I have a 94z and want to tune it, I think the best way to go is a laptop and cable. What I want to know is what minimum requirements/ equipment for a tuning lap top AND what program is the most user friendly, best over all. I plan on buying a used laptop as it will only be used for tuning the car.

 

I have used as slow as a 486/25MHz (SLC, IBM), with 12 MB RAM and a 120 MB hard drive with DOS 6.2 and the original version of Win95 (Diskette version).

Way, way too slow for logging effectively, 1 capture per second. Get at least a Pentium class machine, I've used a P120 successfully, I think 4-5 captures per second. Fastest I've used so far is a PIII 650, I think I got about 8 captures a second with that.

I would shoot for a PII machine though, with a decent amount of RAM, 96-128MB would be pretty decent if your running Win98. Once you find a laptop you like, if you want more RAM check the MFG website support section to see how much you can install, usually there are two expansion slots, and often the 32/64MB RAM laptops will have both slots free, with RAM soldered onto the board.

I use Tunercat and a Steve Ruse cable, works great, costs less than LT1 Edit and I can help locals once in awhile since I dont have a VIN lock on my software.

 

Thanks I'll try and find a PII, what about the serial port do most of them come with that? some have said you need some belkin adapter??? and where did you get your cable?

 

Most of them have serial ports, its the NEWER laptops that are coming with them less often now.

www.wotelectronics.com is Steve's page.

 

What exactly do I need to buy from tuner cat, is it the software they list as "tuner" ? or do I need the "TDFE editor" also?
From what I understand if I would by a second car I could make adjustments to that also, or to a friends car??

 

It is not VIN locked, so you could do a million 94-95 cars if you wanted, if you come across a 93 then you need a 93 def file and PROM burner.

You need the Tunercat program $69 or so and the definition file for your car, $19 or $20. You dont need a definition file editor, thats for advanced users.

Tuner 1.99 01/23/2003 , and your definition file. TDF editor is for making your OWN definition file, or editing them, I thought about doing that eventually to get rid of the A4 tables because I dont want to see them, but you dont need one.

 

Ok, I think I have it figgured out, I priced a laptop from a used computer place in town here PII 's go for $200 to $275, the tunercat software is $70 plus the definition file for my application ($20). The cables are $65 so for around $400 I can be set up. I'm going to the computer place mon with the brother in law to pickup a laptop and were off and running.
I realy do appreciate your time and patience in helping me figgure out this stuff, I see your very knowledgeable in this and the tunning, I will look foreward to " talking " to you in the future when I am actualy doing the tunning. Thanks again Matt