Hypertech III programmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Hypertech III programmer
I just bought a 96 lt4 and it came with a hypertech III programer. Anyone have experience with these. I don't know anything about it and I have to take the car through CT emissions. I don't know if this has any effect on emissions and also I am curious to play with it but I don't want to screw anything up. It didn't come with directions. I'll look online for that but I am wondering how well these work and if they only really take advantage of modifications. Some extra mpg would be good, this car is so much quicker than my 86, I don't need speed but I'll take torque Also, is it a one and done or can you hook it up to any 96 and use it. I'll gladly let anyone use it if they also check out my car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,749
Likes: 168
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
You can only use it for one car at a time.
When you plug it into your car, it uses your VIN and swaps your factory program for the new program.
If you plug it into another car, it will not work because your VIN (and stock program) are now stored on the programmer.
You can use it on another '96 Corvette though, if you return your car back to stock.
One last note: Don't expect any performance gains from these things.
I tried one on my truck 8 or 9 years ago.
They are good for playing with shift points (auto tranny), and adjusting your speedo for different tire sizes.
For some cars, they will also remove the top speed limit (but your Corvette isn't limited).
They will adjust the timing a little. But they still have to stay within EPA limits.
If your looking for performance gains, you'll want to look into a custom tune.
When you plug it into your car, it uses your VIN and swaps your factory program for the new program.
If you plug it into another car, it will not work because your VIN (and stock program) are now stored on the programmer.
You can use it on another '96 Corvette though, if you return your car back to stock.
One last note: Don't expect any performance gains from these things.
I tried one on my truck 8 or 9 years ago.
They are good for playing with shift points (auto tranny), and adjusting your speedo for different tire sizes.
For some cars, they will also remove the top speed limit (but your Corvette isn't limited).
They will adjust the timing a little. But they still have to stay within EPA limits.
If your looking for performance gains, you'll want to look into a custom tune.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
My car also came with one. As others have said don't expect any performance gains. I only use it to adjust the temp that the fan comes on. The fans can be programed to come on at 212 degrees, the car never gets over 213.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22,940
Likes: 116
From: San Antonio Texas
A friend had one for his C5 auto and I was impressed with the ability to vary shift RPM and firmness. You could go from Cadillac soft all the way to hammering your butt hard. Like said above, with an LT4, I don't think it will do anything for you. Nice toy to trade for something you want though.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
All right, I don't know much about tuning engines so I should probably not even play with this. I see it lists for $389 and I need a lot of new stuff so what would be a good price to sell it for, or I would trade. Thanks guys
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough CT
Don't sell it to quickly and don't worry about screwing up your car. These programmers are pretty much dummy proof. If you decide to change Rim/Tire size or gears, it can be used to correct the speedo. It can also be used to change the transmission shift points and the temp at which the fans kick on. Some times you can remove a governed speed, sometimes you can add a speed cap. The past answers are correct about performance, it will not help that. They are also correct saying that it is not better then a real tune. However, if the engine is not modified much then there is no need to go the tune route yet. I bought one when I put 4.10 gears in my LT1 Trans Am, it was the easiest way to correct the speedo. Since it came with the car might as well make sure you can't use it before you get rid of it.
Last edited by gkrynick22; Apr 12, 2011 at 09:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Don't sell it to quickly and don't worry about screwing up your car. These programmers are pretty much dummy proof. If you decide to change Rim/Tire size or gears, it can be used to correct the speedo. It can also be used to change the transmission shift points and the temp at which the fans kick on. Some times you can remove a governed speed, sometimes you can add a speed cap. The past answers are correct about performance, it will not help that. They are also correct saying that it is not better then a real tune. However, if the engine is not modified much then there is no need to go the tune route yet. I bought one when I put 4.10 gears in my LT1 Trans Am, it was the easiest way to correct the speedo. Since it came with the car might as well make sure you can't use it before you get rid of it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
All my cars ended up running the stock tune, the only option I used was the data logging (Hyperscan module purchased), and the 160F thermostat setting. I've had the stock 180F thermo in all the cars and the fans come on at low speed before the thermostat even opens. The cars go to 190F on the digital gauge and doesn't budge even in the summer heat (AZ summers).
Now I have an LT4 and still use the 160F thermo setting for the fans and it's nice to keep it rock solid at operating temp.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Mine came with the same 400 dollar brick. I experimented with it for a while before giving up. There is absolutely no difference that can be perceived with the SOP test 
I ended up just using it to reprogram the fans to come on a little earlier. I have stock wheels, so the speedo stuff is useless, ditto for the auto trans stuff.
Interestingly my stock speedo is about 2 mph under at around 70mph according to my sat nav tests.
Very easy to use - you can probably find the manual online if yours didn't come with one. Yes it's very nerve-wracking at first knowing your factory tune is being gobbled up by this box and you are 'locked in' to this same unit.
Just keep it in the secret door pocket with the car, and you'll be ok - fits perfectly in there.
Fun to experiment with, but as everyone has said, zero perceptible performance gains.
Congrats on the new car!!
I ended up just using it to reprogram the fans to come on a little earlier. I have stock wheels, so the speedo stuff is useless, ditto for the auto trans stuff.
Interestingly my stock speedo is about 2 mph under at around 70mph according to my sat nav tests.
Very easy to use - you can probably find the manual online if yours didn't come with one. Yes it's very nerve-wracking at first knowing your factory tune is being gobbled up by this box and you are 'locked in' to this same unit.
Just keep it in the secret door pocket with the car, and you'll be ok - fits perfectly in there.Fun to experiment with, but as everyone has said, zero perceptible performance gains.
Congrats on the new car!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 1
From: Manteca CA
Does the car have 4:10 final gearing? If so the installer probally used it to correct the spedo fron the 3:45 stock ratio of the 6 sp. Other than that it is only good for changing the temp at which the fans turn on.
