playsdixie

OK, I had my birthday.....wife got me a laptop because she's heard me talk about tuning....I know i've asked this question before but can't dig it out of the archive....I'd ask on the 'turner" side but I can't understand the questions, let alone the answers....I need some tuners for dummies help....I know I need a aldl cable and guess I should download the "tunerpro" software into the laptop.....anything else I need to get started?
I thought I remember something about "Moate" stuff....can someone get me started......please remember you're dealing with a person who thinks computers make good boat anchors......

QCVette

Happy birthday.

I am in the same boat. I am thinking of tuning mine also, but don't know a lot about it either.

I think it was "Moates" instead of "Moate".Try looking at the following link for the cables and stuff I was looking at.

https://www.moates.net/gm-19851995-c-64.html

Good luck.

playsdixie

thanks, that's the site I was thinking of....still really don't know all that I need....looks like there's choices of the aldl cable....hopefully one of the experts will chip in......

playsdixie

just remembered Gerardvg sent me a pm with some really good directions...if I can figure out how to send it to you, I will....

Dt86

Happy Birthday!

ANTI VENOM

First question before buying the ALDL cable. Does your laptop have a 9 pin rs232 (serial) port? Probably not as "most" new laptops do not have it anymore. If no, then you need a USB to ALDL cable. You can look here. Sorry, I do not have any experience with Tunerpro, but I do not believe that it supports the slow data transfer rate of your 85 vette ECU that is 160 Baud. WinALDL is one that will. Good luck!

cumbercr

I've been through this. If you haven't done so already, you will need to install a chip adapter in the ECM. It needs to be soldered in. I highly recommend you send the ECM to Moates and they will install the adapter for $25 and provide you with the flash chips. I also recommend buying their socket booster. It plugs into the adapter and boosts the signals. I also recommend you get a ribbon cable and a ZIF adapter. That will allow you to remote the chip so you don't have to remove the ECM to swap chips. Moates can also sell you the ALDL cable.

TunerPro will work with the 85. If you download the older version it is free.

If you really want to get into tuning, upgrade to a 165 ECM. I waited too long to make the swap. It's a lot easier to deal with.

Cliff Harris

This link has enough information to keep you busy for a LONG time:

http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-p...uide-book.html

HotrodCorvette

So with an 85 the best way to go is to update to the later ECM?
What is better about going that route?
What more do I need beyond the 165 ECM to make the swap?

Just getting into making a bracket racer out of my 85 and want to do it right the first time...so I am open to any suggestions that will work and make life easier.

blackozvet

Im hearin ya brother !
I use this setup on my '85
http://www.reddevilriver.com/aldl.html

The best advice i can give is, get a teenager to help you set it up !!

playsdixie

cliff...i'm 66.....reading all this may kill me......let along understanding it...not sure now I should be getting into this.....turning wrenches is one thing.......might have to live with the way it is.....

playsdixie

thank you all for the input....Blackozvet's advice may be the best....

aDigitalPhantom

This page may help some of those reading this.
http://support.moates.net/gm-86-95-obd1-guide-read-me/

whalepirot

Thanks, I bookmarked that, 'cuz I also mull getting into some tuning on two projects. In my early 60s and kinda a computer guy (I speak DOS and some hardware-speak), the complexities of the data tables present a huge learning curve/time commitment plus a background in the effects of ignition timing, etc., under the widely varying operating ranges, that I just don't have.

Makes me wonder why I bought an ALDL cable instead of a learning ECM (ElectroMotive?). I know the newer ECMs are faster, with more capability, and that they all strive for stochiometric fuel burn, within their adjustment authorization. I stopped that activity when my laptop would not 'speak to' this ECM.

Then, I speak to my pal Roy, who simply runs an unmodified ECM/chip in his header-equipped, ported-CFI '84 L83! His car is surprisingly fast and passes CA smog easily, even with 200k+ miles. Maybe the benefits of many chip changes for novices are overblown?