Tune Yourself???

[VENOMIS]

I want to be able to log and also tune my own engine via laptop. I know that with an AEM I can do this. AEM is very expensive and not OBDII compliant right? Im not sure if a VEC 3 can tune by laptop. Im in Cali and want to be able to tune myself and pass smog. Am i asking for too much? I know that most use the Vec but are there any disadvantages to this tuner? I know that this should be in the tuning section but thought it might get a little more hits this way. Thanks for your help.

 

[ViperTony]

DamnYankee has a series of write ups on this subject in the Illustrateds section. Well worth the membership. The Vec3 comes with software that runs on your PC, preferably a laptop so you can tune and log from your car. The Vec3 is a piggy back system that works in conjunction with the stock PCM. What kind of mods/upgrades do you have?

 

[Shandon]

I use the Vec3 and my gateway laptop for tuning. I put the car on the dyno and log everything and get my A/F ratio and adjust accordingly. Sean Roe made the timing changes for me and I haven't messed with that at all. The only downside to the Vec is its a piggyback system and doesn't take over until 80% throttle. You might be able to adjust that but not too sure. I would hang out about 1-2 months and Diablo is supposed to be offering the "Predator" tuning system forthe viper. It's an all out ECM tuning system that actually will let you do it all and re-flash or edit the actual ecm. Time will tell though.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Depending on your application, if it is N/A or Paxton, the SCT may be the way to go for tuning the OEM PCM. It is offered in a "do it yourself" tuner package called the "Pro-Racer package".

It is priced inbetween a VEC and an AEM.

 

[DAMN YANKEE]

Venomis,

First and foremost, it is very important to know what a person has on their rig in order to get a sense as to what is and what is not possible in regard to tuning. I recommend just amending your "signature" in your profile to list out the basic mods you have. That will really help you get better answers to your questions.

On to your question....I have a Roe supercharged rig that I tune to perfection with a Vec3. What does that mean...it means passing EPA of course, but more importantly, a verifiable (logging) constant state of perfect driving. Really fantastic. Having said that, it takes some equipment, time and most importantly the desire to want to tune. It is not a quick fix, automatic, press one button deal. VEC3 is most certaily fully laptop/desktop driven. Logging is done on the road. Tuning is done on the laptop and is uploaded to the VEC and various tune can be captured and preserved on cards. Swap it out and go.

AEM....a powerful device that requires the user to attend to every opn and closed look parameter. Great product, successfully used....complete overkill for light to modestly heavy mods.

There are other viable options as well..

Join VCA, my goodness man, you will really use the data and directions found in the Illustrated and tuning guides...

 

[BOTTLEFED]

The VEC2 can be logged/tuned on a laptop as well, right?

 

[KenH]

The VEC2 can be logged/tuned on a laptop as well, right?

Yes, it works the same. I permanently wired an RS232 cable from the VEC to the passenger footwell where it stays out of sight unless I am using the laptop.

The VEC does have the advantage over the AEM in that it will not mess up the ODBII for those that have to pass smog via plugging into the ODBII port. If that isn't a factor, the AEM is a more powerful also more expensive and difficult to use setup.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

good idea
I think I'll go to radioshack...

 

[BOTTLEFED]

KenH,
how did you run the cable into the car?
I went and bought one and the connector is huge (1" wide)
I would have to drill a 1" hole in the car to get it in there

 

[VENOMIS]

Thanks for the input so far. As far as mods go it has tubes and filters. I recently purchased an exhaust. That is Belanger headers 1 3/4, Random metal high flows and a Random 3" catback. I also have rockers, 708 cam, and an aluminum flywheel. I also have an extra rear with 3.55 gears. I was thinking paxton, but after all the reading i ve done im now thinking strikers to start with then paxton later if i want even more. The above items i have not installed yet as i want to tune it and also fell a difference at the same time. We have a 55 chevy that we drag race that has a blown injected small block in it that run 9.50's. I tune that and want to tune the viper as well. You guys running a VEC, what do you do if you want to adjust the closed loop portion of the system? Or is that part of the ECM good to where the stock ECM can adjust?

 

[Viper Specialty]

Thanks for the input so far. As far as mods go it has tubes and filters. I recently purchased an exhaust. That is Belanger headers 1 3/4, Random metal high flows and a Random 3" catback. I also have rockers, 708 cam, and an aluminum flywheel. I also have an extra rear with 3.55 gears. I was thinking paxton, but after all the reading i ve done im now thinking strikers to start with then paxton later if i want even more. The above items i have not installed yet as i want to tune it and also fell a difference at the same time. We have a 55 chevy that we drag race that has a blown injected small block in it that run 9.50's. I tune that and want to tune the viper as well. You guys running a VEC, what do you do if you want to adjust the closed loop portion of the system? Or is that part of the ECM good to where the stock ECM can adjust?

In order to tune closed loop, you will need an SCT Flash Programmer with Pro-Racer Software.

