Home Tuners

[HRT 8]

How many guys are experimenting with tuning their own cars? And what are you using?

[jsttry]

Am using EFILive Flashscan and have been using it for a couple of years now. With the help of Delco and Tuna have tuned mine both NA and FI.

[Tre-Cool]

Efilive here too. Dabbled with it on my fi engine. doing it soley on my stocker for now as it's only a temp engine.

Once i get a new engine built. I'll pay Dan to do it properly. hehe

[carneb]

I had a go with Efilive and a Roadrunner PCM on my last car.

I'm now having a crack at tuning my new VE with HPTuners.

[VYSSBlack]

HP Tuners here

[brh26]

I have had hptuner for a couple of years to tweak settings.

[Tre-Cool]

I have had hptuner for a couple of years to tweak settings.
got any pics of your camaro Brian?

[A^K^T]

I have had HPT for a while now .


got any pics of your camaro Brian?

I think this is it .

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=599620&postcount=36

[Benno25]

HPT for me also

Benno

[Alex(AUS)]

I know this may be contreversial ... but which is the best (most user friendly) for home use? How much does it cost? Are you guys using wideband sensors to monitor AFRs?

Thanks,

Alex

[macca33]

Alex, I've had a few cracks on the p155 tonite and all I can say is - If you are havin' a crack, have a crack..... by that, I mean, if you are having a go, then do so!!

Cheers,

Macca

[BLACK 346]

Alex, I've had a few cracks on the p155 tonite and all I can say is - If you are havin' a crack, have a crack..... by that, I mean, if you are having a go, then do so!!

Cheers,

Macca

Geezus Macca, I just read your post 5 times and it seems like the
only crack going around is the stuff your smokin :goodtime:
Sorry bloke, not being nasty, just that yr talking in riddles :nyuk:

[A^K^T]

I know this may be contreversial ... but which is the best (most user friendly) for home use? How much does it cost? Are you guys using wideband sensors to monitor AFRs?

Thanks,

Alex


They both get the job done and in my opinion either of those two is good for someone wanting to have a look at diy tuning .
Check out their web sites for prices , you could pm Oztrack or Delco for a price on flashscan .
A base model plx wideband would do the trick and not cost too much (about $200 usd)

It's not simple and for some a better option is to pay for a mail order tune or have a tune done and the VE is (in my opinion) better left to the pros or the very keen . Having said that i have no plans on getting rid of my HPT cable .

[HRT 8]

I know this may be contreversial ... but which is the best (most user friendly) for home use? How much does it cost? Are you guys using wideband sensors to monitor AFRs?

Thanks,

Alex

EFILive Flash Scan is $745 US dollars.

PLX Wideband 02 is just a tick over $300 AUS dollars delivered to your door.

Contact Oztrack for EFILive and Geoff and Tracey at Sales@ntautoelectrics.com.au for the 02 sensor.
They will set you on the right track.

[huggies]

LS1 Edit Here

[JezzaB]

EFILive V2 here.

Tweaked my FI setup (shifts, TCC, etc) but have been playing with the brothers stock SS and starting from scratch. We're pretty happy how its going so far.

Well until he just got done for speeding and has just lose his licence for 6 months. There goes my test mule :grrr:

[bk-v8vu]

I've been using EFILive Flashscan since it was released a couple of years ago, before that it was that lovely program LS1 Edit. Never tried HPTuners, never needed to EFILive does everything for me. IMO the decision is personal preference.

Home tuning is a steep learning curve! It requires a lot of time and reading, not trying to scare anyone but if you aren't fully committed to learning the program and your car you will be wasting your money.

[vh-holden]

a screwdriver. i want to set it rich so it spits some flames at the next motorkhana.

[carneb]

For tuning tools I've found that HPTuners is a bit easier to navigate around in, and so is probably easier for beginners. Efilive is fine once you've used it for a while and learnt it, and the numbering of the tables is good.

For the scanning/logging tools, Efilive is much more powerfull, but Hptuners still works fine.

[Benno25]

I've noticed efilive seems to have some nifty tables etc as part of its custom os's which hpt is lacking at the moment. Things such as a ve multiplier based on iat, the ability to command a different afr at each map and rpm point (no need for power enrichment) etc.
I'm sure hpt will eventually offer similar things though anyway but i think efilive seems to be ahead in this regard.
I too have also found hpt easier to navigate through etc.

cheers
benno

[JezzaB]

I think the EFILive "try before you buy" mentality is the thing that sold me. After mucking around with it for a week I had to have it.

