Hey Greg,
Code59 is a method of tuning our SyTy's using an updated version of the GM ECM code... the work on updating/changing the old code to the new has been done by Dig, Paul, Jeff, and others whom I don't know
Here is the website for Code59 tuning....
http://www.code59.org/
- To tune with Code59, you need the truck set up with a 3bar and wideband.
- You need a laptop to connect to the truck via the OBD port... this feeds the ALDL data to the laptop via TunerProRT (for tuning and logging). Datamaster is also a valuable tool when logging your test runs.
- You go to the Code59 website and download three files.... a BIN (the tune), an XDF file, and an ADS file. These three files let you start making changes to your tune.
To actually burn the new code onto a chip for use in your truck, you'll need a G1 chip carrier, a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket (makes taking the chip out for a re-burn much easier), and a chip burner... these are all available from Detroit Turbo
http://www.detroitturbo.com/cart/index.php?manufacturers_id=13
or from Craig Moates
http://www.moates.net/
There are some base tunes on the Code59 site that are good... for 40lb, 50lb, 60lb, and 75lb injectors.
You download the BIN dependent on the size of injectors you're running and load it into to TunerProRT (along with the ADS and XDF files). You won't be making any changes to the BIN at this point, so you just save it under the name you prefer... I always use the date and a series number.
The chip burner (I use the Moates Flash n' Burn) is used to load this BIN that you've just saved into the chip. The chip is then inserted in the G1 chip carrier, and you're ready to go for a test drive. In most cases the truck will have problems running on this new BIN even though it is made for your injector size (cams, converters, etc. all affect the tune). Code59 has a Microsoft Excel file called Autotune that will help you get this new tune closer to what your truck needs. After running 7 or 8 Autotune sessions, you may decide to then just start adjusting the tune based on what you see happening in Datamaster.
I've burned about 50 BINs for my Sy and feel like I'm finally getting it perfected.
Costwise, it will run around $500 for the tuning equipment/chip carriers, then you need the laptop/cable, and need the truck to be on the 3bar with wideband.....
Easy, Huh?!
Seriously, I hope this sheds a little light on the subject. It is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.