PCM Tuning Software - Recommendations

[phat_bastard]

I purchased an '01 Xtreme LS extended cab new as a daily driver and currently have 165k mi. on it. I've always wanted to buy a PCM programming package to at least attempt to fix the ignorant part-throttle downshifts that make accelerating in traffic a nightmare. With the recent spike in gas prices it would also be nice if I could tweak the A/F ratio and spark curves to get a little better than the usual 21.5 mpg.

I'm somewhat familiar with the tuning packages available, but I'd like to hear some opinions from anyone that's actually invested in one and hear their likes / dislikes. Right now I'm stuck between HPTuner and Jet DST. Based on the feature set and support, I'm leaning towards HPTuner, but unfortunately it doesn't appear to support my second vehicle, a 2000 4.3 GMC Jimmy. I'd also like to be able to disable the platform check so I can use Lean Cruise, but I'm not sure if that's possible with Jet.

Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

[phat_bastard]

It just occurred to me that I mistakenly posted this in the 60 degree forum, can a mod move it to the vortec v6 forum please?

[rabidbandit]

EFILive Flashscan....$500 for the V1 or $750 for the V2 pkg....check out efilive.com! It's autotune feature was what blew hp tuners outta the water. Just hook up a wide band and drive...automatically configures your VE tables for a tune that's dead on...my fuel trims barely move after the reflash. But you have to have a LS1 style PCM which arrived in 2001 on some and then all in 2002. If it's black...I think your outta luck...but to be sure...have someone scan your PCM for the OS Identifier and look up the OS as efilive's website for compatable computers. Other wise you'll have to look for something else...hope this helps:D
Chris

[Mikz86TA]

Im not sure if the PCM tuner is going to help the part-throttle downshft.....it might. I dont have a HP Tuner or EFI Live to play with at this moment. What I do remember is that there was a part sold by B&M and TCI that is a replacement valve body valve that corrects this issue. Not hard to install you just pop out the roll-pin, slip out the old valve, slip in the new one according to directions and finish the trans fluid servicing. Check into that and see if it works for the 4L60E.

[rat]

You can make it shift whenever you want. The jet is the only one for a reasonable price that supports both vehicles. You have to get the efilive v2 to be able to tune both.

[phat_bastard]

Thanks for all the feedback.

rat: Have you dabbled in lean cruise at all? I'm very hesitant to purchase Jet DST for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that their product support seems awfully weak. Another is that I'm understanding that to get lean cruise to work I might have to lose a few machine instructions in the 'firmware', and doing that requires recalculating the checksum. From the sketchy details I've been able to dig up on the subject, it seems that's not possible using DST. Any ideas on that?

Also, on the shift points - where would I even start? I've installed the DST demo, but there's absolutely nothing explained in it and the documentation I've been able to find elsewhere on it is not very helpful either. There's lots of talk that they're working on a better help file, but until I see something it seems like it's all just talk. This is another scare point for me - I really don't like investing money in incomplete software packages.

[rat]

Thanks for all the feedback.

rat: Have you dabbled in lean cruise at all? I'm very hesitant to purchase Jet DST for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that their product support seems awfully weak. Another is that I'm understanding that to get lean cruise to work I might have to lose a few machine instructions in the 'firmware', and doing that requires recalculating the checksum. From the sketchy details I've been able to dig up on the subject, it seems that's not possible using DST. Any ideas on that?

Also, on the shift points - where would I even start? I've installed the DST demo, but there's absolutely nothing explained in it and the documentation I've been able to find elsewhere on it is not very helpful either. There's lots of talk that they're working on a better help file, but until I see something it seems like it's all just talk. This is another scare point for me - I really don't like investing money in incomplete software packages.
I think the '01+ ecm's allow you to now edit the lean cruise tables, at least tuner cat now allows that.

As for shift points it is pretty easy, part throttle or wot, set all the cruise, hot, and economy tables to whatever you want.

[phat_bastard]

I hope I don't end up regretting it, but I just forked over the 500 bones for DST. So I'll likely be bothering the hell out of you if you'll allow it.

I guess I should have better explained my shifting issue. I think the WOT and part throttle shift points are for the most part okay, but the kickdown behavior at speeds over 35-40mph are what really bother me. Downshifts too late, then doesn't upshift when it should. Is this something that can be addressed through the PCM?

[rat]

Yes, you will have full control over shift points, lockup points, and shift firmness. Part throttle, wot, and coasting.

[phat_bastard]

I think I have the shift tables set to my liking. Shift firmness was already good and I don't need to chirp the tires or cause any more wear to my tranny so I'm leaving that alone. I was actually suprised to find the stock shift times were already between .375 and .225. I suppose I should correct the torque converter lockups now to match the new shift tables?

While I was experimenting I also dropped the A/C clutch disable from 5250 to 3200 rpms which made a noticeable difference accelerating into traffic yesterday evening.

Now that I've caught the bug (again), what are my options for tube headers?

[Mikz86TA]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but the title says it all. Right now I have the JET handheld programmer. I am going to be talking to them tomorrow about the update now availible for it. Apparently, I have V2.5 and the newer V3.5 alllows you to leave it plugged in and see whats going on. Like a DashHawk or NitroD. It should be free from what I understand as long as you have a reciept of purchase. Ill get back to that after I find out more. But I dont believe there is any actual programming changes for the PCM. Ive been considering doing a PCM programmer like the ones mentioned here. I feel that for one, I would get more out of the mods I have....two, get more out of future mods....three, be able to change what it should read from the mods and eliminate the PITA service light. I seem to have a new issue in which its coming on regularly now. PO101 and PO650 and sometimes a 'rich' bank 1 or 2 or both. Rich is better than lean. I think. I killed the OEM Cat with a lean B4. I got a Demo EFI Live from another member 'Thank You!!' but its really Chineese to me. I look at their site and its confusing. First, I thought the way it worked was, you change around some peramiters like spark and timing on a Laptop, plug a USB to ODB2 cable in while in the truck and load it up. Like my JET handheld. And you could leave it plugged in and see the TPS, IAT,MAF,Etc as they work. Looking at how to adjust doesnt seem easy to me. Also the 'FlashScan' part looks like you could use a Desktop PC and load the info to it.....like plugging my JET into my PC and loading the program...then using the handheld/flashscan as a portaable loader to the PCM. WTF? Am I missing something? How does these work. And does LS1Edit, HPTuner and JET DST work the same? Which is easiest to use, less likely to f**kup and how do they work? I want to spend the least amount possible. I have a good Desktop but no Laptop. I can sell my JET after I get one of these to offset the $ I will be spending. But moneys tight for toys right now. PS : My mods are K&N FIPK, GMS MAF, IAT Reloc., CFM-Tech throttle blade, breather mod, 180* Stat, (JET), Y-pipe, Magnaflow Cat, No pre-cat, Cat-Back Exh, MSD Coil and 8.5mms. Plan on Headers, Blower on day far off, E-Fan, Clutch, Cam one day far off, MSD 6A or Crane Hi6, and a few other odds-ends. I know some piddly crap isnt really hi-po mods like IAT reloc and breather, but wanted to mention them for reference. THX in Advance:D