This is the new device from Xtronics:

http://www.xtronics.com/memory/romutator.htm

I called Xtronics and they backed the claims on the website that this is a stand-alone device designed especially for EFI guys to use as an emulator. The device will allow changes while the car is running (real-time) and there are many 3rd party software people writing software as we speak. They also said that the EPROM emulator that they have for sale for $89.99 has had obvious problems and this new device is very stable and reliable.

I then emailed Tunercat and they said that they are about 2 months out from having a version of TC that will make the changes into the device directly! Right now, I will have to make the changes in TC, save the BIN, then import it into the software that comes with the Romulator.

For $179.99, I placed my order today. With my laptop and Moates Software, plus this...I hope that finally tuning will be easier and cheaper with real-time access changes.

Take a look and see what you think.

 

Wow, that sounds like a nice setup, would be nice to have for AE and maybe PE and some other small things that are hard to tune for when having to stop the car all of the time. Probly wouldn't help on the VE much though.

 

I wonder if I can trade my $89 one in on it?.

It would be nice no doubt, but they claimed the same thing for the second version, and that was a failure.

I sure hope it works, for $179 if it does, that ain't a bad price.

 

Yeah Grumpy, I almost bought the $89 version myself in Jan/Feb, but decided to wait based on the comments I had seen on it's reliability.

IF it lives up to its claims, then it should be great...but I am wary due to the low cost and high marketing claims

I am cautiously optimistic though...

Also, I had looked into using the Holley Commander 950 computer, but decided against it because it won't work with my electronic speedo and won't control the TCC. This device and a possible switch to SD coming up...Hmmm...the possibilities abound.

 

What is it exactly that this does?

 

Stockbroker alert!

j/k... If you get it, be sure to post about your experience. I'm curious as well.

 

This device is an eprom emulator which, in effect, acts like an EPROM. The idea is that instead of burning a new chip for tuning, just import the BIN into the emulator and it connects to the ECM. This means that you can do multiple revisions to the BIN, then upload it on the fly into the Emulator. This new one has a provision to connect to the 12V system in the car for battery backup. So as long as there is power at the battery, the Emulator will retain the Bin image and the should run ok...

Hopefully, it will work...

 

So basically it eliminates the need of an EPROM?

 

Not really,
they are designed as a developement tool, as I understand things. I wouldn't trust a street driven car to run full time on it. Static electricity, an A/C dump from the alternator, and depending on interior temp can mess with one.

 

looks like a good inexspensive tuning tool for finalizing yr tune. gonna have to give it a try. really helpful for the Maf guys out there !

 

Well,
drumming fingers.

Ya get it yet?.

The suspense is killin.............

 

I haven't received it yet...but I had selected only standard shipping...I am sure it will be here by the end of the week. I will for sure try it this weekend...

Sorry for the wait...I will call and harass UPS

 

Sounds like a nice little piece. Too bad it couldn't be a single unit, like a Flash Prom in parallel with SRAM. That way you could upload the BIN to the RAM, switch to it on the chip enable edge, flash the Flash Prom, and then switch back. By that time you'd likely not be ready to edit again yet. And when the unit powers down (weaned from the COM port), it could default to the Flash Prom.

Heck, it could even be a two-piece deal. One piece stays in the car with the Flash Prom, and the other piece attaches via ribbon cable to the Flash assembly and the PC. Closest thing I can think of to in-system reprogramming. This would be emulation not in the truest sense, but kind of a transient register-shifting flash updating.

I wonder if it is addressable, so that you can only program the memory banks required for program update? If so, that would keep one from having to dump the entire BIN to the chip array, just send the updated byte pages.

Just some thoughts...

-Craig

 

You can get that tracking number.I hope it works but you'll have to wait for tc to make the software.From what I understand right now you can inport the modded bin to the buffer.Thats just like swapping chips.I'll throw my money down if tc has a REALTIME tuner type software.It better not be another million for tunercats software.Otherwise my fat hand will be reaching for an ecm every change.If it works then I'll be like:hail: if it don't then it's

 

Did you get it?

 

did you get it yet ????

 

Yeah, I received it...and it appears to work...although my testing was limited to the fact that my tranny is completely gone now.

The only downside I see is that there is no apparant external batt source for backup. I would like to keep it in the car and leave it there for a while (this is my 2nd car) for testing...and it specifically states on the website that there is a backup batt feed...but I sure don't see it and the instructions say only 12 hours for the capacitor backup...

The software program seems to easily import the Bin file though and is easy to use.

I left a message at Xtronics and will post their response.

 

good it works that makes life simpler.

 

So can this unit totally replace the pocket programmers?

 

NO,
you want to do your code changes with it, and verify things are correct, but then burn a regular prom for daily use.
having an emulator sneeze in traffic, ain't a good thing. As I recall they say for developement work.

 

More toys and here I am still trying to justify spending the $$ on the DIY-WB project. I finally recieved the parts but I didn't know if I'd ever get them so I never ordered any more boards after the 2 I got were sent to the wrong addy (my fault).
Anybody have an extra board, please personal message me, I'd really appreciate it.

 

You Got that Quote backwards.

 

Depends on who it's quoting. Kurt Russell was out of gum, Crow was out of ***.

 

So what's the update on this unit? How's it working out?

 

The heads and intake are off of the car right now...and the trans will be out in the next week. I don't anticipate getting it back on the road before the end of September.

Sorry, but that is all I have right now...

 

Well I just happen to live in Lawrence KS where this place is based and I just happen to be going down there tomarrow to talk to them.
I never did see if it would work in my 91 pickup.
I'll check the board before I go. Any questions?

 

Well the address they give is a house. I called the number and they will be closed till Aug 15. So till then, keep us posted.

 

TTT...So what's the update on this unit? How's it working out?
Any news about the tunercat software?

 

Got one last week, and it didn't work correctly. I sent it back on Monday (OK, Tuesday - Monday was a Government holiday) for inspection. I'll let y'al know how it turns out.

 

11/21 update: George at XTronics has my unit, and apparently I'm not alone with the problem. He has an ECU he's working with to sort it out. When I asked him what ECU it is, he didn't know. He read the last three digits, it was "330". I have a 727. Apparently, the ROMulator is not ready for prime time on just any old ECU. He thought he'd need at least another week to sort it out. Unfortunately, it started snowing here in Michigan, so tuning efforts will be delayed until March-ish. It's a sad day in emulator world!