Thats just the software. You need actual hardware (efi live V2) in order to do tuning. The software is used with the V2. Below is a V2.

 

ahhh gotcha. i thought it was a "download to laptop and tune" kinda deal

 

what is hptuners like?

 

You should have the stock tune files on the AutoCal. If so, you can write the stock tune back and then use whatever your preferred tuner has.

 

Very similar it's a special cable that carries info on which vehicles have been unlocked for tuning via Vin#.

 

just a cable, or a flashscan handheld deal like efi live?

 

Its a handheld deal similar to efi live. All the tuning software out there for ls based vehicles has some type of interface like efi and hpt use to connect between the vehicle and your laptop. I do not know off the top of my head of just a cable for ls vehicles like there were for older vehicles before ls.