97 OBD2 Tune without obd1?

[Transamsfast]

I do not want to get into tuning myself or do a mail order tune, nor switch to OBD1... Anyone local tune? I also dont want to pay 500.00 for a dyno tune at CARS yet without having cam or heads yet(next year maybe). Thanks

[JoeliusZ28]

just curious why you want a tune then? With tuning, the results you get what are typically what you invest in it.

[phoenix_rising]

Wasn't someone tuning Dave's car at the M&G?

[Transamsfast]

500.00 isnt worth it to me for 20whp. when im going to need another tune when i do heads and cam and other stuff.

[JoeliusZ28]

well if you tune yourself you can change your tune as much you want. Ive probably got $400 invested in equipment right now, but ill be able to adapt to whatever i do with the car.

If its not worth the money to you i wouldnt do it at all. A mail-order tune is going to be the most cost-effective way to go IMO.

[Transamsfast]

iv heard a lot of people with + and - for mail order. seems 50 50.... but OBD 2 is a lot harder on LT1 to adapt to. Well time for work

[JoeliusZ28]

yea i honestly dont know much about tuning OBD2, im glad i have an OBD1.

[WMCCjames]

yea i honestly dont know much about tuning OBD2, im glad i have an OBD1.

Haha....that's got to be the first time I ever heard that statement!

[JoeliusZ28]

Haha....that's got to be the first time I ever heard that statement!

i should have clarified on an LT1. If you were to read LT1 tech boards more often that wouldnt be the case, and if i was talking about an LS series motor that wouldnt be the case either

here's why james:

What are the advantages of an OBD1 Conversion? - MadZ28.com

Some people opt for an OBD1 conversion over OBD2 tuning since this conversion gives you several advantages:

It usually yields a few more HP than a programmed OBD2.

You can keep your stock PCM (in case you want to keep it as an original part or if you have to pass emissions).

Programming and datalogging software for OBD1 is considerably more affordable and sometimes even free.

It is more "forgiving" than an OBD2 when it comes to modifying your car (it has fewer codes it can trigger).

The OBD1 system does not have a crank sensor or rear oxygen sensors, so the OBD1 PCM will ignore these devices. (You can still disable them in OBD2 programming if you choose to stay OBD2.)

[transampimp]

I've got an OBD1 conversion with custom tuning by madz28.com You couldn't pay me to drive on the stock tune ever again.

[WMCCjames]

While I have never tuned an LT1 OBD1 system, I can tell you the the OBD1 systems for TPI's suck balls when compared to OBD2.

I can also point out an error in every statement you quoted Joel except for cost....but then again, you get what you pay for. This is typical talk on the internet by people who don't have any real world tuning experience. While I am no expert at tuning, I can tell you that I have tuned several OBD1 set-ups over the past 5 years and I have done 2 on OBD2 cars and it's unreal the difference, not only in the programming but just in the interfaces, ease and convienence.

[WMCCjames]

I've got an OBD1 conversion with custom tuning by madz28.com You couldn't pay me to drive on the stock tune ever again.

You are comparing apple to oranges.

[Phantom409]

He would be better with a hand held unit from Summit if he isn't going to change anything on his motor isn't he ?

Simple yes or no questions with out hurting anything.

I have the OBD 1 and a PCM4LESS tune but I'm modified too

I'm like Joel, I have spent the money on the stuff to do my own + a lap top and have almost 900 invested.
I'll be the fist to say that I don't under stand everything about the tunning stuff but I'm learning.

The nice thing about obd 1 is you can burn/flash several chips for different situations, that's my 2 cents.

[JoeliusZ28]

While I have never tuned an LT1 OBD1 system, I can tell you the the OBD1 systems for TPI's suck balls when compared to OBD2.

I can also point out an error in every statement you quoted Joel except for cost....but then again, you get what you pay for. This is typical talk on the internet by people who don't have any real world tuning experience. While I am no expert at tuning, I can tell you that I have tuned several OBD1 set-ups over the past 5 years and I have done 2 on OBD2 cars and it's unreal the difference, not only in the programming but just in the interfaces, ease and convienence.

I really have no solid evidence that one is better than the other. I see people claiming dyno gains of 5rwhp but idk if i believe it or not. I have driven both (with stock tunes) and i have to say i liked how the OBD1 reacted to my right foot better. For lack of a better term, OBD2 just felt "softer"

One problem a lot of people seem to have is that the crank sensor on OBD2 tends to throw random misfire codes, when the engine really isnt misfiring. OBD2 also is much more sensitive in regards to false knock. Both of these could be user error or could have some truth to it, you cant really know from internet blab.

I fully agree with you that the OBD2 interface is better because ive watched jon to quite a bit of tuning on his LS1 with hptuners. Its definitely faster and more stable. It doesnt compare. The cost is the biggest issue in my opinion. I think most people choose OBD1 for that reason, and because its easier for them to get a "decent" tune without a full understanding. The thing that makes me hesitant to believe that however, is that many of the biggest pioneer's in LT1 tech run OBD1 pcms.

I am planning on fully tuning my own car, and then eventually fully tuning my truck. One is OBD1 and the other is OBD2... so eventually i hope to have a better understanding for the pros and cons of each on at least a somewhat similar engine, both being gen2 sbcs. it just might be awhile before my budget allows that. Im going to begin the OBD1 learning curve as soon as my car gets back on the road this spring

[transampimp]

He would be better with a hand held unit from Summit if he isn't going to change anything on his motor isn't he ?

Simple yes or no questions with out hurting anything.

I have the OBD 1 and a PCM4LESS tune but I'm modified too

I'm like Joel, I have spent the money on the stuff to do my own + a lap top and have almost 900 invested.
I'll be the fist to say that I don't under stand everything about the tunning stuff but I'm learning.

The nice thing about obd 1 is you can burn/flash several chips for different situations, that's my 2 cents.

I think only the 93's have chips.