Lets have a Discussion about ecu/ecm programming options

[Happy Hummer]

Hey All,


Have been doing allot of research about hand held programmers, chips, ecu/ecm programming from a mail order firm and other options. I'm a novice at his type of stuff but am willing to learn. I'm in NO way fully or well versed but a quick study.


My hope is to start a discussion on multiple options...not just mail order programming.


I'm in need of an add on chips or hand held programmer for both 06 & 07 H3 I5.
Obviously two distinct different engines.


3.5l
3.7l


Spent about 5-6 hrs. researching and have come across the same information again and again...Namely that a hand held is not currently available for either of the platforms in question.


I'm wondering if any of the forum members are aware of a hand held or chip that was developed for the 06, 07?
Mabe they were available a few years back and have ceased production?


I've taken a look at PCM4less and at this time they do not offer a hand held programmer, which is inconvenient to say the least. I am hoping at some point they may.


Right now it seems to come down too Jet chip stage 1....
JDM ProM....Hypertech but they do not show the 06 as of this time and the 07 may or may not work from reading I've done.


Neither are exactly what we would like, alas they are the only ones viable. There are some older models I came across but could not find enough information.


Again, I've taken a look at PCM4less...


Chris

 

[alrock]

I've also heard of it being done with a laptop, cable and the proper software, though that isn't very handy of course. For owners I've run into so far, it's been 1-2 Jet Chips and the rest have been pcmforless (now called PCM of NC).

 

[amrg]

Yes for the 07 you can use Hypertech for a handheld. As for the 06, pcmforless can do a custom tune if you upload your cars "data" to them. To do that, you need a laptop, OBDM connector cable and a HP Tuners software (http://www.hptuners.com/).
Im not familiar with this yet, but basically you run the the setup plugged in, make a log about ur car while its running, save it and send it to pcmforless. They modify that file, send it back to you and you save it using the software on your cars pcm. Many custom tune shops around use such software to tune other vehicles.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Now that does sound handy...
Chris

 

[jakesz28]

HP tuners. If your not sure what changes to make you can still buy that and go thru pvmds- for less but just have him email the files to you.

 

[Steve #1]

You should be able to find a local tuner that uses HP Tuners software. The changes that are made are pretty standard and if you use a local tuner they will usually make updates if you need them for a small fee. If you have someone local with an AWD dyno they can tune it on the dyno which is even better.

 

[MaxPF]

EFI Live has a remote flash module called "AutoCal". Basically, it allows a tuner who uses EFI Live to e-mail tunes to their customer, who then use the AutoCal module much like they would a handheld programmer. Unlike a handheld programmer, AutoCal can do black-box logging of engine data, which can then be sent back to the tuner to revise the tune if necessary. It can also do diagnostics. Cost-wise, it is on par with a Hypertech or other hand-held programmer.

 

[amrg]

That probably is a better solution. I just proposed pcmforless as a solution for a custom tune simply due to the fact that they have hands on experience with tuning H3s, both the I5 and the V8, and Id rather have something done and tested over someone who may or may not (most possibly not) have any knowledge about the H3 sit and play around with it. He may do a better job, but since I've never done this before, I am abit concerned. In addition, pcmforless only supports hptuners, so Autocal isnt suitable if anyone wants to go their route.
Eitherway, Im having the long wait for the warranty to end, then I can play around without have to worry about the dealer blaming things that went wrong on my tune.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I think one of the questions I have is; what is the correct OBDII communications protocols to properly read any codes? I've read there are five different OBDII communication protocols. I have a cheap HF code reader that uses J1850 and when I tried to search for codes all I got was gibberish.

 

[telemike]

I have a $16 blue tooth obd2 dongle and use apps on my android phone to read codes and see some sensor data

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[JGBB04]

Yes for the 07 you can use Hypertech for a handheld. As for the 06, pcmforless can do a custom tune if you upload your cars "data" to them. To do that, you need a laptop, OBDM connector cable and a HP Tuners software (http://www.hptuners.com/).
Im not familiar with this yet, but basically you run the the setup plugged in, make a log about ur car while its running, save it and send it to pcmforless. They modify that file, send it back to you and you save it using the software on your cars pcm. Many custom tune shops around use such software to tune other vehicles.

That is one of the options from PCMforless, which is new to me as of 09 when I got mine they didn't do that, or you can do their semi-custom tune where you send in or take a core PCM already tuned. This email option seems very $$$ from what i've looked at , $125 for PCMforless & at least $350 for the Hptuners software, their semi cumtom deal starts at $200. Also Hypertech is only available for 08-up 3.7 ($370ish from prior posts)

My first year in Moab I had a nice chat w/ Bebe about this while sitting on the road side after her truck puked on mine (She claims I kept her safe but I think F5 & Speedy left her to take care of me) She had a 100% custom tune done by someone local to her using software like Hptuners for roughly what PCMforless charges on the send in/core deal, granted this takes some leg work to scout around & find that reputable shop/person but definitely had me wishing I had known that before.

 

[marshall@pcmofnc]

We used to offer Autocal, but their service sucks... so we quit.

Our mail order stuff is spot on to what our dyno tune would be. We've done a ton of these things and know what needs to be done.

The price for HPTuners is $499... I think I saw someone say $350 up above.

 

[08H3]

I think one of the questions I have is; what is the correct OBDII communications protocols to properly read any codes? I've read there are five different OBDII communication protocols. I have a cheap HF code reader that uses J1850 and when I tried to search for codes all I got was gibberish.

I don't know if earlier model years were different, but my '08 is CAN.

 

[MaxPF]

We used to offer Autocal, but their service sucks... so we quit.

Our mail order stuff is spot on to what our dyno tune would be. We've done a ton of these things and know what needs to be done.

The price for HPTuners is $499... I think I saw someone say $350 up above.

I had the opposite experience. Bill at HPT wouldn't give me the time of day, while Ross at EFI Live was very helpful.