Which Programmer to get?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Sunrise, Florida
Which Programmer to get?
Ok, I'm new here and want to say "Hi" to everyone...so Hi!
I just got rid of my 2000 GT convertible (I was always a Chevy guy anyway before I purchased the Mustang in Jan. of 05) right before I was going to SuperCharge it. Took the $6k I was going to spend on the SC and got a slightly used 2004 Vette with the money instead.
Anyway, I'm looking to get a programmer and was wondering which one you guys think is good. I had a Superchips in the Stang and it DID give a little punch. Mostly, I want to eliminate the CAGS without having to crawl under the car but added kick wouldn't hurt.
I'm torn between the Diablo Predator (As I love the fact that if I get the bug to go crazy later it could still come in handy) and the Superchips. I'm also considering the SCT Xcalibrator 2, but their site doesn't give any info for a Vette.
Price really isn't a factor (Although I don't want to spend $1k on one) I just wanted a few opinions from those in the know.
My car is a 2004 LS1 coupe that has every option except the suspension selector **** in the center console. Being this is my 1st Vette, I figured I'd ask those in the know.
I'm also open to opinions on other such products which I don't know about if there are any better.
Thanks in advance for the responses!
Ken
I just got rid of my 2000 GT convertible (I was always a Chevy guy anyway before I purchased the Mustang in Jan. of 05) right before I was going to SuperCharge it. Took the $6k I was going to spend on the SC and got a slightly used 2004 Vette with the money instead.
Anyway, I'm looking to get a programmer and was wondering which one you guys think is good. I had a Superchips in the Stang and it DID give a little punch. Mostly, I want to eliminate the CAGS without having to crawl under the car but added kick wouldn't hurt.
I'm torn between the Diablo Predator (As I love the fact that if I get the bug to go crazy later it could still come in handy) and the Superchips. I'm also considering the SCT Xcalibrator 2, but their site doesn't give any info for a Vette.
Price really isn't a factor (Although I don't want to spend $1k on one) I just wanted a few opinions from those in the know.
My car is a 2004 LS1 coupe that has every option except the suspension selector **** in the center console. Being this is my 1st Vette, I figured I'd ask those in the know.
I'm also open to opinions on other such products which I don't know about if there are any better.
Thanks in advance for the responses!
Ken
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Between Predator and the Superchips, definitely the Predator. There are quite a few here that will chime in I'm sure about the Predators. I've never used one, but they seem by all accounts to be very powerful for a handheld.
If you want to go beyond a handheld, and have the desire to learn, HP Tuners or EFILive is also another option. It's not near as easy as a handheld, but is much more flexible if you start doing quite a few mods down the road. There is a learning curve with PC based tuning programs.
Congrats on the car!!!
If you want to go beyond a handheld, and have the desire to learn, HP Tuners or EFILive is also another option. It's not near as easy as a handheld, but is much more flexible if you start doing quite a few mods down the road. There is a learning curve with PC based tuning programs.
Congrats on the car!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Sunrise, Florida
Do the HP Tuner or EFILive come with a "Performance Tune" installed as a baseline or do you have to get up to speed on the software first and write your own?
God knows I love to tinker, but don't want to screw up my AF ratio or anything before I finally figure out what I'm doing.
I do have a new Dell laptop I could load software into though...
Thanks...I absolutely LOVE this car and it makes my GT seem like a Corolla by comparison. (The head turning is good for the ego too!)
God knows I love to tinker, but don't want to screw up my AF ratio or anything before I finally figure out what I'm doing.
I do have a new Dell laptop I could load software into though...
Thanks...I absolutely LOVE this car and it makes my GT seem like a Corolla by comparison. (The head turning is good for the ego too!)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by MgKenny
Do the HP Tuner or EFILive come with a "Performance Tune" installed as a baseline or do you have to get up to speed on the software first and write your own?
God knows I love to tinker, but don't want to screw up my AF ratio or anything before I finally figure out what I'm doing.
I do have a new Dell laptop I could load software into though...
Thanks...I absolutely LOVE this car and it makes my GT seem like a Corolla by comparison. (The head turning is good for the ego too!)
God knows I love to tinker, but don't want to screw up my AF ratio or anything before I finally figure out what I'm doing.
I do have a new Dell laptop I could load software into though...
Thanks...I absolutely LOVE this car and it makes my GT seem like a Corolla by comparison. (The head turning is good for the ego too!)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 1
From: Murphy TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Think about what you want to do now and down the road too. You will eventually 1) outgrow the Predator (or any handheld for that matter) and/or 2) require somebody to do custom tunes you can load it with. The PC-based systems are more expensive but also more powerful. It's just like the difference between a GT and a Vette. 
Maybe think about whether you want tuning or a tuner. As far as tuners go, I'm definitely in the EFILive camp. Welcome and enjoy the new toy. 
Maybe think about whether you want tuning or a tuner. As far as tuners go, I'm definitely in the EFILive camp. Welcome and enjoy the new toy.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 618
Likes: 1
From: Putting a 50¢ sticker of the U.S. Flag on a $50,000 import does not make one a patriot.
Since you were happy with your super chips before, I defiantly recommend the Predator. It comes with a installable Performance tune specific for you vehicle(alot of testing done on many vettes to make sure it works correctly). It will allow you to have some basic tuning, including CAGS and Torque Management removal, Air/Fuel ratio, fan settings, gear ratio, etc. If you decide to get deep into modding and tuning your vette, you can always reset the Predator and sell it.
LS1 edit and HP Tuners can do all that and more, but LS1 edit and HP Tuners do not come with a basic canned performance tune. Sure you could download one someone else made from a database of tunes, but will it work on your vette the same way? I doubt it, reason being is that these tunes are very vehicle specific unlike the Predator. You would need to fine tune it for your car. This requires tuning and software knowledge, which can have a steep learning curve.
Good Luck,
AZC5
LS1 edit and HP Tuners can do all that and more, but LS1 edit and HP Tuners do not come with a basic canned performance tune. Sure you could download one someone else made from a database of tunes, but will it work on your vette the same way? I doubt it, reason being is that these tunes are very vehicle specific unlike the Predator. You would need to fine tune it for your car. This requires tuning and software knowledge, which can have a steep learning curve.
Good Luck,
AZC5
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 120
From: orlando florida
St. Jude Donor '15
the vinci/crane unit would be another tuner to look at using. has 7 different programs depending on cam you have. and 2 programs if you have a supercharger. http://www.stealthram.com/vhptuner.htm
i use it on both of my cars.
i use it on both of my cars.
