Torque Pro

[solidaxel]

Anyone using tis App.
Are there better Apps with more info out there for a Android ?

[Classic-Steele]

I've got it and used it before. It works, but seemed overly complicated getting your phone to connect via Bluetooth. If you haven't bought the OB2 data transmitter I'd suggest rather buying a cheaper scanner. Both do the same thing, I just find a scanner more user friendly.

[Andy4639]

I bought this at Auto Zone and think it is wonderful.It can do so many things it's worth every penny!


You will be amazed!

http://www.scangauge.com/

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Classic-Steele

I've got it and used it before. It works, but seemed overly complicated getting your phone to connect via Bluetooth. If you haven't bought the OB2 data transmitter I'd suggest rather buying a cheaper scanner. Both do the same thing, I just find a scanner more user friendly.

Do you have a ELM 327 for your Bluetooth transmitter?

[Classic-Steele]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Do you have a ELM 327 for your Bluetooth transmitter?

Yup that's what I used

[Hart_Rod]

I have one. It's hard to beat for the money. I use it when I don't want to lug my laptop around. I think it will even log for you, although I haven't tried it.

[Billett]

I used an ELM 327 from Amazon for $25 or so. Torque works great for me. Not sure what scangauge has feature-wise, but Torque is pretty damn handy. Can't read trans codes, but it reads normal engine codes along with a lot of other parameters. If your pcm is monitoring it, so can you. I've never had trouble connecting to it either. Plug in the ELM, open the app on your phone, wait for it to connect. That simple.

[Billett]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I have one. It's hard to beat for the money. I use it when I don't want to lug my laptop around. I think it will even log for you, although I haven't tried it.

It does log, but frankly the logging feature is pretty crappy. As far as I can tell it will only log so much time and you don't actually record the entire graph, just whats on the screen at the time. Although to be fair I haven't messed with it a ton, so I may be doing it wrong.

[solidaxel]

I have used the 0 to 30 MPH a few times and there is a 0 to 60 also and 1/8 mile and 1/4 mile.
Still looking for a good spot to try it out!!
I am wondering if there is other Apps that will monitor different parts of the PCM?

[Billett]

What parts of the pcm are you looking for? You can add a gauge for almost everything. There are plugins as well

[BR3W CITY]

The scangauge will display most of the normal outputs were used to seeing, and does the code reading scanning etc. It has a feature iirc called Xgauge which allows for additional custom displays of model or system-specific data. I.e. the genIII engine has an oil pressure sensor, but the ECM doesn't use the data or output the data as a figure for monitoring...however certain other brands like Ford DO have an output, and the scangauge can be configured to do that.

The other thing is that the scangauge is self powered off of the OBD port, making the installation small and simple. While the ELM is small, the additional need for the smartphone/iphone adds to that. I like the program but don't like having to use my phone as a display device, especially if its serving other functions as well.
I think doing an in-dash tabled would be cool for the access to the larger screen, as well as multitasking ablility like being a music drive as well...without losing access to my phone...and the added ability to link the tablet to the phone for data tethering.

[Billett]

I agree a dedicated screen would be nice but at that point I'd rather put the effort into getting a laptop screen in there to do tuning on the fly. I don't depend on my app and I would get an actual gauge for anything you want to consistently monitor, but its nice to be able to read codes and monitor random things if there's ever a problem.

[littlevictories]

so torque pro doesn't log transmission trouble codes?

as there any android app that does?

[BR3W CITY]

I don't believe so, for the main reason that it would be very difficult to cover all the specific transmission diagnostics for different vehicles. While basic 02 sensor and engine codes are pretty standard across all cars, the trans doesn't work the same.

Year-to-year changes in transmission functions (things like use of PWM or EC3) mean that the exact cause of a symptom (and the code it throws) may not be the same. Dealer scan tools and tuning software are updateable to current indexes, so they can read and clear said codes. It would be expensive and technicaly for an app to attempt the same level of function.
This also applies to things like BCM function and airbag lights which usually can't be manipulated through a handheld scan tool....whereas something like a StarTac may be able to use the data.

[littlevictories]

gotcha. man, i got a lot to learn.

hindsight 20/20, which tool would you have purchased to get your first swap up and running?

