Just saw an ad for EFI Live on a different thread

With modern software, is this a product that your average DIY guy can use or is tuning best left to the professionals?

Any other products out there that do a similar job?

 

I use EFI and really like it. Like everything it takes a while to get it all figured out. The more I use it the more I learn. You don't have to worry about screwing anything up just as long as you save a backup copy of the current tune.

 

Thanks Marc.

Did you buy it for a particular reason or just to keep the engine sweet?

How much did you pick it up for? There's a UK distributer and they seem to be competetive with US prices which makes a nice change. normally we'd expect to pay £ for $ here.

With my son having a Camaro it may be worth dropping the $$ if I can cover both cars.

 

I'm also just starting to use EFILive and like it a lot. As already said, anything takes some getting used to. The toughest thing to learn is just about tuning, in general. I now have about 3 days experience, haha.

 

Thanks. You're giving me more confidence. It'd be interesting to hear if there are any professional tuners out there who have tried it.

 

EFILive and HPTuners seem to be the two "major" products on the market .....

http://www.hptuners.com/

http://www.efilive.com/

I have an "early" version of EFILive that worked with (and still does) the AutoTap interface.

http://www.autotap.com/welcome.asp

If you are looking for a tool to help in READING data, especially for diagnostics, and maybe even learning more about the PCM and how it works the AutoTap is a relatively "cheap" solution. Note that the AutoTap is a READ ONLY product, you cannot alter PCM parameters, and are limited to PCM data. AutoTap can be ordered in versions that work with several different auto manufacturer's products.

EFILive is an NZ based company that started out as a "hacker" working on Holden (the Aussie GM subsidiary) vehicles. The product is basically "limited" to GM products (Holden, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Isuzu, etc.) that use certain "versions" of GM PCM software. There is a license available that allows you to use the EFILive software running on a PC with the AutoTap cable. EFILive can be ordered as a READ ONLY product, or as a WRITE product that can alter a large number of items in your PCM.

HPTuners is a US based company and also started with GM only products. I believe they now offer some Ford support (Mustang) with plans announced to expand that. They also offer "read only" and "write" versions of their products.

My general thoughts (having had an AutoTap for a few years with a laptop based version of EFILive) are as follows ....

* With a pretty much "stock" engine I haven't seen the need for the "tuner" versions of these products. For me, just being able to read the data has been a learning experience .... and I've learned enough to know that the PCM software is pretty sophisticated ... and that you need a VERY good understanding of how an engine works in order to be "smarter" than GM Powertrain in re-tuning the tables.

* It appears that the HPTuner "interface" is currently a little more sophisticated (user friendly) than the EFILive product. They both seem able to alter about equivalent numbers of parameters.

* The interface and number of parameters "leader" seems to shift back and forth as each company issues a new release.

Finally, I occasionally "lurk" on the forums of the two vendors. Can learn a lot there about who is using the products, and what they use them for.

Hope this helps ...

 

well I wanted to get it because there are no tuners around me and the trans am is cammed up now. I could hardly drive it because of the idle problems. I couldn't decide if I should get EFI Live or HP tuners but ended up with the EFI. I done alot of searching and asking over on LS1 tech since those guy are nothing but gearheads I figured they would know and have used both softwares. I gave right at 500 bucks for mine. Don't know if this does you any good but with EFI Live you can also tun 97-98 cars for free also. Well since I have a 97 vette that worked out good for me. Had to use one liscense on the trans am but didn't require any for my vette. If you do go that route and if ya need any help just give me a shout..

 

Gentlemen,

We sell EFILive and have been with them for quite some time. We also sell Innovate Motorsports and have also been with them for quite some time.

I personally use EFILive on all of my cars and really, really like it. While I won't put the notion out there that just anyone can pick it up and tune their car for extra power, I will say that this is the most user friendly tuning will ever be. If you get a Innovate wideband with your EFILive it can *almost* tune itself.

Give us a call if you guys have any questions or just send a PM.

We sell EFILive V1 for $549 shipped to the US and can also ship internationally. DeeGee, for shipping via USPS I may even be able to ship to you free as well, but please PM me for that as I will have to enter a special code into our website to let you do that (or just take your order over the phone).

EFILive V1: http://www.mphparts.com/prod/104-FS-C.html

We also sell a package of EFILive V1 with an Innovate LC-1. Normally that's $549 plus $199 but we sell the wideband with EFILive for only $100 more. That package is located here:

http://www.mphparts.com/prod/01-V1-LC1.html

We do also stock and sell V2 EFILive units but those tend to be most useful to the C6 crowd.

Give us a call or email if I can answer any questions or be of any assistance.

