Good question about Predator

mcmmotorsports said:

Okay, I am getting my Predator tomorrow and will quickly learn to love the factory tune. With all of the adjustments that can be made, is there anything out there that would show settings that I could enter in to get the most from it?

For example, lets say the stock Predator settings yield a 15-20 rwhp gain.
Joe Shmoe Mustang owner gets his Stang tuned on a dyno using the Predator and squeezes 23-25 rwhp from his.
If I had the EXACT same mods, can I enter his settings to get the same results or am I way out in left field here?
I haven't seen one in person yet so I have no idea how they work. Just kinda edumacating myself before I get it.

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I don't think there is a spot where people exchange setting. It would depend on what tune revision your running and what mods. I would love to have a board for predator users to exchange thoughts.

This is my thoughts on the Predator.
1) Improves driveability over the Ford HP Tune. Smoother, gets rid of any bucking etc.

2) I only gained 5-6 peak hp over stock with the Predator/my mods and that was adjusting timing and fuel on the dyno.

3) It's nice to be able to turn off traction control, speed control, adjust for gear changes.

4) The data logging is nice.

5) A custom tune would be better since you can only adjust fuel in two rpm ranges. It would be really nice if the Predator adjusted fuel and timing in 200-300 rpm ranges.

6) Predator manual doesn't fully explain some of the controls you have and I didn't get a good answer from their tech other then you can change the settings. Well, I want to know what the settings mean..................

I might just setup a visit with a SCT shop to see if they can improve on my current results.

I would really like to see a neutral site that reviewed tuning software and hardware.

I hate to jump in here, but if you want that kind of control, you have really only one choice on the market: SCT Racers Package! The diablo pred. is not much more than a gimmick. Additionally, their customer support completely blows. I waited over months for mine to be re-programmed by diablo and they never did send it back to me. So, I got my money back.

In all seriousness, SCT is far superior to diablo. When you look at the truly fast cars out there, ask the owners what they use. You will see that the SCT users far out number the diablo ones among the pros. SCT support and available database is HUGE compared to any other company out there. Often times you will see a guy with a mail order tune even with mods put it on a dyno, and the tunes are remarkably good. They know what they are doing.

I now have an SCT flasher. I have THREE custom programs on it. When I need a change, they simply email the tune to me and I put it right on my tuner and then the car.

I have a stock tune, 87 octane tune perf. tune, a 93 octane tune, and a nitrous tune. The 87 octane is similar to stock with my a/f leaned a tad more.

The diablo pred. is NOT a bad product, I just think people believe that it can do more than it does. And, when you need help, it is not there.

Go HoTO! said:

Additionally, their customer support completely blows. .

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I'd agree with that........................................

The Predator is so far from a gimmick man

Anyone who desires more funtions most likely don't know what they are doing anyway. Adjust in 200rpm increments? Why?

I don't think any car on this board is in need of that many changes across the rpm band.

I am sure SCT is good but I am not one to waste money.

Since you think I'm being unreasonable, please post some dyno chart showing a/f and timing. I want to see the perfect world.

Thanks,

Do you really need it? No

A tad here and there won't make something gain 20HP.

I have the predator and it does what its supposed to great.

Its not a tool to dial in your A/F or squeeze every bit of power out. Its not a dyno tune.

It is NOT a gimmick. It is a great value IMO because it gives you a little extra power, traction control off capability, dont need MIL elims anymore, adjust for gear ratios and tires, adjust AT trans shift points.

If you add up all the price to buy MIL's, TracAdapt, Speedcal, shift kit, etc you have a pretty darn good value. Plus it adds some HP and also diagnoses codes etc.

Go HoTO! said:

I hate to jump in here, but if you want that kind of control, you have really only one choice on the market: SCT Racers Package! The diablo pred. is not much more than a gimmick. Additionally, their customer support completely blows. I waited over months for mine to be re-programmed by diablo and they never did send it back to me. So, I got my money back.

In all seriousness, SCT is far superior to diablo. When you look at the truly fast cars out there, ask the owners what they use. You will see that the SCT users far out number the diablo ones among the pros. SCT support and available database is HUGE compared to any other company out there. Often times you will see a guy with a mail order tune even with mods put it on a dyno, and the tunes are remarkably good. They know what they are doing.

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Comparing the SCT PRP to the Predator is really apples to oranges. They are two completely different products with a different target market.

Personally, I think they both hit the mark they're aiming for - the Predator gives enough functionality that the owner of a mildly modified Mustang can make a few changes. The PRP has the ability to allow the owner to make the necessary programming changes for any modification. They are priced accordingly, in my opinion.

The major difference I see is that the PRP has the necessary hardware and software to completely tune your car, although you still need datalogging and wideband a/f to complete the package. The customer support is also far superior to anything I've ever seen. It's an extensive undertaking to tune your own car and they are there with you the entire way.

Jay

codyGT said:

Do you really need it? No

Tad here there won't make something gain 20HP.

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??????????????


Sound like you haven't dyno'd it.

Feeling the hate here. Yeow.

Let me say this all.

1) I agree that the Predator has value other then HP. One reason I got it.
2) This is from Diablo "The Predator was created with one thing in mind, POWER!
Average power gains are in the 15-20 RWHP range. The Predators additional power makes itself noticeable immediately with an increase in power that starts in the low RPMs and builds into a frenzy at the high RPMs.

