Diablo Predator Programer vs. Dyno Tuning by changing computer program.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: OCEANSIDE CA
Diablo Predator Programer vs. Dyno Tuning by changing computer program.
Hello,
i am new to the forum and wanna say this is the best web-site ever as I love Corvettes.
Ok, here is the questiong. I have Vararam Intake, TB Spacer, X-pipe, Megnaflow and now I want to add a programer.
I called up 2 Dyno shops and they have a very different way of doing dyno tuning. The first one uses Predator and does all the dyno test.
The other one just hooks up thier computer and change the stock computer program settings to give you more HPs. The only thing is that if i have to change the settings in the future, I have to go back to the shop and get it changed as there is no hand held device like Predator involved.
Which one do you think is better and why? Please help!
i am new to the forum and wanna say this is the best web-site ever as I love Corvettes.
Ok, here is the questiong. I have Vararam Intake, TB Spacer, X-pipe, Megnaflow and now I want to add a programer.
I called up 2 Dyno shops and they have a very different way of doing dyno tuning. The first one uses Predator and does all the dyno test.
The other one just hooks up thier computer and change the stock computer program settings to give you more HPs. The only thing is that if i have to change the settings in the future, I have to go back to the shop and get it changed as there is no hand held device like Predator involved.
Which one do you think is better and why? Please help!
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
I'm pretty happy with the predator. I would just buy the unit, dont go to a shop that uses the predator as their primary tuning tool.
The plus of having a shop do it with some advanced software like HPtuners is that they can match the tune exactly to every change you've done on the car. But probably will cost you 3-500 each time.
I'm happy w/ teh predator
The plus of having a shop do it with some advanced software like HPtuners is that they can match the tune exactly to every change you've done on the car. But probably will cost you 3-500 each time.
I'm happy w/ teh predator
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Most posts state that you will extract "more" performance from a custom tune done by a good tuner, however, I went with the predator and am happy with the results. I do agree that if you mod beyond simple bolt ons then a custom tune is the way to go. With the predator you get a nice high performance tune which you will notice and you can always go back to the stock tune which is saved on the predator unit. Also, you can further customize certain parameters yourself using the unit along with a laptop, there is a lot of useful info on the predator website.
I have yet to see any posts regarding back to back real life comparisons between the predator and a custom tune.
I have yet to see any posts regarding back to back real life comparisons between the predator and a custom tune.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
go to the shop that use's the predator and then custom tunes it to the car, thats what I'm doing, I got the tool a while ago put the tune in and went to a "dyno nite" the car did well 364rwhp but I had a bad knock around 4000rpm, I've done a few mods to the car since and now I'm going to have it "custom" tuned and I'll be able to save this to the tool and be able to make change's in the future. this is going to cost about the same as just a custom tune and I have the ability to read codes and make adjustments, data logging and the like. each car is "different" to some degree
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Depends on what you want to do as far as mods are concerned. If your going light, intake and maybe exhaust, buy the predator. If your not going to stay that way, and want more, then still buy the predator, and when you upgrade more than a few bolt on's then get a copy of HP Tuners, and a wideband and find a local tuner that uses it. After you get the HP Tuners you can download the tune, save it, return your car to stock and sell it. Then return the car to the previous tune with HP Tuners and either try tuning yourself, or forget the predator tune and get with a local tuner and get a tune and ask lots of questions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: OCEANSIDE CA
awesome! you guys are really helpful. i have been talking to a lot my dyno shops and it seems Diablo tuner is the way to go as if something goes bad to the car, i can always adjust it to the stock programming and take it to the dealer.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
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Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
awesome! you guys are really helpful. i have been talking to a lot my dyno shops and it seems Diablo tuner is the way to go as if something goes bad to the car, i can always adjust it to the stock programming and take it to the dealer.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
Also I noticed after installing the predator tune on my car the temps came down and stabilized more around 195-205 rather than 200-215.
I dont know what I gained, but with just the tuner and a vararam intake I did 370hp to the wheels, which is pretty good I thought.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
The Predator is a great tool and worth getting, but I wouldn't rely on the supplied "Canned" to give you the best results. I just recently had the oportunity to see what the supplied "93 Octane Header" tune was doing to my car.....It wasn't pretty. 
My tuner made quite a few adjustments using HP Tuners, while tuning my car with a wideband at the track and on the highway...Much, Much better. We're waiting for his brand new Eddy Current Dyno to get finished up before I get some numbers, but I can tell you that just with what he has already done, there is a significant increase over the Predator tune.
If you get the predator, make sure you get a custom tune done for YOUR car, canned tunes are junk in some applications.
My tuner made quite a few adjustments using HP Tuners, while tuning my car with a wideband at the track and on the highway...Much, Much better. We're waiting for his brand new Eddy Current Dyno to get finished up before I get some numbers, but I can tell you that just with what he has already done, there is a significant increase over the Predator tune.If you get the predator, make sure you get a custom tune done for YOUR car, canned tunes are junk in some applications.
