new with this stuff Im a total newb when it comes to the pcm and stuff in these cars. Just wondering what you guys use the scanners/programmer like for example hp tuners and efi live for. Can you actually adjust the parameters of the computer with these such as timing and fuel curves and stuff, like lets say after a cam or headers swap or something?? Isnt this worthless without a dyno, or do some people just tune by sotp?? Just looking for kind of an insight on what the average person does with these setups, and sorry for the probably real dumb question. I tried searching for answers, but I just keep getting more confused. 
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 48
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programmer systems do just that, they reprogram the cars ECU to what u specify, allowing you to adjust the tune to make the most out of your modifications
any tuning system can be used for street tuning as long as you have some sort of datalogging, which in the case of the LS1's, is usualy part of the system. dynos for the most part are just stationary streets, unless your looking to get HP numbers
dyno tuning and street tuning both have their advantages
for example, dyno tuning allows you the luxury of not having to watch traffic which can yeild faster results, but usualy doesnt allow you to have real world airflow through the engine bay
any tuning system can be used for street tuning as long as you have some sort of datalogging, which in the case of the LS1's, is usualy part of the system. dynos for the most part are just stationary streets, unless your looking to get HP numbers
dyno tuning and street tuning both have their advantages
for example, dyno tuning allows you the luxury of not having to watch traffic which can yeild faster results, but usualy doesnt allow you to have real world airflow through the engine bay
Scanners are strictly dataloggers. Some offer bi-directional controls that allow limited real time adjustments, but are only temporary until the key is off.
Tuning software such as HPtuner and EFIlive allows for nearly complete control of the PCM parameters.
Some of the confusion may come from the fact they both are sold with a datalogging and tuning software. But in reality they are different programs run separately.
Dynotuning is very useful for WOT tuning, but if you want good driveability on the street you have to tune on the street. This is especially true for A4 cars with high stall torque converters.
Before you dive into tuning, you maybe should looking into just a datalogger that can monitor and record certain parameters. This will allow you to see what the sensors are reading at different conditions so you can better understand how and what to tune.
Tuning software such as HPtuner and EFIlive allows for nearly complete control of the PCM parameters.
Some of the confusion may come from the fact they both are sold with a datalogging and tuning software. But in reality they are different programs run separately.
Dynotuning is very useful for WOT tuning, but if you want good driveability on the street you have to tune on the street. This is especially true for A4 cars with high stall torque converters.
Before you dive into tuning, you maybe should looking into just a datalogger that can monitor and record certain parameters. This will allow you to see what the sensors are reading at different conditions so you can better understand how and what to tune.
Thats pretty much what I thought, so Is it pretty effective to tune by sotp?? It would be pretty neat to be able do tune your own car, but I also cant see buying all this expensive tuning equipment than also taking the car to a shop with a dyno and paying them another 450 to see if you got the most out of your mods.
Originally Posted by DrkPhx
Scanners are strictly dataloggers. Some offer bi-directional controls that allow limited real time adjustments, but are only temporary until the key is off.
Tuning software such as HPtuner and EFIlive allows for nearly complete control of the PCM parameters.
Some of the confusion may come from the fact they both are sold with a datalogging and tuning software. But in reality they are different programs run separately.
Dynotuning is very useful for WOT tuning, but if you want good driveability on the street you have to tune on the street. This is especially true for A4 cars with high stall torque converters.
Before you dive into tuning, you maybe should looking into just a datalogger that can monitor and record certain parameters. This will allow you to see what the sensors are reading at different conditions so you can better understand how and what to tune.
Tuning software such as HPtuner and EFIlive allows for nearly complete control of the PCM parameters.
Some of the confusion may come from the fact they both are sold with a datalogging and tuning software. But in reality they are different programs run separately.
Dynotuning is very useful for WOT tuning, but if you want good driveability on the street you have to tune on the street. This is especially true for A4 cars with high stall torque converters.
Before you dive into tuning, you maybe should looking into just a datalogger that can monitor and record certain parameters. This will allow you to see what the sensors are reading at different conditions so you can better understand how and what to tune.
What would be a good datalogger for a beginner??? Could a person buy the hp tuners for example and just use it for data logging for a while...then after getting use to what certain parameters mean and how they affect drivability and such move onto adjusting some of those parameters?
The EFIlive Scan tool is real nice. I have it and really like it. A wideband O2 is very helpful for tuning on the street.
Yes you can do that. That way you take it slow until you are more comfortable with the whole process.
