Powerloader vs. Superchips
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
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From: Davie Florida
Powerloader vs. Superchips
I ordered a Powerloader for my 98 A4, but I am having second thoughts about this and I am considering the Superchips Programer instead. Because you can return to stock programing with the Superchips Programer, and you can't with the Powerloader. I have nearly 3 years left on my extended warranty and I am wondering if I will have my warranty voided if the dealer discovers I used the Powerloader. Has anyone used both of these programers, what are the Pros and Cons of each of them. Also has anyone had a problem with their warranty because they installed the Powerloader.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mitch C)
Wow, did you just find the forum? Sounds like you have missed a lot of info. if you are the orginial ownerof a 98, this topic has been beat to death! try the search function.
I will say this, I have had a P/L since 3/00 and do not regret it. I would purchase another in a heart beat!
I will say this, I have had a P/L since 3/00 and do not regret it. I would purchase another in a heart beat!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 711
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From: Orlando, Florida
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mitch C)
I've tried all three tuners.....
After you install Powerloader, I gaurantee you won't want to go back to stock!!!!
here's a post I made comparing all 3...
Superchips wouldn't go back to stock either (without crashing the PCM & requireing re-flashing)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=133505
[Modified by goldman, 7:16 AM 9/24/2001]
After you install Powerloader, I gaurantee you won't want to go back to stock!!!!
here's a post I made comparing all 3...
Superchips wouldn't go back to stock either (without crashing the PCM & requireing re-flashing)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=133505
[Modified by goldman, 7:16 AM 9/24/2001]
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 23
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From: Korea
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips
Well, these Powerloaders and Do-It-Yourself programmers may be great for someone that is changing the rear axle ratio, rev limiter or wants the cooling fans to program on sooner, but;
If you have installed a more agressive cam/headers/heads package, the only way you will get it to perform properly and maintain drivability (ie: idle) is with custom PCM programming such as Ed Wright.
Your not going to delete A.I.R. codes, random misfire PO300 codes, rear O2 sensor codes or make changes to idle speed/fuel tables/ignition curves after you have installed that heavy cam unless you spend the $$$ for custum programming. Bottom line....
Now, with that said, I think its almost criminal what these guys are charging ($450) for custom programming of the PCM! And to think, I can get race chips for a Turbo Buick burned all day long from guys like Jay Carter, Red Armstrong, etc for about 50-75 bucks a pop!
Oh Well,
Ron
If you have installed a more agressive cam/headers/heads package, the only way you will get it to perform properly and maintain drivability (ie: idle) is with custom PCM programming such as Ed Wright.
Your not going to delete A.I.R. codes, random misfire PO300 codes, rear O2 sensor codes or make changes to idle speed/fuel tables/ignition curves after you have installed that heavy cam unless you spend the $$$ for custum programming. Bottom line....
Now, with that said, I think its almost criminal what these guys are charging ($450) for custom programming of the PCM! And to think, I can get race chips for a Turbo Buick burned all day long from guys like Jay Carter, Red Armstrong, etc for about 50-75 bucks a pop!
Oh Well,
Ron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 933
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From: Santa Clara Ca
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mitch C)
I think it is wise that your thinking this out first and weighing if you go to a product that may well delete your warranty and may also cause your car to fail smog testing and you no longer having the ability to restore your stock code without you throwing away the big bucks code that will have to be blown away.
With the new EPA/CARB smog rules you may find next year your state has even tougher smog test rules and you get rejected because the valid PCM Cal ID is not present.
If your intent on having to re-calibrate or change tables within the PCM go to a professional like Ron Zimmer of Z-Industries who has been doing this type of work for many years and charges from 100 to 300 bucks versus 350-500 the others charge.
Assume your engine locks up, causing high dollar repairs, don't you think G.M will use the non approved, non EPA certified PCM code the way to get away from paying for that warranty work even if the code really was not the cause but how an you proof it was not the cause ?
Also keep in mind new PCM code products are coming out soon that will allow you to make PCM changes yourself and thus give you full control of tuning but at the same time allow you to preserve your stock code. This is a reason some of the vendors now are ganging up and putting a lock in their code so once it is on your PCM you cannot overwrite that code including putting stock code back in.
John
With the new EPA/CARB smog rules you may find next year your state has even tougher smog test rules and you get rejected because the valid PCM Cal ID is not present.
