ok seriously, diablosport predator?

John-
I purchased a Predator for my '03 GT last week, installed the performance tune right away. Noticed a difference; to me engine idles smoother and quieter, and definitely a tad quicker I think. Anyway, I am happy with the results, and very simple to use.
You can modify many parameters from the performance tune, including air/fuel, and spark advance, although they advise if you're going to do so it be monitored while on a dyno...
You can even contact them if you have special needs and they will e-mail yo a program which you can upload to the Predator for installation in your car.
I paid $406.50 total from RPM Outlet, includes overnight shipping and a new thermostat.
Hope this helps.......

I am all ears too! How easy was it to install? How good are their custom tunes? Are they free? (after you buy the system of course).

I got a Predator for my 02 last week.

I got one for my 02 last week, like it so far. I installed the diablo tune, and car acted very different, in a good way. I purchased it from, http://www.runninwiththedevil.com, they give free tunes to their customers. I feel it is a very flexiable, easy to use unit. Here is the sales pitch for the predator:

Scott

Current revision for the Predator 1999-2004 Mustang (part no. U7146) is r.42. It is displayed on the main menu of all newer Predators.

1) Predator Applications
The Predator 1999-2004 Mustang (part no. U7146) is applicable for the following vehicles:

V8:
1999-2004 GT 4.6L 2valve
2001 Bullit 4.6L 2valve
2003-2004 Mach 1 4.6L 4valve
1999-2001 Cobra 4.6L 4valve
(2003-2004 Cobra is available in another Predator)
V6:
1999-2003 3.8L

2) What is the Predator?
The Predator for 1999-2004 Mustang (part no. U7146) is a state-of-the art high performance tuning flash programmer, which advances the timing and optimizes the air/fuel ratio. Unlike other 'tuners', DiabloSport’s programming is performed in very small increments throughout the entire RPM range, for a smoother, wider and a more predictable power delivery.

3) Why to get DiabloSport Predator?

The flash tuner that allows for end user adjustability to the performance tune
The flash tuner which accepts custom tunes directly from DiabloSport or from ChipMaster Revolution dealers that you can install yourself
The flash tuner with built-in advanced diagnostic capability that displays fault codes along with descriptions of the code right on the Predator screen
The flash tuner with built-in high speed data logging and monitoring capability that the competition doesn't even have
The flash tuner with a true graphical display that's 300% larger then the competition's puny text only display
The flash tuner running on a custom high performance, multi-threading KROS operating system

4) Dyno Tested Performance Tunes
The Predator was created with one thing in mind, POWER!
Average power gains are in the 20 HP 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.

5) Adjustable Parameters
The Predator features end user adjustable parameters so the end user can customize his/her tune depending on other modifications done to the vehicle. Because we allow for timing and fuel adjustments the end user can optimize the tune for his/hers specific vehicle utilizing a dyno with proper air fuel monitoring and utilizing the Predators live data feature to monitor timing and other vital parameters.

The Mustang Predator allows the end user to adjust the following parameters:

Dual timing adjustment points (2000-4000 RPM / 4000-7000 RPM)
Timing table (+10% / -40%)
Dual fuel adjustment points (2000-4000 RPM / 4000-7000 RPM)
Fuel table (+40% / -15%)
Idle (+/- 20%)
On/Off switch for Traction Control
Raise Speed Limiter
Rev Limiter
Re-Calibrate Speedometer for Gear and Tire Size Changes
Shift Pressure
RPM Shift Points
Torque Modulation (for better shift feel)
Cooling Fan ON/OFF Temperatures
Rear Oxygen sensor disable (use for off-road vehicles only)
Disable EGR (use for off-road vehicles only)

6) Diagnostics and Live Data Logging
The diagnostic feature allows the end user to scan and erase fault codes as well as monitor live data while driving. Predator can read and erase fault codes, and contains all the Ford specific P codes. Predator diagnostics will work on all 1996-2003 OBDII Ford Mustangs or F-Series Gas vehicles.
Data logging is available as well. With 90 samples per second logging stores 30 minutes of data, with slow rate the logging allows for up to 90 minutes. The log can be viewed in Predator, or it can be uploaded to PC for viewing with the FREE DiabloSport DAT Viewer for Windows software. The diagnostics features can be used on any Ford OBDII vehicle, regardless if the tool has locked itself to a specific vehicle or not.

7) PC Interface Kit
PC Interface Kit allows you to connect your Predator to your PC, and get true Custom Tunes from RWTD, as well as use the DAT Viewer software mentioned above.

8) Custom Tuning
RWTD can do custom tunes for almost any application without the need for end user to send us the Predator. We have PC interface software available for download and the tunes can be sent via e-mails. Please visit our Custom Tuning section for more info.

Go with SCT! In my opinion. Diablo's customer service sucks! They don't have the manpower or the knowledge to support this device. I waited 8 weeks for a custom program and never received it. I gave up and sent my Diablo back for a refund. There are other complaints out there just like this. Diablo has put the cart before the horse.

SCT is much more proven and they have more experience. The SCT Flasher does almost everything that the Predetor does and has been on the market a lot longer.

If you were to go with the SCT Flasher, you can have up to 4 programs on it (one is stock). They also have special custom programs for nitrous use. There is a racer's package available and they can email you programs/updates.

SCT does circles around Diablo.

