Well, I recently became the owner of a DHP PowrTuner. Those not familiar, it let's you re-flash the software in your car's PCM. Since DHP went under, they released an "unlocked" version of their software, so the device appears to let you tune any car they supported before going under.

I even built an "offboard" harness (and it works). This let's me read/write to a PCM without it being in the car. This can be handy!

Now, my Monte's PCM was last touched by PCMforLess. I had some adjustments I wanted made this spring, but this seems to be a more interesting avenue to take (being able to make the adjustments myself whenever I wish). I also want to try this out on my '02 Grand Am GT and see what I might be able to adjust with it too!

Here's a pic of the laptop reading a PCM with my offboard harness.

 

Looks like itll be very usefull

 

They're fun, useful, and scary as ****. Knowing that you could literally blow your own engine up with the click of a mouse scares me every time I use mine. Oh and buy yourself an extra PCM now, not if but when you brick a PCM, you want to have one handy so that you're not stranded. I'm on my 3rd now.... lol

 

That's really cool! That looks like something I'd be interested in.. I'm always messing around with the software on my phone knowing I could easily brick it in a second

Keep us posted

 

I actually have 3 PCMs. The original one from my Monte, a donor one that PCMforLess tuned (in the Monte now) and I got the 3rd one (seen in the pic) to use as my own custom PCM so not to cause issues with the original stock and to not mess with the known working tuning).

As far as bricking the PCM, I've read a bunch of claims of people resurrecting a bricked PCM using an offboard harness. My guess is that it's because the tuning device it linked directly to the PCM, not routing through a BCM to get there. I haven't had first hand experience with the issue. But it also reduces risk while flashing (since you are not running anything off battery, everything is plugged into constant power).

 

Jason also has my tune to play with and check out

 

Yeah, it's nice to be able to tip-toe through a stock and modded tune file right now. Slowly figuring everything out.
Right now, I can see how to adjust the DTC codes (and delete them if I want). Next I want to look at adjusting the fan settings based on different temperature tstats and perhaps even look at how to re-calibrate the speedo for wheel sizes.

It just takes time and learning.