Hey fellas. I've been doing a bit of reading on the boards for information on programming on the different OBD PCMs. First of all, what does PCM even stand for, and is it the same as an ECU? (what does that mean as well?) Alright, anyways, I have a 1996, so it has OBD II. Now I know that Tunercat will work only with OBD I, but LT1 Edit will work for OBD II. So am I right in assuming that I have two options available, either A) Spend a bit more and get LT1 Edit, or B) Do a conversion to OBD I via pcmforless or madwolf, then purchase the Tunercat? Basically what my primary question is, is if I do an OBD I conversion will I be able to use Tunercat on it just as if it was an OBD I to start with? Thanks a lot guys!

 

PCM means Powertrain Control Module
ECU means Engine Control Unit

ECU is synonim with ECM (Engine Control Module)

PCM controls both engine and transmission while the ECM/ECU controls the engine only. 94-97 F-bodies have PCMs and the 93 has an ECM.

You are correct about tunercat working on OBDI only. At least for now. You are also correct about being able to use Tunercat on the conversion PCM.

Besides the options you already mentioned, you also have another option of getting your OBDII programmed instead. I offer this service for $125 + shipping which is cheaper than the OBDI conversion.

 

Thanks for the quick reply Madwolf. Now with a reprogramming, that would not give me the ability to change anything as modifications were added, correct? If I want that ability, would I have to purchase the total conversion (is that what you offer for around 200+?) and Tunercat? And when you say that the OBD II programmer isn't out *yet*, do you mean that it may be released soon? Thanks!

 

Yes, you would not be able to update the programming yourself with the OBDII programming. (unless you were to buy OBDII editing software like lt1_edit)
If you were to buy the OBDI conversion kit and Tunercat, then you could change the settings yourself.

Tunercat is currently working on implementing OBDII editing but last time I checked they were a few months behind. It could be released in a month or two, could be a year. Who knows... There's also no estimated prices yet.

 

Great! And that $225 kit that you have on your web page is what would be needed for the conversion? Anything else necessary? Thanks again for your help!

 

Yes, that is all that's needed. Take out your OBDII, install the modified OBDI and you're ready to go.