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GM High Tech Performance Article - In a Flash
HP Tuners LLC, founded in 2003 by Keith Prociuk, Chris Piastri and Ken Cannata, is one of the youngest aftermarket flash-tuner companies. In the few short years of its existence, HP Tuners has hit the market with some of the most powerful and user-friendly flash-tuning solutions out there. HP tuners initially shook up the tuning community by offering tuning for vehicle platforms other companies had simply passed over, such as V-6 cars. They didn't stop there. By driving the company on innovation and functionality, and providing first class support services, they've successfully established themselves as a real leader in the tuning market. HP Tuners caters to both the individual tuner and the professional shop with a wide range of price options.

As part of our ongoing flash-tuner series in GMHTP, we jumped at an opportunity to get our hand on a pre-release Beta version of HP Tuners' newest and most powerful tuning solution, VCM Suite Pro with MPVI Pro Interface and 2.1.6 VCM Scanner and Editor software. Keith Prociuk, part owner of HP Tuners and fellow speed addict, was quick to get us set up for our LS7 test guinea pig.

The new MPVI Pro unit is a quality interface with fast USB communication (faster than serial communication of past models), an enhanced input/output (EIO) terminal block, and scan logging keys for eventual black-box capability. Black-box scanning (scanning without a laptop connected) is not functional yet, but should be working with a firmware update later in 2006. The unit includes everything needed to get started, short of the car and a computer. The slick EIO allows integration of wide-band data to the scanner, or any other 0-5 volt signal. A total of four possible analog inputs are supported. The two outputs can be used for any number of tasks, such as an LED or replay control. As HP Tuners promised, the supplied electronic help files explain in detail all the functions and capabilities of the package.

Our testing, scanning, and tuning session went well. The VCM Suite software was very easy to navigate and intuitive to learn. Our ECM reading and flashing took only minutes. For the $649 cost of our tested package, we squeezed most 16rwhp out of our test 2006 Z06. Besides the power gain on our otherwise stock car, the residual value of the scanner and our limitless ability to continue to tune the car for further mods makes the package well worth the cost. Hp Tuners' "credit" system also enables us to add further capabilities to our unit for future tuning jobs and future vehicles.

We at GM High Tech were looking forward to testing HP Tuners' newest and most powerful product. The natural vehicle choice for the test was GM's newest and most powerful product as well, the 2006 LS7 Z06 Corvette. Seeing that we don't have a staff-owned Z06 yet (rumour has it GMHTP Editor Rick Jensen passed on the Z06 and is holding out for the Blue Devil), we solicited a local Jersey boy, show car polish Czar Sal Zaino (www.Zainostore.com). Sal was generous enough to carve out a Saturday between polish applications to let us test our beta-version HP Tuners on his Z06. We're still hoping our blazed retinas will recover from the blinding shine of his "Zaino'd Vette."

Software is downloaded from the HP Tuners web page. A customer username and password is assigned with each purchase. Updates and install instructions are easily retrieved from the site. The site also hosts a message forum for the quasi-live Q&A. The message forum is monitored by HP Tuners owners Keith, Chris, and Ken, along with many other experienced and helpful tuners. Two main programs are included with the package, VCM Scanner and VCM Editor. As the names suggest, one is for scanning vehicle data and the other is for editing the tune. To limit confusion, questions, and mistakes for those just getting started, the VCM Editor can be adjusted to show basic, standard, or advanced (all) tune data. The VCM Scanner comes ready to run out of the box, or it too can be modified to suit the advanced tuner's needs.

After downloading and installing the HP Tuners software, the first order of business is bringing up the help files. Help files are not something we're accustomed to relying on when evaluating flash tuners because they are normally very limited (if even existent) and are typically vague or incomplete. This is absolute not the case with HP Tuners. They did an outstanding job making the most complete and comprehensive help files for a flash tuner we've seen yet. The help section is equipped with a functional keyword search, so getting to the answers is very easy.