If I played with HPT maybe it would have swayed me the other way, I dont know.

[possum22]

HPTuners here since early 2005.

[STATIE]

I've got HPT and a wideband permanently wired into my Maloo.

I've found it very handy just for simple fault finding and logging to see what is happening with my own car mainly.

As far as the tuning goes pfffft:errr: I have neither the time, inclination or skills to learn/do it - therefore I still get someone who knows what they are doing and does it for a living to tune all my cars.


Some things are very simple to do but as far as a full on proper tuner shop like tune goes, you would have to be very dedicated to learning about both the program itself and the innermost workings of your car and have a lot of confidence in yourself that you wern't going to blow the thing up to make major changes.

But I would definately reccomend even buying it just just for the logger/scanner especially if you are into going to the drags.

[Delco]

I've got HPT and a wideband permanently wired into my Maloo.

I've found it very handy just for simple fault finding and logging to see what is happening with my own car mainly.

As far as the tuning goes pfffft:errr: I have neither the time, inclination or skills to learn/do it - therefore I still get someone who knows what they are doing and does it for a living to tune all my cars.


Some things are very simple to do but as far as a full on proper tuner shop like tune goes, you would have to be very dedicated to learning about both the program itself and the innermost workings of your car and have a lot of confidence in yourself that you wern't going to blow the thing up to make major changes.

But I would definately reccomend even buying it just just for the logger/scanner especially if you are into going to the drags.


Exactly , the good thing about EFILIVE is you can download the software to look at for free , and if you are so inclined you can just buy the scan tool , later if you want to go further you can upgrade it to the tuning tool

[vyssbeast]

so the cable required is worth a few hundred??

[HRT 8]

so the cable required is worth a few hundred??


Scan only version Of EFILive is available ex US fror $399.

It contains all the hardware required to update at a later stage to the Tune Tool as well. Its merely a change in registration email away from being a tune tool. Ie you get the V2 hand held unit and the cables. All you need.
Updateing from Scan only to Commercial Scan and Tune with the V2 takes just minutes.

I know this as I did it yesterday. Thanks Oztrack!!!! :woohoo:

If your thinking about buying the Scan tool with a view to updating it at a later stage to include the Tune tool, then your better of doing it all at once. I works out to be slightly cheaper.
The Scan tool will amaze you as to what can be logged and what information you can learn about your vehicle!

Its a fantastic tool, but you need to spend A LOT of time reading before you start making changes.

[Delft Maloo]

Ive got hpt and am quite happy so far. Still learning though and greg brindley has been heaps of help.

[swingtan]

EFILive V2 here.

Tweaked my FI setup (shifts, TCC, etc) but have been playing with the brothers stock SS and starting from scratch. We're pretty happy how its going so far.

Well until he just got done for speeding and has just lose his licence for 6 months. There goes my test mule :grrr:

Hey Jezza... as soon as EFILive will do the L76 you can "test" on mine :lol:

[SSUte01]

Hey Jezza... as soon as EFILive will do the L76 you can "test" on mine :lol:

I use HP Tuners also, can't comment on EFILive or LS1Edit ect but I have found it perfect for me - after being a little bitten and disappointed by my service provided by 'experts' I bought the software myself and jumped in the deep end with a H/C combo that needed to get from Melb to home. I got there. Have spent literally hundreds of hours reading and practicing through trial and error since at least an hour or two a day on average........I think I am addicted (better half reckons I spend more time tweaking than I do with her) I too have run out of test mules, I have no more mods for mine, have played with about 10 family/friends cars (my family likes V8s) and starting to the get the itch back.

Point is, like mentioned prepare to devote a lot of time to home tuning if you want to do it 'right' or pay an expert. I just truly enjoy it so that's why I do it.

Cheers

[ti0350]

This might be slightly off topic but I'm interested in getting efilive and learning how to use it properly..
Just wondering if somebody can tell me whether this is true or not A friend has it and they told me if I flash a clubsport tune into my car that it will make a big difference to what it is now..
My car is a stock as a rock VY2SS although I plan on doing the two hole mod in the next week..

