Moates Roadrunner LS1 Tuner - In a Flash

The Moates RoadRunner real-time...        read full caption The Moates RoadRunner real-time tuning emulator for Gen III engines is based on a modified factory PCM. The RoadRunner communicates with the PC interface through a standard USB connection or a wireless BlueTooth transmitter. The optional BlueTooth kit includes a USB receiver dongle for those PCs without built-in BlueTooth connectivity.

Side-by-side, the RoadRunner...        read full caption Side-by-side, the RoadRunner is only distinguished by the black powder coat, Moates label, and connection port. When not in emulation mode, the RoadRunner functions perfectly as a regular PCM, so continual swapping is not necessary.

The RoadRunner looks right...        read full caption The RoadRunner looks right at home installed on the SLP engine dyno rig. Our BlueTooth transmitter worked flawlessly through the dyno cell wall (one-foot-thick concrete block and dual-pane safety glass window).

Connection to the RoadRunner...        read full caption Connection to the RoadRunner can be made by traditional USB cable connection or with BlueTooth wireless communication. Our laptop did not have a built-in BlueTooth receiver, so we used the supplied receiver dongle shown. The dongle plugged into one of the USB ports on the rear of the laptop.

To connect our PC to the RoadRunner,...        read full caption To connect our PC to the RoadRunner, we followed the BlueTooth connection instructions included with the kit. The included BlueTooth utility controlled the connection and monitored signal strength.

The last few years have been seriously rousing for the ever-expanding and continuously evolving Gen III custom tuning market. In the beginning of the Gen III era, we were elated with just the ability to crank up spark advance and to turn off pesky DTC codes. Since then, we've been spoiled with powerful interfaces, advanced software, speedy USB connections, custom operating systems, bi-directional controls, auxiliary input/outputs, and powerful data logging capabilities. One thing we've yet to see is an affordable, factory PCM-based, real-time emulator. Emulators quite simply allow tuning modifications to be made "in real time" while an engine is running, for practically instantaneous results. We've been stuck tuning in "guess and test" mode-otherwise known as the tedious process of making some changes (the guess part), re-flashing the computer, and testing (the test part) the new tune. When results end up not exactly as expected, the engine must be shut down, the tune file must be further modified, and the computer re-flashed. No tuning changes can be made while the engine is running. This is as good as it's been for factory PCMs. Sure, we have bi-directional controls, but they are very basic, work with limited success, and still require translation to actual tune data. Advanced logging and interpreting scan data has really helped cut down on tuning time, but it still can't touch the finesse of real-time emulation. Until now, honest real-time emulation and tuning for Gen III engines has been exclusive to expensive aftermarket engine controllers. Considering that old GM "chip" engines, as found in TPI cars and Turbo Buicks (and 'Stangs ...gulp), have enjoyed real-time emulators for years, it's safe to say real-time emulation for Gen III engines is overdue.

In late 2003, Craig Moates of Moates.net, a long time chip tuner, was approached by fellow Louisianan, LS1 tuner Geoff Skinner, owner of Thunder Racing, with the challenge to develop an LS1 emulator. Craig was no stranger to tuning or performance and had been a DIY-EFI (do-it-yourself electronic fuel injection) pioneer for years. Craig latched onto the project and set out to deliver what the Gen III tuning market lacked and craved, an affordable and fully functional real-time tuning capability. In early 2006, Craig introduced the long awaited RoadRunner LS1 Emulation PCM.

.Moates' unit is actually based on a modified factory PCM. The emulator electronics are grafted onto the PCM's main circuit board in place of the original flash ROM (read only memory). The resultant PCM functions equally as a stand-alone PCM or as a powerful real-time emulating PCM. Besides the harness hookup connector poking out of the PCM body, the RoadRunner is practically indistinguishable from the exterior.Moates offers the RoadRunner technology a few different ways suitable for various budgets and needs. The ready-to-go, plug-n-play complete package is available in three versions, 512KB ($599.95), 1024KB ($599.95), or LB7 diesel ($649.95). The RAM size is based on the application. LS1 F-bodies use a 512kb version while 2003+ LS1 and truck applications require a 1024KB version.

In addition to the hardware, you'll also need a software license for EFI Live ($199.00) or Tuner Cat (starting at $125) if desired. Moates also offers two thriftier Roadrunner options: a PCM exchange program allows a consumer to send in a donor PCM in exchange for the RoadRunner equipped-PCM. The exchange version ($549.00) offers the exact same functionality, but saves the initial cost of the base PCM. For the hard-core DIY'er, Moates offers a solder-in guts kit RoadRunner ($489.00). Installation requires dissecting your PCM, de-soldering a 44 prong chip, soldering in the emulator chip, and drilling the case for the cable connector. For all RoadRunners, the standard included laptop connection cable is USB.

For a big shot wireless hookup, a BlueTooth transmitter and receiver kit ($95.00) is optionally offered. For the GMHTP testing, we opted for the 512KB plug-n-play unit, which comes in black powder-coat, and swankier BlueTooth kit.

SLP's Ken "Go-Hub" Estelle...        read full caption SLP's Ken "Go-Hub" Estelle jumped in to help us run the engine dyno and link up all the computers. Ken took advantage of the EFI Live analog input channel by coupling the dyno's wideband O2 signal into the laptop scanner. Inputting the wideband signal directly into EFI Live allowed the real-time AFR (air fuel ratio) to be scanned directly with other engine parameters.

The RoadRunner interface is...        read full caption The RoadRunner interface is simply a window inside EFI Live. Besides the RoadRunner control window, the EFI Live tuning software is unchanged and navigates as we are familiar. The RoadRunner toggles are marked with intuitive icons for uploading and downloading tunes to and from the emulator. One button toggles emulation on and off, allowing full PCM reset if needed when changing operating systems. Transition between modes is instantaneous, and a full 512K upload takes only 12 seconds on the USB cable. Once in emulation mode, the RoadRunner window can be minimized to the toolbar showing only the control buttons needed.

When in emulation mode, the...        read full caption When in emulation mode, the RoadRunner status window changes to bright red, as shown. Once emulating, care must be taken before making changes, as their effects are practically instantaneous. Running lean or jacking up spark advance should be avoided.