Red Tornado

I just scored myself a used laptop off ebay, cheap for $50 (which I think I'm proud of).......Here's the basic highlights: Intel Pentium I 133mhz, 32mb RAM, 3.8gig HD, Windows 98, CD-ROM 24x, 12" display, serial port (among others), internet ready.

Right now all I'm interested in are the best free programs I can find. Which are they, and where do I find them to download? Just fishing around here in tune &scan the last 2 days, the free ones I've heard of: Craig Moates ECM852, WinALDL, and TunerPro. Which one(s) stand out, and why? Some good detail here will really be helpful.

Next item.......is paying for a program like Datamaster a huge leap ahead and worth the $95 price? This would be something to consider.......for later, not now.

I'll also need a cable link.....whats the cheapest source? Either already assembled, or even better yet a cheap way to buy the parts, I'll assemble it myself.

Anything else I need to know? Any good reading material on basic monitoring, what to look for, how to interpret?

Folks, you're looking at a complete 100% novice. But not for long. I want to get involved here. I want to start my own monitoring for now..........Tuning may be in the future sometime, but first things first, one step at a time, gotta get a decent free program (at least for now) and get with the basics.

I have to protect my investment. I can't afford another engine rebuild.

Thanks for your patience, advice and support. I'll catch on!

Morley

Craig's 852 can be found here http://www.moates.net/index2.html along with the schematics for cables, the 2 transistor is simple to make. Click the software page link on the left pane.

JrRifleCoach

DataMaster -limited- 20 recordings then $$$ Cha-ching!
TunerCat -limited- 30 days then $$$
Tuner Pro - Free-

I like DataMaster for recording since it has a more graphical view of the recording. TunerPro & TunerCat both are good editors and display the tables with flat and 3D images. As a novice, I found these the easiest to setup, that run reliably and have enough of a following to get help online.

Check 3rdgen for further info too

BTW-- W2K or XP are supported OS's for todays softwares. Since your running an older laptop you may want to stick with 98SE and strip off all the unnecessary components.

Red Tornado

Thanks guys, good info to start from - I'll do just that

Morley

If you run into problems with Craig's software post it here and I can send you a copy of the previous version, ECM 851..and if that doesn't work..it may be the fault of 98SE..some people had problems with SE and his software.

korvette4u

good deal on the labtop..i knew you could find something..
now i can help you with Datamaster Download from thier site and any of the files that are needed, i use it and works quite fine on 98SE, the cable is simple to build, as mentioned..

please email me for some neat info, regarding datamaster

Red Tornado

Thanks for your offer, I'll keep this in mind......I don't believe the win 98 version I'll have is the second edition, but I'll check into this.

Alvin

Datamaster is a personal favorite of mine.

korvette4u

mine toooooo!!!!
hey alvin ...what tuner cat pro RT, ECU ( i think) file is needed for L98 87 & 89..?????

most of the chips AT29C256 are made by atmel or least thats what suppliers are sending me...i know from past experience on the atmel 8515, that Atmel provide sch of programmers and programming software. Is this true of these chips?

Alvin

Get a programmer from moates.net.. They are reliable. Craigs a good guy.

you'll use a $32B for 87-88 and a $6E for 89. For a quick reference go to tunercat.com or just try to open a bin in tunercat.. it tells you what to open it with.

korvette4u

opps for got the mention 94 chev truck big block? do ya get those files ther too?

what about tuner cat which version? then add the upgrades? how/where does ya start?

burn 1 unit, i gonna need more then that, like adapters, emulators. what exactly would be the required tooling?

go easy on me, still learning

Alvin

Call Craig and talk to him. He will go threw the hardware that you need.

If your wanting to tune both your vette and a 94 BB truck I reccomend just going with tunercat. John has exceptional support.

www.moates.net
www.tunercat.com

Dougs 90

Brad,

Check your PM's and drop me a line before you do anything!

Doug

korvette4u

did some web surfing... found this thing called promintor...it uses inline programming where chips do not need to be removed to program.. it supports more then one chip and has on the fly programing capability. an adapter is required. ALL in one unit, What are your thought about this unit?