Hi, I don't know if this is the right place for this, maybe electronics would have been good too. Anyways, I plan on soon getting a laptop computer (for school)....I still have a lot to learn about how these things are different than a normal computer. My question is this: will I be able to use this thing in any way on my car? Car is an '89 IROC-Z 350 TPI. What is out there on the market as far as programs go to tune/diagnose the computer? Could I get something that plugs into the computer, and then on the other end to my diagnostic port? Who sells this kind of stuff? Basically I'd like to know what, if any, is out there that I can use with my new laptop to tune my car. Thanks.

 

Anybody?

 

you have a few choices but very limited.

a popular program to use for datalog and slight changes is an autotap. however they are only good for OBDII computers.

our thirdgen computers use an OBDI computer which means that you can only monitor the info as the chip itself controls the parameters. for how to use a laptop to burn chips you'll have to check that out in another section.

for the laptop itself and OBDI computers one of the best programs i've been able to use and now have is called a datamaster. the cheapest i've found it for was 225 for the program and cable itself. there are a few other cheaper programs that don't work quite as nice but they do the trick.

the nicest part of the datamaster is it's one of the few that works in windows so you get nice graphics to go along with it all that make it easier to work with. some of the other programs out there that are free or cheaper work in dos mode so that all you see is numbers. all will do roughly the same trick but the datamaster is definately nicer.

regardless of which, the only true way you will be able to tune and change things on the fly is if you go DFI. now if you go this route you will be able to have a similar program to that of datamaster but with even more tuning parameters then a autotap. these programs are alot more expensive and require removal of your stock computer but they add more range to your tunning and if you can do it the setup can make your car run alot better then a stock computer with custom chip. I plan to go DFI very soon here.

good luck.

 

You should really be searching through the diy prom sections and posting there. The guys have really thought of cost effective solutions rather than going towards expensive aftermarket systems. The guys in there have pretty much got programming on the fly with the stock ecm but it requires a lot of reading and understanding what you need and how it works. They make free utilities and of course pay for type software like datamaster to scan from your notebook. For the money you save in the diy section it may be worth it to you to figure it out. I have even built my own cable for under 10 dollars that patches me to a notebook so i can scan my computer. I also have invested in a chip burner to burn my own chips. And some of the software thats available makes tuning a breeze. You should also go to the TTS datamaster site to see what kind of stuff they have available. Also check out the tuner cat site as they have some innovative tuning software.

 

Thanks for the help guys. Like I said in my original post, I wasn't sure if this was the best place to post my question....electronics could have worked too I guess. As for the programs go, am I limited to this one "TTS Datamaster"? Oh, and I don't want to convert to DFI. Will this program just install in my computer, then all I need is a wire, now will this wire go to my diagnostic port? And what all can this program do for me? Thanks.

 

the datamaster can show you just about everything your engine is doing if you set it up to do so. it is an excellent scan program.

but, it's just that...........you cannot change a single thing about any of the parameters. it's an excellent tool to send you in the right direction but it cannot correct problems at all. it is nothing like an autotap for the obdII nor a dfi. it's simply a window that allows you to view what's going on which in itself is pretty helpful.

however, consider the price of the software as well as the price of a well burned chip or even the equipment to do it yourself.

at the most you'll save 400 over a dfi and then you won't be able to tune on the fly. the best thing about dfi is that you can adjust while on the go rather then having to work with chips, but you pay for that kind of play.

good luck.

 

When I was on their website, I noticed they don't make a program for third gen, looks like only for 4th gens with the 5.7.

 

which site?

 

www.ttspowersystems.com

 

look harder its there.

 

Yeah, I finally found it, it's under the beta section. Thanks.

 

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