Sorry if you might have heard this a million times....Is a Diablo Predator worth getting if my auto GT is almost pretty much stock? I know I wouldn't be getting much more power, if any, but my main goal is to get a little quicker with better shifting. Would a Diablo make a significant difference?
AUTO Mustang needs advice
- Thread starter 2001geetee
- Start date
WhiteDevil69
New Member
Personally I would wait til you have most of the major bolt ons that your gonna do before u do. I am not too sure the difference it will make on your auto compared to a stick but I am sure the shifting will be improved along with the same improvements on a stick as well. It becomes worth it when you dont have to get a speed cal, mil eliminators, and you have a decent amount of power mods as well. Otherwise it's just so so, I may get one after I install the headers, but then I'm gonna have to get it reburned when I get the blower... I guess it really depends on how far you plan to go with the car.2001geetee said:
Red03Mustang
New Member
- Apr 26, 2004
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I should be getting my predator today. All I have on my car is a MAC catback and a K&N cold air intake, so it's not far from stock.
I'll let you know if I think it's useful. For $350 it better be.
I'll let you know if I think it's useful. For $350 it better be.
Ya, would you let me know when you get a chance to test it out??? My car also has only a catback and K&N, so the predator's difference should be somewhat the same. Thanks.Red03Mustang said:I should be getting my predator today. All I have on my car is a MAC catback and a K&N cold air intake, so it's not far from stock.
I'll let you know if I think it's useful. For $350 it better be.
Diablo - Changes shifts, 10hp, recal's for gears, shuts off exhaust sensors. for 400.00
Jmod changes shifts for 60.00 including new fluid and filter - www.tccoa.com
Off Road H or X pipe 130.00 or used 75.00- 100.00 and the Accufab intake topper 170.00 both together worth 18hp. Total for 270.00? ( Averaged for possible used pipe)
You will get more power than the programmer and great shifts that can be magnified later with a chip for less. (330.00?)
Autos have to have lower gears! 3.73s are good for all around or for people like me who drive allot. 4.10 is more fun. Couple them with a the Jmod and you are faster than the stock Stang 5spd. figure about 139.00 www.gefracing.com for the gears and about 200.00 for install. You then have to get a programmer or chip after the gears for your speedo recalibration. 99+ guys are screwed. 96-98's only need a 15.00 gear recal speedo. YOurs is in the computer.
Jmod changes shifts for 60.00 including new fluid and filter - www.tccoa.com
Off Road H or X pipe 130.00 or used 75.00- 100.00 and the Accufab intake topper 170.00 both together worth 18hp. Total for 270.00? ( Averaged for possible used pipe)
You will get more power than the programmer and great shifts that can be magnified later with a chip for less. (330.00?)
Autos have to have lower gears! 3.73s are good for all around or for people like me who drive allot. 4.10 is more fun. Couple them with a the Jmod and you are faster than the stock Stang 5spd. figure about 139.00 www.gefracing.com for the gears and about 200.00 for install. You then have to get a programmer or chip after the gears for your speedo recalibration. 99+ guys are screwed. 96-98's only need a 15.00 gear recal speedo. YOurs is in the computer.
accufab intake topper? do you mean the plenum? If so you will also need the tb(200) and I'm not sure where you can get a new x pipe for 130, I've seen more like 150 is the cheapest. The plenum/tb will not give you 8 hp on a mostly stock engine. I've seen the predator for 325 look around, there is also the sct programmer which holds 3 custom tunes versus the predators 1 tune, but its about 100 more. You probably wont notice a huge differance in power with your mods but it will help a little with the shift points. At least with the predator you wont have to get it retuned everytime you add a simple bolt on and you can use it to adjust for gears(4.10's a must on a auto) and an off road pipe when you can afford to add them.
95CobraStang
Member
I have the predator, and it really did speed up and firm up the shifts! I really like the feeling now. I also turned off the rear 02 sensors for an off road pipe.
My prob is, i think I would rather have a J-mod. I want ever firmer shifts. Also, I'm getting a KB in a month, so, ill probably use their chip.
So, unless I find a reputable diablo tuner around here, my Predator purchase money will soon be going down the drain. Before you buy anything, look at the big picture and make sure it is not gonna be taken off due to another part.
My prob is, i think I would rather have a J-mod. I want ever firmer shifts. Also, I'm getting a KB in a month, so, ill probably use their chip.
So, unless I find a reputable diablo tuner around here, my Predator purchase money will soon be going down the drain. Before you buy anything, look at the big picture and make sure it is not gonna be taken off due to another part.
streetstang03
unModerator
2001geetee said:
it is a great idea for stock auto stang and will increase tranny life. It becomes even more necessary when adding shift kits and reprograming. Tuning the shift points increases tranny temps and cuts down on tranny life. If you have the jerry mod or any shift kit, you will need a tranny cooler if you want it to last
Steeda sells tranny coolers for $50. Its a fairly cheap mod that has huge benefits.
