I have read programming proms part one and have spent some time reading posts and searching for editors and programmers on this board. I haven't got a clue,but I get the impression I may need a specific editor for an 8746 ECM

I had a "custom prom " done here in denver about a year ago and it works very well except for WOT. The guy never did get that right. I have done some more minor mods so I want to see If I could solve my WOT problem and maybe improve other areas as well.
What programmer should I get?
Can I use the win bin editor? I am confused about getting a bin for the 8746. Is the bin something that comes with the editor?

These are dumb questions, but I don't want to spend the money and not be able to get it to work .
Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks................bob

 

Bob,
From the way you are framing your questions, you don't yet know enough to start burning proms, so save the money on the programmer at present.

An editor is not ECM specific- it's not even GM or F*rd specific. It's just an easy way to change information in a binary file (bin). The bin is not something that comes with the editor, it is the thing the editor is used to edit. For ease of use in comparing and modifying bins, use Mangus's editor. For ease of understanding what you've done to a 3D table, use Winbin.

The way the editor knows how to find the location in the bin to change is with an ECU file. I explained how to do this in this post just recently.

While I couldn't find any 8746 info on Ludis's site, there is a section with a couple of 746 bins in the bin library and an 8746 ECU file by Jon Prevost who posts on this site on the ftp incoming site.

I can remember discussions on programmers at length earlier. Search some more, and post more specific questions.

John

 

A programmer is going to be a must sooner or later. If you have a custom prom now you could read it with the programmer and save the bin file (info stored on the prom) then download a stock bin from the FTP mentioned above (or see if someone has a stock bin for your vehicle) then open each with the editor and note the differences between the two. This will give you an idea of what the person did with your custom prom. After reading more here and asking questions of others ( Jon Prevost as mentioned above) and you'll start to get an understanding of what you are looking to do and how to go about it.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I printed out the prom burning article but realized it didn't print the whole thing. Now that I got the whole thing, I understand slightly better. I did down load win bin
and noticed along with others that there is no 8746 ecm available on that program. I saw that in a thread so I wondered how I could deal with that issue. Hence the question. Grumpy pointed out that tuner cat supports the 8746 and another thread told me to download J provosts 8746 file.. A big help.
you guys amaze me with this stuff. I also needed to know what stuff runs on what computer operating systems,so that had me more confused. Nothing worse than buying all this stuff and finding out its not turn key and its just the beginning, more time and possibly money searching for additional files, DOS boot discs or partitions.
The comments on the bin files were helpful. I have the stock chip as well as a cop lo5 chip so I got some base line. Thats helpful.

All this is basic for you guys, but noy so easy for an old 55 chevy guy like me.

Still trying to get a clue on this stuff. some day I will figure it out thanks..................bob

 

Bob,
Hang in there. Everyone starts off comprehensively confused, and the answers needed to get through the roadblocks to progress are often easy in hindsight.
Specific questions are easier to get answered on this board, and our grey hair is no impediment to progress

I think the operating systems tricks are in trying to get three kinds of software (scan tool, editor and PROM burner) to run on the same machine. I've got an old 486 desktop that runs a DOS burner, and on my Pentium III laptop I use Win98 to run GMECMEdit, Winbin and Winaldl. The scan tool interface can be a real trick as you've seen in some posts.

My suggestion to you is to choose a selection of the three software packages and nominate what cable, PC and operating system you think you should run, then post that and see what advice you get.

John

 

For the new guy, sticking with knowns are easiest.
might cost a few extra bucks, but at least you'll have a reference that most folks know, if you need advise.

The Pocket programmer, and Tunercat are both knowns.

Buy a few proms, and get a few spare prom holders, and away ya go.

The ironic part about the programming is about the time you think you know something, you figure something else out, and then have to rethink what it is you thought you knew.

Did you get the Tuning Tips from the DIY-EFI FTP site?.

They might be an aid.

 

Grumpy and john, thanks again!! You guys rock. The advice on the tuner cat and pocket programmer is really what I was looking for and the thought process on selecting a computer to run it on makes sense. After lots of coffee last night and early this morning I was comming to grumpy's conclusion.Your comments give me hope that my IQ hasn't declined to the point that I just need to go out and buy another 55 coup, 327 with double hump heads and a rock crusher 4 speed and continue to live in the past. LOL...it is tempting, BUT now ya got me interested. Bob enters the 80's at last.

Hope to see ya all out there and maybe even make a contribution...................bob