I have an 04 A4 3.15 with K&N FIPK 2 and Borla Stingers. Which one would be better for me?

 

If you have no one in your area that does tuning, I'd go with the predator. Much better unit than the hypertech, in my experience. Scott

 

i heard predator for 2004 is not out yet....getting frustrated... :mad

 

Check out Vinci performance, they have a new handheld programer that
is killer. I just got one and the programing is very user friendly and in my
opinion superior to HPP or Predator. They are a supporting vendor, check out thier website, you won't be disappointed.

 

i have a hypertech III . (going to be for sale soon) changed from 2.73 to 3.15 and it wont change the gear scaling i keep getting the p1870 code (check engine light) transmission component slipping when it shifts into over drive. dont by the hypertech if you upgraded gears it wont work.............for basic stuff fans and thermostat no problem


[Modified by birch64, 1:56 AM 6/8/2004]

 

I got a Predator for my 04 A4 last week, it made a big difference. It is more sophisticated that the Hypertech PP, has a lot more tuning parameter capabilities, but you have to work with it a bit more and tweak the settings for the individual car.

The base Predator tune helped, but tweaking was needed to get the most power gain, shift points, cooling fan temps, etc. etc.. The end result is worth every penny of the $$.

Got mine through TByrne, a forum vendor, they had it in stock.

I had the Hypertech in my '02 A4, it also ran better with their tune, but it is not out for the 04 yet.

Which do I prefer? Predator if you have the patience and a little know how. The Hypertech is easier to use, and does what it advertises, but has limited capabilities.

Now if only someone would come out with a correct 180 degree stat for the '04....patiently waiting.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Ihave the Vinci highperformance programmer it is a great product. The programmer was easy to use and ithas a number of differrent fuctions. vinci highperfomance.com it's a great website, they are listed on the forum.

 

as mentioned above.. the Hypertech fails at gear scaling on
the C5 (A4 equiped).

Only after you purchase one will they admit the problem - and of course they won't take the unit back.

 

NEITHER!!!!!!! Get a laptop setup you can edit your own files with.

 

i've heard this too. can you elaborate on that? lots of details would be helpful.

 

Only after you purchase one will they admit the problem - and of course they won't take the unit back.

you got that right! tried to return and they told me "o'well" !

 

Hypertech? or Diablosport Predator?
I used Hypertech for my 2001 Trans Am WS-6 and was not too sure about it. It indeed made more power, but it made my engine ping like crazy. I live in South Louisiana with torrid heat and stifling humidity. Perhaps the conditions were too much for Hypertech. The other thing I didn't like was Hypertech caused my "Change engine oil" idiot warning light to come on for 5 minutes, then go away, every time I started and drove the T/A. Several reset attempts did not make it go away. It kept doing that even when I restored stock tuning. (Explain that please Hypertech?)
My last beef was Hypertech will allegedly not support sucessive owners. I noticed reading the warrantee conditions that they emphasize "TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER ONLY" time and time again. Not hard to figure out what that means.
Fast forward to 2003. I chose the DiabloSport Predator for my Anniversay Edition because it offered what Hypertech offered PLUS the ability to read DTC codes for somewhat more money.
Was I ever pleased? Yesiree!!! I found the DiabloSport to be much more versatile. It is not merely for only one car or model year number, like Hypertech. (This will make it easier to resell when I get the next new Vette!) The Diablosport does more tuning for the money than Hypertech and oh yes, NO ENGINE PINGING AND NO "CHANGE ENGINE OIL" idiot warning light.
I do as the instructions say and restore stock tuning when I get service and I definitely notice less power and softer shifts when I try it out, so I'm sure it's working.
If you price out Hypertech and a diagnostic break out box separately, you'll find the Diablosport to be much cheaper than the other two choices combined. Why not get both in one tuner?
I don't mean to appear to discredit the Hypertech. It's a good unit so long as you are aware of how it compares to it's competition. I hope I don't sound like a salesman (flunky) for Diablosport but I sure do like mine!


[Modified by Triple_Wild_Bill, 1:45 AM 6/26/2004]

 

180 degree Thermostat
160 degrees is too cold for everyday driving, unless you live in the desert southwest or south Florida. If you live in the Northern regions, don't even think about a 160 degree 'stat. I don't know why they are being marketed so hard. If you have only one "lazy" or borderline temperature sensor, the 160 degree thermostat will cause problems with your OBD III warm up mode AND your climate control. 190 degrees isn't that much help. 180 is the sweet spot. Breathless Performance markets a dandy 180 degree 'stat.
http://www.breathlessperformance.com/

They'll be happy to fix you up!


[Modified by Triple_Wild_Bill, 1:44 AM 6/26/2004]


[Modified by Triple_Wild_Bill, 1:48 AM 6/26/2004]

 

but it is VIN locked. You can't simply sell it to someone else without first sending it back to DiabloSport and getting it blanked out (for a fee).

 

I have the Hypertech with the 180 degree Thermostat. Very happy with it, did everything it said it would..

 

I enjoyed my Hypertech. I got a big 'ol HUGE grin every time my WS-6 slaughtered both back Goodyears from a 24 mph rolling 1st gear punch and then left two positrac patches banging the automatic's 2nd gear. I might add it also took an AGM MAF sensor and a tuned airbox to really wake it up. It would barely peel out leaving the Pontiac place I bought it new from new.
It was the unexpected bugs that had me scratching my head over my Hypertech.
Back in 1983 I absolutely loved my Apple IIe computer. I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. In 1984 I bought my Compaq portable and quickly learned what a REAL computer was all about. That's how I'd compare my old Hypertech to my new Predator. The best of the original compared to the best of the new. I think most anybody who has used both tuners would agree with me.

 

Quote
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but is VIN locked and can only be blanked for a fee
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Fair enough. I meant to point out the retailer's benefits. If you were in the business of selling tuner reprogrammers, would you rather stock 12 different Hypertechs to cover 4 vehicles over 4 model years or would you rather stock 2 or 3 Diablosports to cover the same number of vehicles?
Diablosport is clearly out gunning Hypertech in the marketing department as well as tuneability. I'm grateful for the smiles Hypertech induced on me with my WS-6 F body, while realizing they had me over a barrel without the serious competition Diablosport provides today.

If anybody can tell me the process involved for getting the latest ideal tune for my Predator on my '03 A4 coupe from Diablosport, Please be kind and share it with all of us?

 

gotta agree with you there.

Hypetech is a great device for F-body cars - but falls short on the C5 (by their own admission)

 

Mike, I talked to Cole a Diablo Sport today and he said the 04 GM Predator is not locked to the VIN like the older version. I have not yet tried it, but I will post when I do.

chuck