Is EFI Live right for me?

[jon6.0]

I'm liking the fact I can use EFI Live on my GTO, which would be the main purpose, and on my new 2011 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 gasser. I am brand new to tuning though. Do you think I can muddle my way through it after I get an initial tune on my GTO by somebody that knows what they are doing? I will be tuning the car in Speed Density. Which books would you recommend I start reading also?

Thanks in advance.

-Jon

[joecar]

Hi Jon, welcome to the forum :cheers:

Download/install the V7 software from here (http://www.efilive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=133);

further down on that webpage are some tutorials, have a read thru them;

installation of the software includes sample log files and tune files (taken from real vehicles), you can open these and play with the tools.

If you do car projects, then you will want to learn how to tune, it will save you a ton of money.

There is a steep learning curve, but it is easily overcome with reading/practice.

Did I mention that if you decide to go this way, this will be your new life (pretty much)... :doh2: :hihi:

[L31Sleeper]

I highly recommend it !!!:cucumber:

Who's tuning your cars now ?? with those specs.......they aren't running a stock tune.

[L31Sleeper]

If you purchase from GM Truck Central we will provide a free base tune.

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/efilive/flashscan.html

We can also help you out with a Innovate LC-1 Wide Band O2 Sensor.

[jon6.0]

My last tune was done at Performance Solutions Racing in Phoenix. I don't want to keep paying people and taking it back when something comes up.

[L31Sleeper]

My last tune was done at Performance Solutions Racing in Phoenix. I don't want to keep paying people and taking it back when something comes up.

That is where EFI Live comes in. If you have a Wide Band Oxygen sensor you can get it almost dialed on the street or at the track. Then you can buy a small amount of dyno time for the rest.

That looks like a ford shop mostly ??

[jon6.0]

They do everything there. I have an AEM wideband in my GTO. I haven't put one in the truck yet. I do almost have my wife convinced she needs a TVS1900 to help with the low end on the truck. For towing trailers and passing.

[L31Sleeper]

The wife drives the 2500HD:banana::banana: Can I barrow your wife:hihi::hihi:
sorry I couldn't resist. You can use this cable to connect your WBo2 to the
V2.

http://taquickness.com/taqcables/sGEN.jpg

[jon6.0]

Lol. I bought her a new truck this year. Her old truck was a 2003 crew cab 2500HD Duramax with a 6 speed manual. She was PISSED she couldn't get a stick shift anymore. I either drive my 83 Ford Bronco or ride my Triumph Speed Triple.

[L31Sleeper]

PISSED not having a stick ??
Dude you are making it REAL hard not to be jealous ! 2003 crew cab 2500HD Duramax with a 6
speed manual ?? Was there something wrong with it, do you know what EFI Live can do
for those trucks ??

[jon6.0]

The Duramax already had one set of injectors replaced under warranty. It was about ready for another set that I would have had to pay for. I don't know how familiar you are with the LB7, but they are a major pain in the rear to do. So I got a new truck. I'm over diesels. We only tow about 8000lbs anyways. She also hates gadgets and wanted the work truck version with hand crank windows and no cruise control. The only thing electric on the new truck is the door locks. I'm glad that's what she wanted because I refuse to pay $60k for a darn truck.

[jon6.0]

Here is Crystal's Silverado:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/jonschwenn/IMAG0193.jpg

My GTO:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/jonschwenn/IMAG0090.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/jonschwenn/IMAG0010.jpg

My Bronco:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/jonschwenn/IMAG0235.jpg

[joecar]

I believe EFILive is right for you... the learning curve will be a piece of cake.

[jon6.0]

I downloaded 7.5 and I've been looking at all the stuff for a E40 Corvette tune. What are some good books to start reading?

[L31Sleeper]

You would get better millage with cruise control.

[joecar]

I downloaded 7.5 and I've been looking at all the stuff for a E40 Corvette tune. What are some good books to start reading?Also look at the 2002 Camaro Auto tune file.

Greg Banish's two books:
Engine-Management-Advanced-Tuning (http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Management-Advanced-Greg-Banish/dp/1932494421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305870247&sr=8-1)
High-Performance-Injection-Systems (http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Tuning-High-Performance-Injection-Systems/dp/1932494901/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305870247&sr=8-2)

[jon6.0]

I'll order up those books. Thanks.

[L31Sleeper]

Of course Joe is going to promote Greg's books.....:sly:
Here are some more.....got a spare room to start a library

Building & Tuning High-Performance Electronic Fuel Injection (http://www.amazon.com/Building-Tuning-High-Performance-Electronic-Injection/dp/1884089798/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305873781&sr=1-1)

Performance Fuel Injection Systems (http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Fuel-Injection-Systems-HP1557/dp/1557885575/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_1)

[jon6.0]

I do have a guest bedroom that I can put a bookshelf in. Out of all those books, which ones are easier to understand for a total beginner? I want to start with those.

[joecar]

Of course Joe is going to promote Greg's books.....:sly:
...No, not really, why would I...

I've read his two books and they contain concepts directly related to the GM PCMs/ECMs... for example his books discuss dynamic fueling and dynamic air, I have seen neither of these mentioned by other books (even "advanced" books).

Most other books are a catalog of sensors with very basic description of what a PCM is/does.

[jon6.0]

The reviews on Amazon of Greg's books say that he explains things well, so I'm just going to order his first.

[joecar]

Read this one first: http://carprogrammer.com/Z28/PCM/LS1/Holden_LS1.pdf

Then read GB's books.

Then read the other books.

[jon6.0]

Will do.

[joecar]

Also read the EFILive scantool and tunetool user manual pdf's.

There are two sets of skillsets:
- tool usage (what the buttons do, where the tables are, how to create a filtered map, how to log, how to flash, wideband hookup);
- tuning concepts/methods (VE/MAF, IFR, OL/CL, PE/WOT, DAT, Lambda/EQR, timing, idle);

as you read thru various material, make a mental note of the skillset it can be one or the other or both.

[L31Sleeper]

I didn't find the user manual until after I read the books and took the classes.....HA HA

[jon6.0]

I ordered the Greg Banish DVD from Summit today. I'll make my final decision on what I'm going to get after I watch that next week. I'm leaning toward EFI Live though.