I would like an honest answer to the question -- When will I be able to adjust the TM and shift parameters on my 06 A6?

I asked the above question shortly after purchasing the Predator and was told the capability would be available in a "few weeks". The next two times I asked the question I received the same answer. The last Time I asked the question (8/10/07), Mike replied "about a month".

I am beginning to wonder it Diablo is even working on the problem. They sure are active in other areas (Ford and Chrysler). They seem to have forgotten about the Corvette.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am losing patience! We paid for something that we have not received.

 

We have by no means forgotten anyone.
In fact, the lack of TCM support extends all the way to 05-06 GTO, the LS4 applications, and 07 NBS trucks.
This is being worked on, and has been for some time. Unfortunately, as with any electrical/engineering job, there have been unforeseen delays.
I have asked several times recently for an ETA on the availability of TCM support, but have not been able to get anything exact. I am hearing that it may still be a while, likely around the first of the year.

Rest assured that while we have been releasing some new Ford and Chrysler stuff, we are still hard at work on our GM applications as well.
As we speak our engineers are cranking out a new revision for the U7194 to allow it to support the 08 GM trucks, and after that we will be doing 08 Vette and the new LMM diesels.

Thanks
Mike

 

nice, will there be any changes/improvements for 07 vettes with the 7194 with the next revision?

 

Mike, Thank you for your reply. The next time you talk to your engineers you might mention the following:

1. The competition solved the problem.
2. Tuners have solved the problem.
3. Perhaps they should complete and deliver the features to current customers first.

Reading between the lines, your reply implies that the A6 is not very high on the priority list. It is hard to believe that based on Diablo's past performance, if solving the A6 problem was important to Diablo, it would have been solved. The missing ingredient is effort.

Steve H

 

I don't know why anyone wastes their money on those crummy tuners anyway. Go to a "real" tuner and put your car on a dyno and get it tuned and setup right.

 

Not sure if you took it that way, but it has nothing to do with the A6 in particular.
The TCM project we are on right now, once complete will add TCM support to everything not currently supported....from a 4L60E to your 6L80E.

Thanks
Mike

 

Sell it, and go get some tuner software. SLIGHT more cost, tons more ability.

 

I used the Predator on my 99 C5. Customer support ranged from poor to none. Thats why I had my C6 tuned by a pro. Cost was about the same too!!!

 

Not sure when you had this issue, but things have changed considerably....have you noticed that not a single Predator related post goes unanswered here? I personally do my best to see to it that our customer support is second to none.

Thanks
Mike

 

My 99 had the CLB reflash and I could not change one thing with the predator. Johan Mangs had to send me a new file for it to work at all. Of course, I was not notified that there was an update, so when I did find out I was told it would cost me $100 for the upgrade. So much for customer service.

 

Why do you guys buy those crappy programmers and expect miracles. Go to a real tuner and get it done right the the first time.

 

Live and learn

 

I can answer this question. First let me say that I purchased a u7194 Predator, added the 91 octane tune to my stock ’07 with the A6 and noticed an immediate difference in “seat of the pants” performance. Now, to the question. When I was a little bitty baby (16) I purchased my first car – a ’64 Nova SS with a factory 283cid V8 (I wish I still had that car). Anyway, when it came time to “make the car better” as I explained to my mother, I didn’t take it to some pro to have the 4bbl Holley and intake installed and setup properly. I did it myself, and believe me, it took awhile. (Much back-firing, sputtering, bogging down, etc; however, several days later that little car was screaming!) Why? Not because I didn’t have the money; it was because I wanted to take pride in saying “I did it myself”. For me, nothing has changed since those days 30+ years ago. Hell I may have to ultimately purchase “real” tuning equipment before it’s all said and done with. But I’m sure I’ll learn a hell of a lot messing around with this little blue computer they call The Predator. I actually enjoy logging my data, reviewing it with the Data Viewer, talking with other folks about the dynamics of the parameters I’m looking at. How changing them effects, for better or worse, the performance of the vehicle. It’s pretty cool. To me it’s worth it.



PS - yes I have inquired with several tuners here about getting a TCM tune from them because of the delay from Diablo. Even if I go down that road, I will continue to tweak and learn. Like I said, I may purchase my own tuning gear. I think Jeremy could use the competition ... lol ... just kidding.

 

Well I'm hoping someone can answer this one then....I have a 2005 C6 (mnl-6, Z51)....just completed following mods:

Kooks long tubes, XO and hi-flow cats
Corsa sports
Vararam with TB spacer
Ported intake
160 thermostat
A few more planned

I bought the Predator (model-slp7190) to modify the tune accordingly.

-First the unit wouldn't boot and I had to talk with tech support to upload the CROM file.
-Now the unit boots up properly but when connected to the OBD-II port and going to "Performance Tune" it displays; "12605740 - part number not found in vehicle database".
-spoke to Diablo Tech and was told I had an unsupported earlier version factory program and would have to have the dealer reflash to the latest revision
-took the car to the dealer today (used the battery run-down complaint) and had the reflash done.
-just connected the predator and got the same message.
-I've already requested an RMA to send this "tool" back, but was hoping to give it another try.
-after reading this thread I'm not so sure I should...

Has anyone had a similar experience or have any suggestions....

The car only has 11,600 miles on it, and still has 9 months left on the factory warranty.

I've already raised the dealer's curiosity and not sure I want to be going in a second time unless I have some solid info and confidence this tool is worth the effort.

 

RMA that **** asap

 

I'm guessing you had some issues with this product.....

any recommendations?

 

I have a Predator and used it once to upload the header tune because I was through modding. Well that was 3 months ago and I just had a H/C package done. Anyway, mine gave me no problems, nothing. I downloaded the stock tune, uploaded the header tune, and then prior to the HC, uploaded the stock tune so the tuner could dyno it.
Bottom line - something is wrong with your unit, send it back. Sorry.

 

No, nothing was wrong with mine, it worked fine. it just seemed like you were having way too much trouble with yours, just return it asap so that you can get one that works.

 

Thanks for the info....I plan to talk with Mike at Diablo and see if we can get this thing working or replaced.

Bottom line....IMO - The Diablo specs say the unit it supposed to work with a factory tuned 2005 C6. If there is a gap in their firmware that doesn't allow it to work with my particular factory version, Diablo needs to correct it....

I (and no one else for that matter) should have to be negotiating with a dealer, raising questions, and creating potential warranty issues because Diablo hasn't done their homework and addressed early versions of the C6 firmware.

Hopefully, we'll be able to work through this. I've heard a lot of good things about Diablo and would like to take advantage of the flexibility this tool offers.

The ball is in Diablo's court....we'll see what happens.....

Thanks again......

 

I posted this in another thread...

We have been selling Predators a long time, and have not ever had a "defective unit". If it turns on, and communicates with your car it is working. Also, the software is pretty static also...and since you downloaded the new firmware that works for everyone else..but not on your car...then something is up with the car. The closest we have come to having a defective unit is when they come from the factory without a CROM file. This is fixed easily by downloading the newest crom file from Diablo's site..which you should do anyway.

Just some food for thought...
Every Predator we have ever had a user claim was defective..we have brought back in, reflashed with the newest software, and tested on one of our cars...and they work fine. We have resold them as open box with no issues or complaints from the next owners. So..while it is easy to blame the unit...more than not, it is user error or some kind of software gremlin with the car.

Not saying that is the case here...however you have to use past experiance to guide in fixing new issues. Additionally, while Diablo provides support for this tuner, it is an SLP product meaning they would have to authorize a warranty return. I will contact Mike on Monday and get him on it. If he cannot get it squared away, we will bring SLP in the loop.