Just starting out - OBDLink SX ??

[topfuel67]

I have been researching tuning my 2003 Silverado 2500HD 8.1L ZF6 speed truck for a couple of months now. I really want to convert it to run on e85. I was considering EFILive or HP Tuners, but the cost is just too much for me to do my truck alone. So I have been researching and have watched several youtube videos and read a bunch here. So far I have bought a 2005 PCM out of a flex fuel Avalanche. I built a harness using the ODB port from the truck and a 12v 1Amp plug/transformer. I've downloaded PCM Hammer and now am looking for an OBD link cable. I watched a video where the guy used a Mongoose Pro, but I can't find those. He also recommended OBDlink MX+, but that is bluetooth which I don't have. So searching online I have found OBDLink EX or OBDLink SX for under $50. I see in the PCM Hammer software 3 options, 1. OBDLINK or Allpro, 2. AVT (838/842/852), 3. OBDX Pro.
Will either the OBDLink EX or SX work on this? I don't want to waste money if it will work on PCM Hammer, but won't work for the next step. I'm just planning on tuning the PCM on my bench and not getting too fancy. My laptop has 2 USB ports, windows 10, and the 3 row serial port with 15 holes. It's a Dell Lattitude e5430. I searched this site for OBDlink EX and SX and found 1 article and 0 articles. I also searched the FAQ here and see a $120 option, but that is from a few years ago. I got a little confused reading posts about different cables not working on different PCMs etc.
My plan is to read and save the 05 PCM. Play with basic stuff to get into tuning. Then read my 03 PCM and attempt to do light tuning on that. Then get into the 05 PCM and get it to run my 03 after adding flex fuel pump, injectors and sensors.

[zack4200]

The OBDX Pro VX is going to be a far better experience than either of the OBDLink tools and is basically the same price. The OBDX Pro devs are pretty active in the community and from what I've seen, tend to do a lot of work with devs of various software to ensure everything works well together. The OBDLink tools on the other hand have had multiple updates over the years that broke functionality/compatibility with PCM Hammer and other software.

[antus]

Yep this is true. If you use the link here: https://obdxpro.com/?ref=pcmhacking we get a couple of cents which I put towards the forums. The forum itself does not create the cable, but the developers were early forum members and are active here. The Xpro is a fast interface, and also has J2534 support meaning you can use it with various other tools too. It is the best value for money option.

On the whole we do not recommend obdlink cables of any type. They are the slowest interface, and a lot of people have trouble. Personally I would like to remove them from pcmhammer, but the other main pcmhammer developer has one of the cables and people who already have them want to be able to keep using it. So we leave it in. But we don't put a lot of effort in to maintaining support for obdlink and the scantool company is regularly changing them and bringing out new devices. We dont and cant test every version or every new device from them.

[topfuel67]

Thank you both for the reply. I ordered the OBD Pro VX using the link provided. I saw that website in my research but wasn't clear if that had usb functionality. The description states it does. And if I upgrade later BT is supported.