hope im in the right area..been leaning towards the tuning side of the field but i dont know where to start. a guy i know has the stuff hooked up to his laptop and he drives and tunes all his cars and stuff but i would most def rather have my own than ask to hold someones. but i am confused about what i need or even how it works. cops are about the only people ive seen drive and type lol so like...

what software do i need?
what hardware do i need?
does all tuning programs and devices work on all cars? EX: could i tune my 91 firebird AND then my girlfriends 93 mazda?
anything else i should know about this?

there isnt a dyno within 40miles of here, ive checked. plus, id rather learn myself than to run to a shop every time i wanna do something or change something..

 

Read the stickies in DIY Prom and above in DFI ECM. also if you are TBI see "free tune"
in TBI

dynamicefi.com has two tutorials called intro to tuning part 1 +2.