Lt1pcmtuning.comThis site has a bunch of links for diy or the guy running the site does tuning. Not just LT1s. There's info back to early 80s GM. Moates was a great resource for chip burners, but there's still software out there and individuals doing it.

 

If anyone is looking fir the Xtreme ALDL and 12 pin cable 1 I have a few new ones. Could use a apu1

 

This feels like it's a little late to ask but I bought some stuff from Moates last year with the intention of learning how to tune. I have the following:

1 x 'Ostrich 2.0 : The New Breed' (OSTRICH_2)
1 x GP1 Package: GM Adapter with 2 chips (GP1)
1 x 'BURN2 Chip Programmer' (BURN2)
1 x EMUC2806 Emulation Cable 28-pin 6-inch (EMUC2806)

My question is, is there anything I should find and download NOW (while I can find it) like drivers, software, ect? So that when I am ready to begin my tuning journey in a few months I'll be able to? The installation guides on their website are gone now. Not sure what I should do to prepare for the future without them.

If anyone can point me to the software I should get I would sincerely appreciate it!

 

You can view the website , products and burn2 flash and burn on wayback machine

 

This isn't the best place to find info on tuning. There are specific forums on TPI/LT1 tuning.

LT1pcmtuning.com
This site has a bunch of info and links to tuning forums. I personally download tunerpro to use for my tuning. I bought the same things you did. So far I got as far as data logging my car. Once you download tunerpro there are specific files you need to load into your tunerpro to make it work with your year/configuration car.

 

THANK YOU! I was able to get the drivers and guides.

 

I had the same thought even though I bought an adapter, chips, and burner 12 years ago. I have a few extra chips, 2 ALDL cables (one might not work), and found myself wondering WHAT IF SOMETHING BREAKS?

With extra chips, that's not a problem BUT....If the adapter fails, you might not be able to find another adapter to burn and plug in those chips. That could lead to the need for a new ECM -- at the tune of $500 (pardon the pun)! So, I went on eBay and found/bought an extra adapter. It's kinda like learning you might never be able to buy a replacement ECM (new or used) if the computer to your car goes bad. (Sure, you could buy a new ECM conversion, relearn how to program THAT, and be back in biz. But, why depend on one piece lasting the entire time you own the car?)

Long story short: Once you install an aftermarket adapter and chip, I'd want to make sure you can fix it if it breaks. That's why I weighed the POTENTIAL option of buying a $500+ programmable ECM vs an extra $50 adapter now.

EDIT: There's also the possibility of a wideband sensor. I never bought one and I'm not sure Moates was a source anyway. I got away with tuning my w/o one (using dyno readings and O2 counts in scans). It takes tons of time to do it that way and you have to get a bit lucky. The better way is using a Wideband. I suspect it pays for itself by saving you hours looking at your scans.

 

That is a good point. I was mainly concerned because I had never hooked it up before, and was worried I'd never be able to find the drivers for the Ostrich 2.0 or Burn2. But I found that I was able to find the drivers by using Wayback Machine. It's anyone's guess as to how long they'll still be on the Moates server.

Now if it breaks one day, then yeah I'd have to go to an aftermarket ECU or find one on the used market as you suggested.

It's a good wake up call though. As these cars get older and older we might not always be able to find the parts we need.

 

I gotta think a few members will have tuning software for years and years...also ALDL-USB cables if you can't buy one. As long as you have a spare adapter (the part that allows you to plug a chip into the stock ECM), it's hard to imagine you'd need another, more modern computer -- if the adapter broke/failed. To be honest, I'd be surprised if the adapter fails. It's a fairly simple, straight-forward circuit board.

I'm not saying more modern tuning equipment is bad! BUT, if you're going to invest your time/learning to "reprogram" the stock ECM to use the Moates adapter/chip, I'm suggesting you MIGHT wanna buy an extra adapter now. Mine should add be here in a day/two. I'll test right away to make sure they are compatible with the Moates adapter. (That means I'll transfer the PROM and programmed chip to see if the car runs the same).

