I am going to start my own tuning and have read and read (it honestly makes my head hurt...) because of my reading so much some things blend together and some I totally forget.

I want to be able to emulate, tuning on the fly is just too cool and sounds like it would make it much easier to tune.

Now I need to decide on what hardware to go with...I am fuzzy in some aspects of each but think I have the basics.

I don't have anything but a Moates adapter and ZIF (need ALDL cable defenitly).
I need something USB capable.
Are the PROMinator and Ostrich pretty much the same thing?

I was seriously thinking about the AutoProm package but the more I research the more the cheaper Ostrich sounds better. Being a Newbie but planning on getting decently serious with tuning what would be better?

Not having to deal with chips at all (except a backup...I guess I could get burned one time somewhere else) sounds very cool.

 

AP is more $ but you have everything in one piece.
Troubleshooting a particular area while emulating is great.
While nothing is pefect for all applications, it works well and doesn't have to stay with the car (unless I want to leave it there instead of a chip)
I <3 my AutoProm !

 

The AutoProm does sound great, but it is going to be about $75 more after all is said and done.
I figured I could pick up a USB ALDL cable and the Ostrich or PROMinator and when I finally get it right have a chip burned to put in the car or keep as a backup and save some cash for a Kirban AFPR...

 

I regularly use:
Moates Flash and Burn
Ostrich
Prominator
Just depends on what I'm doing that dictates which I'll use.

 

Since you're just starting out, quite honestly I'd put the purchase of an emulator off. Learn the basics first. Emulation can get you in trouble quickly.

So I would recommend starting with 2 things:

1) A chip burner (Moates BURN1 [Flash & Burn] is highly recommended)
2) An ALDL cable (various sources for these, including building your own)

Once you've burned a few dozen chips, have done a bunch of reading, and are comfortable with the general concepts of tuning, then get yourself the emulator of your choosing.

Just my $2.50.

M

 

That is always a choice as well, I just didn't want to spend a ton more getting all the pieces seperate.

I am a rookie so could you explain how emulation can cause more trouble? I was under the impression it would be easier because I can tune what I think it needs (one small thing at a time) then datalog at the same time. Totally eliminating many, many chip burns (while I know I will still burn quite a bit).

 

Having the ability to emulate might entice you to make numerous changes at once, or at least too close together to log or notice diferences. It will be easier to make bigger mistakes.

I would still opt for an emulator over chip burners and such. Its much more convenient if you can control yourself. I have very limited ECM tuning experience, but a very good (carbureted) tuning knowledge. Its not a bad idea to get a flash and burn, or even a willem programmer with a few flash chips to get you started. Start with a cable, and get it working with an adapter if you have to. You could be up and running for less than $100 for a homemade cable, adapter, Willem programmer and two flash chips.

 

I can control myself pretty well, just didn't want to make a mistake of not buying an emulator, having to take unnecessary amounts of time trying to tune it, then spending more getting an emulator seperate.

Im either going with Moates AutoProm package or a USB ALDL cable, the BURN 1 programmer, and a few chips (then maybe an emulator when money allows). I just didn't want to go with option two because of the extra money I'm spending in the long run.

...this ticket I just got yesterday defenitly put a hamper on the hardware purchasing as of now.

BTW, I tried to decipher all the schematics to build my own cable and just am not getting it. I would rather have a straight USB cable anyway (after I buy one and an adapter I will spend about the same as a direct USB ALDL cable).
But, if I could, I would rather build a cable cheap and get an adapter to save some cash.

 

I started off with TunerPro and the Moates Flash-n-Burn. That was pretty good, and I was able to do enough damage with that. I just recently installed my Prominator, which makes my Flash-n-Burn retired.

You can get by pretty good with chip-swapping.

 

Thanks for the input. I need to grab something to datalog with and because of finances I think I'm going to go with the flash and burn after I can find extra money for it. If I need to later I'll probably go with the ostrich but hopefully (if I can be patient enough) I'll be able to get by without an emulator...hopefully.