A Predator equipped vehicle will notice significant improvements in drivability. The additional power and improved shift patterns created by the Predator tune will yield quicker acceleration and better mileage, whether it is in town or out on the highway.

The power increase in the lower RPMs will yield a better throttle response. The increase in MPG is a byproduct of maximized engine efficiency, the improved timing curve and air/fuel ratio creates a more complete combustion, i.e. the engine extracts more power from each molecule of gasoline.

DiabloSport has generated all dyno tested tunes.

Predator tunes re-map the:

Fuel Curves
Timing Curves
Extend Speed Limiters
Extend Rev Limiters
DiabloSport Performance tunes require the use of Super Unleaded / Premium grade or 91 octane fuel only, like carried by Amoco/BP, Sunoco or Mobil.

Now I have dyno'd stock and Predator tunes for comparison. I'll stop up at the shop and print a dyno chart off with the runs side by side. Stock tunes with no changes. Diablo sez 15-20 hp above. That's what I wanted. Didn't happen gents. Frankly, I don't care who's tuner I buy as long as it's the best one on the market. Competition is good, so don't be so damn defensive.
Of course if you selling or making them, I can understand that.

Go HoTO! said:

I hate to jump in here, but if you want that kind of control, you have really only one choice on the market: SCT Racers Package! The diablo pred. is not much more than a gimmick. Additionally, their customer support completely blows. I waited over months for mine to be re-programmed by diablo and they never did send it back to me. So, I got my money back.

In all seriousness, SCT is far superior to diablo. When you look at the truly fast cars out there, ask the owners what they use. You will see that the SCT users far out number the diablo ones among the pros. SCT support and available database is HUGE compared to any other company out there. Often times you will see a guy with a mail order tune even with mods put it on a dyno, and the tunes are remarkably good. They know what they are doing.

I now have an SCT flasher. I have THREE custom programs on it. When I need a change, they simply email the tune to me and I put it right on my tuner and then the car.

I have a stock tune, 87 octane tune perf. tune, a 93 octane tune, and a nitrous tune. The 87 octane is similar to stock with my a/f leaned a tad more.

The diablo pred. is NOT a bad product, I just think people believe that it can do more than it does. And, when you need help, it is not there.

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the predator accept custom dyno tunes from the same software as the SCT flashers? The software being Chipmaster Revolution? Granted, the SCT flasher may hold 3 tunes whereas the predator only holds one. But still, a predator costs less than a SCT flasher- about $330 compared to $399 for the SCT. And, it gives you all the data logging, limited A/F and spark adjustments, ability to turn t/c off, turn off MILs, and has a huge backlit screen all of which SCT does not have.

I don't think you can go wrong with the predator because you can always use it with a custom dyno tune with Chipmaster Revolution, plus you get all the features above.

Look guys, a tune is a tune. Any chip with a good tune will increase drivability...that's the whole point. HP gains are not magic. They come from increasing the timing and leaning the mixture. That is how every single chip works. No matter what chip you use, they all work the same.

Also, any chip/programmer will turn off SES for having an o/r X pipe, adjusts for gears, etc... Additionally, all the programmers on the market clear and read codes. This is not a special feature of the diablo pred. just in case there is any confusion.

The diablo pred. gives the owner, however, control that other products don't have. This is what I was calling a gimmick. It is a gimmick when you have control, but not enough to really do anything. I brought up the SCT Racers Package in a previous post because I am always reading threads from guys that have one and then think they can tune their car. I agree, that the two products are geared towards a different market and they both do their job hitting it, quite frankly.

But, here is the problem. SCT makes a product that grows with the owner MUCH better in my opinion. With SCT, you can build their products one on top of the other. You can start with a SCT Programmer and add the Racers Package later when you have the need as an example.

Additionaly, SCT has a product now called a Raptor. It is their programmer, hold 4 tunes, and gives the owner added control similar to the Diab Pred. Any existing SCT programmer can be upgraded from what I am told. When SCT designs something, they always think of their previous customers.

Regarding 15 - 20 hp gains. If you gained this much from your programmer, then your current stock tune was bad. All companies over-state the power gains from chips/programmers. So don't expect too much from it. But, you will get a better idle, smother TB response and other things that are not seen on a dyno.

The fact that the SCT can hold 3 additional tunes and the diab. pred. can hold only one, to me, is reason enough to go SCT.

Yes, the diab pred. can be tuned by a dyno tuner with the correct setup....just like any other chip/programmer. You see, these things are all about the same. But, here is where I take a big turn.

If I had a GOOD Diablo tuner near me (as I have none at all), I would be tempted to get the Diablo. A good tuner is worth his weight in gold. That changes everything....this is a point that is rarely mentioned on these boards. All of these products are geared towards the mail-order tune market, but when you have a guy who can work his magic, that's a deal breaker.

raykrv6a said:

5) A custom tune would be better since you can only adjust fuel in two rpm ranges. It would be really nice if the Predator adjusted fuel and timing in 200-300 rpm ranges.

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Is this for real - the user only has control of two rpm ranges??? Thats a little too coarse for me. I'd been happy with 1000 rpm increments, but two ranges isn't going to get it done.

<--- Striking Predator off of the wish list if this is true.

if youre looking for serious power increases just go get a dyno tune, dont even bother with the predator. use a laptop.