Tuning enthusiasts often encounter the challenge of converting HPT (HP Tuners) files to BIN files for flashing purposes. While extracting the entire contents of an ECU with tools like Kess might seem straightforward, the resulting 3MB file doesn’t always represent the complete picture. This is particularly true with HPT tuned vehicles, where the file size might be misleading due to padding with FF (fill) bytes. This article explores methods to work around this issue and delves into converting HPT files to a usable BIN format.
One approach involves comparing a memory dump taken while the BIN file is open in HPT with the Kess-extracted BIN. Initial observations indicate a significant chunk of matching data within the memory dump, suggesting the presence of the essential tuning data within the Kess file. However, pinpointing and extracting this specific section requires further investigation.
For those familiar with WinOLS, a powerful engine tuning software, an alternative approach involves leveraging its capabilities. By reading the ECU data with Kess (e.g., from an E78 ECU) and exporting the map data as a CSV file from another tuning application, you gain access to crucial information like scaling values and axis data. This CSV data can potentially be imported into WinOLS to create an XDF (definition file), enabling direct manipulation of the tuning parameters within WinOLS. This method bypasses the need for a direct HPT to BIN conversion, offering a viable workaround for tuning with WinOLS.
While the direct conversion of HPT to BIN remains elusive, focusing on extracting the core map data and utilizing tools like WinOLS provides effective alternatives for tuning enthusiasts. The process requires careful analysis and experimentation, but understanding the underlying data structure and leveraging available tools can unlock the full potential of ECU tuning.
