I'm a little confused on the free software issue? After reading many different links, many such as tunercat allow you to download the entire program but only for so long. Then what? I mean, i realize that there is free scanning software and what about chip burning software? Tunnner cat allows you to download the entire files only for a short while, and then what?
I'm guessing you have to purchase it and then pay for other needed files? And can you use Craig Moates software to burn chips or just to scan your car's emc via the ALDL interface? I have looked at the winbin program. Any help will be appricaited. I''m almost ready to get the ball rolling, I just fixed my father-in law's 286 laptop and ready to start on a cable.

 

Do a search on "WINBIN". That is a free "bin editor", though it is not as easy to use as TunerCat and may not be as well defined for all calibrations as TunerCat.

Also, there is GMECMPRO, but it is another "pay" Bin Editor, but it is quite well defined.

 

I'm a little confused on the price of tuner Cat? I heard 20 bucks, but it looks like the software is more like 100 bucks? And what is up with the free month of usage? I'm a little confused on that as well. Thanks for all of the help!

 

There is free editing software 'Winbin' and software you pay for eg Tunercat. The stuff you pay for is better than the free software, not suprisingly.
Tunnercat has a free trial for a month but comes only with a definition file that is no use to our cars but lets you see what the program is like (help files are useful). If you prefer Tunercat you will have to put your hand in your pocket for it. Check their website.
Chip burning software usually comes with a programmer. But can be downloaded from their web sites. I use a Needhams EMP20.

Simon

 

Craiger, the Pocket Programmer comes with the software you need to burn the chips. This program is not specific to cars, it can burn for almost any type of EPROM.

 

So the pocket programer comes with the software needed to burn my own chips?

 

Yup.

 

The Pocket Programmer does come with the software to actually burn the .bin file onto the chip, but you will need an editor for your specific application to make the changes in the .bin file that you want to after reviewing your scantool data.

Hope that helps.
Laterzzzzzzz

 

can you burn the chip at the track? My laptop is a dinosaur...386 Ibm Or will I have to take it home to burn the new chip?

 

Sure. I have an DC/AC Power Invertor which I have notebook AND I can also plug in my Pocket Programmer. Since I use Flash Proms, I don't need a UV Eraser.

I often take BOTH when I have just tried something with my eprom. If I notice something "off", I quickly pull over to the side of the road and make a quick change. Not as quick as "on-the-fly" tuning, but only takes a few mintues with a Flash Prom.

PS: Sorry on the confusion about TunerCat. The "Tuner" program costs $69.00. You USE to get a choice of one TDF if you specified it at the time of purchase. I have heard that TC may no longer do that - but give it a try.

Then for each TYPE of ECM you want to work on (actually the calibration more than the ECM), you pay $20 for each TDF. For example, when I initially ordered my TunerCat, I specified I wanted the $8D, which TC gave. Later, I wanted the $6E for 1989 MAF cars, and I paid another $20 to get the $6E TDF.

For our 3rd Gens, the $8D (for SD) and $6E (for MAF) are the best defined TDFs. TunerCat has additional TDFs for MAF cars (e.g. $32B and $32), but the $6E is so much better defined that MAF guys prefer to convert to the 1989 MAF system by disabling the Cold Start (if they have one) and use the $6E instead.

Is the fog starting to clear a little?

 

So, do i use the pocket programer to do the mod's to my chip? I don't think I can get anything except dos and Windows 3.11 to run on the old laptop. btw, it's a 286 that runs at 386 performance.

 

also, how much more is it to get the flash prom kit instead of the UV kit? and where do i get the kit from?

 

The Pocket Programmer comes with both Windows and DOS based software - so you can "burn" with either. All the PP does is take you "previously edited" bin (e.g. after modifying with TunerCat) and places that file on the eprom.

To convert to a Flash Prom, all you do is buy the Atmel AT29C256 Flash Prom and install it in place of the eprom currently on the Memcal. There are other "methods" like using Craig's "piggy-back adapter" which you use install a Flash Prom in the socket and then plug your Memcal into, for the ESC Circuitry to flow-through to the ECM. You then just plug the piggy-back with the Memcal into the ECM (as you normally do with the Memcal).

But converting your existing Memcal by unsoldering the eprom and resoldering either a ZIF socket (best) or just the Flash Prom is the cheapest route. The reason people prefer to use a ZIF socket, you never have to physically remove the Memcal. You R&R the flash prom from the ZIF socket. Over time, it is possible to "wear out" the connector on the ECM that you plug the Memcal into. This can require replacing the ECM if you burn a lot of eproms. Using the ZIF socket, you just have to remove the eprom and the worst that can happen over a lot of usage is you accidentally bend a pin on the Flash Prom. A $6.00 part instead of buying a new ECM.

 

So how much is the ZIF socket and or craig's piggyback unit? and where can i get one of these units? and how much is is to get the flash prom kit?

 

You got mail.

 

could you also send me the info on costs and the programs and hardware needed to burn PROMs? i want to get into fine tuning my car, any info would be appreciated.