Could a person buy the hp tuners for example and just use it for data logging for a while...then after getting use to what certain parameters mean and how they affect drivability and such move onto adjusting some of those parameters?
as for the "needing a dyno" thing...its not really necessary...most people drive their cars daily which means they are looking for the best drivability rather then every last ounce of power...good idle quality, good part throttle drivability & most people are happy as a pig in ****...you can dial in fuel pretty good with the use of a wideband & spark timing isnt horribly difficult to tackle either but yes for those last few hp a dyno or a session at the track would be your best bet to find your best #'s
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Jason,
What are your goals and what are your reasources, mentally, monetarily. Not to sound like an *** but tuning is not for everyone. It is challenging. Gone are the days of undocumented performance mods, or SOTP. Do a search on a nifty device called a "wideband O2." Everything in life is realitive, not everyone can or will tune cars but that does not mean you can't enjoy them all the same. You are fortuneate to be just getting started in this endevor now as this site and many others can teach you a lot. If you do as I ask and find the info via a search, ask more questions that's what this board is for. You will get a lot more responses as your questions become more specific. At any rate welcome to the board and good luck. Ps. fill out your "sig" so others will know what kind of vehicle you have.
What are your goals and what are your reasources, mentally, monetarily. Not to sound like an *** but tuning is not for everyone. It is challenging. Gone are the days of undocumented performance mods, or SOTP. Do a search on a nifty device called a "wideband O2." Everything in life is realitive, not everyone can or will tune cars but that does not mean you can't enjoy them all the same. You are fortuneate to be just getting started in this endevor now as this site and many others can teach you a lot. If you do as I ask and find the info via a search, ask more questions that's what this board is for. You will get a lot more responses as your questions become more specific. At any rate welcome to the board and good luck. Ps. fill out your "sig" so others will know what kind of vehicle you have.
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Originally Posted by Doc
Jason,
What are your goals and what are your reasources, mentally, monetarily. Not to sound like an *** but tuning is not for everyone. It is challenging. Gone are the days of undocumented performance mods, or SOTP. Do a search on a nifty device called a "wideband O2." Everything in life is realitive, not everyone can or will tune cars but that does not mean you can't enjoy them all the same. You are fortuneate to be just getting started in this endevor now as this site and many others can teach you a lot. If you do as I ask and find the info via a search, ask more questions that's what this board is for. You will get a lot more responses as your questions become more specific. At any rate welcome to the board and good luck. Ps. fill out your "sig" so others will know what kind of vehicle you have.
What are your goals and what are your reasources, mentally, monetarily. Not to sound like an *** but tuning is not for everyone. It is challenging. Gone are the days of undocumented performance mods, or SOTP. Do a search on a nifty device called a "wideband O2." Everything in life is realitive, not everyone can or will tune cars but that does not mean you can't enjoy them all the same. You are fortuneate to be just getting started in this endevor now as this site and many others can teach you a lot. If you do as I ask and find the info via a search, ask more questions that's what this board is for. You will get a lot more responses as your questions become more specific. At any rate welcome to the board and good luck. Ps. fill out your "sig" so others will know what kind of vehicle you have.
I live in a small town In WA state, and the nearest tuner is like three hours away, same as the nearest track. My car is just a weekend cruiser, and I planned on keeping it stock till I got on this site a couple weeks ago, and I saw what the heck you guys are doing with these things.....Now I wanna blow all kinds of money on it! So Im gonna spend winter modding the car! Im gonna put some heads and a cam and Lt's and stuff on it, and would just like to be able to put a nice drivable tune on it. I dont expect to be an expert at it right away, but Iv never got myself into anything that I couldnt finish. I like these kinds of challenges! And as far as my resources go....Thad be you guys!! I dont know of anyone in this town called wenatchee by the way that fiddles with this kind of stuff, as a matter of fact, I think I have the only 02 camaro ss in town, which is kinda cool!!
Jason,
Then in that case if I were you then I would sign up on both EFI Live's site and HP Tuners site and get a feel for both communities. They are both great products with ample support-they just have different ways of looking at things. Spend a couple of weeks lurking on their boards, searching and searching and when you determine which board you feel comfortable with find a reseller of your software choice that will throw in a complementary tune and wideband O2 for the mods you have or plan to have done by the spring. And then spend every waking hour rummaging thru every thread you can this winter because no matter how much you do you will still innevitably feel overwhelmed when you actually start on your car this spring. With the starter tune as a lot of resellers provide now, you will have a fair starting point. Good luck, go get that cube of your favorite soda on sale at Walmart right now you'll need the caffine.
Then in that case if I were you then I would sign up on both EFI Live's site and HP Tuners site and get a feel for both communities. They are both great products with ample support-they just have different ways of looking at things. Spend a couple of weeks lurking on their boards, searching and searching and when you determine which board you feel comfortable with find a reseller of your software choice that will throw in a complementary tune and wideband O2 for the mods you have or plan to have done by the spring. And then spend every waking hour rummaging thru every thread you can this winter because no matter how much you do you will still innevitably feel overwhelmed when you actually start on your car this spring. With the starter tune as a lot of resellers provide now, you will have a fair starting point. Good luck, go get that cube of your favorite soda on sale at Walmart right now you'll need the caffine.
Last edited by Doc; Nov 11, 2006 at 11:03 PM.