So my goal is to tune my own car! I already read some thread froms HT and PGMFI. I will update this thread as I make progress. I will post everything I did starting from the beginning. :type:

Car is a B16a, short ram intake, 2.5 cat-back piping to a stock muffler. Will change the muffler to a Vibrant one later on.

Things I need if i'm missing something you can chip in :list:
-Program for tuning, I have crome the free version right now.
-datalogging cable, I plan on getting the Moates HULOG Honda USB Datalog Interface. I plan on using freelog
-wideband, plan on getting an LC-1
-romulator, plan on getting an Ostrich Emulator 2.0

Here's a link to the stuff I plan on purchasing when funds come in: http://www.xenocron.com/diyer-intro-...age-p-238.html

Right now I have a spare ECU which hasn't been chipped with a with a ZIF socket. So I will work on that first.



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My advice... Skip all the freeware headaches:
Buy Hondata or Neptune.
Buy an innovate mtx-l instead of the lc1.

Tune away :-)

 

Thanks for the advice...but I also wanted to tune my friends cars since theirs is chipped also. I would buy Hondata or Neptune if i had the extra cash to spare. Right now I'm on a budget, got a kid on the way.

I just looked into that innovative MTX-L and I think i would get that now. Do you know any place that's cheaper?

 

Check mtbr's sig. for the company he owns and I'm sure recommends

I'm in the same boat as you -- first time DIY tuning with Neptune. I've got everything installed and just started tuning.

I have to say, the recommendation to get the MTX-L is the best advice I ever got. Knowing exactly what your AFR is turns out to be incredibly useful, because the signal your ECU gets is not necessarily very close to what the wideband reports, and if you can't see what the wideband sees you can't correctly calibrate your emulator. Plus, it's easy to install!

 

Why is the MTX-L better than the LC-1?

 

The LC-1 is junk. Mine lasted 3 months. If you look on Inovates forums you wll see similar cases.

I would go with plx, zeitronix or aem. I wont buy another innovate product.

 

They say it's a bit faster, but I don't know if that's true.

It's major advantage is that it comes with a built-in air/fuel gauge. Knowing EXACTLY what your AFR is at all times is really useful because the signal your ECU is getting can be surprisingly different (due to a difference in the voltage it recieves vs. what is sent by the wideband controller). Of course, you can just get a gauge in addition to the LC-1and it works fine. If you run Neptune, you can get around this because the Demon can interface with the wideband through your computer's serial connection. You can also program your emulator to match the AFR signal from the wideband, but to do that you need to know what the wideband is reading!

If you can get a gauge/LC-1 package for the same price as an MTX-L, the only other advantage the MTX-L has is that it's quite a bit simpler to install. The gauge is a bit fancier looking than the quite spare-looking DB gauges people often kit with the LC-1.

A downside is that since it's all-in-one, if something goes wrong, the entire unit must be replaced.

 

I've had my LC-1 for over a year now. Still running the original sensor.

 

Neptune for the win.

I have had it 3 years, software stays current, hrtuning answers if you have questions, his forum isnt bad either.

stick with it, read some books on tuning and make small changes.

 

I got a LM-1 Ill Sell Real Cheap....

 

$50 shipped?

 

There is a p75 with neptune rtp, clear ecu cover, etc. for sale for $415 shipped.. I think it would be easier to use it to learn tuning. Maybe down the road you can get all the chip burning freeware for your friends, then you would know two types of software to tune. I seen a aem 1000 for 350 and socketed p28's all ready to go for 150 in drag/for sale good luck with your tuning. Just cause something is "free" doesnt mean free.
Get the NEPTUNE RTP.
It works great and is easy to follow.

 

I would recommend this: http://www.xenocron.com/demon-eprom-...are-p-461.html over what your looking at. Cheaper, less things to carry around, and you don't need to burn chips. Everything is in real time. It also gives you flexibility on tuning software.

If you want to tune your friends cars you still can. Just buy a chip burner as well for $85 from xenocron. You tune their car on your rtp board then just burn the map to a chip. Very simple.

 

I like your Idea...I think I'll go that route

 

It just doesn't come with a Wideband. So I would be paying a total of 249+200=450...Instead of the whole thing for $369. I know the downside is carrying more stuff around, but it's 80 dollars cheaper and that could go towards other things.

 

If your going to be tuning other cars get a lm1 the lc1 is alot more wires to hook up

 

The MTX-L is pretty easy to hook-up, and if you go with a TUNER HARNESS, you can install the power, ground and signal right to that harness making it plug and play and easy every time you move it from car to car.

 

Where can I find the tuner harness? I don't see it on your site...unless I'm blind by default

 

http://www.xenocron.com/obd1-tuner-harness-p-169.html

There you go...

It should be available as an add-on to some of the packages as well.

 

Ahhh I see. I was half assuming that you were going to be using a wideband on your car and just make your friends get their own. I was figuring $250 for the demon, $170 for and aem wideband, and $85 for a chip burner. Your definitly spending more going the route I suggested, but personally I've dealt with both chips and rtp boards and I definitly prefer the rtp boards. For me...the extra money would be worth it.

Now, in your situation, maybe the package deal for $370 is a better option. I guess the best option for you is going to be what gets it done in the most cost effective manner. The demon board is kind of a luxury in my opinion, hence why its more expensive. If you find you like tuning, then maybe pick up an rtp board at a later date.