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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 03:59 PM
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Default handheld programmer

i have 2002 conv with a4 and 273s. no mods. would a handheld programmer help any at all or just a waste of money?
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Old May 9, 2011 | 10:39 PM
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I'd like a good answer to this, as well.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 06:55 PM
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?????
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Old May 12, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
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1st---these cars are already tuned pretty well from the factory---On a bolt on stockish type car any sort of tuning MAY help--The key usually is which state you live in--Most handhelds are made in the east where 93 octane premium is found---So to get the best reults or use the programmer's highest setting you need 93 oct fuel--IF you live in a state like Calif.--we only have 91 octane fuel---So you can only use the lowest setting and the reults are minimal---Even with 93 oct fuel the most you could get is maybe 10-15 RWHP---With 91 even less--
If you have an automatic --trans tuning alone can make your car quicker without touching anything on the motor !! But most handheld have limited access to the nearly 250 tranmission tables--TQ mangement delete-- and a " generic" shift firmness setting"
IN my opinion the best of the handhelds in the Diablo --I gives you more options for engine and transmission tuning --and allows you to make changes beyond the pre-programmed included tune setings
IF your engine is modded beyond just bolt ons--like cams/heads/LT headers---any handheld will not address enough tables to get the idle and surging problems sorted out and you would need a full tuner such as HP or EFILIVE --again the Diablo handheld would come the closest to tune a modded engine but it may or may not cover all the bases--
Handhelds now range from the $350-$450 range--- But you could get HP or EFILIVE with enough licenses to do 2 vehicles for around $750--
If you are planning ANY future mods---it would be best to wait and get a full tuner---There is more of a learning curve involved with a full tuner--You must have old school engine knowledge and know your way around a computer and like to "tinker"--and have patience
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Old May 12, 2011 | 04:10 PM
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the diablo predator is only $280 from marylandspeed.com... and offers the most adjustability of any handheld out there...

and, you can also get custom tuning done for it by a diablosport CMR custom tuner...

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Old May 15, 2011 | 09:19 PM
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i have the chance to buy a hypertech at a very very cheap price. thanks for the info.
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Old May 16, 2011 | 11:03 AM
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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I bought a used a Hypertech programmer to adjust the cooling fan settings and transmission shift firmness on my stock 2001 vert.

To me, the price of a used one was worth it to make these changes alone.
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