hi, i have a 62 nova ls1. i got a mail order tune from thunder racing and now i am wanting to add a set of heads and other upgrades. i am now going to start learning to tune with hp tuners. my question is can i edit or view the tuners program or do i need to start from scratch.

 

You could provided.

1) The tune's not locked

2) It's a HPT supported tune file.

Then you shouldn't have any problems.

Cheers Scotty.

 

what are my options if the program is not a hp tuner supported. I would rather start with a close tune than start from scratch. maybe i could download a bin simalir to my setup and edit it. my nova runs good now i just want to do simple changes for the time being. thanks for your help

 

When you say you have a mail order tune, do you mean it's already on the pcm? If it's already on the pcm, then you can read it and edit all you want with HPT.

 

yes it is. ive been running it for about 6 months now. im going to order hp tuners as soon as my tax refund gets here. do you recommend a place to order from, or
should i order direct

 

I have a tune from thunder, but I didn't send them my pcm. I had EFI Live access, so Geoff just e-mailed me the tune. And yes, I was able to change it.

 

I assume from 98RedZone's post that Thunder Racing uses EFI LIVE. If this is the case and they have supplied you a tune with a Custom Operating System, HPT won't be able to read it. If its a stock GM cal though, you'll be fine.

 

what should i do or what would you do if this is the case

 

I really don't think that Thunder would build you a tune on a custom OS for just a basic engine. COS are generally used on motors with very big cams, or forced induction. They do use EFILive, as I believe they are a reseller for them. HPTuners should be able to read and modify your tune without any trouble.

 

cool, that sounds good ill give it a try.

 

sent a pm to ya.

 

I use a Custom OS on every car I tune. I do this mainly to give me MAP/RPM primary fuelling rather than the stock ECT/MAP. With EFI LIVE its free so why not use it in everything. Plus for you US guys who don't get lean cruise this feature is invaluable for improving economy. Semi OL at its best.. Pitty we don't have this for the E38 yet

 

Don't get me wrong, I love the COS, I have one on my truck and I have a nice lean cruise built into it , but most mail order tuners don't do it because it takes longer to do and need to be done in person to do it right.

 

Just because you use a custom OS doesn't change anything about the data you stick in the calibration. Custom OS or GM OS won't make a difference from a mail order perspective. If its the lean cruise your referring to. Hell if a tuner has to rely on Closed loop trims to keep a tune safe they should take a long hard look at themselves and re consider punching out mail orders.

 

using segment swaps you have put the tune into your custom os in about 10 seconds.

 

I know you do a bizillon mail order tunes a year, so how often do you do a Mail Order tune with a COS for some one that doesn't have EFILive?

 

I do things a little different. Numbering of an os is just a number. Any software can modify the code as long as you keep the numbering the same. Hp, ls1edit, efi, tunercat, ect all just go off the actual operating system number when opening bins.

The reason why we change the os number for you guys is because it makes it so you dont accidently change a table that is being used differently if you open it up in a different programming suite. Some tables would show up wrong ect...

 

To clarify: I normally just use the factory OS which should be supported by whatever tuning suite you should choose to use to edit the tune. The only time I use a non standard OS is if I am tuning for an aggressive power adder combo or certain other circumstances.

 

thanks for the help guys i will be ordering hp or efi in the next couple of weeks. i
cant decide on which one to buy though

 

I have all of the tuning suites...I have been VERY happy with EFI Live.