I just purchased a 95 Z28 and I will be doing quite a bit of mods to it. I need to get setup with a tuner. I was directed to a few sites by a very helpful member.

OBD-I Scanners:
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/
http://www.andywhittaker.com/

OBD-I tuner software:
http://www.carputing.com/
http://www.tunercat.com/

Cable:
http://www.akmcables.com/


I had a few question before I place my order.

First. I dont need a scanner if I get the tuning software and cable right?. there is nothing in a scanner that software wont see right?

Next. What software do you prefer?. I have heard that tunercat is they way to go since it will not be locked to one car? How do they compare in price?.






I assume my first step is to get the OBDI cable I need from AMK?

I do not want to do any soldering so I believe this is what I need?

"Cable with molded OBDI Connector, approx. 13 ft. in length (RS232) or 9 ft in length (USB) Recommended for use with LT1_Edit Software, TTS Datamaster, and other high performance communications software " $90.00


If I use TunerCat wil this cable work?. and I can chose between USB and serial.. MY computer that I will use has both. What one would be the best choice?.




So One I purchase the correct cable I need to get software for it. For that I will go to TunerCats (if thats what I chose to use) site. I then see a list of diffrent software, after reading the descriptions of them I think that the on I want it called "Tuner" (correct?)

So I click on download and get a 30 day trial. Then I pay $70 for it after the 30 days.

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So I believe I am correct so far. Thats as far as I will got until I get everyhing and hook it up.

Thanks

 

I just downloaded the evaulation copy of TunerCar and I like it ALOT. I think I will be using it. Its SO EASY to understand and to the point and It can get done EVERYTHING i need in the way of tunng.

Can I see realtime info with this?. what I really want it knock Retard, ECT, IAT, SparK,MAP, TP%, well you know what I mean. Is there a way to see all that real time, and record it with this program?

 

Hello Kyle!
TunerCat is going to be your tuning software and you will also need some scaning software like Datamaster.
I would call Andrew at akmcables for the cable and he will hook you up. You have a 95 so I think you have the obd1 ecm with obd2 connector. Later!

 

Well. I guess I need to wait until I pick the car up and check for sure. Then I will call him.

Thanks

 

If the car wiring is stock Andrew will know what you need.

 

I found an email but not a phone number

andrew@akmcables.com


Should I just email him?..

 

Ya, just e-mail him. He's usually good at getting back to you.

 

very good. I will do that. thanks

 

ok. I sent him an email. in the mean time I was reading the manual doe TunerCat - I came across this:

"In addition to the above software, you'll also need and EPROM programmer and an EPROM eraser.
Virtually any EPROM programmer will work with the EPROM's used in these ECM's. We recommend
the Pocket Programmer from Xtronics (www.xtronics.com). It is very reasonably priced and works well.
Like the programmer, almost any EPROM eraser will work. Xtronics also carries an inexpensive eraser
that works fine."



So does this mean that this program is only for editing the .bin?. I need something else to read and erase and re flash?

Gettin a little confused.

Thanks






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EDIT: I think I should have read on. thats for a 93. It says it that if I will be tuning 94/95 I will need a Tuner program and the $EE ECM Definition File (no idea what that is, but i think its included with the $70 tunercat program), and the cable to connect the 2..

so good. Im back to where I started. lol. im good now.

 

Ya Kyle! once you download tunercat, the trial version e-mail tunercat and tell them you need the $EE definitions file so you can try it out on your car. They cost $20 per definition file. Each file gives you the ability to tune a paticular car.
Tunercat and Datamaster are the only programs you will need to do the tuning.
Oh, and I hope you ordered the cable for the serial port connection instead of the USB. People have had problems with the USB connection including me.

 

I did not order any cable yet. But i will get the serial connection.

I need to count the number of pins in the connector for them to know what connector I need.

I will be picking up the car friday evening. I will count them then a order my connector.

 

You can use freescan to watch stuff in realtime and take logs, its not as pretty as Datamaster but it works just as well. Just might take a little more getting used to. However, you should be able to get a car tuned in with datamaster before you use up the trial period, provided you're any good at adjusting things and taking long enough logs to see any problem areas.

I agree though tunercat is what you want for programming.

BTW, i'll just say this because alot of people get fuzzy here. Your WOT tuning will have to either be done on the dyno or at the racetrack with a wideband. The track being the better of those two options because the car is running as it will on the street. You will not be able to really affect the tuning of the car under part throttle cruise conditions unless you go with an open loop tune, so long as the fuel trims are within the range of adjustment that the pcm allows. That is not to say you can afect the drivability of the car through other means than the a/f ratio.