Thanks,
Tony

 

I am using EFI Live's FlashScan II. I would like to see improvements in the cable & datalogging w/this system, but after using LS1 Edit, HP Tuner, and EFI Live, EFI LIVE FLASHSCAN II is my favorite.

 

No question, EFILive is light years beyond LS1Edit.

Have you loaded the beta blackbox logging firmware onto your V2? It's actually pretty useful and nicely done.

Tony

 

DEEGEE

I have EFI Live and really enjoy using it and learing how to use it. I don't do well with windows type programs and figuring out what the tables do. I relay on a couple of EFI Live savvy forum members locally to teach me how to do it right.

I have learned this; Canvas forum members in your area. See if any one has EFI Live OR HP Tuners. There must be 50 people in my area who have tuning software. 2 have EFI Live and the other 48 have HP Tuners.

If people in your area have one or the other, get which ever one they have so that they can help you learn how to use it. It has a tutorial but its really deep! I have learned how to do the basic stuff and its REALLY handy to be able to get Long Term fuel Trims set up right, adjust your timing to get rid of Knock retard and diagnosis problems. You can monitor EVERY frigging sensor in the dam car!

I Like EFI Live and I would say yes, it is a must have item for me. i also purchased the LM-1 wide band and can now adjust my air fuel ratio.

I'm about to up-grade to version V2 so I can tune my C6. I have already promised my V1 to someone else but if he backs out of the deal,,,ill let you know.

Bill

 

Guys,

Part of what differentiates us from other places to get EFILive, including EFILive themselves, is that we do provide basic tuning support. All the little things that Bill just mentioned are easy to do but you do need someone who's done it before to guide you through it initially.

We can't tune your car for you over the phone, but I've helped COUNTLESS members figure out what to log and why, given them general LS1/LS6 PCM theory (what's a VE table, what's a MAF table, how do the two work together, scaling injectors, adding and removing fuel at WOT, adding and removing timing and looking for knock, etc.), and even helped with computer issues and getting the product initially up and running.

I think that given this commitment from us to help support you and get you up and running, the value we provide (free shipping, significantly discounted wideband when purchased as a package) is absolutely phenomenal and pretty much can't be beat.

But that's just my opinion (ok, and people who have purchased through us as well)

Tony

 

Okay Tony...you got me. I just ordered EFILive with wideband! I will probably end up taking you up on the support at some time! Have to install the AR Headers after I get the wideband bung installed.

 

Damn,,,,,,, it's like a virus. You got me too! When I order my V2 up-Grade,,,,,I will get it from you. See what a little customor survice will get ya! I will also order another liscense for my V1 before I purchase my V2 so when I sell it, it will have TWO open Lisenses.

Thanks

Bill Curlee

 

Bill, vsocks -- thank you very much. We appreciate it! Please let me know if there's anything we can do for you in the meantime.

vsocks1, your order will ship out today and you will get a tracking number shortly.

Best,
Tony

 

Tony definately stands behind his product. Excellent customer service, uber responsive.

Ray

 

Got my tracking information.
Guess I will start reading up on how to use it. May spend some time with the software before I install the headers and wideband unit. Does that sound like a good idea? If so, are there any basics things that I should change right away? Can you eliminate skip shift?
Thanks!
Verne

 

Good call -- the licenses are not bad as far as pricing and generally we can turn a license around in 24-48 hours. It just depends on what time of the day it is and how that relates to what time of the day it is for our friends in New Zealand.

Tony

 

Yes, CAGS elimination and other code elimination are by far the easiest things you can do. Next up is probably fan on/off temps and with an auto, shift points. Admittedly I don't mess with autos much though.

You'll be amazed at what EFI will do with the wideband plugged in. As a primer, I recommend going to their website and downloading the LC1 install tutorial and AutoVE tutorial. They are PDF format documents with step-by-step-you-can't-mess-up-unless-you-just-don't-read-directions

On top of that, with the advent of the latest versions of EFILive installing an LC1 and doing AutoVE got easier. In the past you'd have to open a txt file buried in the install, add in some mathematical formulas, create maps all on your own, etc. All that stuff is now pre-created for you so you really just need to follow the wideband install directions with the LC1 (inside the box), hook it up to EFI, then select a few pids and suddenly you're logging wideband data.

Although the Trex cam is more popular on LS1Tech than it is here (it's a nasty, nasty cam which had the reputation as being just about the meanest cam out there, presumably difficult to tune). I used AutoVE on a Trex car and the results were beautiful. You could tell there was a cam there for sure, but there was no surging or bucking to speak of. It just made great power and sounded mean as hell.



Tony

 

Thanks so much Ray, always happy to help.

Best,
Tony