My story: I have an '07 A6, headers, Killer Bee intake and a tune. This summer during the hot days the engine started detonating really bad so I took it back to the tuner and the issue was fixed. The car is running great now except for a little studder in first gear when leaving a stop at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle. And then this last weekend the check engine came on. A local member and friend let me use his code reader and it came up with P0171 and P0174, Bank 1 and 2 lean. We cleared the codes and they haven't come back yet although I've only driven about 20 miles that same day. I would like to let my tuner take another look but they are in DFW area and I'm in OKC which requires a vacation day from work. I was impressed with the thought of checking and clearing codes so I decided to get a scanner and started looking at what they had to offer, price, buyer feedback. In the mean time I'm buying the OBDi cable and software to datalog my C4 to resolve rich fuel issues on my new 383. Now I'm thinking I would like to be able to get access to this same type of information with the C6 so I can properly answer questions from the tuner before driving all the way down there every time I have an issue.

The question: Can I get decent data logging for the C6 at a reasonable price, say under $300? I DON'T want to tune, just have access to information. I still want to read and clear codes including ABS, transmission, etc?

 

Nobody has had anything to comment on so maybe I can put up a suggestion. ScanXL pro with the GM enhanced software. Cost with the car to computer cable is around $330-340. It won't give AF data as is, but will with an adapter for another $180 or so.

 

I know you said you don't want to tune, but if you're going to go to the effort to install a WB O2 I'd go ahead and spend the extra cash. Just use whatever your tuner is using and he can just send you the tunes by email. One day you may want to do some tuning yourself.

 

What you say makes perfect sense. If I'm able to do what I have in mind I will probably end up having doing just that. I just didn't want to spend $600 or more just to read the information. Was really hoping it could be done much cheaper. It doesn't make much sense either that one of the most important bits of information (AF mixture) can't be read through the computer. I don't remember seeing my tuner adding anything special to the car to get it. Just how important is the AF when communicating with a tuner. Without it I am actually much closer to my budget goal of $300?
Thank you for responding.

 

Well, in my mind AFR is very important. I can't imagine that your tuner did not use a wideband (at least one mounted at the tailpipe) but if he didn't then the WOT AFR is a guess. You could also have an air leak after the MAF which is causing the lean codes. These cars do have AF information, but it's only near stoich. You can tune for everything except WOT with those but a wideband really completes the picture.

While I know that buying tuning software is expensive at first, my experience is that once you start logging you'll want to make adjustments. If you spend the money on a logging-only set up, you'll be right back where you started. But if you're absolutely sure that you aren't going to tune anything, then ask your tuner what data he would like to see and get something that will collect it for you.

Good luck.

 

You can pickup the SCT X3 Power Flash programmer for General Motors from SCT performance

http://www.sctflash.com/showsctproducts.php?Prod=X3

Then install their LIVELINK 6.3 software which is downloadable from their web site. The software, once installed on your lap top will allow you to connect to the X3 Flash Programmer via USB cable and you can set up data logging and save the file to send to your tuner for evaluation.