The Odessa, Florida-based school has both live seminars and at-home learning to walk you through HP Tuners software and the process of tuning a vehicle. However, once you are ready to start playing around, The Tuning School is the best way to get your hands dirty under supervision. This is exactly why we’d recommend getting some EFI background CarTech Books has a number of great resources. HP Tuners software is incredibly user friendly, however, there are simply too many tables to jump right in without knowing what you are doing. As wonderful as that sounds, once you open up the software it is immediately apparent that it isn’t as simple as adding or subtracting a little timing and a few percent of fuel. Once completed, the modified tune file is saved and uploaded to the ECM, rewriting the calibration. To make changes, a tuner will download the current calibration and start making changes. This is extremely valuable in tuning, allowing a calibrator to see exactly what needs to be changed and under what conditions (RPM, temperature, etc). Using the scan feature, the software monitors all of the sensor inputs going into the ECM, records it, and can play it back to review. By plugging into the OBD I/II port, hardware and software such as HP Tuners can scan, download, and upload. However, the modern Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM) operates more like a regular computer.
With a PROM-based computer, a “chip” would physically be installed on the circuit board to modify the hard-wired calibration. If you are new to tuning, then you may be wondering: what is a “flash-based computer?” The term “flash” refers to how the computer’s calibration is modified.
We have injector flow data, wideband O2 sensors, full data logging, easy-to-use software, and all sorts of resources at our fingertips that have taken tuning from some sort of black art to science. In the modern world of EFI tuning, it is all about precision. However, these early PROM-based computers weren’t nearly as aftermarket-friendly as the later Flash-based (OBD I & II) computers we have now become accustomed. The precision and control of port injection literally dropped a full second off the Corvette’s quarter-mile time, and almost two seconds on the Grand National (an intercooler didn’t hurt either).
The 1985 Corvette and the 1986 Turbo Buicks began the modern age of port fuel injection. While there are some slight differences between the E38 computer and earlier designs, most of these tables and general concepts are applicable to all Gen III/IV engines.īefore we begin, let’s talk about some basic background on GM EFI.
We stopped by The Tuning School in Odessa, Florida to take an inside look at how to remove these electronic handicaps from a stock LSx vehicle – my 2008 Chevy Trailblazer SS – using HP Tuners software. However, if you are reading Street Tech, the chances are these limits shouldn’t apply to you.
In some cases, these safeguards protect overzealous drivers from themselves.
This is one of many safeguards that General Motors engineers have put in place to protect your Gen III or IV engine and its drivetrain from your heavy right foot. then perhaps you have heard of the dreaded torque management. If you’ve been around the GM EFI scene, whether it is perusing the messageboards, races, car shows, etc.