Cheers,

Wayne

[JezzaB]

This might be slightly off topic but I'm interested in getting efilive and learning how to use it properly..
Just wondering if somebody can tell me whether this is true or not A friend has it and they told me if I flash a clubsport tune into my car that it will make a big difference to what it is now..
My car is a stock as a rock VY2SS although I plan on doing the two hole mod in the next week..

Cheers,

Wayne

Yep even copying the High and Low octane spark tables from a 285 Clubby into your tune will make a huge difference. This was the first thing I tried on my brothers ute after putting in some 98ron fuel.

Jez


Hey Jezza... as soon as EFILive will do the L76 you can "test" on mine :lol:

Your on! Cant find the section to turn off lifter noise in EFILive though??? :lol:

[SSUte01]

Nothing wrong with pulling the best bits from each tune. But I would steer away from the 285kW jobbie as a direct replacement personally. VYII Clubbie's (not all I might add) had a tendancy for audible spark knock through slightly de-sensitised knock settings and timing curve that potentially is too high depending on the vehicle, atmospherics, and driving conditions particularly when heatsoaked.

Not saying it cant be done as it is used successfully by many people and may very well be ideal for you just some food for thought is all. If you have the means perhaps start with that tune as a base and make adjustments from there. To answer your question directly it will certainly liven your car up, just make sure its safe.

[ti0350]

To answer your question directly it will certainly liven your car up, just make sure its safe.
Thats the bit i'm worried about whether its safe or not, I'm probably going to wait til i get the edit done instead.. If I did it, it was just going to be one of those to tide me over til edit things I've had the car 3 months now and now I want more power..

[LSX-438]

anyone willing to post up their timing map?

[johnv]

Had LS1 Edit ,then upgraded to Flashscan V1, now have V2:thumbsup:
Was almost a case of haveing to as back then there weren't any tuners over here in NZ with LS1 software.

Glad I did , really enjoy modifing and tuneing my own car -Heads and cam , Mafless and very soon to be custom single turbo:yahoo: which could be a bit more challangeing to tune.

Its not for everybody, be prepared to do lots of research on the software forums and don't be scared to ask questions, they are a very good source of info from like minded people.

and also invest in a good wideband analiser , without which you are pissing in the wind when in comes to fueling:whip:

[Tre-Cool]

Just having the timing map is no good as people will have different spark stragies when it comes to IAT vs ECT and temperature. Not to mention people who run bigger injectors etc.

[LSX-438]

Just having the timing map is no good as people will have different spark stragies when it comes to IAT vs ECT and temperature. Not to mention people who run bigger injectors etc.

Yeah Tre-Cool, realise that. But thanks.

[F6 Hoon]

Yep, but doing it for the other camp.

SCT Advantage v2.9.2.5 for the tuning, and SCT XC2LiveLink V2.3 Build 4 for the data logging. I forked out for the dealer software as no 'home user' version was available. I guess the benefit of this is the ability to do other vehicles too.

I tune my F6 for several reasons, the main reason is having the flexibility to do a change without having to rely on someone else. I had my other car (MkII XR6T) tuned by another tuner in Perth which motivated me to get the software after 4 attempts to fix boost surge :vpo: Took me less than 4 hrs to rectify.

My F6 makes a reliable 392-420rwkw on the stock engine. Best time I've run so far is 11.81 @ 122.6mph with 351rwkw. I'll be tweeking the bigger tune and will test early next year.

[Vulture]

My F6 makes a reliable 392-420rwkw on the stock engine. Best time I've run so far is 11.81 @ 122.6mph with 351rwkw. I'll be tweeking the bigger tune and will test early next year.


11.81 with 351rwkw :stick:

[F6 Hoon]

11.81 with 351rwkw :stick:

Yep, street tyres and 2.05 60ft times will do that. Burnouts anyone........

[HRT 8]

anyone willing to post up their timing map?

Why. You'd find they all be different in some degree anyway.
Ive seen some with 21 degrees and others like mine with much more.


Nothing wrong with pulling the best bits from each tune. But I would steer away from the 285kW jobbie as a direct replacement personally. VYII Clubbie's (not all I might add) had a tendancy for audible spark knock through slightly de-sensitised knock settings and timing curve that potentially is too high depending on the vehicle, atmospherics, and driving conditions particularly when heatsoaked.
If done correctly, the heatsoak shouldnt cause a concern if the Spark IAT table is functioning and you've got realistic figures in them.

