Efi Live Vs. Hp Tuners

[VHslow]

Well since I can't find a local tuner I'm gonna break down and buy either HP tuner or EFI live, just wondering if anyone uses either of these and what your thoughts are on them, EFI live cost a little more but if its better or easier to use than it's worth it to me.

[chpspecial]

its all a matter of oppinion on wich is best. Look around and see what the trusted people use, and go from there. Also, look to see if the retailer is willing to give you support.

 

If you decide on EFILive, blackbear performance is a vendor and he always provides excellent customer support

[12'SROCK]

EFI Live FTW!

[wody]

you can't just ask "which one is best" because you will get different answers from everybody. everyone has their own preference, and the list of people who have used both is pretty limited. it's up to you to do your research and come to your own conclusion. what you may want to do is state what your goals are and what you expect out of the product, that way you can compare the two. it also will depend on the tuner you ultimately will go with. if your tuner uses HPtuners for example, you can log runs and e-mail the file to your tuner to make adjustments if needed, then load the adjusted tune back into your truck as long as you share the same software as your tuner. there are a lot more factors in deciding tuning software, then just asking which one is best.

 

like you stated, there are no local tuners near you, but there are plenty that offer mail order tunes. black bear performance (justin) travels all over the country, and you may have to travel a little to get to one of his sessions, but at least you will get an "in person" tune. he also offers the data-logging tune which is still a mail order tune, but more accurate since he has the ability to see how your truck responds to certain conditions. he uses EFIlive.

 

here is a link to the services he provides. run your mouse over each of the tunes to get a more in-depth description of each:

 

Black Bear Services

 

hope this helps

Edited September 5, 2009 by WODY™ (see edit history)

[Wheatley]

I personally like HPTuners,BUT like I said that is me.Many others like EFIlive and some like HPTuners.Both are the fantastic software

[brobradh77]

I personally like EFI Live and my American Flag flying right side up.

[wody]

...and my American Flag flying right side up.

 

[jerseymike68]

useful sources here

[Time2Kill]

EFI Live has a bit more of a learning curve, but I feel it is a bit more powerful also, especially if you get into heavy tuning where you are doing engine swaps into different vehicles. HP Tuners is a bit more user friendly, still extremely powerful, and will fit 99% of most user's needs. HP Tuners is also by far the cheaper option to own and tune with.

[misterp]

HPTuners is a far more "polished" piece of software, and works well for all N/A and most FI applications.

 

EFILive can do everything HPTuners can, and more. There is no full EFan support in HPTuners, so if you are wanting to swap EFans into your non-efan vehicle then I would strongly suggest EFILive. If you are going to add forced induction to your vehicle then the EFILive custom operating systems are awesome. The licensing between the two products is very different, for example with EFILive each extra VIN costs $100, and you can install the custom operating system to better support boosted speed density applications - with HPTuners they charge you not only a 'credit' ($100) to tune a VIN, but an additional credit to upgrade to a 2 or 3-bar MAP sensor for forced induction; my point being, check the cost of the licensing. Last point, check the EFILive and HPTuners forums and decide for yourself which community offers you the support you WILL need to tune your vehicle, because with either product learning to tune has a BIG learning curve.

 

At HPM, Dan and I decided for ourselves to evaluate each product, when someone asks us for help we wanted to have both tools at hand so we could assist no matter what package was used prior, so we purchased BOTH EFILive and HPTuners and we use them both on our projects. On the N/A 5.3L S10 swap Dan used HPTuners with outstanding success; we are also getting our feet wet with HPTuners on a forced-induction project at this moment. We are also presently using EFILive on a supercharged application, it's a large learning curve but we are finding many helpful folks from both camps showing us the ropes. All that said, we are leaning towards a recommendation of EFILive to our customers but the jury is still out until we really get these projects to the track. I gotta level with you though, as we manufacture EFan kits (!) that is a major strike against HPTuners for us, and also explaining to a customer why it will cost $200 in licensing to tune their blown application with HPTuners versus only $100 with EFILive is another significant point in favor of EFILive.

 

Both products can be downloaded and installed to your computer for free - you cannot upload your 'tunes' to your vehicle but you can get a feel for the software. With either product, you NEED to have someone who is qualified (!) to show you the ropes, and that takes LOTS of time and dedication. Tuning a vehicle with either of these software packages is a major commitment to achieve results you will really be happy with, no matter which package you purchase.

 

Mr. P.

Edited September 11, 2009 by Mr. P. (see edit history)

[VHslow]

Thanks for all the imput guys, I"m leaning towards EFI live because I plan on putting Efans on.