Call me stupid, but is there a efi tuning program that works for pretty much all vehicles/engines? All I've read about here is obd0 to obd1 conversion, and not much is mentioned on obd2 tuning. (understanding since obd2 is considerably more complex than obd1).

I'd like to tune my Jeep, and play around with my $900 1990 civic, and maybe get into tuning other's rides as a side job. Thanks!
-Matt

p.s. I read the stickies, looked at the links, read the AEM pdf (saved it too) and I don't think it's all that complicated once I get used to operating the software.

 

wow... burn...

 

Unfortunately there's too much variety among computers for one program to work on all stock ECUs. You can get a standalone engine management system that could work on either one of them, but even these have limitations on where you can put them - it takes a very high end ECU to work on the new gasoline direct injected engines, for example. This would replace the ECU, not break into it.

The computers are just too different inside for the same sort of device to work directly with both. The Honda stores its data on a chip that has to be physically replaced to change the tune, while the Jeep stores its data in flash memory. There's a couple programs out there that can tune an OBD-0 Honda stock ECU, but the only tuning device I'm aware of for a stock Jeep ECU is the one from Superchips Custom Tuning, and it doesn't work with Hondas.

If you want to use the same software with all your cars, often the only option is to put the same computer in them all.

 

true. I'll assume then that the guys who can tune their engines on a laptop have a standalone system most of the time.

 

It depends; there are a couple OBD-II ECUs that can be tuned with a laptop using just an interface cable and tuning software, and there are a couple things that can be put into certain OBD-I ECUs to make them laptop tuneable too.

 

megasquirt can be custom tailored for any app... just takes ALOT of time