Last edited by NIGHTSTALKER; Apr 5, 2008 at 03:12 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
The Predator is a great tool and worth getting, but I wouldn't rely on the supplied "Canned" to give you the best results. I just recently had the oportunity to see what the supplied "93 Octane Header" tune was doing to my car.....It wasn't pretty. My tuner made quite a few adjustments using HP Tuners, while tuning my car with a wideband at the track and on the highway...Much, Much better. We're waiting for his brand new Eddy Current Dyno to get finished up before I get some numbers, but I can tell you that just with what he has already done, there is a significant increase over the Predator tune.
If you get the predator, make sure you get a custom tune done for YOUR car, canned tunes are junk.
My tuner made quite a few adjustments using HP Tuners, while tuning my car with a wideband at the track and on the highway...Much, Much better. We're waiting for his brand new Eddy Current Dyno to get finished up before I get some numbers, but I can tell you that just with what he has already done, there is a significant increase over the Predator tune.If you get the predator, make sure you get a custom tune done for YOUR car, canned tunes are junk.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 3
From: READING PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
220 isnt really that hot. Hotter is more efficient anyways, up to a point.
Also I noticed after installing the predator tune on my car the temps came down and stabilized more around 195-205 rather than 200-215.
I dont know what I gained, but with just the tuner and a vararam intake I did 370hp to the wheels, which is pretty good I thought.
Also I noticed after installing the predator tune on my car the temps came down and stabilized more around 195-205 rather than 200-215.
I dont know what I gained, but with just the tuner and a vararam intake I did 370hp to the wheels, which is pretty good I thought.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
Have not been back to the dyno since the LG's. Im really hoping for >400wheel hp. I'll be headed there probably in the next month, will make thread with results and graphs and all the goodies.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
Yeah, I know that they do that....The point I was trying to make is that the "Canned" tune is not the best for every car to stay with. What works on one car, doesn't on another......Custom tunes no matter how you go about doing them is going to more beneficial then any canned tune that you can get.
Yes, custom tune is always better, but is it worth it for most people, I dont think so. Especially ones that dont have cash falling out of their pockets.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
yeah, just your statement that THE CANNED TUNES ARE JUNK is not reallly valid. you didnt even explain what you meant by that, and didnt post dyno graphs of said junk tune's affect on your hp or air fuel curve.
Yes, custom tune is always better, but is it worth it for most people, I dont think so. Especially ones that dont have cash falling out of their pockets.
Yes, custom tune is always better, but is it worth it for most people, I dont think so. Especially ones that dont have cash falling out of their pockets.
Again, I AM SAYING that the"Canned" tune that comes in the programmer is a tune that will work better for some than others.........No 2 cars respond the exact same to the same mods. I AM NOT SAYING....that taking the supplied tune and having it modified by Diablo Sport is Junk.....I am saying that if the OP goes with the Predator, that he should have this done.
If you don't like my comment about canned tunes being junk....Go on an 03-04 Cobra site and search...You'll see what I'm talking about real quick. Diablo Sport has come a long way....But, I'm sorry Canned tunes are not optimized for EVERY vehicle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
awesome! you guys are really helpful. i have been talking to a lot my dyno shops and it seems Diablo tuner is the way to go as if something goes bad to the car, i can always adjust it to the stock programming and take it to the dealer.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
one last thing, anyone know why my car operates between 200-220 degrees? i have a chevy caviler and it operates between 194-196. i thought corvette would be a little better. the temp increases up 220 and after that if i am ideling i turn it off as i don't want to harm the engine.
It's been established that the dealer can tell if the ECM had been mucked with,even with the stock tune reloaded. So don't count on this.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Townsend MA
Sorry I don't have numbers or graphs to show you, but I can have my tuner chime in on this thread if you like about how bad the "Canned" Tune was in my car.....KEEP IN MIND....This is the "93 Octane Header" Tune UNCHANGED.
Again, I AM SAYING that the"Canned" tune that comes in the programmer is a tune that will work better for some than others.........No 2 cars respond the exact same to the same mods. I AM NOT SAYING....that taking the supplied tune and having it modified by Diablo Sport is Junk.....I am saying that if the OP goes with the Predator, that he should have this done.
If you don't like my comment about canned tunes being junk....Go on an 03-04 Cobra site and search...You'll see what I'm talking about real quick. Diablo Sport has come a long way....But, I'm sorry Canned tunes are not optimized for EVERY vehicle.
Again, I AM SAYING that the"Canned" tune that comes in the programmer is a tune that will work better for some than others.........No 2 cars respond the exact same to the same mods. I AM NOT SAYING....that taking the supplied tune and having it modified by Diablo Sport is Junk.....I am saying that if the OP goes with the Predator, that he should have this done.
If you don't like my comment about canned tunes being junk....Go on an 03-04 Cobra site and search...You'll see what I'm talking about real quick. Diablo Sport has come a long way....But, I'm sorry Canned tunes are not optimized for EVERY vehicle.