95 LT1 Tuner/ PCM Edit choices

[gvincent]

The most common choice I have seen on this site is Tuner Cat, the second one mentioned is LT1 Edit. Most prefer Tuner Cat it seems.

In all the threads I searched for Tuner Cat, LT1 Edit, Tuner Software, etc. most are older threads ranging from 2002 to 2004

I would like to find some updated info or possibly any other choices I am not aware of. I see the Hypertech and other stuff on Ebay and don't think they are that beneficial to a HybridZ project with their Yes/No programming. Scanmaster looks like a monitoring system only.

I do not have a laptop or a PC for that matter I am Macintosh user.

I do plan on buying a new Intel powered Mac soon and can boot up in Windoze easily as long as I buy a copy of Windoze XP. I also saw the posts for Freescan and Andy's website and his cables for sale.

Any of this stuff ever sold on Ebay? I did a search for Tuner Cat but got nothing.

Just trying to get all the little stuff together now as the swap is just getting started.

Looking for opinions and advice

Thanks,

Greg

[gexgexgexgex]

Just get tuner cat, and a usb cable from where ever you want. That is the best and cheapest way I have found to tune an lt1 motor.

 

Also the guys at tuner cat are great with emails!

[wheelman]

Tuner Cat is what I use as well. I looked at LT1Edit as well but I liked Tuner Cat's interface better and the program appeared to be more comprehensive in it's programming ability, just my impression though as I didn't work with LT1Edit much.

 

As for using a MAC, you are REALLY going to want a laptop so I would strongly consider an older Intel machine that has a real serial port and doesn't cost much money. I have an old DELL that surprisingly enough still works but I wouldn't be heart broken if it fell on the garage floor or got cooked in the car while it sits in a parking lot. I can just pull the HD and stick it in another intel based laptop and off I go, try that with a MAC HD.

 

My point is if you want to use it to program the PCM you'll also want to use some logging/scanning software such as DataMaster so you can take the car for a spin and log the pertinent data to track how the changes affected performance. The environment this machine will live in is very harsh compared to a nice indoor office and new expensive equipment doesn't last much longer than old cheap equipment. Just a thought.

 

Wheelman

[gvincent]

So it seems so far that the consensus is still after 2 years for Tuner Cat.

I have two dead PC laptops at work, I might try to get one of them going I guess before I shop around for a cheap used one.

 

Mac VS PC, don't go there! That's another forum.

A Mac HD is the exact same HD as in PC's made by the same companies (Seagate, Maxtor, etc.)

They fail at the same rate, Although the Mac itself last a long time.

My Kids are still using a 1998 Mac G3 with current software, the HD was replaced a long time ago though. A little slow but usable for WP, email, web surfing etc.

 

So no other programs out there worth looking into?

Thanks,

Greg

[bluedragon436]

PC and Mac....um no they don't have the same HD's, well it depends on if you go off of older Mac or newer MacBooks.... Cause the MacBooks have a newer Serial ATA setup which PC laptops do not have.... Other than that they do crash at about the same times... but the newer laptops no matter if it is PC or Mac don't last for s*&t as a tuning laptop.... trust me i know.... Now what you should do is go online (ebay) and look for an oldschool laptop... I ran a Dell 600M in my Honda and in a friends LS1 powered Formula, and it is still running.... Now as far as LT1edit and using any other program... that is all up to preference... I have been using LS1edit as well as LT1 edit for about five years, and have never had a problem using either nor have I had a problem running out of tuning options using them... it is just a personal preferance as to which you want to run...