What exactly is EFI Live?

[Premis]

I have read about it for years, but I'm kind of confused as to what it is. Is it a computer program you use to diagnose the truck? Is it a stand alone hand held system like an OBDII scanner? Where is the best place to buy it?

[OldBlue56]

I had this question too before I switched to it. It is actually very confusing because there are so many different options with it.

The full EFI Live setup is a computer program used for tuning and running diagnostics on your truck with a V2 and two licenses to allow you to tune your truck. A V2 is the hand held portion of the package basically like a OBDII scanner only it can tune the ECM as well.

The stock tune is pulled off your truck using the V2 and computer program. Then that tune can be opened in the tuning software on the computer and you will see a bunch of tables for all the tuning parameters in the ECM such as desired boost, fueling & turbo vane position tables. These tables are then modified by a tuner to produce a better running tune. Then that improved tune is put back into your truck via the same method as when you pulled it off.

Now where things get confusing is all the options you see for EFI Live. You can buy just a v2 and use it as a scanner and diagnostic tool only. You can buy just a v2 and the licenses to tune your truck, then do the tuning yourself. Or get the full package and get the v2 licenses and have a tuner provide you with professional tuning.

Then the tuning gets broken down even further as you can get just a single tune, or two switchable tunes referred to as DSP2 or five switchable tunes referred to as DSP5. The DSP tunes can than either be switched by a manual switch provided with the package or if you have a Edge Insight you can tell the tuner to set it up so the edge can be used to switch between tunes.

The reason I and most believe EFI Live is the best tuning option is because you can tell your tuner exactly what you want and he can customize your tune to be what you want. It's the most customizable option available instead of a predetermined set of tunes for every truck. Plus you get all the diagnostic capabilities for diagnosing problems.

I attached a few pics to give you a visual as I know exactly how you feel and think it would have helped me when I was in your position.

You can actually even download the software right from EFI's website and give it a test run to see what it's like. You could download a tune from the tune library on here open it up using the software and checkout what all you can do. You just won't be able to save any changes cause you won't have a license until you buy a package.

EFI download page:
http://www.efilive.com/index.php?opt...=48&Itemid=133

Hopefully this helps you out. It's not the most in depth, but should give you a bit warmer feeling inside when deciding to purchase EFI then just jumping in.

If you have any specific questions I will try to answer it.

[OldBlue56]

Oh forgot to answer your other question. I used Rob at Adrenaline Truck Performance, but Duramaxtuner is also a very well known tuner. You can't go wrong with either one in my opinion. I'm sure if you gave them a call either would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

[BrennanK]

So, if I wanted a really good scanner with diagnostics I could get a FlashScan V2 without the 'tune' licences? Then I could use a laptop and the V2 to do almost everything other then place a new tune on the ECM, is that correct? Then at a later point you could buy tune licences and a tuner provider or yourself could then load new tunes on the ECM?

The reason I ask, is I would like a nice scanner for diagnostics, and if I am going to shell out the money for one I might as well do it right. I don't really have any interest in tuning, but I may at a later date when money allows.

It seams like the V2 is the one stop shop for tuning and data logging.

[Premis]

Thanks for the reply. Does EFI live only work on Duramax trucks? Only on Chevy's? Or anything?

[OldBlue56]

Originally Posted by BrennanK

So, if I wanted a really good scanner with diagnostics I could get a FlashScan V2 without the 'tune' licences? Then I could use a laptop and the V2 to do almost everything other then place a new tune on the ECM, is that correct? Then at a later point you could buy tune licences and a tuner provider or yourself could then load new tunes on the ECM?

Yep I believe you are correct. I would call whoever you buy it from to verify you are getting what you want since there are so many different options.

Originally Posted by Premis

Thanks for the reply. Does EFI live only work on Duramax trucks? Only on Chevy's? Or anything?

EFI Live works on many GM vehicles. You would have to look on their website for all compatible vehicles (see link below, it depends on what ECM they have). EFI does now have a dodge tool as well, but when you buy a V2 you have to specify if you want the GM version or Dodge.

http://www.efilive.com/index.php?opt...=100&Itemid=82

I was unsure if the scan tool worked on other brands so I plugged it into my buddies powerstroke just to see if it would pull the codes as a scan tool only and it said it could not connect with the vehicle, but it has worked on my dad's 5.3 1/2 ton and a friend's grand prix.

Also a side note I found interesting. When I pulled codes on my pickup the V2 found a number of codes that my Edge CTS could not.

[PrivatePilot]

Thread moved to EFILive forum.

[Smokinlmm]

It's a tuning tool that also can scan and perform diagnostics on many GM vehicles and now some dodge cummins applications. It is the end all be all tuning platform for the Duramax engine, you can build almost any tune imaginable and flash it into your truck. The catch is that EFI Live is only as good as the guy using it to tune. If and when you decide to step up make sure you deal with a reputable tuner, I use Idaho Rob at ATP but there are other guys out there who are good, just do some research on whoever you choose prior to purchasing. I personally switched over from PPE to EFI Live bc I had too due to a turbo swap, but once I realized how much more smooth and personalized the EFI Live tuning was I wished I had done it sooner...

[moosiah]

OK that helps a lot. Thanks for the basic yet thorough description, it gets those of us who are searching the forums for some answers a great start. This should be made a sticky or a link to this thread added to the FAQ's sticky.