I have a '98 C5 and was waundering what type of programmer is available. I know the predator only works on 99's and up. Any info would be great. Thanks Greg....

 

If you are talking about a handheld unit Hypertech is the only one you can use, I had one it worked great for the price, just used it for fan progaming ,shift points, rev limit. I did not use the engine tuning feature but it has that too.

Good luck

 

I figure i picked up 5-10 hp with my Hypertech, other features made it worth the used price I paid

 

I use a hypertech tuner for fan temps, but one day started fiddling with other prameters, and wow, actually runs harder, ( or so it feels)
so.......... use for fans anyhow!

 

Actually, there is another one that someone posted about the other day. Do a seach for VHP Tuner. They have a hand-held model for the '98. I think it goes for about $429, which is more than the Hypertech unit. I think it may do "a little" more than the Hypertech.

Don't pay the full $399 for the Hypertech. I did a seach on the Net and the lowest new price I found was (I think) $287.

 

As winter wears on, keep your eyes open on here.... you'll pick up a used hypertech for around $120 or so... great place to start putzing around but only a few things you can do for an A4 if that's what you have.. Shift firmness is a good one!

 

Don't bother if you don't have a A4. The tuning did absolutely nothing for me. The best feature was being able to raise my rev limiter and shift points. Lowering the fan turn on temps was also a good thing too.
You'd be better off with a mail order tune or much better off with someone local that does wideband dyno tuning.

 

I agree...I have a '97 and was told that the '97 cannot be dyno tuned because of the limited OS. So it was recommended to upgrade to a '98 OS. I just removed my PCM and sending it in to be reprogrammed by this company.
http://www.wait4meperformance.com/

 

Regarding the Vinci/Crane programmer/tuner......... I just recently purchased one and can confirm it`s the "REAL DEAL!"
I have a 98 vert A4, 3:15 gears with QTP Tri-y`s, Random Tech converters/x-pipe, B&B Bullet cat-back, Vararam, LS6 intake, Iridum plugs, 160*thermostat, etc.

With the Hypertech tune: from a standing start with just enough brake to spool up the stock converter, almost no wheel spin, slight bog off the line until rpm`s kick in, no spin/chirp into 2ed and again pulled hard once the rpm`s kicked in.

With the Vinci/Crane tune: HUGE DIFFERENCE, again from a standing start, aprox same temp/conditions, car left hard, laying down two nice patches as it accelerated strongly up to 2ed, shifted strong into 2ed leaving a couple short patches and continued to pull very strong all the way through top gear.
I bought this tuner with some skepticism, as I did not want another Hypertech...... needless to say, I trusted Roger & Joe Vinci and they did not disappoint!!!! This thing "really woke up my car"!
Just remember, like with any tune, your gains will depend on intake and exhaust restrictions/improvements.

I`ll be heading for the dyno in a week or two, so we`ll see what gains I get. Previous dyno results: 333.53rwhp 342.43rwtq

Rick

P.S. I have a Hypertech for sale (inclds original box, manual) fits 98 model ONLY, I`d like $200.00 for it, send me a pm if interested.

 

Thats good to hear.I just sent mine back to Joe,Because I had a OS error,So hopefully they can program it to work on my car.I just did H/C & headers so I should benifit from it.I have a 97 auto.

 

If they can't program your tuner (Superchip uses the '97's VIN# and you can only use it on that car) you can remove your PCM and send it in to have a mail order tune put in it and the OS for a '98, then tuners have more options to work with.
I just had mine done at
http://www.wait4meperformance.com/ for $83.00.
Rsty

 

Going to dyno my 98 vert tomarrow, if it doesn`t rain!
SOTP feels like I pick-up some pretty good gain using the Vinci/Crane tuner.... will advise.

Rick

 

I'll keep that in mind,Thanks..............Paul

 

I have a 98' Auto and I have used the Superchips program for probably four years now. I have somewhat mixed feelings about it. The car definitely pulls harder and the shifts are quite firm and can really chirp the tires through all the gears on a hot summer day.

However, my RPMs seems to get slightly choppy at idle and when in low RPM range on occasion, but not all of the time. So I wonder about this sometimes. If I planned on doing more mods, I would definitely go with a custom program but right now funds are low and the Superchips is better than stock in my opinion. I think I got mine on special for less than $300 if my memory serves me correct but that was several years ago.

 

The symptoms you speak of are a few of the reasons I went with the Vinci/Crane programmer.
You have infinite adj on the A/F ratio, several idle settings, several timming settings, etc, etc.
I`ll let everyone know the dyno results on Mon-Tue.


Rick

 

I got my VHP programmer back,but they forgot to send the cable .Rick let me know how you make out on the dyno...Thanks.....Paul