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Anyone use EFILive?

TerryD

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As I keep looking into LSX swaps into stuff in the future, I'm wanting to do some tuning. I'm wanting to do the 411 PCM swap in my K2500 and maybe eventually a 6.0L or 8.1L swap plus wanting to do a turbo 5.3L in my Monte Carlo.

I've been looking and it seems that EFILive and HPTuners are the two that keep coming up, but EFILive gets ALOT of good reviews on custom install/swap stuff. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them. I'd like to get it this year and start playing with it some.
 
I use HP Tuner and EFI Live both and like them both so there really isn't a wrong choice.
I do prefer HP Tuner with gas engine stuff since their software is a little more intuitive to use and their 2 bar speed density OS upgrade works quite well with boosted applications. With diesel stuff EFI Live is leaps and bounds better than HP Tuners while still being reasonably easy to navigate. Both have good support and good descriptions in their help documentation, along with helpful forums.
 
Well, I'm wanting to do a turbo'd 5.3L in the Monte Carlo. I liked Hot Rods Dirtball 5.3L build and wanted to do something similar when it comes time. Probably use a better quality turbo since it'll be a driver. However, I'm looking to start learning just tweaking on our two 5.7L Vortec trucks and maybe doing a 5.3L/4L60 swap in the K5 if I can score a setup stupid cheap.

So you'd recommend the HP Tuner stuff? I saw something about issues with PCM swaps with them (411 for the black box that the 5.7L Vortec stuff uses) because of a VIN miss-match? Ever have any issues with it? I'd like to buy both suites, but that's WAY over what I can put into it right now since it's just a hobby buy.
 
They both work well. but when you start to do engine transplants, swap of parts like motor from this and trans from that, let alone fan from Mech to Elec etc... or anything that is not that way it came in a factory car? Then EFI Live is the only way to go. Or you have huge credit fees and limitations/headaches on what can be done.

EFI Live uses just the PCM VIN number, but HP Tuner uses also Year Make Model.

EFI Live you do you own segmant swaps.
HP Tuners you find both files and send to them for segment swap.
 
So which "kit" do you buy? or are they all the same? I see some that seem to be more diesel oriented :dunno:
 
T

EFI Live you do you own segmant swaps.
HP Tuners you find both files and send to them for segment swap.

I didn't realize you could do your own segment swaps w/EFI Live:doah:, that will come in real handy not having to track down the right base file to work with weird swaps. Thanks.:thumb:
 
Just to clarify, for the newb, a segment swap would be changing the tune to go from say a 4l60e to a 4l80e or manual trans. Would it also be updating the maf table to go with a larger maf cal table?
 
That would be the operating system. A segment swap would be done to transfer the fuel or spark tables from one operating system to another so you could perform that transmission swap.
 
Thanks! Got a few more $$ to save up to get started. I'm wanting to do the 411 swap in my CC first thing so I don't waste a vin license working with my black box PCM.
 
I have EFILive got it for my Duramax years ago.
Used it on my K5 LS swap. I just don't know much about gas tuning. I'm looking for someone that can help get my K5 tuned in better then what it is.
 
I just cant belive that there isnt a cheaper unit on the market still. If one wanted to, you could program a TBI truck for almost free. But for the LS family its nearly a grand! You would think that someone else would have come along and offered something that costs $150 and cornered the market. Oh well. Im sure there are reasons for it, but its just hard to believe it hasn't happened yet.
 
Dont you have to purchase a tune when using efi live, then modify from there. Or can you load the existing then modify with efi live?
 
Dont you have to purchase a tune when using efi live, then modify from there. Or can you load the existing then modify with efi live?


Both. Most efi users purchase efi live, log data and have someone tune it for them. It may take a few tries but still cheaper than a dyno session. There used to be a site where people would upload their tunes, but you really didn't know the pros from the garbage so I stayed away. Efi live has a great forum as well.

You are not limited to number of tunes with efi live. Just vin licenses.
 
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