[schultzie]

im in the market for a programmer for my 06 silverado 5.3L. there are a lot of different ones out there but my questions are....are they really worth the money, are there really any differences between the diff. manufactures. i see that quite a few people go with the diablo predator....is there a reason for that or is that just preference.....does the predator read trouble codes i cant find anything on the readings of it that says it does....i read the trinity does....what are your thoughts on the different programmers on the market....opinions and experiences are appreciated..


thanks

gary

 

[sstoner911]

What are you looking for? Handheld programmers are great for folks who want to maybe get some better gas mileage or maybe unlock a few extra horses and are planning minimal performance mods or non at at all.

You may want to look at sites like performance4me and blackbearperformance etc...there are others and you will get a lot of informantion on which is better from others here who have had the trucks tuned by the tuner of their preference.

 

[schultzie]

for now im looking for better mpg with a few ponies as well as shift firmness and points and whatever else i can get out of it.....right now im just looking to do basic mods i.e intake full exhaust/headers, programmer, and eventually put a cam throttle body intake and supercharge someday. i know when i do all of those more major mods ill have to have it custom tuned.

 

[silveradotrailblazer]

The Diablo Preditor or Trinity runs circles around the other programmers. Has better tunes and more adjustments that YOU can make. Lets you adjust the LongTermFuelTrims. This makes a big differance on how the truck runs, better throttle response, overall performance and mpg's.

 

[schultzie]

the stuff i have read about the predator and the trinity didnt seem like the was a whole lot different between the two...i mean there are difference but to enough to really pay the extra 300 plus dollars more for the trinity...the trinity has the code reader in it as the predator does not...

 

[silveradotrailblazer]

The Preditor does have a code reader and you can erase codes. You can also turn off the pain in the ass emission codes. The newer Preditors and Trinity let you data log so if you make mods (cams heads etc.) you can get a custom tune via a Diablo custom tune dealer. The Trinity can do more data logging but the adjustment you can make are about the same. The Trinty has alot more displays that you can use/play with. I've had my Preditor for 5 years, I like it and have learned to tune with it, but when I have a extra $599.00 I will get a Trinity.

 

[stephan]

Something I've learned Schultzie is that if you don't buy the best one first, you'll end up wishing you had, or end up buying it later after you've already spent $$ for the original one you bought. It comes down to "spend a lot now", or "spend a lot more later" & it doesn't just apply to programmers, but computers, Tvs, wheels, tires, lifts, etc

 

[Rockstarrchevy81]

Exactly thats a perfect point Stephan. I think i'm gonna go with the Black Bear Custom Tune sometime in a year or so after i get all the mod's i wanna do so i don't have to go back and fourth updating things to get full potential. I mean the price of $549 for the Autocal and you also get to keep the autocal hardware really and truly your not spending much more than the regular tuners online that's why i'm gonna go for somethin maybe a $bill higher but in the long run welllll worth it!

 

[darnie1987]

id get a "tune" not a programmer i have a super chips. its a good programmer but my tune smokes it... if you must have a programmer tho i got a flashpaq super chips ill sell for $200.00 buck? pm me if your intrested. if not id deff get a tune from nelsons or blackbear

 

[schultzie]

ya thats true. i might just wait and do what i am gonna do to the truck then get a tune but who knows i can get impulsive sometimes when i want something. i got some thinking to do but if eventually i get the tune ill prob go to blackbear they are close to me only 2 hr away. thanks for the info guys

 

[Huey]

I installed, with help of local retailer, the Bully Dog. Web site below. It's worth a look. I am playing with different setting now, but was looking for best way to see how was I driving? My 2002 LS1500 with AT and 5.3 is averaging 18-19 MPG with local driving. Hwy could be around 22-23. It's better than my wife's Lexus GS300 that averages less than 18 MPG. Good luck, Bob.

Bully Dog Triple Dog GT Gauge Tuner
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Performa...+CID+GAS&Aspiration=Normal&EngVin=T#ancResult

 

[darnie1987]

you could always do a tune and pay like 15 bucks for a retune? just my 2 cents

 

[ZSI52]

you could always do a tune and pay like 15 bucks for a retune? just my 2 cents

Retunes are free with Blackbear. Get the autocal and have Justin At Blackbear update the tune as you go.

 

[schultzie]

hey thanks for all the info guys i appreciate it.... i just decided to get the predator for now with the pc interface kit. i wanted something now and its gonna be
prob a long process to do the rest of the things to the truck i want since i really should be putting the money in my house and not my truck lol....
i did also order my muffler so i can start doing my exhaust...i went with the dynomax ultra flo ss round muffler....i had that on my last truck and liked the sound and tone it put out...nice deep and throaty sound. i got the predator for 269 freee shipping. cheapest i found

 

[silveradotrailblazer]

schultize , when your ready for a custom tune you can use your Preditor to data log info and have a Diablo tuner like DiabLew build you a custom tune via e-mail. Thats basicly what the EFI Live autocal does, it data logs so the tuner can make a tune, but having the Preditor is nice because you can keep it in your truck so if you throw a code you can look at that code and see if you should continue to drive.

 

[schultzie]

sweet. so i guess actually logging my data and getting a hold of a diablo tuner person and sending them the recorded info would essentially be like say going to blackbear. am i right about that

 

[silveradotrailblazer]

Thats right. DiabLew.com works for Diablo and he builds custom tunes on the side and everyone on this site that has a "Lew" tune loves it. Check out his site.

 

[schultzie]

right on im actually checking out his site and reading all the info right now....thanks

 

[Rockstarrchevy81]

Retunes are free with Blackbear. Get the autocal and have Justin At Blackbear update the tune as you go.

Yeah man Blackbear has 4 free tunes that they will give you as long as you have there tune which is really a good deal!

 

[98Hotrod98]

I've stayed out of this thread for a while now because i've been largely undecided on which programmer and why. Below is my soap box speech.

1) i've had a few different programmers in the past on several different gas vehicles, and to be honest i have never noticed much difference in the butt dyno test, except for a little better throttle response. Does anybody have any hard fact dyno results from a stock chevy on the improvements it makes in HP in Torque over the whole power curve? The few i've found start at 3000 rpm and normally show 10-12hp gains, however i've read that this is just tuning the power out of the lower end of the RPM range and moving it to the Upper end ( backed by a few screenshots of dyno results ), and that actually stock tune would give more 800rpm-2500rpm power. however because of the 1000's of baseless opinion in the market over tuners Its hard to find the facts.

2) consumer reports + EPA has found little to no fuel mileage difference in any tuner in the market after testing over a hundred fuel saving devices. I believe even diablo was quoted as saying something about " our tuners are meant for power improvements and not MPG improvements" ( wording might not be accurate ).

3) Is it worth the cash vs other possible upgrades like cam/lifters which can cost roughly the same as some of the high end tuners.

4) Diesel tuners do work, used them and its a fact the turbo tunes will greatly increase power output.


At this point, i'm not believing any marketing material from the producers or sellers of these things, and want to see independent Dyno results and MPG reports.