Refuge for Handheld Tuners
 

DISCLAIMER: It is strongly recommended that you consider dyno tuning or remote email tuning. Your tuning confidence is no replacement for the skill and know-how of a tuning professional. If you have purchased a tuning device, at least consider having someone look at your tune.

This thread is your safe haven. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, consider this your handheld tuner safe haven. All over Camaro5, we strongly encourage seeking professional help—no, not for your car addiction—for your tuning needs. These cars are run by computers, and they need the help of a mad scientist to help you get a good tune. The best GM tuners are here on Camaro5, and I hope they'll provide a little free advice for those of us using handheld devices. If you blow up your Camaro because you tuned a car following bro science that you found online, that's your own fault.

Bashing of handheld tuners in this thread will not be tolerated. It's already laid out in the disclaimer and all over Camaro5 that handhelds are usually inferior to dyno tunes. Leave it at that.

Handheld Tuner Companies
Each of the following offers at least one tuning option for your Camaro. I personally use the SCT X4, although I recommend considering at least the top 3 options. Vendors on Camaro5 tend to prefer SCT or Diablosport.

• SCT
• Diablosport
• Hypertech
• Superchips
• Bully Dog
• Jet
• aFe

Handheld Tuning Features
Handheld tuners almost universally feature the ability to do the following:

• Read and clear CELs
• Adjust gear ratio
• Toggle rear oxygen sensors for catless or high-flow cat operations
• Adjust fan operating temperature
• Tune for 91 or 93 octane
• Save stock tune
• Load a professionally designed tune

These are the basic features, but each tuner has more advanced features than that. In this thread, we will discuss handheld tuners in depth and how to safely improve your stock tune.

Speed Limiter
This allows you to change the speed limit on the vehicle. You probably want to choose whatever setting gives you no speed limit.

Fan Control
You can adjust the fan operating temperature using the fan control.
This section will be improved after covered in discussion.

Idle Speed
This feature makes your car idle at a higher or lower RPM. A high idle warms up the engine faster, increases oil temperature, and increases oil pressure, but it is worse for fuel economy.

Shift Pressure (L99)
This feature changes the line pressure and, thus, firmness of your shifts.
This section will be improved after covered in discussion.

WOT Shift Speed (L99)
The goal here is to tune so that you cross the line at the fastest time. This requires you to figure out at what speed and gear you'll cross the line.
This section will be improved after covered in discussion.

WOT Fuel
This allows you to add fuel to your tune in WOT conditions.
This section will be improved after covered in discussion.

Spark Advance
This allows you to move up the spark timing.
This section will be improved after covered in discussion.

Great Thread.

Most of the over the counter tuners allow meanial tuning tasks that work well with stock vehicles with few to no mods.

I don't know of any of the over the counter tuners that will toggle codes for use with non emissions equipment.

SCT, and Diablo are the only 2 that I know of that will also support custom tuning files created by professinal tuners, that can be emailed and loaded on the device then in to the car.

The others named do not at least to my knowledge.

Hope this Helps.

Ted.

Doesn't EFI Live have a puck or something that can store tunes?

Anything for HP tuners without having to buy the software or credits?

EFIlive and HPtuners are Professional Tuning suites, You would have to purchase a device or software for either.

EFILive has a separate device available for customers to load tunes, and log but no user adjustable functionality.

This is usually purchased by the customer.

They would get they tune files from a professional tuner using EFIlive.

HPtuners is a full on professional tuning software and cable for guys who want to do they're own tuning.

They do not have a separate device for loading tune but they do offer a Logging Tool and software.

I have and use
Diablo
EFIlive
HPtuners
SCT

These are professional tuning software for GM, Ford, Chrysler, Gas and Diesel.

Ted.

So, is this thread really the "Refuge for V8 Handheld Tuners?"

Can we expect any V6-related content, or are handhelds only used with V8s?

I was cheking out my new SCT x4 I got from Ted, i noticed there is an option for factory manifold or long tube headers, is there a pre loaded tune from SCT on them?

As of now, HPT is the ONLY reliable software to tune the LLT V6. Now that they've cracked it, the others may follow suit. Don't know about the LFX though.

Thanks.

I believe HPT has supported the LFX for some time now.

But I don't know about handheld devices at all.

There may be that option, but I would be more concerned about the Cold air kit calibration as it has more affect on the calibration than any other Item.

10_4, I just got your tune today, as soon as my intake comes in I'll load it and report. Thanks Ted.:thumb:

Lethal Racing EFI live tune
 

I purchased an EFI live tune from Lethal Racing a little while back. Although I can not personally change any settings with the controller itself, leaving that up to a trained professional was my route. An initial load and data log and Shawn had my car acting real good for the limited mods I have. The crew at Lethal are awesome. :bow:

Is the diablo in tune 93 octane tune good enough if my only mod was arh longtube headers and high flow cats? No cold air box. Just want a bit more power and my back 2 o2 sensors ignored.

No sir, the 93 tune does not account for long tube headers and you will get codes.

You need a custom tune which I can supply via email.

tedj@jannettyracing.com

Ted.

Sweet. Pm me price if you dont mind. I already purchased the diablo intune, so just need your tune right?