Anyone have a suggestion for a scan tool, tho I only have pre 90 GM products I would like something that is useful for say year 2001 cars just in case that Z06 comes my way :yesnod:

 

If you want a tool for the LS1/6 cars there are at least 3 choices. Auto Tap, EFI Live, and EASE makes scan tools for the OBD2 cars.

Auto Tap is a decent too and can be purchased as a generic OBD2 package or as an upgrade packages you can get the enhanced GM tool set. The one thing about AT is that as you try to monitor more and more parameters it tends to slow down. Also there is a palm version of their software as well.
EFI Live is another product that is sold by the Auto Tap guys at B&B electronics. Some say its great and then there are others that say its not so great. I can't comment as I have never used it myself. But from some various forums I have heard nothing but good things about it. If you are using either tool for simple diagnostics and trouble shooting either tool will serve you well.

As for EASE they have been around for awhile. One thing I don't particularly care for with EASE is that it is limited to the amount of cars you can scan. This is the only scan tool that is commercially available that I have heard of that is limited in such a way. It isn't as popular with the general public at large because of the price of the enhanced GM tool set. It is available in a generic OBD2 version as well, and EASE also makes a palm version.

It is said that they supply this tool to GM shops but I have never seen it in any GM shop I have ever been to. In fact the GM specials tools catalog doesn't even give it an honorable mention and their only recommended scan tool is the tried and true TECH2 once made by HP and now is made by Vetronix. I own a TECH2 myself and also the new version of Auto Tap. Since getting the TECH2 I no longer use it much.

For general scan tool usage any of the above mentioned tools will work fine for you.

 

Now which one of these scan tools also doubles as a programmer?

My brother is interested in one...I think it's for an obd2 computer.

Actually, there's three computers, a BCM (body control module) ECM, and VCM (vehicle control module)

 

AutoXrays Ez-Scan 6000 can do both OBD-I and OBD-II: http://www.autoxray.com/default.htm

I do have a AutoXray OBD-I scanner and it works fine.

> Actually, there's three computers, a BCM (body control module) ECM, and VCM (vehicle control module)

I thought it is CCM, ie. Chassis Control Module? Maybe it is not the same in all years?

Toni


[Modified by ToniH, 10:00 AM 9/1/2003]

 

Auto Xray has a pretty good pre OBD2 scanner for GM only for less than $200. I have one and it gives all the info from my '90 Corvette. However the Auto x-ray that does both OBD1 and OBD2 is $400. It is not much more expensive to buy a separate OBD2 scanner. I am checking out the Auterra OBD2 scanner. It connects to a Palm PDA (Palm required for operation). It has a lot of nice features including graphs, 0-60 and quarter mile times and engine hp computation. This is in addition to the diagnostic codes and engine monitoring information. It is about $200 plus the cost of the Palm PDA.

 

Hmmm, this is a nice feature, but wouldnt one check that too by dataloging the parameter and then checking them later?
How about for PC?

 

Is an 85 Vette an OBD I?

 

Larry,
Yes it is. OBDII wasn't fully implemented for a full model year until '96.

 

None of the above mentioned doubles up as a programmer with the exception of a Predator which I didn't mention for the LS1 engines. The only device mentioned that can program a PCM is the GM TECH2.

Some people have used the Predator with varying degrees of sucess. I have heard that some of the people involved with the design of the Predator had defected from Hypertech, its a rumor I had heard. I don't know much about it and have no personal experience with it other than what I seen at a trade show. Their rep told me it doubles up as a scan tool that rivals a GM TECH2, well in that respect I can say that is all BS, it in no way even compares to a TECH2 and its myriad of capabilities. What it does scan is just generic information and to some that is all that is needed.

For what they get for this device and what I see a customer gets, for a little more money one can buy LS1 Edit, a scan tool and do it himself with a higher degree of adjustability. I checked out their pricing for a 02 Hummer H2 and they want nearly $600 for a programmer, of which an H2 PCM is no different than a 02 truck PCM. I guess it's a marketing ploy for the poor suckers that spends big dollars on a HUMMER.

Here is a picture of a my TECH2 connected to a OBD1 F Body PCM I was working on




[Modified by tjwong, 10:26 AM 9/1/2003]