We found detailed instructions rich with photos and schematics, comprehensive definitions with sufficient theory explanation, and a few tuner-supplied advanced tuning sections.
 

Before hacking into the tune and depending on the tuner's experience, it is best to spend some time scanning the engine and getting a feel for where the engine is operating and where the improvements can be made. The convenient VCM Scanner dashboard-style screen is a great starting place. Scanning can be logged and saved as well.

Logging scans, especially before and after tunes, is highly suggested. Logs can be played back at variable speeds and paused at any point for analysis.

Scanning can be arranged in table format as well. The size of the screen can be adjusted up to four times the base size. This helps tremendously when trying to focus in on the normal micro-sized front of the laptop screen, in a running (shaking) car with the sun glaring. The scanning sample speed is directly proportional to the number of Parameter ID's (PIDs) being scanned.

As more PIDs are added, sample rate slows.

A third style of scanning is also optioned. The scope-type scroll scan is possible with the VCM Scanner. The scope is especially useful when reviewing saved logs.

The mouse controls a floating point line which can be moved quickly across the scroll to find data at any point along the strip. The scroll is great for watching transient parameter, as an engine transitions through changing operating and loading conditions.

Perhaps the most useful and time saving tuning tool in the VCM Scanner is the histogram. The histogram takes the work out of analysing scan logs. It offers an extremely convenient way to view highs, lows and averages encountered at particular operating points during a scan log. The shown histogram is the average main spark advance delivered during a dyno pull. The histogram quickly shows what cells (RPM and G/Cyl) were encountered during the pull at WOT (wide open throttle). When tuning VE (volumetric efficiency) tables, the histograms will pay huge dividends with little effort.

Recording fuel trim histograms for use in the VE tuning is also covered in detail in the HP Tuners help files.

Our Pro interface module was equipped with the four external input channels. The most common choice for input is a wide-band sensor. With four channels available, we could run a wide-band in each bank, and two pressure transducers if desired. The inputs can be configured for any 0-5 volt signals. The software is pre-configured to work with several popular aftermarket wide-band, so setup is minimal. The help files also show schematics for wiring the wide-bands. If our eyes weren't burnt from the sine of Sal's polish, they were after taking this photo of Ken Estelle welding a bung in the exhaust.

If welding a supplemental bung into the exhaust is not feasible a rear 02 can be removed in place of a wide-band for tuning.

SLP Performance Parts in Toms River, N.J., houses one of the most sophisticated aftermarket dyno research centers on the East Coast. Amid its busy schedule developing parts, we squeezed into their schedule one Saturday to strap our test Z06 down for the tuning session on the Superflow chassis dyno. The VCM Scanner has integrated bi-directional controls for temporarily manipulating the ECM (Engine Control Module). The controls are helpful in locking an ECM in open loop, or quickly testing an absolute spark or advance or AFR (Air/Fuel Ratio). These toggles can be changed in real-time, as the engine runs. If you're unsure about a change, the bi-directional controller allows a quick test prior to hard flashing the change.

The bi-directional controls can also manipulate the TCM (Transmission Control Module). These controllers can help with gear selection or converter lockup control while dyno testing or launch testing. Additionally, the controls provide a quick test of individual components, like solenoids.

Getting started with VCM Editor begins with reading an original tune from the ECM. Reading a tune from and writing (a.ka. flashing) a tune to the ECM is easy. The toggles are found in the tool bar of the VCM Editor as shown. Most writing will be done using the "Write Calibration Only" mode.

The "Write Entire" is only used when changing "Operating Systems", such as to "Speed Density Control" or "2/3 Bar Mapping," an option only available for now on Gen III applications. The editor also allows changing a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) number or disabling VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System).

VCM Editor is chock full of powerful editing capability. Once a tune is read and opened for editing, the fun begins. The windows-based editor navigates much like a Web page. Pull-down selection menus can be used, or point and click buttons can be used – it's the user's preference. The screen can be configured with several windows. Data can be viewed numerically, graphically, or as both. Units can be set as Metric or Imperial. Additionally, a handy unit conversion utility is built in, as shown. Practically all the data buttons are defined when moused over.

