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I have read plenty of negative posts regarding the hypertech programmer. Most of these opinions seem to come from peolpe who have never actually USED one but they are merely repeating something they have heard from unnamed sources. I appreciate everyone's opinion but I would like to hear from people who have actually USED this in their car and what their experience is, both positive or negative. I understand that LS1 EDIT is the most comprehensive tuning tool currently available but it seems far to complex and expensive for the average diy'er and I do not yet have a H/C package or headers so I probably would not realize the full benefits of LS1 EDIT. Plus I like to do my own work on my car and am not crazy about the idea of being at the mercy of a custom tuner that will need to paid for all future adjustments. So, Hypertech users please tell me if you are happy with your purchase(or unhappy) and any gains or loses in hp. :cheers:
I used it on my 2000 a4. I liked being able to firm up the shifts and change the redline. It's easy to use (from the drivers seat) is a little slow and doesn't let you change some things you might want to. I did notice a performance difference esp. shifting. The draw back I have now is I totaled the 2000 and now i have a 2002. I didn't get a chance to reload the hypertech so now it's useless for my '02. Aside from that I was satisfied. Since I have an m6 now I don't think the benefit would be as great so I'm not planning on another programmer.
I have had 2 C5's, a 2000 previously and now a 2002, both MN6. I used the HPP III on the first C5 and just bought a used one from a forum member recently. Used is the way to go in my opinion because I don't believe the power tuning has anything to offer but the ability to adjust the cooling fan start temps and rev limiter is very nice to have.
The reason I say I don't think the power tuning has anything to offer is because I took the car to the track and ran back to back runs first without the power tuning then with it. It actually slowed down a couple of tenths with the power tuning.
$350 is a lot to pay for a rheostat for the fans and a rev limiter. I paid $200 for the used HPP III delivered next day (Saturday even) and that I can handle. You'd almost pay that for just the external fan controller (rheostat).
It would be icing on the cake if the HPP III did boost performance through it's power tuning.
I completely agree. I think the most useful features are fan control, rev limiter, and shift firmness adjustment. Tire sizes too if you're into that. You might give the engine tuning a try, it's not all that bad for a stock engine. You should be able to score a used unit for around $200. Not too hard to sell when you outgrow it. I moved to LS1-Edit (needed a gear scaling solution) about a year ago and sold my HPP3 after examining what it did and how it did it.
I started with the HPP3 and used it to lower the fan temps for the 160 degree thermostat. I used the powertuning both "normal" and RFG tuning. I stayed with the RFG tuning since that is what is sold here. It worked fine for me. I switched to LS1edit because I wanted more control and to try to get rid of a KR problem.
Bought mine to firm up the shifts and control the fans.
It does exactly what I bought it for.
I do run the performance tune but cannot quantify the effects.
The data transfer rate is slow, is this the rate of the car or the hypertech?
Do the other devices run at this same speed?
I got one for my 2002 vert A4. I like it so far and my 60' are better by .15 sec and 1/4 miles times are down about .30 sec's after I installed it. I did power program, shift points and firmness adjust, and rev limiter. I left the thermostat and fan adjustments stock. I have no other explanation for the better times. Also, its fun to play with and very easy to use. I paid $299 new for mine and when I get tired of it, I'll sell it for $200.
If you have lots of mods or a mn6, it probably isn't worth it, but for A4 cars, it helps. :steering:
i used one of the beta models on my 02 i was very happy with everything it can do. i recently added a magnuson and am now trying to work out the problems with a knock in it. if you are interested i will sell you my hypertech. it works better with a lower temp thermostat.
Thanks for all the great feedback! I purchased one used from a fellow forum member I'm just waiting for it to arrive and I will let you all know if I can tell any SOTP difference. The main thing for me is I have a 160 stat and would like to turn my fans on sooner and maybe tweak the rev limiter a bit. After I do some bigger mods(H/C or headers) then I will go after LS1 EDIT. :cheers:
Lawless99,
Have a 99' like you. Used a dyno to test the delta. Did a base run, without air filter or HPPIII and she turned 287, I then installed a K&N twin and the programming and she went to 297RWHP.
I bought both the K&N and the HPP used for $300, so I ran $30/pony. But the dyno and my SOTP can tell the difference.
I am happy with my Hypertech III. I have a 98 and Predator does not make a programmer for anything under 99. The Predator does a few more things but justifying the extra $150.00 above the HPIII just does not cut it. I only wanted to firm shifts, raise rev limiter, and lower fan on temps.
i use one in my 98' i stayed away from the power programing, but i did use it to turn the fans on sooner, increase rev linit adjust shift points, and shift firmness... i am very happy and it worked well for my stock car. it is easy to use and you can reprogram back to stock at anytime and resell it . bought mine here for about 150-160 i cant remember but as soon as i outgrowit i will pass it along to someone elese here...
aaaa, you can send your old hypertech programmer back to them, and they will reprogram it for any vehicle they have a program for. It costs 200. I have done this before, I had a 2000 chevy pickup, then bought a 99 vette, and they made it work
Re: Hypertech users please speak up (Darens99Vette)
I use one on My 98 Coupe and It works Great. I got it for $200.00 off the Parts for Sale on this Forum. It is A nice improvement on An Automatic Transmission Car. :cool: :cheers: