Diablo predator
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 71
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From: LAKE WORTH FL.
Diablo predator
I am thinking about purchasing the Diablo programmer. I would like to hear any thoughts and opinions if you have used one. I have only mild mods done - borla stingers, 160 degree stat, k&n filter, 80mm TB. What kind of gains could one expect using one of these programmers?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Do you have a stick or auto? The real benefits of the Predator are to the auto owners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
With mild mods the diablo Is perfect, for any more mods I would suggest a dyno tune as It will net more power. The Diablo Predator really benefits auto trans Vettes because not only do you get more power but you can firm up the shifts, raise the rev limiter, ect ect..
Great all around mod I.M.H.O
Great all around mod I.M.H.O
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
Likes: 133
From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
I don't know how much you will benefit with the manual trans. , but I will say that I am thrilled with this addition to the car.I have an A4
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 1,500
From: Knoxville TN
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Black02,
I have a Diablo Predator for sale. It was on my car for a short time. I really liked what it did for the car (mine is an M6 coupe). Like said, more than just a performance upgrade, you can turn fans on at different temp, adjust speedo for tire, gear changes, raise rev limiter, and more useful stuff. PM me if interested. I'll really make you a deal. It's in the box and just like new.
D
I have a Diablo Predator for sale. It was on my car for a short time. I really liked what it did for the car (mine is an M6 coupe). Like said, more than just a performance upgrade, you can turn fans on at different temp, adjust speedo for tire, gear changes, raise rev limiter, and more useful stuff. PM me if interested. I'll really make you a deal. It's in the box and just like new.
D
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Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Stick; not worth it. Save your $$$ for a more useful mod.
If you decide to buy a Predator anyway - and you buy a used Predator - you will have to get it unlocked. Cost $75 from Diablo Sports. Also, whoever is selling it MUST put their stock tune back - otherwise the Predator is an expensive paperweight. Diablo Sport will tell you to throw it away if the stock tune was not put back.
Just a FYI
If you decide to buy a Predator anyway - and you buy a used Predator - you will have to get it unlocked. Cost $75 from Diablo Sports. Also, whoever is selling it MUST put their stock tune back - otherwise the Predator is an expensive paperweight. Diablo Sport will tell you to throw it away if the stock tune was not put back.
Just a FYI
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
"The Predator is a state-of-the art, high performance tuning flash programmer in a sleek handheld design. Once connected to the vehicle, the Predators internal computer recognizes the vehicles PCM and automatically picks the proper tuning files designed specifically for that PCM. Inside the Predator's memory are the actual tuning files that optimize spark timing and air/fuel ratio curves. The transmission parameters are remapped to improve the shift characteristics such as shift firmness and shift points. Unlike other 'tuners', DiabloSport's programming is performed in very small increments throughout the entire RPM range, for a smoother, wider and a more predictable power delivery. DiabloSport engineers spend many hours on the dyno, street and track to ensure the tunes provided with the Predator are the best they can be."
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
With all due respect, do you believe everything you read?
How can a "one-size-fits-all" tune work such magic on a mechanical object with different clearances, temperatures, elevations and states of general repair?
Just telling you that it is not good value for money in a non-automatic Vette.
Your mileage may vary; if you feel the need to buy a Predator for a manual transmission car, it's your hard earned money, not mine.
Good luck
How can a "one-size-fits-all" tune work such magic on a mechanical object with different clearances, temperatures, elevations and states of general repair?
Just telling you that it is not good value for money in a non-automatic Vette.
Your mileage may vary; if you feel the need to buy a Predator for a manual transmission car, it's your hard earned money, not mine.
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
Likes: 133
From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Yes your mileage will vary mine went down 
: about 3 mpg for the first couple of weeks, till I could keep my foot out of it.
: about 3 mpg for the first couple of weeks, till I could keep my foot out of it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
With all due respect, do you believe everything you read?
How can a "one-size-fits-all" tune work such magic on a mechanical object with different clearances, temperatures, elevations and states of general repair?
Just telling you that it is not good value for money in a non-automatic Vette.
Your mileage may vary; if you feel the need to buy a Predator for a manual transmission car, it's your hard earned money, not mine.
Good luck
How can a "one-size-fits-all" tune work such magic on a mechanical object with different clearances, temperatures, elevations and states of general repair?
Just telling you that it is not good value for money in a non-automatic Vette.
Your mileage may vary; if you feel the need to buy a Predator for a manual transmission car, it's your hard earned money, not mine.
Good luck
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Why do yo say that the real benefits to the auto owners? I own a stick. Below is a quote from DiabloSport's website. The timing and fuel ratios will benefit a car with a stick. So will fan adjustment, torque management adjustment etc.
"The Predator is a state-of-the art, high performance tuning flash programmer in a sleek handheld design. Once connected to the vehicle, the Predators internal computer recognizes the vehicles PCM and automatically picks the proper tuning files designed specifically for that PCM. Inside the Predator's memory are the actual tuning files that optimize spark timing and air/fuel ratio curves. The transmission parameters are remapped to improve the shift characteristics such as shift firmness and shift points. Unlike other 'tuners', DiabloSport's programming is performed in very small increments throughout the entire RPM range, for a smoother, wider and a more predictable power delivery. DiabloSport engineers spend many hours on the dyno, street and track to ensure the tunes provided with the Predator are the best they can be."
"The Predator is a state-of-the art, high performance tuning flash programmer in a sleek handheld design. Once connected to the vehicle, the Predators internal computer recognizes the vehicles PCM and automatically picks the proper tuning files designed specifically for that PCM. Inside the Predator's memory are the actual tuning files that optimize spark timing and air/fuel ratio curves. The transmission parameters are remapped to improve the shift characteristics such as shift firmness and shift points. Unlike other 'tuners', DiabloSport's programming is performed in very small increments throughout the entire RPM range, for a smoother, wider and a more predictable power delivery. DiabloSport engineers spend many hours on the dyno, street and track to ensure the tunes provided with the Predator are the best they can be."
You can make significant and discernible changes to an automatic transmission with the Predator. You will feel the difference in the seat of your pants when you disable Torque management, up the shift pressure and lower the shift times. Makes even the 2.73:1 auto fun to drive.
With the manual transmission, you probably would not be able to tell the difference.
Again, this is my opinion based on my experience. Your mileage may vary.
More importantly, it is your money - not mine.
EG
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Answer is above in red.
You can make significant and discernible changes to an automatic transmission with the Predator. You will feel the difference in the seat of your pants when you disable Torque management, up the shift pressure and lower the shift times. Makes even the 2.73:1 auto fun to drive.
With the manual transmission, you probably would not be able to tell the difference.
Again, this is my opinion based on my experience. Your mileage may vary.
More importantly, it is your money - not mine.
EG
You can make significant and discernible changes to an automatic transmission with the Predator. You will feel the difference in the seat of your pants when you disable Torque management, up the shift pressure and lower the shift times. Makes even the 2.73:1 auto fun to drive.
With the manual transmission, you probably would not be able to tell the difference.
Again, this is my opinion based on my experience. Your mileage may vary.
More importantly, it is your money - not mine.
EG
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
St. Jude Donor '08
The Predator is great if your looking for a mild performance tune on either 6spd or auto. The real plus is eliminating the torgue management (makes the car feel way faster) and on auto trans you can firm the shifts and reset rev limiters. You can also do your own diagnostics and change parameters for tire size and gear ratio. A great tool for a basically stock vette.
