***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
This is meant as more of a hand holding how-to for people very new to tuning.
Feel free to ask questions and post your information or additions for me to edit in. This will be a work in progress. Mostly a framework for now.
This is a guide, use at your own risk. I assume no liability in writing this. Again, use at your own risk. These are suggestions.
This is intended for ThirdGen cars. For now it's limited to mostly TPI, but can give you the idea on all.
Basic Simple changes (no datalogging) setup
Prom Burner
laptop
prom adapter
proms
tunerpro RT v5
Basic Tuning setup (Same as above plus)
ALDL Cable
"Full" Tuning setup (Same as above plus)
Wideband o2 sensor plus a way to log the sensor data. (not in this how-to)
Equipment:
ALDL cable; Needed to datalog.
aldl cable USB or serial connector, 12 pin obd1 connector.
Where to buy: http://aldlcables.com/ $59 or http://www.Moates.net $80
Laptop/Netbook;
Pretty much any windows based pc from the last 10 years will work. Make sure the battery is good! You don't want it dying in the middle of logging or incapable or doing it. I use an acer netbook with the 3 cell battery and it lasts me 4 solid datalogs and editing in between at the track.
PromBurner; This reads and writes to PROMs.
Moates.net Burn2:
http://www.moates.net/burn2-chip-pro....html?cPath=64
$85
OR
Amazon:
Prom Adapter WITH 2 Proms; This snaps into your ECM where your stock Memcal was. The memcal directly plugs into this and with the 2 proms that come in this package you program them and connect to the same adapter (only one at a time). This is the easiest way, though there are other ways.
moates.net
http://www.moates.net/gp1-package-gm....html?cPath=64
$55
Software:
Tuning Software;For Changing the actual tune.
Tunerpro RT
Where to buy: Http://www.TunerPro.net $Free, $30 to eliminate 10 second delay window
Datalogging Recording car data while running to watch tune actually run in car.
Tunerpro RT
Where to buy: http://www.Tunerpro.net Free, $30 to eliminate 10 second delay window at startup. PAY FOR IT.
OR
TTS datamaster
Where to buy: http://www.ttspowersystems.com/DataMaster.html $119
Tunerpro Needs:
BIN file - This is your tune file.
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...ull=1#post2738
Def files:
XDF file - This is the file that tells tunerpro the tables of your bin.
ADS/ADX file - This is the file that tells tunerpro how to datalog.
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...ull=1#post2737
Google which bin is for your car.
Extras
Wideband O2 sensor For recording actual air/fuel ratio.
Innovate lc-2
Where to buy: http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lc2.php $189 OR I found on eBay Price: $160
Or whichever wideband you prefer. A wideband setup is ideal to monitor actual Air/fuel for fine tuning fueling. It is NOT advised to tune your fueling without one, though it can be done to an extent. Make sure you can datalog the wideband with RPM as this is important.
MORE info: Read through this STICKY and it'll help answer more questions.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...uide-book.html
Feel free to ask questions and post your information or additions for me to edit in. This will be a work in progress. Mostly a framework for now.
This is a guide, use at your own risk. I assume no liability in writing this. Again, use at your own risk. These are suggestions.
This is intended for ThirdGen cars. For now it's limited to mostly TPI, but can give you the idea on all.
Basic Simple changes (no datalogging) setup
Prom Burner
laptop
prom adapter
proms
tunerpro RT v5
Basic Tuning setup (Same as above plus)
ALDL Cable
"Full" Tuning setup (Same as above plus)
Wideband o2 sensor plus a way to log the sensor data. (not in this how-to)
Equipment:
ALDL cable; Needed to datalog.
aldl cable USB or serial connector, 12 pin obd1 connector.
Where to buy: http://aldlcables.com/ $59 or http://www.Moates.net $80
Laptop/Netbook;
Pretty much any windows based pc from the last 10 years will work. Make sure the battery is good! You don't want it dying in the middle of logging or incapable or doing it. I use an acer netbook with the 3 cell battery and it lasts me 4 solid datalogs and editing in between at the track.
PromBurner; This reads and writes to PROMs.
Moates.net Burn2:
http://www.moates.net/burn2-chip-pro....html?cPath=64
$85
OR
Amazon:
Signstek Universal USB MiniPro EEPROM FLASH BIOS Programmer AVR GAL PIC SPI Support 40 Pin: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
$55Prom Adapter WITH 2 Proms; This snaps into your ECM where your stock Memcal was. The memcal directly plugs into this and with the 2 proms that come in this package you program them and connect to the same adapter (only one at a time). This is the easiest way, though there are other ways.
moates.net
http://www.moates.net/gp1-package-gm....html?cPath=64
$55
Software:
Tuning Software;For Changing the actual tune.
Tunerpro RT
Where to buy: Http://www.TunerPro.net $Free, $30 to eliminate 10 second delay window
Datalogging Recording car data while running to watch tune actually run in car.
Tunerpro RT
Where to buy: http://www.Tunerpro.net Free, $30 to eliminate 10 second delay window at startup. PAY FOR IT.
