Top 10 Tuning Tools - Tech

EGT's Redline gauge is a trick-looking digital LCD-type display pod. The screen is large enough for easy reading, even in remote mountings. A backlight enables low-light or night viewing with ease. The included four-button remote control can also be mounted (or not). The touch-pad remote controls recording, holding, and switching between sensors.

Custom tuning modern controllers typically requires software and a connection harness. The photo shows the typical out-of-car setup for flashing an E67 ECM and T42 TCM through a Speartech harness ($185) and HP Tuners interface ($499).

Communicating, reading, and re-flashing late-model flash-based controllers can be done using the appropriate interface module. Several tuning options exist allowing users to shop for an interface that suits their needs and budget. Three Gen IV systems GMHTP has tested include HP Tuners ($499), EFI Live ($749), and LS2-Edit ($550), as shown from left to right.

Speartech Fuel Injection Systems is the leading source for harnesses, offering up-to-date harnesses for all the latest GM applications, such as the E38 ECM and T42 TCM harness ($185) shown. Re-flashing a computer is safest when done outside of a vehicle, away from the rest of a vehicle's potentially damaging electronics on the shared LAN. Speartech's harnesses also enable remote tuners to work with customer's PCMs, long distance, away from the vehicle.

Moates.Net's 'Roadrunner' real-time LS1 flash emulator is an excellent choice for advanced tuning needs. The unit is very affordable, with DIY kits starting at $489. The plug-and-play version shown, with blue-tooth wireless communication can be had for $694.