95CobraStang
Member
2001geetee said:
Also, I don't know what you consider to be a good shift, but with only the predator (at WOT), i can lay a bit of rubber from the 1st to 2nd shift, WITH a convertible. It's a pretty nice chirp
streetstang03
unModerator
better be a good chirp, cause i can chirp between 1-2 shift w/ my stock tranny. The jerry mod is they way to go
Diablo Predator = Cool tuning device & +2-15hp
J-Mod = Imperative for 4r70ws
Trans Cooler = Yes (Do some reading on TCCOA)
First, the predator is a really neat handheld flasher... I would have to say that it provides a SOTP increase in power but no more than 5-10hp with the predator tune (at best). I love the ability to adjust so many prameters from a flasher. At the track you can increase the rev limeter and change the shift points slightly (6100rpm is what I tried). And I like to add more WOT fuel, to prevent any lean condition also more timing is nice... Even better you can data log or view parameters in the predator. On the last trip to the track I data logged a run and looked at the timing (SPARK in predator) then I increased the spark advance in the tune until I got a max of 22-23 deg during a run. Going through several reflashes (10 or so) that night I squezed .10-.15 off my initial predator tune et. For $350 I really like it but don't expect 25 rwhp
also you can get tune updates from diablosport or custom tunes from any diablosport dealers.
If you have a 4r70w and like to really drive you need the J-Mod period. I have had it installed for almost 30K now and would not want it any other way. The shifts are mild under light throttle and HARD under WOT. I did not gain any et with the J-Mod but the stang shifts the way a musclecar is supposed to now.
As for the trans cooler... Please install one now and change your trans fluid every 12K-20K.
Maybe one day I will install 4.10s
J-Mod = Imperative for 4r70ws
Trans Cooler = Yes (Do some reading on TCCOA)
First, the predator is a really neat handheld flasher... I would have to say that it provides a SOTP increase in power but no more than 5-10hp with the predator tune (at best). I love the ability to adjust so many prameters from a flasher. At the track you can increase the rev limeter and change the shift points slightly (6100rpm is what I tried). And I like to add more WOT fuel, to prevent any lean condition also more timing is nice... Even better you can data log or view parameters in the predator. On the last trip to the track I data logged a run and looked at the timing (SPARK in predator) then I increased the spark advance in the tune until I got a max of 22-23 deg during a run. Going through several reflashes (10 or so) that night I squezed .10-.15 off my initial predator tune et. For $350 I really like it but don't expect 25 rwhp
also you can get tune updates from diablosport or custom tunes from any diablosport dealers.If you have a 4r70w and like to really drive you need the J-Mod period. I have had it installed for almost 30K now and would not want it any other way. The shifts are mild under light throttle and HARD under WOT. I did not gain any et with the J-Mod but the stang shifts the way a musclecar is supposed to now.
As for the trans cooler... Please install one now and change your trans fluid every 12K-20K.
Maybe one day I will install 4.10s
streetstang03
unModerator
VTnGT:
did u have the jerry mod done, or did u do it yourself??? if u had it done, how much did it cost and how did u find a shop that could perform it
i want to get it done, but i want someone to do it, but i am having trouble finding a shop to do it.
did u have the jerry mod done, or did u do it yourself??? if u had it done, how much did it cost and how did u find a shop that could perform it
i want to get it done, but i want someone to do it, but i am having trouble finding a shop to do it.I checked with two shops that I would trust in my area and neither one would attempt to perform the J-Mod. They would not even read over the custom instructions I typed up and brought with me. I even had spare seperator plate that I had pre drilled to the J-Mod 300hp specs. Both shops wanted to install a transgo or any other shift kit for me ($300 install 1.5 day). At that point I lost faith in both local trans shops and prepared to do the install myself. I researched TCCOA for two weeks before I attempted the install. The install was manageble the first time and a joke the next time I wanted to do a separator plate or spring change/replacement. BTW I have two separator plates and have experimented with both. I have dropped the pan 3-4 times to just make a change to the J-Mod settings (orifice size or spring).
streetstang03, unfortunatly you have two options... have a shop install a over the counter shift kit or install the J-Mod yourself.
Time to invest in tools and start doing everything yourself. FYI I performed the J-Mod on my 02 GT with 6K miles on it
now I have 36K with no trans problems.
streetstang03, unfortunatly you have two options... have a shop install a over the counter shift kit or install the J-Mod yourself.
Time to invest in tools and start doing everything yourself. FYI I performed the J-Mod on my 02 GT with 6K miles on it
now I have 36K with no trans problems. 
