Halfways there...

... to doing some of my own tuning, that is. I ordered a PT a couple days ago, and also grabbed a refurbished Dell laptop on Ebay. Laptop showed up today, and will be an adjustment. I'm used to desktop PC's, and do not use the numbers across the top of the keyboard. Ever. Touchpad works ok, but is a PITA compared to a good mouse. Otherwise, it's a decent little machine for the price. Got a 15" Dell Latitude D600 1.4ghz 512mb ram, and 40gb HD, XP Pro. Really only plan to use it for running the PT software, so it was a good deal at $300. Too bad the PT is a 3-4 week wait. Aaron, I have a WOT log from this afternoon to post up. Haven't viewed it on the LS1M yet, so I've no idea what to expect.

Very cool, Dave. Glad to hear you are getting the tuner. With your help, maybe we can learn a few more things about these cars!

hehehehe... I just got a box from DHP!

I'll get you a new BIN soon, Dave. And it's getting cooler out...

No rush with the BIN, I won't find time to play. Wife is heading to Hungary for a week again, so I have full-time kids duty til 10/20. That is, AFTER Saturday street legal.

Funny, PFYC told me 4-6 weeks for the PT to ship direct from DHP, but I got it in 9 days,

Maybe due to decreased business, DHP is trying to be more responsive. Fewer customers, and knowing what will happen if they don't fix their reputation for terrible cust service. Used to be their product was exclusive, and worth tolerating the inconvenience. Not any more now that HP Tuners has a superior product. Only reason to buy DHP is... it's cheap.

Loading the BIN will be a snap. Until then, you can try installing the software, connecting to your car, etc. That alone took me a couple weeks! Get a Serial-to-USB adapter if you haven't already.

I have an adapter I'm using already with the LS1M, no RS232 on my new Dell PC. But I believe my laptop has a serial port. And DHP site shows they are very picky about which USB/RS232 adapter you use if needed.

I went to register on their forum, then realized I had registered already last November. So I went ahead and emailed my situation to support, waiting on them to give me full access.

Yes, you will be able to enter the "real" forums now.

I just bought a cheap $20 adapter at a computer store and it worked. You must have an old or large laptop if it has a serial port.

It's a Dell D600 Latitude, not sure of year of mfgr. 1.4ghz 512mb 40gb. XP Pro. Works great, I love being able to browse the boards on the dining room table, instead of HAVING to sit downstairs at the PC. We have a wireless network set up. BUT, it does suck compared to the wide new 20" Dell flat monitor.

My laptop is 12", and wouldn't trade it for a bigger one. The nice thing about a small laptop is that it's actually portable. Try opening up one of those 17" monsters on an airplane!

mine's 15". A bit on the bulky side, but other than the Riv tuning, it won't be travelling, so it works well for me. I'd go smaller too, if I used it while travelling. Hell, when do I travel...

Here's my scanner at work:

http://www.hometown.aol.com/aasearles/scanLAPTOP.jpg

Aaron, what PT software version are you using? Geez, the Downloads page is confusing. Wondering if I should load the 1.2.3 Beta version...l

v1.2.2

I know it's a PITA. I can send the installer if you need.

Ok, I just spent a lot time digging around in there. With my 841+ hardware version, 1.2.2 will not function. I have to use 1.2.3E or higher. I did find a full install zip file for 1.2.4 and have downloaded it. But I also posted, asking to confirm 1.2.4 is a good release. I don't THINK it's a beta version.... Damn that site is disorganized. Makes me wonder if I should have gone HPT.

I also found that AVG doesn't like the PT files, so I uninstalled AVG, will try avast.com I guess, supposed to work ok with PT.

Yeah, I hear you about the forums. Takes a lot of patience with the search feature to find what you need, but it's there.. somewhere. Took me such a long time to learn.

Got a chance to see an HPTuners last week. Nice-looking interface. Haven't seen their forums to compare to DHP's. Get what you pay for I guess.

Hi Guys

I haven't posted here in a long time... but wanted to say hello. I've been working and working and working on my tune this year, also replaced PEMs with headers and STILL not in the 13s (grrrr). Anyway, I have played with just about every setting in the PT and am available for questions...

-Derek

Hey Derek, good to hear from you. I've been tuning more as well. Basically, I've set my PE and AF ratio to lock a 11.5:1 ratio at WOT, then tuning with MAFF. What I've found is there is an optimum A/F ratio for power, and there is an optimum for zero KR, and they are not the same at all. I'm currently running rich, loosing some power in the process, but it's safer than having the knock.

Lose the cat, and you'll be in the 13s!

Hey Derek, was wondering where you've been hiding! (head buried in the laptop I guess...)