If your intent on having to re-calibrate or change tables within the PCM go to a professional like Ron Zimmer of Z-Industries who has been doing this type of work for many years and charges from 100 to 300 bucks versus 350-500 the others charge.
Assume your engine locks up, causing high dollar repairs, don't you think G.M will use the non approved, non EPA certified PCM code the way to get away from paying for that warranty work even if the code really was not the cause but how an you proof it was not the cause ?
Also keep in mind new PCM code products are coming out soon that will allow you to make PCM changes yourself and thus give you full control of tuning but at the same time allow you to preserve your stock code. This is a reason some of the vendors now are ganging up and putting a lock in their code so once it is on your PCM you cannot overwrite that code including putting stock code back in.
John
I ordered a Powerloader for my 98 A4, but I am having second thoughts about this and I am considering the Superchips Programer instead. Because you can return to stock programing with the Superchips Programer, and you can't with the Powerloader. I have nearly 3 years left on my extended warranty and I am wondering if I will have my warranty voided if the dealer discovers I used the Powerloader. Has anyone used both of these programers, what are the Pros and Cons of each of them. Also has anyone had a problem with their warranty because they installed the Powerloader.
Team Owner
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Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (team-zr1)
I think it is wise that your thinking this out first and weighing if you go to a product that may well delete your warranty and may also cause your car to fail smog testing and you no longer having the ability to restore your stock code without you throwing away the big bucks code that will have to be blown away.
With the new EPA/CARB smog rules you may find next year your state has even tougher smog test rules and you get rejected because the valid PCM Cal ID is not present.
If your intent on having to re-calibrate or change tables within the PCM go to a professional like Ron Zimmer of Z-Industries who has been doing this type of work for many years and charges from 100 to 300 bucks versus 350-500 the others charge.
Assume your engine locks up, causing high dollar repairs, don't you think G.M will use the non approved, non EPA certified PCM code the way to get away from paying for that warranty work even if the code really was not the cause but how an you proof it was not the cause ?
Also keep in mind new PCM code products are coming out soon that will allow you to make PCM changes yourself and thus give you full control of tuning but at the same time allow you to preserve your stock code. This is a reason some of the vendors now are ganging up and putting a lock in their code so once it is on your PCM you cannot overwrite that code including putting stock code back in.
John
I ordered a Powerloader for my 98 A4, but I am having second thoughts about this and I am considering the Superchips Programer instead. Because you can return to stock programing with the Superchips Programer, and you can't with the Powerloader. I have nearly 3 years left on my extended warranty and I am wondering if I will have my warranty voided if the dealer discovers I used the Powerloader. Has anyone used both of these programers, what are the Pros and Cons of each of them. Also has anyone had a problem with their warranty because they installed the Powerloader.
With the new EPA/CARB smog rules you may find next year your state has even tougher smog test rules and you get rejected because the valid PCM Cal ID is not present.
If your intent on having to re-calibrate or change tables within the PCM go to a professional like Ron Zimmer of Z-Industries who has been doing this type of work for many years and charges from 100 to 300 bucks versus 350-500 the others charge.
Assume your engine locks up, causing high dollar repairs, don't you think G.M will use the non approved, non EPA certified PCM code the way to get away from paying for that warranty work even if the code really was not the cause but how an you proof it was not the cause ?
Also keep in mind new PCM code products are coming out soon that will allow you to make PCM changes yourself and thus give you full control of tuning but at the same time allow you to preserve your stock code. This is a reason some of the vendors now are ganging up and putting a lock in their code so once it is on your PCM you cannot overwrite that code including putting stock code back in.
John
I ordered a Powerloader for my 98 A4, but I am having second thoughts about this and I am considering the Superchips Programer instead. Because you can return to stock programing with the Superchips Programer, and you can't with the Powerloader. I have nearly 3 years left on my extended warranty and I am wondering if I will have my warranty voided if the dealer discovers I used the Powerloader. Has anyone used both of these programers, what are the Pros and Cons of each of them. Also has anyone had a problem with their warranty because they installed the Powerloader.
Mark
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From: Burlington ON
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Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mean Green 2000)
The TTS Powerloader can most definitely be reprogrammed for heads/cam and other mods in the future. The Powerloader is a custom PCM programmer that can be programmed for whatever you want done to YOUR car. It is not a generic program wrote for all C5s like the Superchips and Hypertech are.
