FAQ: Good Scanner/Tuner Software to use?

Anyone have any good ones they know about?
I'm looking for something on the cheap side.
I'd like to be able to tune a bit as well .
Thanks!

I use HP Tuner which has worked out well. I have heard the DHP support is not the best.... but it is cheaper. I think I picked up mine for 400-500. DHP runs 100 less.

No such thing as a "cheap" tuning tool for our cars. There had been 2 options for tuning: DHP and HP Tuners. DHP has very recently stopped sales of new units, so HPTuners is the only choice, at around $500. I spent $400 on a DHP PowrTuner this fall, kind of wish I'd gone HPT now. There are some less expensive choices for a SCAN tool. But they do NOT allow you to make any tuning changes at all. Autotap has been recommended by some guys. Used to be LS1M was a good choice too, but they've closed up shop.

And will these work with a 96? the hptuners.com site says only 97+.

I'd contact them directly and ask about support for a 96 Riv. I know DHP's online info about supported vehicles was not up to date, could be HPT does support it.

Any OBDII scan tool should work with your '96. I really like the AutoTap software, but LS1M looks good, too. These run on a laptop or Palm device.

If I were wanting to tune, I'd spend the extra on the new HP Tuners software, or find a good deal on a used DHP Powrtuner. You will need a laptop to run either. Both do the same thing, but HP Tuners appears to have better support and easier-to-use interface. As for working with a '96, I think DHP has done it already, and HP Tuners could if you asked them.

moved from: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-engine-transmission-f4/bad-gas-mileage-t2358-15.htm#25706

albertj wrote:

buy an OBD-2 dongle (a cord to connect a computer to your car) from Alex Peper (http://www.carcode.com) and download Alex's Car Code program. It will take a log and show you all the gauges -

This looks like a nice scantool setup on a budget. I'm going to take a closer look at it. albertj do you use it?

(sorry for the hijack)

To Derek (and the rest of you)

Yes, I use Car-Code.

I had a little problem getting it to work because of settings on my laptop (the serial port) but once I figured it out, "wha-la." Alex was patient answering my questions as I figured out my problem.

When you use it to record your runs, *be sure* to set it up so you can not see the screen while you drive - or let someone else drive while you watch the pointers dance!

It will reset the trouble codes, or not, if you want. It will not reprogram the computer(s) in the Riv.

Bottom line for me is it is a very nice scan tool and worth having even if you only use it 2-4 x year... but will not do some things a Tech II will.

Albertj

I'm very familiar with a few scan tools on the PC. Autotap, which I really like, is $400 new with the GM enhanced parameters (but you can find them cheaper used, nothing wrong with a used one). PowerTunr was also $400 but is a really crappy scan tool, although it does work. Crappy only in the sense of instability and the UI is very poor. The polar opposite of Autotap.

The thing I like about Autotap is it's universality. I'm assuming car-code is similar, and much cheaper it seems.

Alternately, the next 'upgrade' I buy is probably going to be an HP Tuners, which is again a similar scanner/dashboard like Autotap. More expensive than DHP's PowerTunr but all around a better tuning device with more settings available to change.

A clarification about CarCode: it has a *lot* of features including the ability to analyze test result limits for catalyst and sensor life, view Oxygen sensor evaluations. It includes manufacturer definitions, component numbers and PASS-FAIL reuslts. In other words, it goes a bit beyond being just a piece of scan software in that Peper has added data files with the latest info he has about components and specs. So no kidding you can use this thing and see if your o2 sensor is good, merely OK, weakening or approaching becoming a dud.

Albertj

thanks for moving this Aaron... thread hijacking is not your thing, eh? You would go bezerk with the thread hijacks at my local board!

Albert, that's great info. I'll definitely check this out. Being a home mechanic requires me to have some other sort of scan tool, the PowerTunr doesn't cut it, and I'm not sure how much the HPT can scan related to all OBDII.

It's not the hijacking really, the reason is more topic organization. If a new member joins our site, and looks for a good tuner software, I want them to find it all in one spot, not have to go searching for it in 5 different threads.

I vote for a round of applause for AAron in running the board and keeping the wandering topics straight.

Albertj

Have you all seen this odb2 to USB unit?
Link


it seems to be about 40 bucks cheaper than the other sellers with the same unit... I'm wondering if this is just the software.. the description is a bit vague... anyway.. anyone seen/used this?

albertj wrote:

I vote for a round of applause for AAron in running the board and keeping the wandering topics straight.

Albertj

With a 96 if you are looking to tune, I believe your only choice is DHP. They recently stopped selling the unit although I hear you can find them used and the support is still in place.

I've yet to get a dhp tuner, and I want to check out the KR i'm running. Does anyone here have a kr gauge that they're using, if so what brand, how much, and where? Or could someone reccomend one or a cheap scanner?

Search around. I think one of the threads has a link for a cheap scanner that if im not mistaken AlbertJ uses. it was about 150 bucks IIRC

I found a KR gauge for 75 bones, i'll keep looking.

www.carcode.com thats the scanner i was talking about.

I don't have a laptop

RhinoFLA wrote:

I found a KR gauge for 75 bones, i'll keep looking.

really??????/ where??? do you think autozone, pepboys, or checker would sell them????

RhinoFLA wrote:

I found a KR gauge for 75 bones, i'll keep looking.

for that I use an aeroforce scan guage. expensive at a little over $200. You can see 2 parameters realtime and pick between like 20 other parameters (KR, timing, fuel trims, voltage, ECT, etc.)
I have a scanner, but dont usually have it with me so having this guage there all the time is convenient.

http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IR&Product_Code=AFT-SCx&Category_Code=IE

but you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere

The Aeroforce is the way to go when you start modding and want to monitor.

The latest versions, you can program the shift lights to flash when any parameter hits a set value. Like KR over 1*. Older models as long as they have the shift lights can be sent in and reprogrammed.

Looking at any of the parameters, scanning and clearing DTC's, having analog input ability. Honestly.... I don't know where I was w/o it.

BillBoost37 wrote:

The Aeroforce is the way to go when you start modding and want to monitor.

The latest versions, you can program the shift lights to flash when any parameter hits a set value. Like KR over 1*. Older models as long as they have the shift lights can be sent in and reprogrammed.

Looking at any of the parameters, scanning and clearing DTC's, having analog input ability. Honestly.... I don't know where I was w/o it.

I agree, the aeroforce gauge is NICE.. it's just out of my budget right now lol.