Quick Review of Predator CANNED Tunes

I purchased my Predator tuner from a local speed shop for $350. Been running it for two weeks. My only other mods are Flowmaster AT axle-backs, a K&N air filter in the stock airbox, and a Hurst short-throw shifter. Here's my thoughts, based on MY expectations when I bought it, which were moderate:


Ease of Use: A+ -- Just plug it in under the driver's side dash and follow the on-screen directions. No batteries for the tuner, it's powered by the car. Make sure you read the prep instructions to make sure you have all the basics ready, like ignition to on, engine off, doors closed, no accessories running. Re-installing the stock tune takes about two minutes.

SOTP Feel: A -- SOTP is very noticable, especially with the 93 octane performance tune. 87 tune feels better. 93 performance tune feels great, and is what I'm using. Throttle response is much improved. I can floor it in 1st now and light up the tires (have a 5-speed), instead of having that delayed, "ramping up" feel with the stock tune.

Customer Service: B- -- Called for a couple of basic questions about possible custom tunes, and the customer service rep had answers but sounded bored as heck and ready to get of the phone. No hold time, at least.

Gas Mileage: A -- Following my usual driving routes, and probably getting on it more because the fun factor is up, I'm averaging 21.3 MPG over the last two weeks. With the stock tune, I was getting 20.2. Too early to tell for certain if it's a true gain, but at least it doesn't seem that I've lost any efficiency. I already had the filter and mufflers on before I bought the Predator. The weather has been quite a bit cooler over the last week here in Tampa Bay.

Reliability: A -- So far, perfect. No apparent rough running at idle, cruising, WOT. No CEL or codes. No backfires, stalling, anything. I ran for 1/2 tank on the 87 performance tune, then switched to the 93 tune. The car took a little longer to turn over on initial startup after I installed each of the tunes, but after that first startup, it's like stock.


Bottom line, if you're looking for a noticable improvement in STOP feel and throttle response, the canned tunes won't disappoint. If you don't mind the extra expense at the pump, definitely go with the 93 tune. As far as how easy it is to get/install custom tunes, I can't speak to that.

First thing the tuner does is download your VIN (can only tune one vehicle per unit) as well as all of the "stock" settings in your CPU. By stock, I mean it will save as a baseline whatever parameters are in place the FIRST TIME you use the Predator. So if you've had the dealer change settings, or used an XCAL2 to change settings, or whatever the case may be, it's going to save those as your stock tune. If you haven't changed anything from the time you took delivery, the tune you save should actually be the factory settings. It's supposed to give you an error message if your version of the factory tune isn't compatible with your version of the Predator software (can download updates).

The Predator instructions stress that you should only install one of their performance tunes on top of a stock tune. If you used an XCAL2 before, and then install the Predator tunes starting from that point, it can apparently cause serious problems.

Once this is all done, you can install a performance tune. The whole process takes maybe 10 minutes the first time, part of that being your learning curve. After that, you can always switch to a different octane tune, or back to the stock tune, in 3-4 minutes. The instructions say you do NOT have to reinstall the stock tune before you change Predator tunes. For instance, you can go straight from the 87 to the 93.

As long as you have power and your CPU is working, you can reinstall the stock tune.

As to whether the dealership can tell if you've played around, no one seems to know for sure. The most common answer I've seen is that they can see that the CPU was accessed, but not what was done. If a service manager asked me why the CPU was accessed, I'd tell them that I bought a Predator so I could read any error codes that may pop up. If he pressed, I'd kindly tell him that it's my car and none of his business and that he was wasting time that could be spent fixing my car under warranty.

The tuner comes with three pre-loaded tunes: 87 Octane Performance, 91 Octane Performance, and just plain Performance which is actually the 93 octane tune. I talked to tech support and they recommended getting down to at least 1/4 of a tank before changing octane tunes. When I had 87 octane and the 87 tune, I ran it down to the low fuel warning and filled it with 93 before I went to the Performance tune.

You can also have a couple of custom tunes saved, not sure how many. I don't know if these can be erased or overwritten by new custom tunes.

You can switch your car between your available tunes as many times as you want. According to the instructions, you don't have to restore the stock tune before going to a different octane tune. You can go straight from one to another.