OR
TTS datamaster
Where to buy: http://www.ttspowersystems.com/DataMaster.html $119
Tunerpro Needs:
BIN file - This is your tune file.
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...ull=1#post2738
Def files:
XDF file - This is the file that tells tunerpro the tables of your bin.
ADS/ADX file - This is the file that tells tunerpro how to datalog.
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...ull=1#post2737
Google which bin is for your car.
Extras
Wideband O2 sensor For recording actual air/fuel ratio.
Innovate lc-2
Where to buy: http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/lc2.php $189 OR I found on eBay Price: $160
Or whichever wideband you prefer. A wideband setup is ideal to monitor actual Air/fuel for fine tuning fueling. It is NOT advised to tune your fueling without one, though it can be done to an extent. Make sure you can datalog the wideband with RPM as this is important.
MORE info: Read through this STICKY and it'll help answer more questions.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...uide-book.html
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 06-01-2016 at 01:05 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning.
TunerPro Set up.
Install tuner pro from tunerpro.net
Open application.
Pay for the application! Or wait for the countdown to finish and click continue.
From Menus at top: XDF -> Select XDF.
Then find your downloaded XDF file and select it.
From Menus at top: File -> Open Bin.
Then find your downloaded BIN file and select it.
From Menus at top: Acquisition -> Load Definition file.
Then find your downloaded ADS or ADX file and select it.
This should automatically load every time you open tunerpro now.
You should now be able to "tune" your stock bin file and save to a new bin file to program to a prom.
When saving .bins it is best to either date them or come up with a way to trace versions easily in case you need to revert to a previous file. This happens to even the best tuner in the world so make sure you keep a log of changes and have versions you can keep track of.
Datalogging:
ALDL cable drivers
http://support.moates.net/troublesho...-installation/
Driver Troubleshooting
http://support.moates.net/usb-driver...eshooting-101/
What I found was needed to datalog:
RESTART COMPUTER after driver install.
In this order works for me every time:
Open Tunerpro.
Plug in cable to computer.
Plug in cable to car.
Turn key to on.
Check to see if communicating at bottom of window.
If using the amazon Prom Burner here's a screenshot of some settings to get you started.
Install tuner pro from tunerpro.net
Open application.
Pay for the application! Or wait for the countdown to finish and click continue.
From Menus at top: XDF -> Select XDF.
Then find your downloaded XDF file and select it.
From Menus at top: File -> Open Bin.
Then find your downloaded BIN file and select it.
From Menus at top: Acquisition -> Load Definition file.
Then find your downloaded ADS or ADX file and select it.
This should automatically load every time you open tunerpro now.
You should now be able to "tune" your stock bin file and save to a new bin file to program to a prom.
When saving .bins it is best to either date them or come up with a way to trace versions easily in case you need to revert to a previous file. This happens to even the best tuner in the world so make sure you keep a log of changes and have versions you can keep track of.
Datalogging:
ALDL cable drivers
http://support.moates.net/troublesho...-installation/
Driver Troubleshooting
http://support.moates.net/usb-driver...eshooting-101/
What I found was needed to datalog:
RESTART COMPUTER after driver install.
In this order works for me every time:
Open Tunerpro.
Plug in cable to computer.
Plug in cable to car.
Turn key to on.
Check to see if communicating at bottom of window.
If using the amazon Prom Burner here's a screenshot of some settings to get you started.
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; 03-24-2016 at 07:06 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: L31-R 350 w/ EBL P4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
I'm going to be watching this like a Hawk. Most of the other PROM info is so old and out of date many of the links no longer work or reference old programs.
#5
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Hello Vanilla Ice
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, I am in the process of assembling my tool list to get started.
In the Moates site they list the "Ostrich, 2.0 unit" as a recommended purchase, can you give me your opinion on emulators and if they are really worth the cost ($175 Moates) and how exactly would it help a beginner?
Your input please
Regards
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, I am in the process of assembling my tool list to get started.
In the Moates site they list the "Ostrich, 2.0 unit" as a recommended purchase, can you give me your opinion on emulators and if they are really worth the cost ($175 Moates) and how exactly would it help a beginner?
Your input please
Regards
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Hello Vanilla Ice
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, I am in the process of assembling my tool list to get started.
In the Moates site they list the "Ostrich, 2.0 unit" as a recommended purchase, can you give me your opinion on emulators and if they are really worth the cost ($175 Moates) and how exactly would it help a beginner?
Your input please
Regards
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, I am in the process of assembling my tool list to get started.
In the Moates site they list the "Ostrich, 2.0 unit" as a recommended purchase, can you give me your opinion on emulators and if they are really worth the cost ($175 Moates) and how exactly would it help a beginner?
Your input please
Regards
Trending Topics
#12
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Salem,Oregon.
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: '74 Firebird, '84 vette
Engine: 454 twin turbo, 350 HSR
Transmission: 4L80E, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9", Dana36
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
I use that burner too (the mini-pro). It works great for me. What I like about it compared to something like a burn2 is that its a general purpose chipe burner, so you can do all sorts of other things with it. Even program microcontrollers like Pic's and such.