[BR3W CITY]

HPfreakinTuners

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by br3w city

hpfreakintuners

+1

[littlevictories]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

+1

the product looks good, but the pay-per-tune is a big turn off
i started this project to learn how to mess with this new-fangled efi stuff
not to see how much money i could stick in other guy's pockets
so far that's about all i have found...

[Classic-Steele]

Originally Posted by littlevictories

the product looks good, but the pay-per-tune is a big turn off
i started this project to learn how to mess with this new-fangled efi stuff
not to see how much money i could stick in other guy's pockets
so far that's about all i have found...

No matter what tuning program you purchase you only get a certain number of credits. Just like you can't tune multiple vehicles with a hand held either. HP tuners is of great value tho! And you do get 8 credits with the program. Compared to some either computer software, the price really isn't so bad either. It basically boils down to- "of you wanna play, you gotta pay."

[littlevictories]

never been too fond of that saying but i am familiar with it
i suppose i've just gone too far down the rabbit hole looking at the big three tuner suites and how they got their respective starts...

every dollar is a vote.


there's some neat stuff on the 3rdgen board and at delcohacking. requires a bit of computer savvy, but no actual rocket science as far as i can tell.

heh, who am i kidding. i'll probably pony up for hpt out of desperation.
"can't beat 'em, join 'em"

[BR3W CITY]

If you don't wanna pay to tune, you're welcome to build and tune a Megasquirt setup. Its not what I would call easy, but has merit.

[Classic-Steele]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

If you don't wanna pay to tune, you're welcome to build and tune a Megasquirt setup. Its not what I would call easy, but has merit.

Hey br3w, are you controlling your 80e with megasquirt? Do you have more details on it in your build thread? If I didn't have all my factory wiring and ecm I'd definitely be considering it.

[BR3W CITY]

No, I've only used it for small projects and wacky 1-time stuff.
The MS forum is actually VERY helpful to those interested...
and I think Matt Cramer or Kramer is a bigger MS user (he's way more versed in it than myself and a newer member here)

[Andy4639]

I'm going to ask a question about tunning because I don't understand it.

As for me just wanting a good driver vehicle out of my LSx swap why would I want to buy the HP tunner? Once it's tuned it will stay that way unless I decide to start drag racing are doing major mods to the motor right?

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

why would I want to buy the HP tunner? Once it's tuned it will stay that way unless I decide to start drag racing are doing major mods to the motor right?

Yes and no.

So theres a majority chance that your engine will be tuned with HP Tuners even if you yourself don't buy it. The lions share of tuners and ecm-flashers use HP tuners (at least for GM). So that being said, your VIN is already registered with HPT credits. If you pick up the software yourself, you don't use credits unlocking your ecm again.

As for the tuning part; "staying tuned" is in the eye of the beholder. I know you think it'll stay how it is, but is that REALLY the case? Things like changing the wheel/tire size for the speedo readout, changing shift pressure/timing to suit your taste or the circumstances, adding something like a/c....all those can involve ECM changes. Its nice to be able to say "man my truck just shifts too early on these start-stop town roads....I sure wish I could get it to be a little smoother and wait a hair longer in 2nd" and then go home and MAKE that change.

To go further, and in a way that you can directly relate; Think if the power tour. Its REALLY nice to be able to put a very mild tune in, one that has smooth shifts and takes advantage of lockup. Maybe even throw on some narrow low resistance wheels and get 23mpg. But then maybe you want to take a few passes out at Beach Bend...put on some slicks, turn up the wick with a hot tune and enjoy. The flash itself only take a few minutes.

Beyond that, you get the instant access to pretty much EVERY pid and parameter your truck can measure (***advanced tuners, I know this isn't 100% true, but for the sake of conversation it is). This means you have gauges, readouts and logs of everything.
Think you hear or felt a miss a few miles back, but couldn't pinpoint the cause? Check your log. Oh hey, looks like the truck flipped a missfire CEL but it cleared right away, no big deal. OR, crap it logged a huge change and now I'm dumping extra fuel...maybe my 02 sensor burned out or came unplugged. Its like having an engine triage on hand.


It really is the most powerful thing you can buy. Even if you don't want to tune it yourself...having HP Tuners means people like myself, Hart Rod, and hundreds of other enthusiasts can look at your tunes and logs, share information etc.
I've known folks who have just bought HPT (or used ours), downloaded some base tunes, and we troubleshot from there. Its a pretty gratifying way to do a swap.