HPTuners is an OBDII scanning and programming suite that is currently being updated for better support to the 60V6 community. Before you begin tuning, it is important that your car is in the best physical condition possible.


Tune Up

• Fuel Filter
• Air Filter
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• O2 sensor(s)

Inspect

• Transmission Fluid and Filter
• Oil and Filter
• Fuel Pressure
• Tire Pressure
• Brake Fluid, Rotors, Pads, Calipers (or brake drum assembly
• All lights (turn signal, high and low beam, reverse, brake)

Computer

• Follow the HPTuner installation instructions for installation
• DO NOT USE A POWER SUPPLY TO THE LAPTOP WHILE CONNECTED TO THE ALDL PORT
• Do not use a battery charger while connected to the ALDL port
• If your headlights come on with the key on, use the parking brake to turn them off.

Scanning

• This should be the first process you use to connect to the computer. Using the laptop, any errors or issues will be apparent immediately. If you have a problem, contact support at hptuners. Some of the newer engines require the latest beta to function properly (usually called a VIN/OS Pair error). Support can take care of you.
• The default config file is found under File > Open Config (or CTRL + O)
• Example Config File(s)
  • 3400 Fuel Tuning 3400 Fueling.cfg
  
  

Programming

• When programming, make sure your laptop battery has a good charge for the read process, and especially the write process.
• The first thing you should do is a read, and save. It is important to make a few backups of this file. You might consider using the 60V6 Links/Downloads area to upload your stock file, or even your modified files (please, no commercial tunes unless the company approves).
• Using the "Write Calibration Only" option saves time and is all that is needed for tuning. A full tune will write the VIN and everything, which can be bad if you have the ability to write a different VIN to a PCM. VATS does not play well with this mismatch, so be sure you do not "Write Entire" with someone else's tune.

All Set, Lets Go

With the HPTuner connected to your laptop and the ALDL port of the car, turn the car to on, but not start.

Go to the VCM Editor, and click on Flash, and then select Read Entire (or hit CTRL + R). A window will pop up showing you the status of the read. Click Begin. *It takes about 11 seconds from the key on for the computer to accept any commands from the programmer.* Then about 2 minutes later, the read will be complete and you can save your stock file to the laptop. Make a few copies of this file, preferably on a flash drive and another computer, or a remote server such as 60DegreeV6.com or the HPTuners site.

Now that you have the stock file, and backups, you are ready to make some changes and get used to the process of programming. One of the most common changes is for the cooling fan turn on. This is found under the System heading, then Fans. Some engines run hotter than others, so you need to find the right on and off time so that the fan is not constantly running, or constantly shutting itself off and on every 30 seconds. For a stock 195 thermostat, I typically use a Fan 1 on at 205 and off at 200 and a Fan 2 on at 207 and off at 202. The MPH thresholds can be lowered if you want based on the type of highway driving you do. Based on OBD1 setups, 55mph should be enough airflow to keep the engine from overheating. Likewise, the fans should not need to be running very long at highway speed anyway.

You should also have the option to leave the fans running when the car is shut off, based on the coolant temp,and the amount of time you want the fans to run. This is useful for some environments and applications, but for most it is not necessary

Once you have set the fans how you like, go ahead and click File > Save As. I use a naming method of Test Spark 1, Test VE 1, Test Fan 1, etc. I also separate the files by month for each vehicle to help establish a timeline for the files.

To flash the PCM, use the Editor program again, and turn the key on. Go to Flash > Write Calibration Only. It will take about 30 seconds. Once the flash is completed, turn the key off. You can then start the car to do a scan and check your fan turn on times.

Scanning

Assuming you still have the cable connected to the laptop/vehicle, it is now time to open the scanning software. Under File, click on Connect. This will let the laptop talk to the PCM without recording anything. To start scanning, either hit the Blue play button, or go to Scan, then Start Scanning. Now you should be able to watch the Table, Histograms, etc. by clicking on the Displays tab at the top

Displays.jpg

To start, lets open up the Primary Table display

DefaultCFG.jpg

And get rid of any of the options that are not supported but right clicking the table cell, then left click, and delete
TableDelete.jpg

Now we can start inserting new data to scan but doing the same as delete, but clicking on Insert. A window will pop up with the options available.

TableInsert.jpg

Under Engine Diagnostics > Misfire, you can find the cylinder misfire history and record it. This is very handy indeed!

TableMisfire.jpg

It is best to save your config files based on what you are using them for. The more you try to record at once, the lower the refresh rate is for all data.

The following is/are example config files. The config file for pushrod VVT engines will usually contain the intake cam position, while the 3.6 will have intake and exhaust position.

3400 Fueling.cfg