And for further explanation, the help files can be toggled. The cooling fan controls are shown here after we dialled them in around the 195°F thermostat. The menu buttons become highlighted in green once data has been modified. This helps keep track of edits.

As expected, the factory AFR at WOT is sporadic and less than optimal for best performance. The chart shows the initial AFR trace versus our tuned AFR trace as captured on the dyno. The after-tune AFR hovered nicely just under 13:1, as desired. This same data could be gathered with the VCM Scanner if the dyno wide-band 02 sensor's output was connected to one of the interface input channels.

The PE (Power Enrichment) files are shown here. Tuning the data can be done using various methods. The numeric data can be entered directly. The numbers can be processed using arithmetic functions (plus X, multiply by X). Chart data can be manipulated by pulling points up or down using the mouse. Sections of the data can be interpolated between set end points. Data can be imported and exported. Plots and graphs can be post-processed (smoothed) too. The whole process is mouse driven. The cursor actively floats with the mouse-over, and correlates the graphical point to the numerical data. The editor is very powerful, extremely well designed, and easy to learn.

A comparison between the stock PE and our tuned PE is shown. Toggling between two tunes is simple, and comparison files such as these show a quick summary of changes made between two files.

The VCM Editor has eight main tuning sections; Operating System, Engine, Engine Diagnostics, Transmission, Transmission Diagnostics, Fuel System, System, Speedometer. Some sections may not apply to all applications. Most main sections then divide down into further subsections of the tune. Here we show a section of the Spark Advance sub-section. Working between multiple tables at the same time is feasible and helpful. The absolute spark advance commanded is actually a sum of various adders and tuners should consider each contributor.

Learning and understanding how the ECM operates, and how different tables, algorithms, or adders work together can be difficult and confusing. The extensive built-in Help files cover a tremendous amount of information and detail regarding the ECM's operation. A lot can be learned in the Help files. Reading about fuel delivery (Volumetric Efficiency) and spark advance command will help you understand how to tune.

Pesky Service Engine Soon (SES) or Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) lights can be edited to suit a particular vehicle's modifications. The same can be done with transmission Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).

Our manual transmission-equipped test vehicle hard limited transmission edits available. We were able to zap the skip shift control – for racing use only, of course. Automatic equipped vehicles will enjoy full time felicity. Shift points, shift speeds, shift firmness, converter lock-up, and torque management are all customizable.

VCM Editor has a nifty Favorites menu built in. The menu is configurable the same as the Internet browser Favorites. By adding desired tables to the menu, a user can very quickly click his favorite tables.

Keeping track of all the edits made can be daunting. The VCM Editor has a file comparison tool, which tallies a summary of changes made to a file. The summary shows a quick shot of what edits have or have not been made. This helps us remember what changes were made between various tunes.

Writing our tunes to the ECM was quick and trouble free. A pop-up window shows the status of the flash.

Sal "Polish-Master" Zaino’s brilliant yellow, 505-horse LS7 Z06 laid down sick power on SLP’s dyno. Our tune was able to muster an additional 15.6 ponies to the wheels.

Our baseline test resulted in a healthy 463.9 SAE rwhp @ 5,636 rpm and 442.8 SAE rwft-lbs @ 4,870 rpm. After the tune, the LS7 jumped to 479.5 SAE rwhp @ 5,823 and 456.3 SAE rwft-lbs @ 4,892 rpm. This equates to tuning gains of 15.6 SAE rwhp and 13.5 SAE rwft-lbs.


HP TUNERS LLC
Dept. GMHTP
P.O. Box 801057
Valencia, CA 91380
www.HPTuners.com

SLP PERFORMANCE PARTS
Dept. GMHTP
1501 Industrial Way N.
Toms River, NJ 08755
www.SLPonline.com

 

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