98 GST ECU Question

[BISHILVR]

Yes, pretty safe to say that all cars are using a flashable ecu or one thats locked and one time programable but flash based, this holds true for motorcyles and atv's as well, in fact plenty of the sport bikes/cruisers use the same processor as our dsms and can be flashed with the same tools. It only makes sense for manufactures to go with flash based technology for the simplicity of being able to update ecu's at the dealership if there is a bug or just a better way to do something is discovered after the car has been out for awhile, also the dealership can stock one or maybe two different ecu's and program them to work on an entire line of cars and trucks, so it cuts down on inventory, add the fact that the flashable uses surface mount parts that are much much more robust and able to handle the heat and vibration of an automobile/motorcyle atmosphere with ease and uses much less energy to run/creates less heat and no capacitors to leak etc plus the fact that the flashable ecus just operate much much faster and you have a winner no brainer.

[stilleneclipse]

How would I tune with my MAF translator and wideband like you are saying?

[BISHILVR]

If you are talking about using a flashable ecu, you would flash it or get it flashed for your car with your injector compensation and all other items of your choice applied to the ecu and then use your translator like you would on any other dsm ecu, you would use it to fine tune with just like using a safc type of device. Unless your talking about the Translator Pro version, in which case I use it as a speed density unit (with the GM map sensor) and then there is no maf at all, the data is calculated based on load instead. The Translator Pro has an option for "wideband tracking" that you can check off in the options (the Pro has a digital interface) and the unit will track your desired afr versus your actual afr and it will add or subtract fuel in real time to keep you at your desired ratio.

[GPTourer]

Originally Posted by BISHILVR

Openport is currently THE way to flash a ecu for the DSM, there really is not much of a learning curve, I'm not sure what all of the urban legend is out there for, the program has a user interface that allows you to easily plug in your numbers, make a few selections of options (if you want to) such as to use studderbox or not, launch rpm etc and then you hit "flash to ecu" and in a few seconds (2-5) its in the ecu and ready to try it. The program is the same one that the Evo guys have been using for years, tried and true. The flash based ecu is THE way to go as far as I'm concerned and I have yet to see anyone get it down and then want to switch back to an eprom setup. The cars that I have used it on have ran better than they did when they were new, smoother idle, faster logging, easier starting, better cold start manners, all of it. To bottom line it: you cant fight technology, and eprom technology is from the 80's and its yesterdays news, I prefer datalogging 100 samples per second over 10 samples per second, I cant speak for everyone but thats just my experience.

I'm at a crossroads now. I sold my stock ECU and switched to a '96 EEPROM in preperation for 'link, but I'm still running an SAFC and keydiver chip. Should I go ahead and get 'link since I'm halfway there, or should I back up and get a stock '98 ECU again and go with flashing? Has the OP made a decision yet?

[CrackedDSM]

The general attitude in the DSM community of "DSMLink is the greatest thing to ever happen to any vehicle ever", still annoys the piss out of me. I'm with you on this one Bishi, for sure. Flashable or Evo ECU & Ostrich > Link > SAFC

[Sean485]

It may annoy you but it is a great tuning system. Like it or not cheaper does not mean it is better nor does more expensive mean it's evil, and any of the systems can do anything the average dsm'er needs. The fact of the matter however is that allot of people would rather pay the extra money for link to have full tech support, friendly UI and other features they offer. It is up to each person to decide what path they use, there is none really greater than the other.

[CrackedDSM]

No argument that link is a great system. I just get sick of people telling others "get link, avoid these products they're harder to use than link" when they've got no experience with the products they are bashing. Not saying you do this, mind you.

Also, Tunerpro I find easier to use and setup than DSMLink by FAR. There's no MAF comp or MAF clamp, none of the other countless stuff you've got to get in line before tuning...just set your AFR's, timing, and go. Same with speed density. DSMlinks SD is straight stupid, as load based sd doesn't make a damn bit of sense. Pressure indexed maps, and true NATIVE SD ftw.

The snobbery is what annoys me. People love to throw around how much easier link is or whatever when they've never even used an ostrich/ecuflash.

[CoxAbele]

I too have support EvoScan/ECUFlash. I dabbled in it on my own for a bit, but opted to have the car dyno tuned by Jestr, whom is more familiar with the Evo platform. While he isn't a stranger to the 2g platform, flashing a factory H8 ECU was something he'd only done a few times. Having the latest version of Ceddy Mods already built in, he was very impressed at how close flashing my 98 was to flashing an Evo.

In the end, I walked away with a car that ran flawlessly, made 325/320 on a Mustang dyno on nothing more than a frankenstein 20g and supporting mods at 22psi, still getting 30mpg.

I won't knock link because I haven't worked with it before. Honestly, I don't see why I should given the substantial cost difference and limited difference in what both systems are capable of. Again, there is more support for link, however it's commonness and being the go-to source for an easy tuning solution attracts a lot of entry-level fanboys whom are more likely to dish out poor advice.

If you already have an h8 plastic case ECU, get the cable and software. If the tuning solution isn't what you were looking for, sell it and buy link. There is a healthy market for the hardware and you aren't likely to take much of a hit provided you didn't brick your ECU and can sell it as a package.