Okay I'm new here so I'm doing a TON of reading!!!
Of course I don't understand it all yet, but I will after a little time.
I want to tune and scan my engine's computer and I have a laptop but nothing else. I take it there is more than one way to do this Soooooo people please give me some options or opinions about how you chose to go about doing your scanning and tuning PLEASE
I am planning to make a lot of big mods to my car and even put together a bigger engine with parts my dad gave me.
OHHH and I want to get rid of both the VAT key stuff and the MAF sensor so SO far I know that much for sure.
nkay thanks

OH and I think this is a really cool section of the site by the way because you guys seem very intelligent. :yourock:

 

For starters you'll need a cable to hook the laptop to your car and scanning software. Check out this site http://moates.net/gmecm/index.html

Next you'll need a prom burner (chip programmer), there are several to choose from and range in price from $80 all the way up over $1k. and software to alter the program, again several to choose from ranging from free to over $100.

And to use all of that you'll need a prom chip to program and an adaptor of some kind to put it into your ECM. For that look here http://moates.net/gmecm/hworder.html

Vats disabling is a simple flag switch on the programming. Removing the MAF sensor is a bit more involved and not required, it will work just fine for applications approaching 500 RWHP.

Good luck with your project and keep reading up on the subject.

 

You'll also need tuning software to recalibrate the EPROM. I use Tunercat (www.tunercat.com) software. They just released the Real Time Tuner which is awesome. Basically, instead of burning a PROM, testing it out, making changes, burning another PROM, testing it out, making more changes, burning yet another PROM, etc, etc; you simply run the engine off of a PROM emulator (or simulator) that itself runs off of a laptop with the R.T. Tuner software. You make the changes one time, then burn a chip and you're done. At the Tunercat site, they'll tell you everything you need to get to do this.

 

Morley did say, "and software to alter the program, again several to choose from ranging from free to over $100."

IMHO, the best way to start is slowly and cheap. That means with a scan tool to see what the process of data gathering is like, learning what parameters aren't "correct".

Then download GMECM Edit, or Winbin (both of which are free) and locate the right ECU file for your the .bin you're using. Try to understand what you want to change, then ask some questions here.

Then buy a PP II and change the parameters you want and take notes about the impact of the changes. Before you do any of this, read Grumpy's Tuning 101 and Traxion's Promintro. When you know enough to be really dangerous, then you'll want a WB, a Romulator and Tunercat RT. Or maybe a Moates AutoProm

My $0.02 worth.

John