OK. lets see if I finally have a grip on the idea between converting to using a Prominator along with Tunerpro RT, the whole process and it's components. I'm in the middle of a TBI to TPI swap with a big cam 230/236 in a 1993 Caprice wagon (Shammoo) with a 5.7L motor

I have Tunerpro RT on my computer and just ordered a Prominator, adapter and Rad-E from MR Bill (Bill, the checks in the mail)

PLEASE correct or clarify my misunderstanding if I am in error.

If I understand the intigration of hardware and software process properly If Mr bill is able to preload a .bin file ( I sent two actually) supplied by one of our fellow members, into the memory of the prominator, I will be able to select either using the RAD-E dial. There will be six unused locations left to load into as I tune up or more likely...screw up.

When it comes, I attach it to my 730ECM motherboard via the Moates adapter, then using the $8D mask set up in Tunerpro RT (latest version) I will need a laptop with windows XP on it. To be able to monitor ALDL activity, I'll use the serial cable connection to my computer, but to actually rewrite the .bin file I'll need to use a parallel printer port connection. This will allow me to help me monitor, then replay whats going on in the BLM boxes.

When I figure out how/where to find it, from the number given in the BLM "data point box" (if there is such a place), I'll be able to relatively compare by percentage, that box number to "128" to denote rich or lean status at that data point. I'll be able to change the corresponding VE table for that given RPM vs LOAD combination, and continue this log/compute/change process until the engine actually runs for the first time in 18 months.

Currently, due to the big cam (230/236) and 32lb/hr injectors, the car will start plug fouling IMMEDIATELY from the poor vacuum signal created by the cam. In theory with the PROM/tuner combo, I might actually keep it running for more than a minute before it fouls out again, hopefully to be able to drive it, instead of having a 1993 vintage, 5100lb paperweight in the Driveway!

HELP me, Kick me, correct me... you get the idea. Please respond.

 

Hope the sheep are helping you with your tuning nightmares, good luck man.

 

So this is where you been hidin'! THe sheep are'nt helping any, one told me to put everything bbaaaaack the way it was.

The lamb chops were good and the wool sweater was handy during winter.

 

I'm not so sure about hidin' but I have slowly been picking up this tuning thing. DIY tuning is the only way to go in my situation, no one tunes b-body TBIs besides those crap mail order chips. It is real nice to just sit down and casually work on my car from my room.

 

That's pretty much it. The "adapter" will be part of the assembly...just plug it in, attach the original MEMCAL, and off you go. You can switch between the two pre-loaded images with the RAD-E at will, and yes that leaves you 6 to play with.

Should have your unit ready this weekend.

Make sure you go to www.speedtronics.net and download the software, or if you're using Tunerpro that has Prominator support built in.

 

On the issue of support for the prominator within the Tunerpro RT software...

When I looked for any specific notes related, by putting prominator in the "help" search box, nothing showed up, That suprized me, anticipating a note or some form of acknowledgement that support existed within the programming.

I had downloaded the tunerpro software recently within the past few weeks, and it seemed to include the latest revisions.

BIll, I'll be looking forward to receiving it. Thank you for the additional courtesy of uploading the two files into it as well. It's very kind of you!


Alvin at PCMforless.com is currently (as soon as the package gets there) burning a base program into an old Memcal for me as well. Will I still have access to the original program on the Memcal as one of the remaining open memory files? Or is it strictly bypassed? I'd like to be able to compare all three in Tunerpro as part of the educational process.
.

 

If I understand your question....

With the Prominator installed the EPROM on the MEMCAL is completely bypassed...the ECM gets data from the Flash ROM on the Prominator. You would need to get a copy of that file (or read it from the MEMCAL) and upload it to one of the Prominator positions (using the RAD switch). Or, you would need to remove the Prominator and plug the MEMCAL back into the ECM directly (nice thing about those later ECMs).

 

Yes, you understood the question correctly.

So the .bin file of the original memcal is not directly accessable with the Prominator in place. Before the Prominator is in place I could read (upload) the original into Tunerpro, and save it. Compare, then if desired, after installing the Prominator I can download the original file back into an open "slot".

Alternatively if Alvin sends me an Email with the original .bin, I just open it up in the software, have a few beers, compare it to my hearts content, and if desired, reload as per above.


During comparison, is there a particular beer you'd recommend?

 

Sorry about lack of Prominator "mention" in the TunerPro help file. I hate writing the help, so it's way outdated. The support is there. In the absolute latest build of TunerPro you have to enable Prominator support in the preferences menu (ALDL/Emu) then re-start the program for the Prominator to be detected.

Latest build is here: Index of /beta/Builds

 

In Tunerpro, under preferences, in ALDL/emulation, interface, first box, I see three poosible choices. Do I choose " max32", AutoProm or translator pro? Once again there is nothing thatsays Prominator by direct name.

I would have chosen AutoProm, given the choices presented. Thanks again

 

Take a closer look. The settings you mention are the ALDL interface types. Not the emulation hardware types.

In the build I link to in a post above, you'll see a check box to enable Prominator detection.

 

'Detect hardware at setup".... found it. Thanks again.


(no comment on the choice of beers?)

 

No, not that one. The "Enable Prominator Support" just under it.

Again, I'm talking about the build here:
Index of /beta/Builds

 

I finally caught on to your reference of "the build here".

It took awhile but I realized you were referring to a link that I was not using. Once I hit "Index of/ Beta/ builds" it took me to the beta update site. I kept using the.." help > internet updates" within TunerPro, and it kept telling me I have the latest version already. Needless to say the Prominator support box wasn't showing up that way, hence my misunderstanding.

After going to the beta builds link, and downloading the file... the Prominator support box finally showed up. YEEPEE!

Hopefully others yet to come, will follow this procedure better as well, now that I've acknowledged my own errors in understanding the directions.

Once again my sincere thanks.