2g ecu help

[nsgk53]

So I have a 98 manual GSX with a built 7 bolt that has 19psi boost, 30r turbo, 1000cc RC injectors and built internals. I have the black box ECU and I paid my mechanic $400 to get a full street tune on my black box ECU and once I got my car back I was told Ceddy site is down. So I basically got a basic tune. I asked if the link ever works again could I bring it back and I was told there is no need.

They then told me to get DSMLink. I don't get why they said DSMLink when I have the black box. So few questions I have.

What is the difference between the black box and DSMLink and how are the two the same? Why I DSMLink better if anything? I hear people say they have a EPROM ECU but have to get it chipped. I thought EPROM ECU meant they were chipped? Is chipped and socketed the same?

If you tune cars has Ceddy been down in the last 4 month? Some people tell me that I should keep the black box since they think its full tuned but once I tell them I am not fully tuned because Ceddy was down which I don't believe they are surprised.

I'm new to tuning so I'm learning. I'm reading a lot on tuning and learning as much as I can but these are few things I'm still not sure about. Also if I go with DSMLink which I most likely will I go back to get it tuned. I will make sure they don't charge me again except $100 since they told me DSMLink tune is $500.

I need to do emissions before September and don't have a cat or a EGR and was wondering if I'm full tune is there a way to tune it so when I go for the test it wont come up that I don't have a cat or EGR? If you own a shop and tune what do you charge and what shop? I think I was ripped off a little and I want to know a lot more before I go back for the full tune so I know I wont have to pay full price again. Thanks in advance

 

[steve]

98/99 black box ECU flashing is still oriented to those people who are into ECU code hacking. Most shops don't have the time to become experts tuning them.

ECMLink is much more used friendly and DSM shops tend to understand how to use it.

The black box ECU code is more like the EVO code than the 2G or ECMLink code.

On the 1G and 2G EPROM ECUs, the factory EPROM is soldered into the circuit board. You have to unsolder the original to install a different chip usually by soldering a socket in it's place and installing the chip or ECMLink into the socket.

The black box ECUs have reprogrammable ROM space in the CPU chip. Flashing is the process of erasing the old bits and writing new bits to the CPU. Knowing what to reprogram requires understanding the ECU code and how to change it to make it do what you want. So not only do you need to understand engine tuning but you have to understand the ECU software since there isn't a easy to use use interface like ECMLink.

 

[asexton6969]

To answer your other question. No you cannot "tune" out the Cat or EGR. Those are federally mandated and anyone who was caught tuning that out would be facing stiff penalties. Every state has different testing, so I don't know how in depth they go in Illinois. Most states ATLEAST do a visual inspection for your catalytic converter. They will also check the readiness monitors and you would fail instantly there since you have them removed.