Good day, I acquired a 1996 Lt1 Corvette Auto, that has been tuned and deleted by the PO. I would like to check, and modify the said tune, while adding a larger cam. Also, HP tuners isn't compatible with my car. What would you recommend in it's place? Thanks
What is the PO?Originally Posted by TheKodiak
It will never be worth it to HP Tuners to ever give a schidt about the OBD2 LT1, or anything else before 1997.
If you're willing to overpay, the JET Dynamic Spectrum Tuner is the ONLY available option - presently - for tuning OBD2LT1 powertrains (16214399 or 16242921 pcms).
The far better value is to do an OBD1 conversion.
1. Get an OBD1 LT1 pcm, 16188051.
DO NOT PAY MORE for a 16181333 than the price of a 16188051.
The only functional difference between 16188051 and 16181333, is to make someone extra money at the buyer's expense.
2a. Buy and install OBD1 knock sensor / freeze plugs. It's a chance to backflush the buildup at the bottom of the block due to reverse cooling. (Most commonly done.)
2b. the OBD1 pcm can be altered to accept OBD2 knock sensor signals internally (less commonly done)
2c. very few people have fabbed up an external switching circuit so that they can use EITHER pcm at will (incredibly rarely done)
3. buy an OBD1 LT1 cable from TunerCAT, or build one yourself - <$100
4. download the following software for FREE!
FlashHack (read / write utility)
TunerPro RT (.bin file editing utility)
$EEhack (tuning and diagnostic aid, plus several other cool features)
TunerPro RT requires a definition file (basically a decoder ring / rosetta stone) to arrange and present the data more conveniently for tuning adjustments.
steveo, dzidaV8, kur4o, and jthompson have each written detailed $EE definition files that can edit stuff even TunerCAT OBD1 cannot yet see.
Even if you paid TunerCAT for their entire OBD1 LT1 tuning suite and cable, the OBD1 LT1 conversion would still be a far better value than JET DST.
But since you're here, it's worth pointing out that you don't even need to pay for the software.
THEY are NOT Lying to You.
You are NOT Even Lying to Yourself.
You ARE Being Lied to ... by Your SELF.
The Last Psychiatrist, aka ... Alone ...
people are working on reflash tools and XDFs for your ECM but a completed tool hasn't materialized yet.
i probably have 90% of the info needed to write one however i don't have near enough time to do it
i also started a tool that would let other people write flash tools more easily
i don't have near enough time to finish that either
if you are swapping cams your "PO"'s tune is junk anyway, might as well start over.
i believe there are other considerations other than the knock sensor with a 1996 automatic transmission, with an obd-i swap, aren't there?
https://www.impalassforum.com/thread.../#post-2620746
Read everything about 1995 & 1996. Note that cahall did not understand or appreciate the nuances of custom tuning at the time of writing.
https://www.impalassforum.com/thread.../#post-2177273
https://www.impalassforum.com/thread.../#post-2265708
Again, read everything about 1995 & 1996.
You'll find this more than once:
"Technically, the 3-2 downshift solenoid should be swapped also, but experience shows that it is not required."
In mid-to-late '95, the 3Down2 shift solenoid was updated, this carried over thru '96.
The latest / final GM 1995 LT1 operating systems have no problems operating the updated 3Down2 shift solenoid shared by '95 & '96 4L60Es.
Using 'earlier' operating systems and/or early '95 4L60Es that have survived 27 years un-rebuilt may cause limp mode, or 3-neutral-2 downshifts.
I don't even remember the last time I installed a '94 LT1 bin file into an LT1 pcm.
Every time, I use a '95 .bin file to operate a '94 or even '96 LT1 / 4L60E, and I've had no issues or complaints of any kind
THEY are NOT Lying to You.
You are NOT Even Lying to Yourself.
You ARE Being Lied to ... by Your SELF.
The Last Psychiatrist, aka ... Alone ...
Thank you fellas! PO is Previous Owner. Honestly, it sounds intimidating at first. But with some time, and a lot of reading. I'm sure I'll be able to pick it up... Well I hope lol.
When swapping the '96 to the '95 pcm. Is it basically just replacing one with the other, or do I have to swap harnesses/plugs too?
The other option is 0411 swap it with an Express van 5.7L tune. The Express van PCM will run the LT1 perfectly well without using a cam sensor.
I've read that Jets CS is non-existent, and over priced, while also reading about TunerCat. Which is more flexible? Which one shows more data? Can I build my own PC-to-ECM adapter, or where can I purchase one? Also, does the PC and softwares do the calibrations and calculations for you, or must you do everything? Thanks again!
The learning curve is shaped more like a staircase.
Really easy stuff gets learned very quickly. Basic switches and constants, stuff like that.
Approach air fuel and spark carefully. If you always save before you make changes, and the changes you make are small, you won't blow up the engine.
If you learn enough about air fuel and spark, low-to-mid 30MpG on the highway is possible.Simply remove '96 pcm and install '95 pcm in its place.
