How Do I get Started?

You need three things to get started with scan/tune.

Software to scan with; software to tune with; and the hardware to use them.

Once you have those, read LJ's PCM tutorial linked above.



SCANNING

TTS Datamaster
http://www.ttspowersystems.com/DataMaster_downloads.html
is the most commonly used real-time scanning software for the 92-95 LT1.

Free trial is good for 20 scans, which may not seem like much at first, but it is quite a bit once you are actually using the data for analysis and tuning.

Unfortunately these guys are known for lousy customer service/support.

[update]
Tunercat is now a reseller for datamaster. I'd buy it from him, just in case he might be able to get you better customer service if you need it.
http://www.tunercat.com/DataMaster/dmaster.html
[/update]


Freescan
http://www.andywhittaker.com/ECU/FreeScan/tabid/70/Default.aspx

Haven't used it. Not supposed to be as good as datamaster, but it's free...



TUNING

TunerCat
http://tunercat.com/

Available for 92-95 (OBD1) cars.

The cheapest tuning software for these cars and thus used by most DIYers.

You need to purchase the tuner software and the appropriate mask for your car.

I can't begin to address how good the support for this software is. I'm regularly amazed at how I keep getting highly valuable improvements for free after a small investment several years ago.


LT1 Edit.

http://carputing.tripod.com/

Available for 94/95 (OBD1) and 96/97 (OBD2).

(No personal experience - somebody else want to comment here?)


Jet Dynamic Spectrum Tuner

http://www.jetchip.com/

For 96-97 (OBD2) PCMs.

This started out as TunerCat but was bought by Jet.



HARDWARE

For a 94--> car you need a laptop and an ALDL adapter/cable.

For a -->93 car you need that plus a chip burner.


There are numerous vendors for premade cables amd DIY cable kits. Just google "ALDL cable"

If you have a modern laptop with no serial port, get a cable that is made for USB rather than trying to use an RS232 cable with a USB adapter. Most USB adapters are crap and this is one of the applications that they have a lot of trouble with.

Oh, and the 15-pin D-Sub on the back of your laptop is not a serial port.


If you know your way around a soldering iron, there are several schematics on the web for making your own adapter.

Google for ALDL schematic and you should find several.

Here are a couple:
http://www.akmcables.com/aldlif.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/39sj8ky

Where to get more information:

Terminology
http://ls1lt1.com/forum/faq.php?faq=generaltech#faq_acronyms


LJ's PCM tutorial
http://para.noid.org/~lj/PCM%20Tutorial/PCMtutorial.htm
Best starting place for beginners.


How GM Electronic Fuel Injection Works
http://www.customefis.com/GMEFI.html


LS1LT1 PCM FAQ
http://ls1lt1.com/forum/faq.php?faq=generaltech#faq_pcmtuningpt1


LT1pcmtuning.com tips
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/tips/


LT1 Edit mailing list
http://www.lt1edit.com/mailman/listinfo/lt1edit

This is the best single source for advanced info, but searching the archives is a PITA. Best way is to download them into a mail program and search from there.


CamaroZ28 tuning forum
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

If you have a problem you are trying to diagnose, there are more people on this forum that have the know-how to help you than any other LTx tuning forum I've seen.


Impala SS tuning forum
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=35

A few guys on this list have delved into stuff that other LT1 tuning forums don't have anything about, like DFCO and E85 tuning.


Some LSx tuning forums
http://www.hptuners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://forum.efilive.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25

As more tables have been exposed in the LTx masks, the difference between LTx and LSx tuning has become smaller. And there's a lot more activity in the LSx forums

What is scanning and tuning in the context of this FAQ?

Scanning - reading and storing real-time sensor readings and control variables in order to determine if/how ECM/PCM constants should be modified.

Tuning - modifying the constants in the lookup tables in the PCM in order to affect the operation of the drivetrain and related components like the cooling fans, VATS, etc.

Piece of cake.


































As long as you already have the entire dash out.

When you go to somebody's profile, and click on "find all posts by Foo" it just takes you to a blank search page.

Most other forums clicking on that returns a list of posts. Some it takes you to the search page but at least fills in the Foo to search for...

While the main pages on this site work fine on a 1024 wide screen, many of the actual threads are too wide.

Very annoying to have to be scrolling left and right to read posts...

I use JB Weld for these kinds of things. Used it on my vette door panels on the cracks at the top rear.

With that much damage I'd just replace the panel. But reinforce the new one with JB Weld in the places that are weak.