[Stock-ish]

Does anyone know whether there are products out there to tune directly from a laptop, without the need to purchase a handheld unit like the Cobb or a piggyback? Something similar to HP for GM products? Just curious because I may have the chance to get a deal on a custom dyno tune for my car, however, I want to know if this option exists so I wouldn't have to buy a handheld. I think the convenience would be great, but I'm not looking to add $800 to the cost of a tune and I'm not interested in getting a piggyback(no need to discuss the pros and cons of each...it's been done).

Keep in mind I'm not looking for a "which is better" conversation between ANY products. I just want to see if there's an answer to my question above.

I have searched the site for the answer to this question but so far have been unsuccessful in finding the answer.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[eric@helix]

The major tuning companies have done such a good job tuning these cars for every level of modifications. Why re-invent the wheel?

[JamesM3M5]

The only tuning devices are several thousand dollars. One I've seen requires you to do your map changes and email the file to the hardware company in Italy to generate a checksum. Not exactly easy like the GM stuff.

Otherwise the Cobb AP is your best choice, as ATP is out for shops to do tuning, and ATR should be out soon for an end user to tune their maps.

[rader1]

Originally Posted by JamesM3M5

The only tuning devices are several thousand dollars. One I've seen requires you to do your map changes and email the file to the hardware company in Italy to generate a checksum. Not exactly easy like the GM stuff.

Otherwise the Cobb AP is your best choice, as ATP is out for shops to do tuning, and ATR should be out soon for an end user to tune their maps.

+1 on everything James just said.

[enrita]

Here you go: http://www.dimsport.it/index.php?DS=...6236db3f7f0b40
This is what ESS is using for example.

[marv85]

Originally Posted by JamesM3M5

The only tuning devices are several thousand dollars. One I've seen requires you to do your map changes and email the file to the hardware company in Italy to generate a checksum. Not exactly easy like the GM stuff.

Otherwise the Cobb AP is your best choice, as ATP is out for shops to do tuning, and ATR should be out soon for an end user to tune their maps.

Originally Posted by rader1

+1 on everything James just said.

+2

[Stock-ish]

Originally Posted by JamesM3M5

The only tuning devices are several thousand dollars. One I've seen requires you to do your map changes and email the file to the hardware company in Italy to generate a checksum. Not exactly easy like the GM stuff.

Otherwise the Cobb AP is your best choice, as ATP is out for shops to do tuning, and ATR should be out soon for an end user to tune their maps.

James: Thanks for the very informative answer. That's pretty much the understanding I thought I had. I have to buy a Cobb AP if I want any tuning through Cobb(even if the shop has ATP).

Originally Posted by enrita

Here you go: http://www.dimsport.it/index.php?DS=...6236db3f7f0b40
This is what ESS is using for example.

enrita: Thanks for this information as well, I appreciate the contribution.


Moral of the story - Looks like I start saving up for a Cobb AP. Unless, of course, someone wants to give me a free one....

Thanks again to all who contributed.

[JamesM3M5]

Originally Posted by enrita

Here you go: http://www.dimsport.it/index.php?DS=...6236db3f7f0b40
This is what ESS is using for example.

That is what I was thinking of. Some Grand Am tuner named Jan (Yan or he just goes by Jan) helped us with our fledgling 328i ST car years ago. He had the Dimsport box, played with the timing and turned off the top speed limiter at Watkins for us. He had to email the file to Italy for them to get the checksum. Later we upgraded to a Sunbelt built motor and Bosch MS 4.3 Grand Am spec ECU. Holy crap that was expensive!!