BUT, one thing to consider. If you have a dyno facility that does tunes nearby and they are not an SCT dealer, but are a Diablo dealer, that is the only time I would consider the Diablo. Also, the tuner would have to be good, too.

Research the SCT as much as you like at www.modulardepot.com. There is a separate thread section dedicated there just to SCT! You can ask all the questions you like, and don't be afraid to call them. They are there when you need them.

If you have a question with the Diablo you are forced to try to find someone who can answer your question. With modular depot and SCT, you can ask a question while having dozens and dozens of SCT pros (dealers and users) reading your comments with instant responses.

The fastest 2V NA Mustang in the World uses SCT and he reads those posts regularly. You can even talk to him!!!

btw, i re-read your question. If you want to monitor and change your own A/F ratios, here is what you can do.

Use a LM1 Data Logger to monitor and graph A/F across your rpm range. Then, you email SCT the data. They email you the new program to you PC and you download to your SCT Flasher.. Or you can mail the flasher to them. The programming fee is about $75. Then you can check with the LM1 again and so on and so on. I am sure you do not need to pay the $75 each time.

If you have the correct equipment, this is all done fast right over your PC.

There is no chip/programmer yet that can monitor A/F ratios. Although, I suspect that soon, they will be able to display 02 sensor data to the end user.

Does SCT do this??

6) Diagnostics and Live Data Logging
The diagnostic feature allows the end user to scan and erase fault codes as well as monitor live data while driving. Predator can read and erase fault codes, and contains all the Ford specific P codes. Predator diagnostics will work on all 1996-2003 OBDII Ford Mustangs or F-Series Gas vehicles.
Data logging is available as well. With 90 samples per second logging stores 30 minutes of data, with slow rate the logging allows for up to 90 minutes. The log can be viewed in Predator, or it can be uploaded to PC for viewing with the FREE DiabloSport DAT Viewer for Windows software. The diagnostics features can be used on any Ford OBDII vehicle, regardless if the tool has locked itself to a specific vehicle or not.

Thats why I would buy the Diablo.

the current SCT Flasher does not log as you described, but it does ID and clear fault codes. This is a marginally useful advantage if you ask me, but the downsides far out weight this advantage. As I think I stated, their customer service and response SUCKS!

What difference does it make if you can data log if you can't get the programmer programmed correctly? How many guys will actually use the data logging feature? Data logging is really only useful if your tracking something like rpms and a/f ratios. Which is something these tools will be able to do for us within a few years anyway.

To me, that would really be something. That way you could email the charts to SCT/Diablo for a different tune.

Just my $0.02

You also can not change your own parameters with the SCT, which was the biggest downside of it to me when I was looking a year ago. When I was talking with SCT they told me I would have to send it back for a re-program if I wanted to change something as simple as gears, or add a larger TB.

I also went with the Diablo because I could change my own parameters (I was running 3.55 at the time, and was going to upgrade soon), and the local shop was a Diablo dealer.

I like the diablo.

I hear great things about both programmers. I use a Diablosport, so I guess I am partial to them.

It will let the user do a LOT, and you don't have to send it back to diablo for them to program something for it (you may have to if you use the custom tunes and don't have the hardware to download a custom tune yourself - I am not sure about that one).

I do not use custom tunes, because I do not have a lot of extra work done to my car. I have a bolt on or two, and I am not planning on much more for the future. So, mainly, I mess with the shift points, shift firmness, torque modulation, spark advance, etc.

The diablo is very easy to install. Just follow the instructions and you can't screw up.

Also, if you want to run the diablo tune but you want to use regular gas, you can back off the spark advance to -20. That way you can use 89 octane instead of the recommended 93. My car still needs a little tweaking, but it seems to have needed about -25 on the spark advance. Diablo recommended to me that I use +5 or +10% on the fuel range too, since I have a C&L that can lean it out just a hair. They recommend that to me because I am trying to run 89 octane without pinging. Your setup could be totally different.

Overall, I think the Predator is a good tuner. I'd buy it again.

I see that Diablo predator requires 91 octane fuel when used. Is there an option to keep the requirement at 87?

go with the diablo. If you cant change something in the predator, then the dealer can email you a tune and there you have it.

Diablo is easy to use and provides alot of options at a reasonable price

I like the predator, but I think the Spartan will run circles around it and the SCT.

Go HoTO! said:

Just my $0.02

Click to expand...

Make it $0.04 my friend.
Diablo has the gameboy effect on these people...they like the big screen, buttons to push, tiny mods to make, and crappy data logging that they won't be able to do anything with (other than impress they other gameboy friends by running this graph across their PC's screen and saying, "ooh, look at that". Anyone who really wants to tune themselves would be wise to look at the SCT chip/flasher, their Pro Racer Package, their Raptor Datalogger (which is over 10X faster than any other datalogger on the market) and a good A/F R meter like Innovate Motorsport's LM-1. This is definately an investment, but this is the proper way to do it.
Otherwise, buy a mailorder SCT chip or flasher, or pay someone who already has all the above equipment - an SCT or Diablo CMR dealer.

Cavallo said:

Datalogging - "With 90 samples per second"

Click to expand...

Who told you this? This is misleading or false information...simply NOT TRUE!

StangPro said:

I like the predator, but I think the Spartan will run circles around it and the SCT.

Click to expand...

The whaaaaaattt?

twogts4us said:

The whaaaaaattt?

Click to expand...

ttt

2000GTnoExtras said:

ttt

Click to expand...

TTT

TtT