Looking to Tune
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Looking to Tune
So i've owned my vette for a little while now and i'm interested in tuning it. I dont know a whole lot about this, but I know what I want to do. I want to be able to hook my laptop or whatever to my car to get more data than just error codes. So I would need a cable and some software. But how do I go about actually fixing the problems that it finds? Does it give you recommendations, directions, or something like that? Is it able to fix the computer if thats the problem? Any help/advice is much appreciated.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Stuck in the 80's
Scan tool allows you to see various parameters of the ECM to get an idea of what the is doing in realtime. A chip burner and software to change the binary data that goes on the chip (EPROM) is required to make changes. Check out sticky above and stickies at http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/diy-prom/ to get a better understanding of what is required and in what order.
It is not difficult once you fully understand what you are seeing/doing but it does take time to read all this and get to that point.
It is not difficult once you fully understand what you are seeing/doing but it does take time to read all this and get to that point.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by 4Ever21
I read through the sticky, but I'm asking what would be the best software to get for what I want to do?
It sounds like you are just looking to scan / data log. If that is the case, you need a laptop, cable to connect to the ALDL, and scanning software. The software will not tell you what needs to be fixed, but will show you data for a number of sensors / engine functions which you will compare to known "normal" values of data for those functions. From this analysis, you will be able to tell what is performing / functioning correctly and what is not.
I know of no software package that will fix a malfunctioning ECM.
I HIGHLY recommend reading "Corvette Fuel Injection" by Charles Probst - lots of great information geared toward exactly what I think you are looking to do.
As for software packages, I think TTS Datamaster is popular. I started using Craig Moates' ECM851, but now I'm using the application in TunerPro RT.
Last edited by byebyeL98; May 23, 2006 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Originally Posted by byebyeL98
Just so we are understanding correctly - what exactly are you looking to do? Scan and data log using your laptop, or do you wish to change the parameters on your PROM chip as well?
It sounds like you are just looking to scan / data log. If that is the case, you need a laptop, cable to connect to the ALDL, and scanning software. The software will not tell you what needs to be fixed, but will show you data for a number of sensors / engine functions which you will compare to known "normal" values of data for those functions. From this analysis, you will be able to tell what is performing / functioning correctly and what is not.
I know of no software package that will fix a malfunctioning ECM.
I HIGHLY recommend reading "Corvette Fuel Injection" by Charles Probst - lots of great information geared toward exactly what I think you are looking to do.
As for software packages, I think TTS Datamaster is popular. I started using Craig Moates' ECM851, but now I'm using the application in TunerPro RT.
It sounds like you are just looking to scan / data log. If that is the case, you need a laptop, cable to connect to the ALDL, and scanning software. The software will not tell you what needs to be fixed, but will show you data for a number of sensors / engine functions which you will compare to known "normal" values of data for those functions. From this analysis, you will be able to tell what is performing / functioning correctly and what is not.
I know of no software package that will fix a malfunctioning ECM.
I HIGHLY recommend reading "Corvette Fuel Injection" by Charles Probst - lots of great information geared toward exactly what I think you are looking to do.
As for software packages, I think TTS Datamaster is popular. I started using Craig Moates' ECM851, but now I'm using the application in TunerPro RT.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
That's precisely why I wanted a scanner..not to burn chips, but to let me physically see what is going on with sensors etc. I bought the Craig Moates cables, a used laptop with a USB port and went with Craigs recommendation to download TunerPro RT..been so busy haven't had alot of time to play with it, but between that, my FSMs and guys here you can really pinpoint problems.Very neat. My total investment was $180.
BTW, I gotta get that book, I keep hearing about it.
BTW, I gotta get that book, I keep hearing about it.
