Just a simple question:

Which of the major tuners actually generate their own programs on site? Is it everyone? noone?

I'm used to these:

http://www.ikos.com/products/VStation15/index.htm

So it never occured to me that a vendor might not do their own ROM emulation/programming...

Just curious
Coldie

 

JDM. They have a ton of programs for a custom tune. Tell them what you want and they will give it to you.

 

but I'm not asking who can make a custom tune. I guess I'm asking who can make a custom tune while you wait...

Does that make sense? Like I said, just curious.

Coldie

 

All the tuners have lots of programs to choose from but if you are a Superchips distributor you will get a chip that the tuner already has done testing with or if you want a special program specificily made that tuner has to call Superchips for them to make the program then they will download the file to them.Give Mike Troyer a call he can explain this to you.

 

Autologic tuners create thier own programs using tuning software purchased from Autologic. We write the programs, working off stock files. The only thing the mother company does is provide the software for us.

Superchip and Diablo tuners get programs made from the mother companies and download them for loading on chips. So for a custom tune, you have to call the mother company for a program change, then get it from them and download it. Most SC/Diablo tuners will get multiple programs, making it a bit easier to have more selections on hand for on the spot tuning. Many years ago, Superchips tuners had the ability to make on the spot changes, but they changed thier policy taking that ablility away several years ago. Diablo has their new Revolution chips and software coming out, which is similar to what Autologic tuners use, where they can make the changes themselves. I've heard Jim at JDM has the tuneable version of the SC stuff, but SC claims he doesn't, so I don't know that for sure.

 

I think he is asking who has the equipment and the knowledge to go into the PCM tables and change the numerical values like you can do with the Accel or Speed Pro aftermarket stand alone systems. And I don't know the answer.

 

Sal is the only tuner that can tune on the spot because he uses Autologic software. JDM use/used Superchips and JL uses Diablo; and as you know they have request programs.

 

That equipment is kind of cute Coldie; but I prefer these : http://www.teradyne.com/prods/icd/products/tiger.html
A little pricey at ~$3M, though.

 

 

As Sal stated

To answer the "everybody really wants to know" question, well, there isn't any Superchips dealer that writes their own file, PERIOD, regardless of what you're told.

Anyhoo, some more info about Diablo:

The head tuner at Diablo was the head tuner at Superchips.


Hey, Sal, we might see this before Mr. Wesley ever introduces the Calibrator DL, 'eh? LoL

 

You can actually download the Superchips software off a PUBLIC webserver in Italy. Although the cars supported are all European, you can get a general idea of what the capabilities of the software are. I don't feel comfortable posting a link; but I found it in less than 5 minutes using alltheweb.com.

 

Coldie
Call JDM and you will not go wrong. This is my opinion. I know nothing about the other tuners that reside on these forums. I have seen how JDM operates first hand. I was extremely impressed and i will only deal with them and i wish to pass that on to you to make your decision. Some people like to bash JDM on this forum and i will never understand. I can't imagine anyone being more devoted to our trucks than JDM. JDM is devoted to lightnings and their owners. I am extremely picky and was a little hesitant about getting my L modded. After my experience i felt very confident about the quality of parts and tune. JDM will stick by their work. Call them on the phone, speak to Jim and tell him what you want from your truck. HE CAN AND WILL TUNE YOUR TRUCK ANY WAY YOU WANT. Call around to the other tuners andsee what you think. Call JDM!! There is alot of B.S. on this site, so talk to these people yourself.

 

That is fine for all of you who live out that way. For us on the west coast, its a lot more difficult. Getting a chip with our wonderful 91 octane fuel is a crap shoot. I prefer not to use the known shop out here for " other " reasons and experience. I dont believe in bashing any tuner.

 

BFB,

I watched Jim make changes to my tune live. No dial up, NO canned programs.

As I understood it, EVERY tuner relied on the mothership to make the CORE files for the PCM. In other words a 99 PCM has a core file, 2000, 2001 all different, once Superchips, Autologic or Diablo gets the core file done then SOME ( VERY FEW ) folks can make changes.

The waiting for the core tune explains why some folks have chips for new PCM's before the others. Either the Mothership hasn't completed the core program OR the tuner has busted the cash to buy the new programs yet.

MOST - 90% percent of the folks who are selling chips are BUYING stock programs from the mothership and reselling them. It explains why a custom tune is so expensive they have to pay the mother ship for the new tune and if the mods are NOT common they may only be able to use it once. In most cases the costs are passed directly on...

Look in the back of any decent magazine you can see what it takes to become a Diablo or other dealer. Just a few bucks upfront .... You buy the programs ready made from Diablo and resell them to your customers. I am pretty sure the other Vendors ( motherships ) are the same.

Doug

PS - I had to add - I have recieved at least 2 emails from folks who were selling chips and wanted to become Supporting Vendors here. In both cases I asked a little about them and thier business. They had no business, they just paid for the programmer and were hoping to make some easy money. In one case the guy owned a Lightning BUT wasnt running a chip and never had... I politely turned them both down.

 

Doug (and JDM), I nearly forgot about Jim being able to do this w/ Superchips. My bad...

BTW, your "mothership" word is hella funny heheheh