Communicate with/reprogram computer on the fly? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

TrevorJ · 10-27-2009, 12:07 PM

I'm not sure what this is called/if it is possible but I think that on other car models I've heard of people running a constant interface between the car's computer and another device, be it laptop or PDA or something where they can load in new settings/modes on the fly and see real time info on the car's performance?

Has anybody done this? Is it possible to have a setup like this on an ongoing basis? I know you can get emulators, but I wasn't sure if that is something you don't want to be running long-term.

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Ronny · 10-27-2009, 02:34 PM

My Prominator had that ability. I since replaced with EBLFlash. I dont believe EBL supports that and maybe for good reason. I never saw a benefit regardless. I generally burn a .bin with minor changes in the morning and see how car drives that day. No way would I be a passanger with lappy in lap and doing multiple changes per minute. Maybe just the movies? More importantly I can review an hour of driving in my logs (EBL and WB) and come to conclusion as to what I may tweek. that is done at dining room table with a cold one at hand.

Six_Shooter · 10-27-2009, 08:00 PM

That is the premis behind an eprom emulator, to be able to change parameters on the fly.

This is how I tune friend's vehicles, drive around, change a few parameters, look at the results, keep changing until it's good. Repeat.

When I tune my own car, I will use datalogs and sometimes changing a couple things at a time, after driving around for a bit keeping an eye on what my datalogging dash is showing me. I make these changes after pulling over though.

Ward · 10-27-2009, 11:32 PM

Moates' Ostrich 2.0 will do it, and that's what I plan to do soon. I'm going to use the Ostrich as a permanent PROM replacement, so that I can plug in and change settings whenever I need to. I'm hoping to be able to mount it inside the stock ECM case, with just the USB port exposed, for a nice clean install.

http://www.moates.net/product_info.php?products_id=169

Edit: forgot to mention, that only covers the tuning part. You would also need an ALDL cable in order to actually see what the ECM is doing - sensor values, etc.