Before I ask the question, I tried to find my answer by doing a search, but to my surprise I didn't come up with anything that made me say; YES! That's what I needed to know.

Anyhow, on to the question.

I've been meaning to get into the tuning side of things for a while, been too busy and now it's time to stop procrastinating.

I have an OBD1, an old compaq laptop with Win95 and a serial port, and the right AKM cable.


I'm heading over to the track on Sunday and the first thing I'd like to do is to monitor my runs and see what's happening.

I also want to do my own programming so that I can play with timing, shift points, etc.

I am willing to spend money, but I don't want to spend @ssloads of it.


The question is not; WHICH software do I use...

The question is; which is the SMART software to get?

I don't want to spend money just for the sake of spending money if something free will get the job done.

By the same token, I don't want to download free software just because I'm a cheap bastard (which I am), when a WISE man would have bought 'such-and-such' software.


So there you go. The question is; which software would someone who is WISE get for himself?

 

I've seen logs from FreeScan and TTS DataMaster, both of which offer free downloads. Seems to be decent quality. Lately people have been mentioning EFILive V4 for OBD-I. Haven't seen a data log from that one yet.

The tuning software would be LT1_Edit of TunerCat. Each has its "following". LT1_Edit includes pcmcomm scanning software with the deluxe version, I believe.

 

I also use datamaster and efi live. They both work great,but efi live works better for graphs. Tuning I use tunercat and lt1 edit. They both work great,but it just depends on who you talk too. I have used freescan before. It works really good for a free program.

 

LOL, that's exactly the "too broad" information I got from the search.

GMR -

Let me ask you... what do you actually LIKE?

I'm asking you because I'm in Ashtabula, so I'm fairly close to you.
I also wish I had noticed your website before today, because you're doing a dyno-tune session as we speak.

Anyhow, seeing as how I'm probably going to want to come to your shop at some point in the near future, I think it would be a good idea if I find out what sort of things you prefer.

If you are uncomfortable promoting one product over another in a public forum, then by all means... PM me.

 

I'm not sure how much more specific people can get. I'm basing my input from reviewing 100's of data logs for people... if that's "too broad" for you, then maybe someone else with more experience can help you.

 

Well, what I really like for scanning the pcm while im tuning would be efilive. It has bi-directional controls for more tuning control. As for tuning, sense you have a obd1 pcm camaro/firebird. I like using lt1 edit. Its easier to use then tunercat, but is 4 times the money. To use any of these programs you really have to watch what your doing. I get calls all the time about the pcm wont talk anymore, or what table do I use to change this. Tunercat and lt1 edit have different names for the same table. Also to go tune at the track,like you want to would not be a great thing to do. You have to get the driveablity done first. If you put to much timing and you go down the track, you can start knocking, and that would not be good. So anyways thats my thought on the programs for obd1. hope that helps

 

Injuneer -

I'm not sure how much more specific people can get.
If you look at the first two sentences of GMR's 2nd post, you will see an excellent example of 'how much more specific people can get'.


I'm basing my input from reviewing 100's of data logs for people... if that's "too broad" for you, then maybe someone else with more experience can help you.
Your experience isn't the issue. I asked for a specific recommendation and in response you commented on no less than FIVE different products. Your response did have inherent value, but it did not answer my question.
Is it really your intention to flame me for something that wasn't my fault?



"rolleyes"
An intrinsic problem with the medium in which we are communicating is that typewritten words don't have inflection. This can lead to misunderstandings, especially as concerns intent. It has therefore become common practice to use emoticons and various types of shorthand to add an additional layer of complexity to these typewritten communications.
Specifically, I am referring to the "LOL" with which I prefaced my comment about the broadness of the responses. When one person is resonding to another person with a comment that he knows COULD be misconstrued as to attitude, the LOL can be used to convey to the recipient that the comment was intended to be taken in a friendly manner.
As an example, we have my comment:

Because the INITIAL answers I received were, objectively, too broad; I needed to ask for clarification.
When asking for clarification, you need to convey what it is that you are asking for clarification OF.

As Prima Facie evidence that my request for clarification was appropriately phrased, I offer GMR's second response, which is EXCELLENT and actually goes beyond my expectations in that it gives me information that I did not know enough to ask for.

Still... for whatever reason; you chose to take offense at my response.

I can only assure you that no offense was intended.

Ultimately it is up to you to decide when you will take offense. I have no say in the matter. If it is your intention to be angry with me even after I have told you that no offense was intended, that is your business.


Now...
If you would be willing to give me the benefit of your experience in terms of a specific product recommendation, I would still like to hear it.

 

GMR -

Well, what I really like for scanning the pcm while im tuning would be efilive. It has bi-directional controls for more tuning control.
That sounds good. Do you sell that product?


As for tuning, sense you have a obd1 pcm camaro/firebird. I like using lt1 edit. Its easier to use then tunercat, but is 4 times the money.
I like products that are easy to use. Assuming that I decide that I can afford the purchase price in absolute terms, do you feel that it's worth the extra money?


You have to get the driveablity done first. If you put to much timing and you go down the track, you can start knocking, and that would not be good.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by "getting the drivability down first"?
I mean, the car feels drivable now, but I'm getting wild variations in ET, often by several tenths. Is that what you mean?

Also, would I be correct in assuming that I can bring my car in for a dyno tune session to get a good baseline, and would that help me to diagnose the source of the ET fluctuations?

 

LT1edit is vin locked for one vehicle and still costs more than tunercat (for OBD1). Tunercat allows you tune as many cars as you want...

 

Well, I do only have the one car...

Have you used both?

I'd be interested in hearing about how they compare in terms of functionality and ease of use.

 

I havent used both (just tunercat), but people that have used both of them say they are pretty much the same. The only advantage that i know of is that tunercat isnt vin locked. Yeah, YOU have one car, but maybe a buddy of yours needs his computer tuned for a gear chage or something simple? With tunercat you can help him...

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

 

If you don't mind uneducated comments; download the evaluation copy of tunercat and read though the help file. It's pretty thorough and having a recommendation from the person who sold me the interface cable, I'll spend the $90. You can always re-invest in LT1-edit later. All your questions will then be based on some experience. I figure it's worth the price just to get inside the loop.

PCMcomm is also free and it won't "write" to your PCM. This is the first and safe step to take, I would think.

 

You make a good point.