Unless you intend to install a '95 'vette 4L60E .bin file into the pcm then and there, best to have a '95 'vette 4L60 .bin file already installed in the pcm.
THEY are NOT Lying to You.
You are NOT Even Lying to Yourself.
You ARE Being Lied to ... by Your SELF.
The Last Psychiatrist, aka ... Alone ...
Unless an OBD1 swap is literally out of the question, forget about JET Dynamic Spectrum Tuner.
I've had TunerCAT's OBD1 LT1 tuner suite for many years. I prefer its layout and display, but that's likely because I'm just too accustomed to it. That said ...
Starting naked from scratch today, I'd buy the OBD1 LT1 cable from TunerCAT, if only out of respect and deference.
I'd then download
FlashHack
TunerPro RT (even though you will NOT use the 'RT' part, TunerPro RT works better than TunerPro)
steveo's $EEx definition file (the other ones I mentioned have more defined / adjustable parameters, but they're not terribly important for newbs)
$EEhack so you can temporarily try changes on for size, before permanently writing the changes to the pcm
Today, even though I'm sure TunerCAT would update his definition files if asked - he is a VERY capable bithacker - steveo's, dzidaV8's, kur4o's, and jthompson's $EE definition files are ahead of TunerCAT's $EE (version DO?).Sie müssen alles selbst machen!
THEY are NOT Lying to You.
You are NOT Even Lying to Yourself.
You ARE Being Lied to ... by Your SELF.
The Last Psychiatrist, aka ... Alone ...
So in a nut shell... If I stay with my Obd2, then go with jet. Otherwise '95 and below are better off with TunerCat? Like a gentleman stated, and a topic I recently came across. What about the 411 swap? Now I know the pin layout is different, and re-pinning is a long and tedious process. But is it worth it? As for tuning, I do know not to allow the engine run lean. Unless you have very deep pockets, then send some my way... lmao. Also, using a van PCM works, because you're going to change the settings (reprogram it) anyways??? Not sure if I understand that part. I'm about to review the reading material. Thanks again.
Will this work with my obd2, if I already have preexisting software?
https://www.newegg.com/p/2S7-07JP-22...&source=region
Is the ALDL-12USB good for obd1?
01-02 350 van PCM is the same hardware as a LS1 just setup to run with a 4x crank sensor and single coil. You will be tuning the fuel and spark anyway. The van PCM will fire a LT1 right up once the VATS is disabled.
https://youtu.be/mxQ4Xh-JDAg
if you use tunerpro instead of tunercat, the only expenses beyond the ecm/knock sensor/aldl cable (should be way under $200) would be the $5 of beer money you're going to send my way when you realize how easy flashhack, EEX, and eehack make it to tune for $0
it's definitely not automatic but i've done everything necessary to ensure that it's really fast to come up with a solid calibrationAlso, does the PC and software do the calibrations and calculations for you, or must you do everything? Thanks again!
for fuel calculations eehack will do both the logging and analysis necessary to tell what corrections need to be made. this can be done with several clicks of the mouse, but inputting the corrections in tunerpro should be done manually.
for spark mapping eehack will draw you a map of knock events on a grid to tell you where you have gone too far with timing advance
you can dick around with idle speed and spark in realtime to get hints on how to fix up your idle parameters right
i wont spend much more time trying to sell you something that's free but you should know that due to the software i've written there's no ECM in the GM world that's cheaper and easier to tune than the 1994-1995 LT1 one, so it's definitely worth considering that swap
the CCM is something you also must consider, it talks to the ECM and runs your dashboard and stuff, and gets some ECM data over the aldl bus. it might screw up with that van ecm swap, might want to research it a bit....
flashhack actually hacks the CCM if you need to re-flash it too...although i don't think we have tried it with the 1996-1997 era CCM yet?
If you stay with OBD2, then you will have no other choices EXCEPT JET DST, or as 12200411 swap, or to wait for another OBD2 LT1 tuning option that is presently in development.
No, no - FlashHack, TunerPro RT (NOT TunerPro, TunerPro RT), and $EEhack.
But I suggest buying TunerCAT's OBD1 LT1 cable.
THEY are NOT Lying to You.
You are NOT Even Lying to Yourself.
You ARE Being Lied to ... by Your SELF.
The Last Psychiatrist, aka ... Alone ...
Will the ALDL-12USB cord work with TunerCat? I went to the TunerCat website, and the obd cords are out of stock. Which is why I ask.
Thank you everyone!
Last edited by TheKodiak; 08-26-2022 at 03:51 PM.
Well, I ended up pulling the trigger for the Jet Dst. I wanted to make the conversion to obd1 and go with tuner cat. But I will admit, I am a bit intimidated about making a lot of adjustments to accommodate the new ECM. I will on the other hand, slowly work my way toward the obd1 and TunerCat. Since Jet was TunerCat, is the software compatible? Wish me luck fellas
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