So, as was raised earlier in the thread, what about us OBDII people? $600+ for an entire new reflashed ECM is BOHICA! Especially when I watched my mechanic hook up his Tech 2 to my OBDII diagnostic post, went on line, and then reflashed my ECM with GM's latest stock updates for my '98 Burb in an attempt to fix my weird TCC unlocking/locking cycling problem (see my thread in 4L80E category) that was actually ultimately an IP mechanical problem.
If Duramaxes with OBDII (and now Cummins's, too) can use EFI Live to store multiple tunes to switch from Tow to Economy to Race to Valet with no hassle, why can't we do the same with our OBDII 6.5's? I'm all for a multi-tune way to interface with our ECM, and use an EFILive-like programmer to do it with and also monitor engine vitals like boost, EGT, trans temp, etc. that the computer sees, just like Duramax owners can. I would LOVE to be able to switch to an economy tune for that 700 mile Interstate road trip, then when I get to where I'm going switch to a race tune to embarrass some tuner in an Acura at a stop light, then put it in valet mode before turning it over to the parking attendant at dinner that night, then put it into Tow mode before hitching up to the Scout Troop's equipment trailer and heading out on a camp out. Not asking too much, because if a multi-position, multi-program Eprom is available, then it CAN be done on OBDII by someone with the knowledge/expertise. And yes, early retirement for that person is a reality. Build it, and they will come and buy.
I've got a "little bit" of experience in this area, so I'll give an answer a shot.
This is way off topic, so it might be worth a mod splitting it off the thread.
"Tuning" OBDII:
There are options for tuning your own PCM in OBDII, but they're not cheap. Lowest price of admission is just under a grand. Next price point is just under 2 grand. That's hardware, software and the OEM calibration files. Like it or not, there is no available "freeware" or cheap hardware that works with OBDII.
Well, there are a few pirated options you might be able to find. If you don't mind being a dirty thief that is. And you still need a specifc interface piece of hardware to talk to the PCM. It's not just a simple ALDL cable.....
Another issue with the 6.x OBDII truck is the PCM doesn’t “read”. Meaning; you can’t download the calibration from it, only upload. It’s either the hardware or the software that blocks it. Doesn’t matter, they won’t download the calibration file.
So, you need an access point to tis2web (as your mechanic did) in order to get the calibration files. This costs money.
Lots of money.
When you get a vehicle definition file for an OBDII year, you get the OEM cal from the seller. They have to pay GM Service Parts for access to those files (not cheap) and the cost gets passed on to who?
You guessed it; the guy who buys the software/hardware from them. It's built into the purchase price like every other product you buy.
No biggie, that’s just the way the world works.
FYI; 99 bucks from Lyndon for the VDF and the OEM cal is a steal. I don't know how he makes
any money on it.....
Switchable tunes:
This is a bit more complex.
OBDI has switchable options because the architecture of the hardware lends itself to the use of "emulators". Meaning, the removable PROM lends itself to modification and incorporation of a "pony board".
The emulator boards are already out there and available (for other applications) for OBDI, if you look in the right places. This emulator is what enables "switchable tunes" as well as other options. The PCM is still the same old OBDI PCM.
OBDII is a different beast. The flash chip is a PLCC32 surface mount. You need to lift the chip off the board with a heat station and cobble up an adapter. Once you've gotten to this point, you need to find an emulator that works with the adapter, plus have enough space to store the programs.
Which brings up another issue; obdII is a bigger program than OBDI. That's why it has a 1 MB flash chip vice the 512 (IIRC) on OBDI.
So you now need an emulator that has several flash chips or high capacity chips and some kind of partition to separate the programs on the chip and select them. Automotive grade would also be best for the chips, they're just a bit more "robust" (heat, moisture, vibration, etc). After you figure out all this, you need to find an emulator that supports "switching" as well.
Efilive and duramax can do it:
Duramax boards support switchable calibrations because it's built into the OEM Bosch board. The OEM has already done the work for them. The OBDII 6.5 are Motorola and don't support that function. They're two very different beasts. Hense, the need for emulators and some custom built equipment.
EFI live has no intention of supporting 6.X trucks, ever. Well, at least not the last time I talked to the developers.
The market is too small for the R&D costs.
The OBDII 6.x trucks essentially had a 3 year production run (mainsteam), the Duramax is much longer than that so the customer base is there. As the duramaxes become more affordable in years, more younger guys are buying them and that means more demand for the “performance stuff”.
Older in years for the 6.X’s just means they are closer to the grave.
Lets also not forget; the 6.x generally has a bad rep and as soon as someone asks “what do you think of them?” on a web board (where all the yung ‘uns live these days) the immediate answers are usually something like “can’t polish a turd” or “it’s a dog”. That sends the kiddies right off in another direction.
Personally, I’m OK with that because it keeps the prices low. For both trucks and replacement parts. There will come a time that will be a bad thing though as the parts market begins dropping all support for the breed. But thats just the way of all things…..age brings obsolescence and eventually obscurity.
OBDI is easy because it's been hacked 6 ways from Sunday. GM learned their lesson with OBDI and made OBDII a little bit harder/expensive for people to hack, although it has been done.
"Momma GM don't want the kids rummaging around in the cupboards".......
Early retirement:
Umm, no. You won't get rich off anything for a 6.x, sad but true. Maybe if you had a "niche" shop like Heath and sold all kinds of products you could make a living at it. Maybe....
Accept it or not, Like it or not, the 6.x is a dying breed. More so in the aftermarket. That's because there's no real money to be made in it. As the years continue to advance, it's only going to get rarer and even more unsupported. Nothing personal on anyone's part, it's just the way of things....
6.X owners also tend to typically be......ahem......"frugal". Most have a hard time coughing up 500-ish bucks for a remapped PCM. There are tuning options out there for around a grand, but to date only a handful of "non-shop" buyers have come forth to spend the dough. Heck, only a handful of shops have ponied up the dough to remap 6.x's.....not enough money in it for more than a couple "niche" guys....
I've tried to keep the tone as neutral as possible here, no emotion or personal stuff is intended. Just trying to pass on some info as best I can…….
Cheers
for a reflashed ECM.