Reprogramming for higher performance?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Reprogramming for higher performance?
I am a newbie to the vette world and not a mechanic. I was considering after talking to some people buying one of those programmers to increase performance on my '99 auto convertible. Is this a good idea and will it affect my warranty? Does the car's computer make a note of me doing this and thus informing the dealership if they check it? (I would of course change the settings back before taking it in). Which programmer is recommended?
Also, are there any other mods I could do which would be fairly simple for a novice to enhance performance?
Thanks for any advice.
John B :flag
Also, are there any other mods I could do which would be fairly simple for a novice to enhance performance?
Thanks for any advice.
John B :flag
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
First off, welcome to the Forum. :D
2nd, Can't really help you much with what to use for a Programmer on the Vette... However, I used a HyperTech programmer on my old Fbody, and whenever I needed to turn it in for Warranty Repairs, I'd just go back to factory defaults. I have no clue if they ever knew what I was doing, but in either case they never said anything.
3rd, I'm planning my next upgrade (after my new gears are installed) to do the BlackWing it looks easy enough that I could accomplish it. :rofl:
You'll get better info from other residents of this board though, I'm sure. :)
2nd, Can't really help you much with what to use for a Programmer on the Vette... However, I used a HyperTech programmer on my old Fbody, and whenever I needed to turn it in for Warranty Repairs, I'd just go back to factory defaults. I have no clue if they ever knew what I was doing, but in either case they never said anything.
3rd, I'm planning my next upgrade (after my new gears are installed) to do the BlackWing it looks easy enough that I could accomplish it. :rofl:
You'll get better info from other residents of this board though, I'm sure. :)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
If you have an A4 you'll want to get a 'predator' from James, a blackwing and your choice of 'catback' exhaust system from a forum sponsor. Later as you get bored of the A4 you'll want to step up the gears to 3.42's or higher and a get a nice high stall torque converter... Theres a good start for you... BTW all programmers have a way to bring your car back to stock if you need to bring it in for service.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
I had the Hypertech Programmer for my last car, a '99 Trans AM w/Auto trans. It was great, especially playing around with the shift points and firmness. It has a performance program that you can also put in, but it wasn't 'adjustable'. I couldn't believe the difference it made, and I loved it.
I now have a Predator for my Corvette, it does everything that the HPP III does, but it also allows you to change the performance programming to your own specs, if you wnat to. You can also view/erase the OBD II codes, not that you need that w/the DIC. IMHO, I would highly recommend the Predator, it is definitely worth the extra $100.
You can see the manuals for each of them to help you decide for yourself at the links I put below.
:cheers: :seeya
HPP3 http://www.hypertech-inc.com/pp3pg1.html
Predator http://www.runninwiththedevil.com/fi...redatorweb.pdf
I now have a Predator for my Corvette, it does everything that the HPP III does, but it also allows you to change the performance programming to your own specs, if you wnat to. You can also view/erase the OBD II codes, not that you need that w/the DIC. IMHO, I would highly recommend the Predator, it is definitely worth the extra $100.
You can see the manuals for each of them to help you decide for yourself at the links I put below.
:cheers: :seeya
HPP3 http://www.hypertech-inc.com/pp3pg1.html
Predator http://www.runninwiththedevil.com/fi...redatorweb.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
Try LS1 edit it's the best,and Predator is worth a good look but Hypertech is not worth the money .You can play around with shift points and firm shifts but installing the power tuning will slow your car down. :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (LittleBoyBlu99)
Try LS1 edit it's the best,and Predator is worth a good look but Hypertech is not worth the money .You can play around with shift points and firm shifts but installing the power tuning will slow your car down. :seeya
For the best possible performance out of your specific car take your car to a professional tuner like Mike Norris. I believe his shop is in the Orlando Fla area. If you would rather tweak your car yourself LS1 Edit is better than The Predator & Hypertech.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
Does the Predator or the Blackwing void warrantys? I have a 2 year extended warranty on my 99 A4 convertible. Also, how much extra power could I expect from these mods? One would think that if Chevy could have given you extra power by programming the car differently that they would have done it at the factory. :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Noble OK
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
You can take off the Blackwing before taking it in for service and install the factory one, but it shouldn't void warranty. The programming is very helpful in an automatic car because you can turn down torque management, which is a big killer on the A4 cars.(It retards timing before shifting for a smoother shift) You also will get to turn your fan turn on temps down, which will make your car run much cooler, even with stock thermostat! It will also adjust your A/F and timing tables. Money well spent!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
Does the Predator or the Blackwing void warrantys? I have a 2 year extended warranty on my 99 A4 convertible. Also, how much extra power could I expect from these mods? One would think that if Chevy could have given you extra power by programming the car differently that they would have done it at the factory
As for reprogramming, that's something that doesn't need to be 'replaced', so I'm not sure if it can void your warranty. Even if they wanted to, they'd have to prove the reprogramming actually caused the damage.
As for Chevy giving you optimal tuning... I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but I'm guessing they tune the vette the way they do for Emissions or some such.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Re: Reprogramming for higher performance? (berryj)
You can play around with shift points and firm shifts but installing the power tuning will slow your car down.
I never noticed a difference with my old Hypertech perfomance wise until after I installed an after market filter system (K&N - wouldn't use one on my Vette though).
