I'm finally getting around to having my car tuned for the new 383, specs in sig. Coincidentally, I'm also in the market for a new laptop (my first). So... I was thinking of going the route of datalogging and e-mail tuning from an expert like Ion or Bryan.

Here's what my research has me thinking:

First thing to do would be an OBDI conversion. Then, buy a laptop, and get an appropriate USB-ALDL cable, from akm or moates. Buy TTS Datamaster for logging, and Tunercat for programming, and go to it!

Are there any issues or negatives with the OBDI conversions? Any problems with VATS? Is it safe to assume that, after an OBDI conversion, all the software for "94-95 LT1s" will now work on my car?

It's pretty much impossible to find a new laptop with a COM/RS232 port anymore, and I'd rather not buy a (used) second one just for the PCM duties. From what I've read, the USB interfaces work well, as long as you buy one of the purpose-built USB-ALDL connectors (not just a USB-RS232) and have it configured properly. Anyone have a different opinion?

TTS Datamaster and Tunercat... good choices, or is only one necessary?

Lastly, does anyone know if the guys at PCMsforless or madZ28 will accept datalogs for tuning purposes?

Any input/opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Dave

 

Datamaster and Tunercat are good. Since they do different things, you must have both if you want to datalog and tune.

Most tuners like datalogs. It makes it easier to get the tune right.

 

Thanks for the info, shoebox!

All opinions/input/experiences appreciated!

 

Instead of trying to find a USB adapter that will work you can just buy a USB ADL cable from Moates.net. They make them now.

 

Why not just buy the new OBD2 version of TunerCat for your 97? Then you don't have to mess around with swapping this or that.

 

I've known about the OBD2 TC from the forums here, even though it still isn't listed on TC's site. I didn't think that the LT1 def. file was ready yet, though. I guess I wasn't paying attention.

Regardless, the availability and variety of free or cheap software for the OBDI PCM is the reason I'm looking at the conversion. OBD2 TC is $380 and AFAIK includes an ALDL-RS232 cable, so I'd need to get another cable since my laptop (yeah, I've bought one since starting this thread) doesn't have a COM port. That's a lot of bucks when OBDI TC can be had for $90. Of course, the OBDI conversion isn't free, either.

It just seemed to me that OBD2 scanning/logging/tuning was more expensive and/or more complicated, from everything that I've read. Maybe that's not true.

My first priority is to get datalogging, and get a pro to tune the car based on datalogs that I'll supply. I'd like to be able to send datalogs and receive tunes via e-mail, since there aren't any shops near me that can do this kind of stuff. I'm looking for reliability and driveabilty, not just max HP, so I anticipate that getting the tune perfect will take a few tries. As far as tuning by myself goes... maybe in the near future.

If I could reliably datalog and flash my OBD2 for less money than the OBDI conversion, I might be tempted to go that route... at least the reading/writing would be 4x faster I can live without the tuning for the moment, since I need to do a lot more research before screwing around with my PCM.

I see from your past posts that you're quite knowledgable with PCMs and tuning. I'm open to any input/recommendations/opinions that you may have.

Thanks!