Also, if you are Paxton SC'ing a car with the mechanical FMU and Split-Sec, you may as well just skip the VEC altogether, its redundant after you have PCM programming capability combned with the other two items.

 

[VENOMIS]

I think I remember in another thread that you sell the pro-racer software correct, but i think it wasnt fully developed yet or something? Ok so say that i want to be OBDII compliant and want to have full controll over my PCM. Will the pro-racer software and SCT let me do this as it seems like you state in the previous post? How much is the software/hardware for me to be able to do what i want?

 

[Viper Specialty]

I think I remember in another thread that you sell the pro-racer software correct, but i think it wasnt fully developed yet or something? Ok so say that i want to be OBDII compliant and want to have full controll over my PCM. Will the pro-racer software and SCT let me do this as it seems like you state in the previous post? How much is the software/hardware for me to be able to do what i want?

1. Its been out for a while now.

2. Yes.

3. 1699.00 (This includes an XCal2 Flash Tool)

I can give you more specific answers if you have any more questions.

 

[KenH]

KenH,
how did you run the cable into the car?
I went and bought one and the connector is huge (1" wide)
I would have to drill a 1" hole in the car to get it in there

I cut the end off the RS232 cable so it would pass through the firewall and then just soldered it to the RS232 wire leads coming off the VEC connector rather than use the connector.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

very interesting
I guess I'll be doing some soldering

 

[VENOMIS]

Final GTS this is looking like what im looking for. Am i able to adjust simple things like what temp the fans turn on? I would imagine that this can be used with a wideband? Is there any disadvantage to this tuner?
Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Final GTS this is looking like what im looking for. Am i able to adjust simple things like what temp the fans turn on? I would imagine that this can be used with a wideband? Is there any disadvantage to this tuner?
Thanks for the help so far.

-Yes, you can adjust the fan temps. Just a few other things off the top of my head: All Fuel Tables, All Spark Tables, Idle, Fans AC on/off, Intake Air Correction, Baro Fuel Correction, Throttle tip-in fuel miltipliers, Diagnostics on/off (COUGH can make your car pass plug-in monitor tests when its not even close COUGH) , PCM operating hardware changes.

-Yes, you can use a wideband. In a nutshell, you are tuning the tables to stoich, then the multipliers (part/WOT) to your target AFR after the base tables are calibrated. (you will need some simple scanning software to "log" the PCM while driving if you are trying to build base tables from scratch, I can make some recommendations)

-Only downside is the HUGE capability, thus learning curve. There are some binaries (8-16 character "on/off" switches) in the software that are not labeled yet, they are running description adds as the software matures. (most of these things you would never use anyway) As good of a thing as this is, its also a downside with the pro-racer, as YOU have to learn the software. There are a lot of things that are not used or ever touched, you just have to remember that. We can of course help with this, and can also write tunes for you if need be.

The software is of course supplied with your "stock" program, so you have a base point from which to start, and the original is always saved just in case.

 

[VENOMIS]

Thats cool Dan, this sounds like the the answer to the higher priced AEM but is still OBDII compliant. I take it you need some different software to do logging? I want to be able to drive the car and do some logging and then tune based on what i have logged. So do i understand correctly that you build a program then flash it to the factory PCM?

 

[Viper Specialty]

Thats cool Dan, this sounds like the the answer to the higher priced AEM but is still OBDII compliant. I take it you need some different software to do logging? I want to be able to drive the car and do some logging and then tune based on what i have logged. So do i understand correctly that you build a program then flash it to the factory PCM?

1. At this time, yes, you need logging software. In the near future however, but no ETA, the XCal2 will also be able to serve as a logging device.

2. Yep, you build a program and then flash it to the PCM. You can store 3 "edits" on the XCal2 at a time, so you can try 3 programs per trip without your laptop. Helps if arent sure how "far" you can go on a parameter.

 

[chimazo]

1. At this time, yes, you need logging software. In the near future however, but no ETA, the XCal2 will also be able to serve as a logging device.

Dan, is this the Live Link software you are speaking of? Is it just not available yet for Mopar applications (I see the Ford camp already has it)?

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dan, is this the Live Link software you are speaking of? Is it just not available yet for Mopar applications (I see the Ford camp already has it)?

Yep, you got it. Ford already has it, we're next on the list.

 

[SYNFULL]

How can you control the fan with the vec 2?
Thanks

 

[CROM]

Yep, you got it. Ford already has it, we're next on the list.

I sure hope so. I'm going to have a useless LC-1 for a while if not.

 

[Viper Specialty]

How can you control the fan with the vec 2?
Thanks

You cant do it with a VEC.

 

[1TONY1]

The only downside to the Vec is its a piggyback system and doesn't take over until 80% throttle.

Put an AEM on your car and then you will see that 80% up is a big plus

The AEM is on my car for the third time Cold start, warm up, idle, cruise ...... think how many hours the factory has put into this. The Vecs plus is being able to use that IMO