I was all set to buy a Hypertech programmer when I came across a posting that referenced LS1 Edit. Apparently with LS1 Edit you can use your laptop to program your car in a similar fashion to the Hypertech programmer, but without the cost of the equipment.

Anyone out there experimented with either (or both) of these items? How easy is it to set up the PCM program for the LS1 Edit. In other words, (for my sake) how easy is it to screw up your car?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

If you're thinking LS1-Edit is cheaper than the Hypertech, think again. It's much more capable but definitely a little more expensive. Both can program your PCM. Hypertech comes with some tuning, LS1-Edit does not.

You might do some searching here and/or at LS1Tech.com.

 

Hypertech is junk, go with LS1 edit .

 

Why is hypertech junk?

 

It's not junk, despite the lack of enthusiasm for it on this board. It's all about expectations. If you expect its engine tuning to feel like a 100 shot, yes it will be disappointing. Personally, I liked it because (a) it was reversible, (b) it was available, and (c) it did what I wanted (which was non-invasive control of fan temps, rev limiter adjustment, and WOT shift point adjustment) until LS1-Edit was available. If you add a lot of mods you could fairly easily outgrow it. If you're going to stay "near stock" for a while, it's not such a bad deal. It's even 50-state legal and that's an issue for some. :)



[Modified by ToplessTexan, 9:13 AM 3/14/2002]

 

Texan is right. Ask yourself what mods are you going to do. If they are not too radical, the Hypertech is the programmer for your needs. More extensive modifications would lead you to use the LS1 edit. It sure is nice to have options though. :yesnod:

 

The hypertech is great for those folks looking to compensate for gear changes, a neat and elegant way of modifying fan temp on points, modification of the rev limiter, a great way to modify shift points on an A4 and avoid the need for shift kits, and it does offer some advanced tuning options from stock. Not bad for a reversable program in a unit that anyone is capable of installing. For those needing more in the way of computer tuning, other much more expensive and feature rich products are available.

 

Thanks. About the only additional mods I plan to add to the car are a torque converter and will probably be changing the stock 3.15 gears for a set of used 3.42's from an M6. I could possibly see adding an LS6 intake in the distant future.

 

:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

 

another thing to consider is how much time you want to put into it. The Hypertech will be fairly straight forward and easy to use. With LS1-Edit you will have to understand a lot of technical aspects about your car and that will eat up a lot of time if you don't already understand them :cheers:

Jerry

 

Depending on your choice of converter, the Hypertech unit may or may not be enough. Some converters are more generous in causing P1870 slip codes to be thrown than others and the Hypertech won't help with those. You might keep an eye out for who is running which converter with stock programming. (Lots of F-body folks seem to do this.) If you really want to fine tune your tranny (and who doesn't? :D) LS1-Edit is very attractive. :yesnod:

(I still want spellcheck back :cry ... :smash: )



[Modified by ToplessTexan, 6:25 PM 3/14/2002]

 

"About the only mods I plan to add are..."

I seem to remember saying that same thing :D Not I have a race team :cheers: ... and many more mods :smash:

You can look at this a couple of ways. If you are absolutely positive you are reaching your mod limit, why not go to a dyno tuner who has the LS1 Edit and get the tuning done right for your setup... cost @ 500 +/- depending on who does it and what you want.

If you think you might add more aggressive mods in the future, then LS1 Edit (personal or working with a tuning shop) is the way to go. They tune the car for the current mods on the dyno, save your baseline stock programming, and gradually add tuning as you add mods, always saving the base programming setup for dealer service. Most shops should only have a small charge for a dealer stock reflash for service reasons and then reflash to your performance program.

Having worked with the LS1 Edit fairly extensively, I like the flexibility it gives me to tune for max performance, and simply reflash if I need to to another program configuration. I plan on using this feature to switch my shift points and rev limiters to tune for drag racing and road racing on my A4, not to mention the always important vehicle inspection.

Hope this helps.

 

Your suggestion makes sense to me. I believe that I will finish the TC Mod and then go the LS1 Edit route through a local tuner. Thanks again.

 

This is true. I sure like mine. :yesnod:
Ed


[Modified by C5XTASY, 10:17 AM 3/15/2002]