The TTS Powerloader has one up on Ed Wright in that it does not require you to jack your car up, remove your passenger side wheel, take the PCM inspection panel off, disconnect the PCM and send it away to get a custom program put on it which renders your car immobile until the programmers return. With the Powerloader, Steve makes the changes to the PCM code, sends it to you, you plug it in, it loads, and its done.
It does not have a revert to stock setting like the Hypertech or Superchips programmers but from what I have been hearing, their revert to stock functions dont work properly too often anyway.
By the way, Mean Green, your Powerloader is on its way to us from Steve Cole as I type this. It should be on its way to you in sunny florida sometime this week
[Modified by MattG, 5:30 PM 9/24/2001]
The TTS Powerloader has one up on Ed Wright in that it does not require you to jack your car up, remove your passenger side wheel, take the PCM inspection panel off, disconnect the PCM and send it away to get a custom program put on it which renders your car immobile until the programmers return. With the Powerloader, Steve makes the changes to the PCM code, sends it to you, you plug it in, it loads, and its done.
It does not have a revert to stock setting like the Hypertech or Superchips programmers but from what I have been hearing, their revert to stock functions dont work properly too often anyway.
By the way, Mean Green, your Powerloader is on its way to us from Steve Cole as I type this. It should be on its way to you in sunny florida sometime this week
[Modified by MattG, 5:30 PM 9/24/2001]
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (MattG)
By the way, Mean Green, your Powerloader is on its way to us from Steve Cole as I type this. It should be on its way to you in sunny florida sometime this week
Mark
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
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Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mean Green 2000)
I got my email of a forthcoming Powerloader, too. Thanks, RG. It must be in the same shipment with Mean Green's. I am really looking forward to getting loaded.
Since, I don't have the time or the knowledge to program my own PCM it doesn't bother me to pay Steve Cole to make one for me. And as far as EPA/CARB standards go, I wouldn't think they are going to retro-legislate standards for older models. And, if they do I will deal with my friendly local inspector($$) when the time arrives.
Since, I don't have the time or the knowledge to program my own PCM it doesn't bother me to pay Steve Cole to make one for me. And as far as EPA/CARB standards go, I wouldn't think they are going to retro-legislate standards for older models. And, if they do I will deal with my friendly local inspector($$) when the time arrives.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Santa Clara Ca
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mystery Fan)
And as far as EPA/CARB standards go, I wouldn't think they are going to retro-legislate standards for older models. And, if they do I will deal with my friendly local inspector($$) when the time arrives.
Inspectors will not be able to fill their pants pockets for they cannot control
what the PCM reports since the testing was taken out of their hands and a smog OBD-II scanner will be read only, it cannot change invalid info PCM is reporting in results.
Did EPA retro-active this new smog gas, heck no, all models are stuck using it with zero info in advance to the general public.
John
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Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (VetteMan2k1)
YAWN.
The Powerloader KICKS BUTT!!!! Don't give it another thought, you'll be glad you're "loaded"...
-Jim
The Powerloader KICKS BUTT!!!! Don't give it another thought, you'll be glad you're "loaded"...
-Jim
Cheers,
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
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From: Davie Florida
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Speed-Racer)
Thanks for all of the replys. I does bother me that you are locked out with the Powerloader and you can't return to stock to have your car serviced if deed be. If you return the Powerloader to Steve Cole after you have loaded his program can he load your stock program on the programer so you can flash it back to stock, to pass inspection or if you need to take your car to the dealer for engine work or some other major repair?
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Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (Mitch C)
Yes, if you send your Powerloader back to Steve, he can load it with a stock program to flash your car back to stock.
In my opinion, unless a GM PCM technician comes into your dealership and disects the code on your car's PCM, there is no way they could tell you have done anything to the PCM.
In my opinion, unless a GM PCM technician comes into your dealership and disects the code on your car's PCM, there is no way they could tell you have done anything to the PCM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: Powerloader vs. Superchips (MattG)
I have the Superchips programmer. I sent it back about 3 weeks ago for a custom program for my MMS Stage 2 heads and 218/218 cam and LS6 intake. I've got an Autotap and I'll put it on a dyno with a wide band sensor. We'll see how good of a job they do. Car goes in the shop this Monday and will probably dyno the following Saturday. $125 for the custom program, not too bad.