All i do is save my .bin file while working in tunerpro, and then switch to the mini-pro program and load the bin and then burn it. Couple extra clicks, not quite as convenient as being able to control it through tunerpro directly, but no big deal at all really.
All i do is save my .bin file while working in tunerpro, and then switch to the mini-pro program and load the bin and then burn it. Couple extra clicks, not quite as convenient as being able to control it through tunerpro directly, but no big deal at all really.
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Browns Town
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: chambersburg͵ pa
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Iroc. 12.60@ 107. 1.72 60'
Engine: 350 paxton sn93 36lbs injectors
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9in. 390s
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3935&gclid=CJniiLOEy8wCFRCOaQodytEHKA Take a look here, I'm not sure if it would work as an emulator for our cars but seems like it would by reading chip sizes.
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
You should start a new thread. This is not the place to post questions that don't pertain to the op.
#23
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
For reference to those of us getting into tuning and datalogging, is there a place in Tuner pro Rt 5 to set a higher sample rate?
During my initial tests the sample rate at the bottom of the screen is only 0.7 Hz
During my initial tests the sample rate at the bottom of the screen is only 0.7 Hz
#24
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
#25
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Trying to gather data on a start and stall issue...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...ts-stalls.html
I only get 1 data point while the car is running and was hoping to see more to help diagnose the problem.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...ts-stalls.html
I only get 1 data point while the car is running and was hoping to see more to help diagnose the problem.
#26
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Trying to gather data on a start and stall issue...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...ts-stalls.html
I only get 1 data point while the car is running and was hoping to see more to help diagnose the problem.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...ts-stalls.html
I only get 1 data point while the car is running and was hoping to see more to help diagnose the problem.
Ultm8z@yahoo.com
I know the feeling with problems that make you want to pull your hair out...
#27
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,400
Likes: 0
Received 215 Likes
on
201 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
RBob.
#28
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
I browsed through the thread... If you want, I can take a look at your data and see if I can see anything...
Ultm8z@yahoo.com
I know the feeling with problems that make you want to pull your hair out...
Ultm8z@yahoo.com
I know the feeling with problems that make you want to pull your hair out...
#30
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
I am new to tuning and will be doing more of it.
I would like to request from the group, once you have connected to the ECM and are datalogging / seeing data in realtime, what are the key stats that should be expected? Hopefully by knowing these a good baseline / good sensor operation can be determined before proceeding. Things like
* start in open loop / move to closed loop / in-out of closed loop normal?
* engine temp (duh)
* RPM (duh)
* sample rate (already mentioned)
* O2 readings / BLM
* etc
Maybe I missed it in looking thru the older threads.
Thanks!
I would like to request from the group, once you have connected to the ECM and are datalogging / seeing data in realtime, what are the key stats that should be expected? Hopefully by knowing these a good baseline / good sensor operation can be determined before proceeding. Things like
* start in open loop / move to closed loop / in-out of closed loop normal?
* engine temp (duh)
* RPM (duh)
* sample rate (already mentioned)
* O2 readings / BLM
* etc
Maybe I missed it in looking thru the older threads.
Thanks!
#31
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Actually even before checking baseline stats from the ECM I suggest making sure (that is double checking)
*Fuel pressure is good
* timing advances
* compression is good
* no vacuum leaks
* no plugs are fouled
* battery and alternator are working properly
* cooling fans cycle properly
What else?
*Fuel pressure is good
* timing advances
* compression is good
* no vacuum leaks
* no plugs are fouled
* battery and alternator are working properly
* cooling fans cycle properly
What else?
#33
Senior Member
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
I am starting my adventure into PROM programming. Was contemplating for a lot of time but this thread encouraged me and bought all the kit. Got the Amazon programmer, have the red devil OBD reader and have a JET adapter which I will be removing the DIP socket and install a ZIFF socket.
The stock PROM has code AKXZ which is correct for the car. I do not know what tune the aftermarket JET chip has (D27128A20) and I would like to start from a stock tune (engine is mostly stock, just bored 0.060). Can someone provide me with a stock bin for the AKXZ so I burn it into a new eeprom and start from there? ECU is 01227165. Thanks
The stock PROM has code AKXZ which is correct for the car. I do not know what tune the aftermarket JET chip has (D27128A20) and I would like to start from a stock tune (engine is mostly stock, just bored 0.060). Can someone provide me with a stock bin for the AKXZ so I burn it into a new eeprom and start from there? ECU is 01227165. Thanks
#34
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,400
Likes: 0
Received 215 Likes
on
201 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
RBob.
#35
Senior Member
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Cool thanks!! Yes I read the AKXY is same but without VATS. I guess all I will ned to do is just enable the option flag as my VATS system is still working fine.
One other question, would I be able to read the bin off the JET chip to be able to compare stock and current one? Is that possible?
One other question, would I be able to read the bin off the JET chip to be able to compare stock and current one? Is that possible?
#36
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,400
Likes: 0
Received 215 Likes
on
201 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
RBob.
#37
Senior Member
Re: ***Ultimate Guide To Starting Tuning***
Great. Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post