I currently use Tunercat on my '92 TPI and Buick turbo motors which have to use non-flash eproms that must be burned.
What do I need in order to use Tunercat with my '95 LT1 engine with flash programmable memory so I don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for LT1 edit?
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I know I need to $EE def file, and I have a cable already that I use for scanning using DataMaster for the ODBII connector thats on the '95 although the '95 is ODB1.
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The function I currently use in Tunercat do not do any uploading or downloading from the chip, that must be done with the prom reader/burner for the old style chips.
Does Tunercat do this for LT1's and is it VIN specific like LT1 edit?

 

Well, your in luck, because Tunercat isn't VIN locked, so all you really need is a couple things. First, you need the $EE def file, you already know that. Second, I do not believe the DataMaster cable will work with the flash reader/programmer programs that exist, so you will probably need a new cable from www.akmcables.com (check this first, I do not know this for sure and there is no sense in buying another cable if the one you has works). Last, get the Tunercat FLASH reader/programmer program at their site, they have one for DOS and one for WIN (I recommend using the DOS version, the WIN version is still beta and not fully tested yet). To read or program the PCM you just hook your cable to the ALDL connector, plug it into the serial port on your computer, and use the flash programs to either read or program. No taking apart the PCM, no chips to burn. Although I do recommend socketing the PCM so the flash chips can easily be removed and reprogrammed in case they get corrupted. It's very common to have an error during programming and the chips then become corrupted and you can't start the car. But if you have stuff for burning EPROMs, you might have the stuff for reprogramming flash chips. It's just something to think about.

 

Thanks for the info DM. The cable I have I got from Andrew for the DataMaster, I'll check with him.
As far as socketing the PCM, you mean pull the flash chip out and install something like a ZIF socket so I can pull it out easy to reprogram using something like my Pocket Programmer I currently use to program it directly like the "old style" chips?
My Pocket Progmr will do some Flash chip I know, not sure which ones.
Does anyone have a chip or chip model# for the '95 LT1's and I can check?
Thanks

 

Yep, you got it right on. A couple of ZIF sockets for the flash chips and you'll be good to go (sounds like you know what your talking about so I don't need to explain anything to ya). I'm about to buy a pocket programmer myself, so that'll work great if you corrupt your flash chips. It already happened to me, I'm in the process of doing a socketing to my old PCM, if I could only find my hi-temp soldering gun! Go to digikey and pick up a couple of ZIF sockets, number is ED800009-ND. It's like $12 shipped for the 2 of them. The flash chip model # is AN28F512, but I haven't been able to find a place that carries them yet. If you do, let me know. Oh, and if you got the cable from Andrew, it'll work fine. There another program out there with its own cable that won't work with anything but that program, can't remember the name right now, but I obviously confused it with DataMaster.

 

Cool, looks like the Pocket PrgmrII can do the 28F512 flash eproms. I found the reader and prgmr programs on the TC website.
I take it the factory flash eprom is soldered into the PCM circuit board and was not meant to be removed since I would need the ZIF socket. I have not looked at it yet as I'm just in the planning stages of doing this...actually thinking of putting a '95 LT1 in my truck and replacing the TPI ..my wife won't let me dittle with her '95 LT1 TA....
So the flash eproms can be pulled out and programmed/burned just like the older eproms if they get corrupted?
Thanks for the info.

 

Yeah, it's soldered on there good. I used to have a good solder gun with 3 different temp settings, but I can't find it now and my soldering wand doesn't heat up enough to desolder it. It shouldn't be hard to remove for anyone who knows how to use a solder gun. Yeah, you can reprogram the EEPROM flash chips, and you don't even need to UV erase them. That's why I'm getting a pocket programmer and socketing the PCM. I read somewhere that every time you program you have a 1 in 10 chance for having something go wrong and the flash chip will be corrupted. For me it was 1 in 3 when my original PCM was fried. I was not happy. Had to wait 3 days for the new one to come in and it cost me $90. An LT1 truck, eh? Sounds fun!

 

Thanks DM. I guess I've been using the same kind of flash chip in my TPI because I replaced the UV erasable one with one that I can just reprogram over with the Pocket Programmer. It was a direct replacement chip but I can't reprogram it via the ALDL link like the LT1's, guess thats because the ECM wasn't designed that way.
You've been a great help on this!

 

No problem. I've been playing with electronics since I was 8, so it didn't take too much to apply myself to learning about PCMs. I'm on my way to OBDII soon, maybe thinking about other PCMs beside GM too. You should see how many computers and circuit boards I've got laying around here!

 

Are remanufactured PCM ziff socketed????

Thanks

 

If you are talking about remans from GM, I don't believe so. All GM has to do is clear it with one of their tech tools and reprogram, they don't need to bother doing what we have to do. I'd personally love to get my hands on a Tech2 tool, but they are extremely expensive. We're talking in the $1000-$2000 range, last time I looked. There's a guy that does PCM socketing and reflashing for $55 if you need to have it done to your PCM and don't think you have the knowledge to do it. I don't remember his addy or anything, anyone else got this? He says it only takes about a week or 2 for turnaround on it.

 

If you bad flash a PCM how are they going to clear it with a techtool?

 

I have a 1996 Camaro Z28 and i am getting a laptop and i wanted to know does Turnercat have something like LT1 Edit.