It is my understanding the once you start upgrading your car you have to get it specifically tuned for your new mods. I have heard of something about getting a new computer mailed to you if you give them your specs but I am going to be slowly upgrading my car and I was wondering is there any computer system you can buy that lets you do it yourself?

For instance I have a 95 Trans Am. It is supercharged with 4.5 psi and high flow exhaust. I need to get rid of the top speed limiter, the rev limiter, and a few other annoying factory applications that are on the stock computer. I plan on getting new gears, injectors, cam, ect.. but it will all be in stages so I need to pretty much tune as i go.

Does anyone have any ideas of pointers in the right dirrection?
Any help would be appreciated!

 

There are multiple ways to get a tune. Cheapest and fastest would probably get a email tune that can be updated, but you have to have software and a cable to upload the tune yourself. I personally do this. Trifecta does a mail tune where they mail you a tuner and you upload it yourself. And others do a pcm swap to where they mail you one, then you mail yours back to them. Prices vary from $125 and up.

 

I had a hypertech unit. Did not work for my AT D1 upgrade due to program limitations.

I currently use Carpute version 2.2 LT1 OBD2 software. I have modified my flash file alot over the years. I did try a PCMforLess OBD1 PCM conversion. With my mods, there tune did not work. They dialed in very low timing @ MAP>80kpa, and, did not have a good PE vs. rpm curve for my app. I think it is very difficult for them to guess a tune w/o being there on a wheel dyno.

I asked Mr. PCMforLess if he could use my OBD2 tune and build/ flash the OBD1 PCM. Got no response. I guess that was a NO answer. Anyway, I attempted to buy Carpute LT1_edit for OBD1. Quite a hassle due to they now bundle their software with a VIN mis-match error & application abort. I had real trouble with that (still having trouble).

I came to grips with the loss of money on that Carpute software. I then went to tuner C.A.T.S. OBD1 was $90 and the AKM ALDL cable was $90. No VIN mis-match application check and abort s_ware function. Yes, I made a wrong purchase initially, and, lost money with s_ware that does not work. Do they still say... "my bad???"

Ion @ madtune.com gave me straight answers.
This has been my experience. Good luck. B.
App... 97ss 383ci D1 MM6 Moser 12.

 

thanks for all your help guys. I did visit the pcmforless and tried to find the trifecta but couldnt. I have heard of a F.A.S.T. system that lets you tune it yourself? Is there any truth to that or do you just get a mail from them as well? It seems like with all the mail in sites you have to give them what upgrades you are running at the moment and then if you start adding more on later you have to pay 50 bucks for a new tune, thats why i was looking into the "self-tune" programms if there even is any.

Anyone??

 

This was sent to me.http://www.trifectaperformance.com/default.aspx I plan to give it a go after my rearend swap with different gears.

 

Go to madtuning and email Ion, great guy to deal with, I have been emailing him back and forth for a few days bc he is fixing my PCM that just failed.

Jay

 

My recommendation is to purchase a tuning cable, then get an email tune. For example, madtuner.com will give you an initial email tune for $75, and future updates for $25/ea.

 

Getting a cable is the best thing u can do right now. After that, there are other options for u. Yes you can email tune (which may be the best if u do larger mods), but if ur just switching out gears and what not, you can get Tunercat or other computer softwares where you can flash the pcm urself. im no expert on it or anything, but thats always an option. DO NOT get hypertech tuners, i have had problems with that.

 

alright. I guess ill try buying the cable and go from there. Thanks for all your help guys. Still a lil new to this hobby

 

There are aftermarket ECU systems from FAST, Big Stuff, Accel, MoTeC, Electromotive, and others. They all allow or have options for, open access to the programming, and allow self-tuning. But that's a drastic step for anything other than an extreme power-adder system, like a turbo, supercharger or nitrous. Not all of the systems are fully compatible with the Optispark cam position sensor used in the LT1 engines.

The stock PCM is more than adequate for most tuning needs, including your 4.5psi blower, and can be self-tuned using software from:

http://www.carputing.com/

http://www.tunercat.com/

...and a cable from:

http://www.akmcables.com/