Computer Diagnostics and Tuning Technical discussion on diagnostics and programming of the F-body computers

What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

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Old Jul 25, 2005 | 02:57 PM
  #1  
mattbailey's Avatar
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What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

I've looked at there website, but don't understand what all I have to buy from them.
I have a 94 Z.
Where can I get a cable and anything else that I will need. Thanks.
Old Jul 25, 2005 | 05:22 PM
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Tails's Avatar
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

From tunercat you going to want the Tuner package with the $EE definition file. Go here and scroll down to look for it:
http://tunercat.com/tnr_desc/do_tc.html

You can get a cable either from here:
http://akmcables.com/
or here:
http://www.wotelectronics.com/

Oh the search funtion here works great too...

Tails
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 02:20 AM
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Mean Green Z28's Avatar
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

I got the TC software with the $EE def. file from Tunercat and the OBD-I 94-95 USB interface cable from AKM .. they cost me about $200 total and well worth it!
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 12:33 PM
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Thanks fellas, I'm looking to get a Tunercat setup in the next few months, I'd like to learn to tune my car. Where can I find info to know what everything does, what to cahnge, how much, ect... Thanks again for your help.
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 05:46 PM
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Question Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

I am about to order tunercat for my 94 Z28. So all i need is ODB1 USB/ALDL connector $90. Than the tuner programmer $69.95 and $ee ECM Definition File $19.95. Any help would be great
Old Aug 3, 2005 | 10:44 PM
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by chevy94c
I am about to order tunercat for my 94 Z28. So all i need is ODB1 USB/ALDL connector $90. Than the tuner programmer $69.95 and $ee ECM Definition File $19.95. Any help would be great
I believe when you buy the tuner you will get 1 def. file of your choice and then its $20 from then on for any additional def. files.
Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:30 AM
  #7  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by turbo_Z
I believe when you buy the tuner you will get 1 def. file of your choice and then its $20 from then on for any additional def. files.
The one definition you get is for a $42 ECM which is an old truck ECM that was the original hack when the DIY EFI guys all got started up. So you need to purchase the $EE Definition from TC when you make the initial purchase of the tuner software package.
Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:16 PM
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

That is exactly what I use on my 94 except I have the serial port cable.
Old Aug 6, 2005 | 02:54 PM
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Save yourself some money and get a simple sturdy ALDL cable from:
http://www.aldlcable.com

You can buy either a 12 pin or 16 pin connector cable for the OBD1 setup for $40, and it shows up in your mailbox a few days later.
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 06:32 PM
  #10  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

What exactly is an $EE def file? Why does it need to be purchased?
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 06:40 AM
  #11  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by 67fso
Save yourself some money and get a simple sturdy ALDL cable from:
http://www.aldlcable.com

You can buy either a 12 pin or 16 pin connector cable for the OBD1 setup for $40, and it shows up in your mailbox a few days later.

No No NO! absolutly do not buy this cable.

Go with a moates.net or akm cable. I've testedthis cable 94, and 95+ it does not work for programming. You'll be running a huge risk. I never got one successful read from that cable, bought a moates.net USB aldl cable works perfect.
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 11:04 AM
  #12  
Dave '97 Z28 M6's Avatar
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by Dave88LX
What exactly is an $EE def file? Why does it need to be purchased?
Tunercat is a program that can be used with many different engines/cars. Tunercat uses these definition files to be able to properly read and program a specific engine. Each definition file will only work with 1 particular engine. In our case, we need the $EE file.
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 12:07 PM
  #13  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Oh I see. It won't affect the current tune I have on there from madwolf though right?
Old Sep 8, 2005 | 01:02 AM
  #14  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by Dave88LX
Oh I see. It won't affect the current tune I have on there from madwolf though right?
I haven't started playing with any of this tuning stuff yet... just dry research.

Tunercat can read and save your existing tune AFAIK. You can go back to that tune if you screw anything up. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Old Sep 8, 2005 | 01:09 AM
  #15  
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Re: What do I need to buy to use tunercat?

Originally Posted by Dave '97 Z28 M6
I haven't started playing with any of this tuning stuff yet... just dry research.

Tunercat can read and save your existing tune AFAIK. You can go back to that tune if you screw anything up. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.
yeah, just read PCM, save file as, then go about your tuning. Make sure to save your changes to a new file. not the original.
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