How much horsepower
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 13
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How much horsepower
I am trying to decide which programmer to purchase. I would like to know how many extra horses I can expect to get if I max out the programmer. Will one give me more than another or are they all about the same? I would also like to know how the various stages of programming will affect my fuel mileage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
I don't think they will get you anything. They did not on my 01 Tahoe, even though it was designed for regular fuel, and supposedly the programmer optimizeed it for premium. In my three years on this forum, I have yet to see anyone post any results that concluded these programmers added any horsepower at all.
I don't think my answer would be any different whether you are referring to a C5 or C6.
I don't think my answer would be any different whether you are referring to a C5 or C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by jschindler
I don't think they will get you anything. They did not on my 01 Tahoe, even though it was designed for regular fuel, and supposedly the programmer optimizeed it for premium. In my three years on this forum, I have yet to see anyone post any results that concluded these programmers added any horsepower at all.
I don't think my answer would be any different whether you are referring to a C5 or C6.
I don't think my answer would be any different whether you are referring to a C5 or C6.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 32
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From: California
Originally Posted by jschindler
I don't think they will get you anything.... In my three years on this forum, I have yet to see anyone post any results that concluded these programmers added any horsepower at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by Phred_13
Maybe not on this forum, but if it does nothing, then why are new computers and reprogramming such a big part of ricing out a car?
For normally aspirated, stock or mildly modified, cars I don't believe that chips do much.
On the other hand, if you do enough modifying to you car, a chip can be a valuable tool in extracting the most hp from your heavily modified car.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,129
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On the vette you might get a couple ponies. Not worth it. Hard to tell until we see the mapping but it's pretty well dialed already. You can firm up shifts and raise limiters to get a little umph. Tuners have their spots on diesel trucks with electroinically controlled waste gates. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Good point...
Originally Posted by Barely Legal
On the vette you might get a couple ponies. Not worth it. Hard to tell until we see the mapping but it's pretty well dialed already. You can firm up shifts and raise limiters to get a little umph. Tuners have their spots on diesel trucks with electroinically controlled waste gates.
I always have sticks so I didn't think of that right away.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
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From: Detroit
Originally Posted by Tom Steele
... If you are dealing with a turbocharged or supercharged car, you can progam a computer to allow more boost ...
Boost in a supercharged car is determined by pulley size and weather - not a setting in the computer.
Mark
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Originally Posted by Phred_13
Maybe not on this forum, but if it does nothing, then why are new computers and reprogramming such a big part of ricing out a car?
As mentioned by others, they work better for automatic transmission firmness and chift point changes, and also for forced induction.
I doubt that there are any real HP gains on a manual N/A engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,423
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From: western colorado colorado
Originally Posted by bbullard
I am trying to decide which programmer to purchase. I would like to know how many extra horses I can expect to get if I max out the programmer. Will one give me more than another or are they all about the same? I would also like to know how the various stages of programming will affect my fuel mileage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 44
From: Folsom Ca
Not always a Waste
With a Diablo Power Programmer you can alter the fuel and spark curves yourself or a technician can. You need to have a couple of hours access to a chassis dyno. The cars are too rich at full or near full throttle. The dyno tune gets the power from leaning this out plus adding some spark advance. It can do as much as 20-30HP.
You do need to be careful not to go too lean as then detonation can be a problem. Over all with the dyno time, this is going to cost you nearly $800.00 or so.
As for the programmers with "drop and tune" setup, there is not a lot to be gained.
You do need to be careful not to go too lean as then detonation can be a problem. Over all with the dyno time, this is going to cost you nearly $800.00 or so.
As for the programmers with "drop and tune" setup, there is not a lot to be gained.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Phred_13
Maybe not on this forum, but if it does nothing, then why are new computers and reprogramming such a big part of ricing out a car?
2) Tuning is different than reprogramming. It is done to make adjustments after modifactions that will affect the performance have been made.
3) "Programmers" change shift points/shift speeds etc. Other than on a diesel where they will allow more exhaust into the turbo to allow for higher boost #'s will you ever see much of a gain.
4) Please don't use RICE & VETTE in the same sentence again.
