Why buy a hand-held programer?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Milan Michigan
Why buy a hand-held programer?
Dont know if i should spend the money on a hand programer/tuner(diablo, predator, etc..?) Im having vararam intake long tube headers,high flow cats, x-pipe and corsa indy exhaust installed in a 2000 conv. 6 speed. Im hearing the hand helds are mainly for autos because of shift points but dont know how or if ill need to have this tuned afterwords.
Also what is an LS1 edit i keep hearing about. Thanks for any info..
Also what is an LS1 edit i keep hearing about. Thanks for any info..
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
I found that the Predator was a great tool on my C5, and will consider for the C6 shortly. LS1 - LS2Edit is far more detailed and can really dial in a tune specifically for your car and your combo, that said it is costly and can be wiped by a dealer if upgrades needed to your PCM. I believe the dealer may also be able to notice tampering on some of the maps, if they chose to look into it. (ie. excluding a warranty claim)
The Predator was darn easy to use. And wiped the custom tune for the factory tune in a couple of minutes leaving no trace. It defeated the TC on the C5, which made a significant difference in off the line acceleration. It also was great as a diagnostic tool and used it on two friends cars to wipe codes when needed. The downside is the old unit (any maybe newer ones) marry to your specific VIN and can never be reused on another car. Recently Diablosport (maker of Predator) began to offer a reset for 75.00 plus shipping once you reloaded the factory tune. They also provided me with a free addtl custom tune, and I have visited their facility and dyno. Thanks Johan for the tour and tire chirping tune !!
It is rumored that the newer units will have further enhancements as to save addtl tunes, and will have online data logging. This will go along way in helping to dial in a specific tune to specific combo's and might , just might, bring a group of people together in trading tunes over the internet.
The Predator was darn easy to use. And wiped the custom tune for the factory tune in a couple of minutes leaving no trace. It defeated the TC on the C5, which made a significant difference in off the line acceleration. It also was great as a diagnostic tool and used it on two friends cars to wipe codes when needed. The downside is the old unit (any maybe newer ones) marry to your specific VIN and can never be reused on another car. Recently Diablosport (maker of Predator) began to offer a reset for 75.00 plus shipping once you reloaded the factory tune. They also provided me with a free addtl custom tune, and I have visited their facility and dyno. Thanks Johan for the tour and tire chirping tune !!
It is rumored that the newer units will have further enhancements as to save addtl tunes, and will have online data logging. This will go along way in helping to dial in a specific tune to specific combo's and might , just might, bring a group of people together in trading tunes over the internet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I can tell you that from my experience on a Tahoe, and everything I have read on this forum for over four years, if you are looking for more horsepower, those things are worthless. Yes, the newer ones might do something that the older ones would not do, but I would be very skeptical.
I would only buy one if you are wanting to accomplish something specific - such as changing the rev-limiter setting, changing gearing, or something like that. But if you are expecting more horsepower - Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware!).
I would only buy one if you are wanting to accomplish something specific - such as changing the rev-limiter setting, changing gearing, or something like that. But if you are expecting more horsepower - Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware!).
