I cant see it costing around $200 to start tuning by burning eproms.
1 pocket prog =$150.00
2 Tuner cat =$70.00
3 T.D.F. editor =$20.00
4 Disassembler =$40.00
5 Check sum =$20.00
6,7,8,9 =$20x4=$80.00
Are these other tuning programs (1-9) required to modify the program?
What about the scanner? I thought U had to have one so that U can see what needs to be changed. Scanner=more $
I just dont see a way to properly burn chips for around 2-300 dollars. I posted about the specific parts needed earlier & all that was replied was check out Traxion post on Prom burning. I checked it out & now I'm more confused then ever!

If you want to get a little cheaper, then:
1) Pocket Programmer $150 (didn't it used to be less?)
2) WinBin Editor (Free)
3) ECU Definition File (Free)
4-9) Have no idea what you mean, not needed, $0
10) Flash PROMs, 2@$5=$10 will get you by
11) Scanning Software (Free, several choices)
12) Interface for ALDL ($5 homemade, $40 kit, $100 premade)
13) Bad luck number...
14) Modified Memcal to accept Flash Chips (homemade free or $40)

So, that's $150 + $10 + $5 + a couple hours work bare minimum, which shoots you in at $165.

If you want Bells & Whistles, add $90 for TunerCat and $100 for some fancier cables & such. Then you're closer to $350.

Hope this helps provide a more favorable perspective...
-Craig

6 comp bin =$20
7 mod bin =$20
8 S2 bin =$20
9 hex bin =$20
Do I need these other programs to start programming. All of these are options for the tuner cat product.

It easily costs under $200 as outlined by Craig. Nobody said that you HAVE to use TunerCat.

Tim

6 comp bin =$20
7 mod bin =$20
8 S2 bin =$20
9 hex bin =$20
Do I need these other programs to start programming. All of these are options for the tuner cat product.

I'm surprised you guys didn't answer this. The answer is NO. Those are add ons that let you change the source code and make your own definition files. I don't think there are any beginers that even have a clue on how to start with those. So to answer your question no you don't need those at all.
From what i have seen winbin is just a no frills version of tuner cat and I have no problem seeing how to program with it. Since it's free i'm all for it.

What you NEED if you want to run with Tunercat (I like it more);
Pocket programmer, TunerCat, and the proper tdf file. You don't need anything else, none of those other programs unless you're like me and you like to add to the tuning parameters to give you more options. This is why I use the TDF editor, but you don't need it, infact I didn't need it, I just wanted it since I have a complete hack of my ecm .
So figure it's $150 + $70 + $20 unless you have the 7747 TBI system which is included with the software.
$240 for all the bells and whisltes doesn't sound too bad to me.

I found TunerCat to be very limiting when programming my 7747 ECM. It just doesn't have much to offer. I have almost completed a FULL ecu file for WinBin. I'm using a hack I found on diy-efi for the locations and conversions.

Best of all WinBin = FREE. And in my case it does more.

Yeah, Tunercat has more variables in some ECMs than others.

Check his site and see what's listed for yours, make an informed decision before you buy.

For the '730 I love it. I haven't checked the '747 ECM as I don't have a TBI.

There are news programmers at eBay (about $ 80).

Then:

$165 - $150 + $80 = $95!!!!!!!.

(I use a programmer from my office = FREE. With this "save" I bought a Laptop IBM for $ 150).

All you need, is a programmer, and a couple chips.
Then look for a commented hac, and use the calculator on a Win machine to do the math.

I would suggest a ZIF and a spare memcal, and that gets you to right at $200.

Clever shopping can save you dough. Some stuff on eBAY is higher then list, so buyer beware.

Sorrry, I forgot the hex editor.

Or as mentioned Winbin, to replace the commented hac, and hex editor