Maybe some other website still offers the adapters? I don't know. But, there is a guy selling them on eBay. They have couple of minor asthetic differences but the circuit boards are reportedly the same. That's why I plan to test and report back....unless it's sealed. If so, I might leave it that way in order to resell it someday and "NIB" or "NOS". (They have more listed under "GM mem/cal PROM ZIF socket")

 

Zif Socket PROM adapter showed up today. Looks fairly similar to the Moates units....though the chip "installs" using a levered clip-down receiver similar to the Burn2. The circuit "lines" appear the same as the Moates. I'm 99.9% confident it will perform the same as the Moates adapter. I already plugged a 27SF512 chip into it and it fits perfectly. Contrary to the red circuit board in the auction...it's also green -- like Moates.

 

BTW...For anyone needing a refresher on what they bought (and are using), the Moates webpages are still viewable using the "Wayback Machine" on the net. Basically, it's a web archival "machine".

Example: If you don't know what a Burn2 is...or Zif Socket Prom Adapter....or whatever.

 

What are the options now if one wants to permanently install a cable such that an 89 L98 ECU can be easily flashed on the go. Obviously the factory chip needs to be replaced initially with a reprogramable chip and the socket likely needs to be swapped out as well to fit said chip.

My goal is to just have a cable tucked up under the dash that can be plugged into a laptop running appropriate software and that can flash and reflash easily, that way avoiding opening up the dash and swapping a chip each time a new tune wants to be tried.

 

sounds like you are looking for a flash ecm like dynamic efi ebl. It’s a map based ecm self learning fueling. Flashable banks to do multiple tunes.
or your looking for a emulator like pocket romulator. The bad if the battery of the device dies your dead in the water.

 

From what I have read (I am far from an expert) there are emulators/software that will allow you to make changes while you drive, but you have to have a laptop running the program. So once you get the tune dialed in you burn it to a chip and unplug the cord and laptop.

 

Max, one of the options is to look for someone (re)selling the items listed in post #23. The Ostrich 2.0 unit allowed "on-the-fly" programming of the ECM. You could leave it plugged in OR burn a chip once changes were acceptable. Wiring into the backside of the ODB1 connector might be the only way to leave something "permanently installed" like you describe.

FWIW, I left my ECM lying on the passenger floor for months while trying and retrying tuning changes (to learn how everything worked). If you did that, changing chips is very easy. I can burn (or reburn) a chip AND install it in 2 minutes. And, that allows time to grab a Coke! LOL You pop two little plastic levers and the board (pictured above) pops out. With the board (pictured above), you'd do the same, pop a lever - to release and swap the chip. Then plug the board back into the ECM. Its get's very easy after a few iterations. So....you COULD buy a BURN2 with ODB1 cable and be golden. This is how it would work....

Drive around and observe changes desired.
Pull over, pop chip from ECM, make changes in TunerPro, burn chip (using BURN2), reinstall, and repeat

The only difference with an Ostrich is you'd pull over, make changes, and drive. So....that $300ish (for an Ostrich) eliminated the need to pull, burn, and reinstall a chip. In all seriousness, it really doesn't take that long. Plus, I don't know that you could mount the ECM with an Ostrich. Even with that tool, the ECM probably needs to sit on the floor. I don't think the ribbon cable would fit through/around the ECM mounting cover.

Note: These statements pertain to an 89 car. There may be differences I'm unaware of on other years.

 

When I had an '87, way way back, I had the ostrich mounted up in the dash with the ECM. I had a serial cable hanging out by the seats under the carpet.

If I was building another pre-LT1 C4 I'd probably just go Holley.

-- Joe

 

There was another forum member that posted this today. It appears that a business is picking up the pieces that were lost from Moates closing.

https://boostednw.com/all-products

 

Did they buy the copyrights?

 

I have no idea. Another member posted that link to an old thread. I thought it was important enough to bring to everyone's attention.

 

That’s horrible there making products without an agreement of copyright and software license .