Are all Programmers equal

[lockw33d]

when it comes to programmers, are they all pretty much equal? What do i need to look for when shopping for one. I hear all this talk abotu Diablo programmers but what about Hypertech, and superchips??

Also if i know someone with one could i just have them flash my car with their programmer or what??

Thanks

 

[Give Me TP]

The Diablo Predator and SCT XCalibrator 2 are equal when it comes to custom tuning. You will hear most about those two because of a widespread network of dyno shops that specialize in Diablo and/or SCT tuning software. The Superchips Max Microtuner does not accept custom tunes to my knowledge. I know nothing about the HyperTech tuner.

You can only use a flash tuner on one car at a time, so if you know someone with a flash tuner they could only flash your car after returning the stock tune to theirs.

 

[Seraphitia102]

All programmers are equal when it comes to loading a custom tune.

When it comes to each company's "performance tune," (the tune loaded in there that utilizes 91 octane fuel, increased horsepower and changed tranmission shift patterns), then there are some differences. I've owned the Diablo Predator before and just got the Superchips Max Microtuner and each of their performance tunes are different. I get softer idling and smoother tranmission shifts with Superchips tune for example. On the Predator, I got firmer tranmission shifts.

 

[Torinalth]

there is one out there that I am trying to get more information on, and that is the twEECer tuning method. i heard the twEECer can adjust multiple areas for A/F and timing, instead of the 2 RPM bands/WOT that the pred and Xcal do. so there are those that are more comprehensive, but i have not found them yet. i personaly find the pred and Xcal nice, but not worth it for my needs, you might disagree.

Torinalth

 

[jstreet0204]

there is one out there that I am trying to get more information on, and that is the twEECer tuning method. i heard the twEECer can adjust multiple areas for A/F and timing, instead of the 2 RPM bands/WOT that the pred and Xcal do. so there are those that are more comprehensive, but i have not found them yet. i personaly find the pred and Xcal nice, but not worth it for my needs, you might disagree.

Torinalth

http://www.tweecer.com
http://tweecer.oplnk.net/

Looks like the forum is down right now, so check back later.

 

[road rage]

Hypertech is a very good programer. I like it better than the predator and I've had both.

 

[DropTopPony]

how many tunes can a SCT Xcal hold?

 

[Give Me TP]

there is one out there that I am trying to get more information on, and that is the twEECer tuning method. i heard the twEECer can adjust multiple areas for A/F and timing, instead of the 2 RPM bands/WOT that the pred and Xcal do. so there are those that are more comprehensive, but i have not found them yet. i personaly find the pred and Xcal nice, but not worth it for my needs, you might disagree.

Torinalth

Like he said buy one that fits your needs. For a daily driver the Diablo Predator, SCT XCal 2, and Superchips Max Microtuner are all fine if you want to use the pre-loaded tune(s) that comes with them. The Predator and XCal 2 have more user adjustable parameters than the Superchips tuner, can be loaded with a custom tune, and datalog, with the XCal 2 having what appears to be a better datalogging capability by virtue of an included Raptor datalogger. The XCal 2 can also store up to four tunes in the handheld, whereas with a Predator you would have to store multiple tunes on a computer (if you want multiple tunes) and download them individually to the handheld. For the knowledgable user the twEECer (sorry I overlooked that) and the SCT Pro Racer Package offer the most adjustability, but are not really necessary for the way I use my car.

 

[jstreet0204]

For the knowledgable user the twEECer (sorry I overlooked that) and the SCT Pro Racer Package offer the most adjustability, but are not really necessary for the way I use my car.

Keep in mind, that these are both very powerful tools for tuning, but are pretty much useless if you don't have a laptop.

 

[Give Me TP]

And the user must be knowledgable about what they are doing with them. I personally wouldn't use a XCal 2 or a Predator either without a laptop.

 

[Give Me TP]

how many tunes can a SCT Xcal hold?

Four

 

[jstreet0204]

I personally wouldn't use a XCal 2 or a Predator either without a laptop.

How do these interface with the laptop. The reason I said that about the laptop for the tweecer, is that the only interface you have is the screen on your computer, so any programing, or dataloging needs to be done with the computer in the car, so unless you have a REALLY long usb cable, a laptop is a must. Plus it looks pretty cool to have all of your guages displayed on the screen in real time.

 

[Give Me TP]

The Predator via a serial to USB cable (a la RadioShack) and the XCal 2 via USB cable. The display screen on the Predator shows only five or six lines at a time when datalogging and the data need to be processed anyway into a useful format.

 

[lockw33d]

techno mumble

Ok so basically what i've got from all this is get the Diablo tuner, i have nothin crazy done to my car only exhaust and intake mods but for a daily drive thats my best option. What can i expect to gain from this is 15 RWHP really likely? And also i know nothin abotu tuning so is it really as simple as plug in a play. This will also reflash for gears wont it? And all this talk about shift points wont matter since ive got a 5sp right? thanks again

 

[Give Me TP]

15 HP ought to be about right; you will have to use premium gas to get that. It is a simple plug and play as there is a performance tune loaded on the unit when you receive it. It will recalibrate for a gear change, however since you have a 5 spd you can also do that with an $80 SpeedCal device instead of a $300 tuner.

 

[Jinx]

My .02 on the Predator:

I bought mine through a tuner who deals primarily with mustangs and as subscribed member, they will send me re-tunes, per mod (within reason), via the e-mail at no additional charge. Since they deal with a lot of Mustangs they can send me tunes according to other cars with identical/similar setups.

At the time I bought mine, no one else was offering this service.