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Software recomendations

mudbuggy

mudbuggy

1/2 ton status
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Which program is the easiest to start to learn the 'computer' side of the engine? TunerProRT (I downloaded earlier today and have been reading in the help section of the program) or ??? Can a few of the programs be used for more of a detailed look inside of the engine while running? Or is there one program that is so badass that can do it all?????? What say the masters of the 1&0? Since I really don't know! I probably will get into the programming of the chips down the road, but I don't know about tomorrow?
 
I started with TunerCats RT about 6 years ago, and think it's an excellent software for a beginner. I think TunerPro RT is an excellent software also, which has more advanced features that might tend to overwhelm a beginner.

dave w
 
I'm going to have to say TunerPro. I have been using it for just a couple of years and even though it has many advanced features it is also beginner friendly. Tuner Cat has some neat features but I hated the fact it does temps in celsius, I hated that!
 
TunerPro version 5 is what I use now. It is not the simplest for a beginner. I think that WinALDL is the simplest one to start with...
 
Just got my ALDL cable and I'm looking for software. When we're talking about some software being 'beginner friendly', what do you mean? Is it easier to use, or is it just simpler with not as many things to look at?

The first things I want to look at is if there are any codes and how rich it is. Will software tell me if it's stuck in open loop?
 
You may as well just start your learning curve with a much better, much newer software. Then as you learn the opertunities are just about endless for all your needs. TunerPro Version 5 is free. But mark does ask for a donation if you like it and it will turn off the 5 second nag I think he calls it. Be the best $35. you'll ever spend. :waytogo:
 
pmpski_1 said:
Just got my ALDL cable and I'm looking for software. When we're talking about some software being 'beginner friendly', what do you mean? Is it easier to use, or is it just simpler with not as many things to look at?

The first things I want to look at is if there are any codes and how rich it is. Will software tell me if it's stuck in open loop?
Click to expand...

I think you are mostly interested in Data Logging Software. TunerPro RT can do data logging (aka Data Stream).

TunerPro V5 uses .adx data stream files. Older versions of TunerPro use .ads data stream files. Getting the data stream files set up might require some homework to get working. The TunerPro RT help section is good to place to start with for getting set up.

dave w
 
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The old .ads are easy Dave, just import them into TP V5 and as soon as you do it will prompt you to save it as an .adx :waytogo:
 
eagle mark said:
The old .ads are easy Dave, just import them into TP V5 and as soon as you do it will prompt you to save it as an .adx :waytogo:
Click to expand...

Mark, I think many veteran TunerPro RT users are OK with importing the old .ads files into TunerPro V5. For a new TunerPro RT user it can be very overwhelming just to get a dash panel set up, not to mention few other mouse click headaches that are required to get going. I think there are about 24 ~ 27 mouse clicks to get set up with TunerPro RT for data logging (including the importing of an .ads file). You know the deal, get one mouse click wrong, nothing works.:confused:

dave w
 
dave w said:
Mark, I think many veteran TunerPro RT users are OK with importing the old .ads files into TunerPro V5. For a new TunerPro RT user it can be very overwhelming just to get a dash panel set up, not to mention few other mouse click headaches that are required to get going. I think there are about 24 ~ 27 mouse clicks to get set up with TunerPro RT for data logging (including the importing of an .ads file). You know the deal, get one mouse click wrong, nothing works.:confused:

dave w
Click to expand...
that was directed to you, I thought maybe you didn't know.
Now that I think about it, it may be a little overwhelming for someone to start with. If you don't have the time and a desire maybe just buy a chip?:dunno:

But if your obsessed like we are? Then it is well worth the time! :doah:

Sometimes I forget it took ten years to get to where we are, but if we started today it would be a lot easier...
 
dave w said:
I think you are mostly interested in Data Logging Software. TunerPro RT can do data logging (aka Data Stream).

dave w
Click to expand...

Yes, data logging for now. I want to get the stock setup running as well as I can. No mods planned for the immediate future - well, except for maybe the cfmtech salad bowl.

I'm not passing emissions right now so I want to datalog to see if I can pinpoint the problem. This vehicle has a LOT of miles on it (220k) and even though the major components have been rebuilt or replaced I don't know why it's not passing emissions. There may be some more replacing or rebuilding soon and I'd like to start at the right place so I can pass emissions and get tabs for the plates with the least amount of money spent.

I work with very complex software at work every day, so I'm not afraid of that. I am afraid of having so much data that I can't pinpoint the problem :) Having just the right amount of data to digest is the "beginner friendly" that I'm looking for.

I guess the best thing for me to do is to download it and try it :)
 
For simply data logging I think winALDL is the ticket. It is free and very easy to set up and use.
 
Well if your computer and software savvy you may as well just get TunerPro. This will give you datalogging, use as much as you need, then you will be familiar with it to move on to chip adjustments and when you have a burner it does that too.

Because of your computer skills you will be fine and the more time you put into it you will appreciate a muti tasking all in one data log, troubleshoot chip adjustments and burning.

The more you use it the more you find out it can do. Customizable as well. :popcorn:
 
OK, I think I'm going to start with TunerPro RT. I've got it downloaded and installed, and I want to start datalogging.

The help file says to load up an .adx file. I've downloaded the one from here: http://eagle-mark.com/pictures/displayimage.php?album=6&pid=912#top_display_media

Just want to double check - will that be compatible with my 91 5.7 (Jimmy 4x4 1500)?

Just looking at the dashboard in that .adx is getting me all excited about what I can learn here :)
 
PM me your email and I will send you the same one but has vacuum gauge fixed.

I need to delete that one and put updated one in.
 
The newer version has been uploaded to the libray and the old was was deleted.

New file name is Super_$42_1227747.adx
 
eagle mark said:
The newer version has been uploaded to the libray and the old was was deleted.

New file name is Super_$42_1227747.adx
Click to expand...


Thanks! I appreciate having an .adx to go off of. It seems like it would be pretty complicated for a newbie to set up.

I hooked it up and did some datalogging today. I was hoping the answer would jump right out at me, trouble codes, always running in open loop, rich all the time, thermostat too low...

But those all looked good. I guess I'll have to learn something new to figure out what the real problem is :) (The symptom is high HC during the idle emissions test).

I'm assuming that I won't be able to use software to determine whether I'm buring oil or whether my cat is no longer any good.

Unfortunately I didn't realize it but I wasn't recording my log as I drove around. I ran out of time so I'll have to create another log for analysis. The good news is that I got it set up and running, and finally recording.
 
Maybe the BLM Averages will show something is wrong. Here is a scree shot of a REALLY BAD BLM Average!!:eek1: A good BLM average is 128 +/ - 2 (126 ~ 130).

dave w

Bad BLM's.jpg
 
I was wondering about 'BLM'. What is it? Where can I find more information about what it means? I watched it a bit today, but the only recording I got was in the driveway after I realized I wasn't recording and then did a short recording at idle.

I picked up a used copy of this book (How to Tune & Modify Chevrolet Fuel Injection) with the hope that I'll get some basics from it. The reviews aren't great, but based on them I think it will serve my purpose to learn the TLAs and get a breakdown of what the parts are and what they do.

(Not sure why the image below isn't loading but if you click it the larger version appears)

idle.jpg
 
Well, here it is. Obviously this is a small sample - I will probably do another recording later this week. And really record it this time.
idle.jpg

idle.jpg
 
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