[LSX-438]

Why. You'd find they all be different in some degree anyway.Ive seen some with 21 degrees and others like mine with much more..

it's interesting to see a broad range of timing maps (together with a sentence or two about setup). Stock vs bleeding edge bolt-on vs medium/large cam vs HC vs Stroker vs FI ~ it's hardly sheep stations, but interesting when people share; it might encourage people to get involved in home tuning. I would say, why not?

[HRT 8]

it's interesting to see a broad range of timing maps (together with a sentence or two about setup). Stock vs bleeding edge bolt-on vs medium/large cam vs HC vs Stroker vs FI ~ it's hardly sheep stations, but interesting when people share; it might encourage people to get involved in home tuning. I would say, why not?

Duncan, I couldnt agree with you more. I didnt want to tune my car again to try to improve anything, as the tune I had was awsome.
I did it as I wanted to learn how things worked.
If I was going to change my cam again to something much biger, Id still get a Pro to tune it for me.
See having the tools capable to do tune an LSx engine, doesn't mean you can tune.
It is bloody interesting to see how everything works though.

My point about the timing tables is that although most tables for bolt on cars will look very similar, all tuners have their won opinion about what works best and why. They also set up the other parameters like the spark iat tables to allow for their timing tables to some extent. ie I mentioned I run in excess of 27 degrees of timing advance but would I run that with iat's of over 40 degrees C? No, nor do I.
I rely on others and their experiences for information as I cant afford to trial too much and have the thing let go.

As for tuning from home, there are a couple of really good forums around that cater for all those needs. If you dont already know about them (???)Pm me for the info.

Grant

[LSX-438]

yeah, most of us home tuners take a base timing map from somewhere, or perhaps their stock tune, and try to mold it into something appropriate & optimal for their given setup. it's something at the heart of the tuning process, and is worthy of discussion (perhaps not here, i dont want to abduct the thread). a timing map with a sentence on setup, and info on the method utilised to develop & finalise that optimal map, well, thats just gold to me. even for a regular bolt on, stock vs leading edge mafless timing is extraordinarily different. i've found perusing the tune repositories and visiting those other forums you mention very valuable.

[JezzaB]

Its really nice to see some more tuning posts on here. I was a little worried about posting things about home tuning first off but this forum seems to be really proving that it is a true One stop Shop for the LSX.

Would be good to see some more home tuning threads and advice.

Jez

[macca_779]

perhaps a tuning section should be created like LS1 Tech forum has.

[michaels1v8]

Yeah great idea or even just a tuning thread in the Technical section for all these posts to go in. Would definately be helpful for many and many to come:nyuk: :nyuk: :nyuk:

[iamhappy46]

I have tuned a fair few cars in my time(got access to dyno+wideband) and always get good results. I have even programmed a MoTeC M800 with drive-by-wire for my little project car...

The LS1 software seems to be very confusing though. Maybe it is just me but from what I have seen, the software is very advanced.
How easy is it to pick up?

[Tre-Cool]

LABELS:
RPM Grams/Cylinder 0.56 -Spark
400 7.316895
600 7.822266
800 8.789063
1000 10.107422
1200 11.755371
1400 13.623047
1600 15.622559
1800 17.622070
2000 19.511719
2200 21.093750
2400 22.302246
2800 23.049316
3200 23.400879
3600 23.466797
4000 23.356934
4400 23.137207
4800 22.785645
5200 22.214356
5600 21.445313
6000 20.742188
6400 20.368652
6800 20.456543
7200 20.830078
7600 21.247559
8000 21.467285

That's my spark table for the 0.56 range in my car at WOT. nothing special but good enough for 110mph in my ute on street tyres. runs about a 12.5afr.- wideband is broken so havent confirmed, however it's definetly on the rich side.

Engine= Completly Stock, no valve springs, no underdrive either.
Exhaust = 1 7/8 diffilipo, twin 3" diffilipo exhaust with 4 mufflers.
fuel system = surge tank, bosch 044 & 42lb injectors.

[macca_779]

I'm now equipped with an EFI LIVE Flash Scan Tool. Going to start refining VE when I get my WB soon. For now just little tweaks here and there as my Tune is an OS5 OZTRACK MAFLESS already, so no need for big changes. Unfortunately my laptop is a bit crazy at the moment with a broken touch pad. Can't wait till V2 can do stand alone logging and flashing.