What all does it exactly do and how do you use it? Can it be used in place of custom programming?

 

It is a custom program. Basically, you tell Steve what you want done, he creates a program, and puts it in a Powerloader. There are no options once you have the loader. You plug it in, it programs your PCM.

Instead of shipping PCMs across the country, Steve uses this delivery method for his custom programming. So, when you need an update, you send him the loader, he updates it and sends it back to you.

Again, it's not like an HPP where you have options to change stuff like gear ratio or tire size. You have to tell Steve what you need in advance.

He knows his stuff...

-Andrew

 

Anyone have a link. I tried Google with no luck. thanks! Also, how much?

 

http://www.ttspowersystems.com - the owner's name is Steve Cole.

I believe they price out at $495.

Haven't seen many testimonials around here, but I have on the Corvette Forums.

-Andrew

 

One thing to remember. The powerloader will only work from a stock PCM baseline. So in otherwords, if Steve or Ed Wright, etc has already programmed your PCM, the PowerLoader won't work in conjuntion with the existing altered programming.

 

Okay, I think $500 is ridiculous. WTF???? Why are all these guys chargin an arm and a leg for stuff like this. It pisses me off and is one of the things stopping me from putting a cam in my A4. If it was cloer to $300, then yes. Man, this sucks! <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" border="0" alt="[bullshit]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" border="0" alt="[bullshit]" />

 

BradWS6 had his tuning in his 30th

maybe he can comment

 

[quote]Originally posted by 11 Bravo:
<strong>What all does it exactly do and how do you use it? Can it be used in place of custom programming?</strong><hr></blockquote>

When you hand over the big bucks to this vendor, you also give him the rights to blow away the stock PCM code, thus if you have to go back to it, for whatever reason, including going to a dealer for warranty work, it's gone.

He now owns your PCM, he is even known for putting in a secret software key which prevents any other code but his to be flashed over it.

For $500 they flip a few bits of data ( via a computer program)and within a few minutes of their time make that kinda money.

You have zero idea what they changed, how much they changed it and in fact do not know if they did much at all.

If you were caught, its a EPA fine of $2,500 for violating smog laws.

The changes they make might cause your car to fail new smog tests and smog station can reject your car, preventing you from getting tags renewed.

You can only hope the changes they make work well with the mods/makeup of your drivetrain.
If not as I have seen first hand, some have had their car cannot be driven for the vendor has the PCM for months sitting in his shop and rarely returns phone calls.

If you own a manual trannie, then this vendors product does even less.

If you want the stock PCM code put back on, you have to send the PCM back to them and pay them $75 to put your own code back on.

Any simple changes you want later on, prepare to pay them more big bucks and wait for weeks for them to do simple changes.

I have that powerloader on my '99 ( came with the car) and found it to be a total waste of money and had to fix it by using a MAF Translator.

I will be beginning to test a new product in a week or so that will allow the car owner to make his own changes, re-flash the PCM as many times they want for the price of just one time at that vendor.
This way I can download the PCM code first, save it for later use, make changes as to how my powertrain is working and could do it even while at a track.

To me giving up control of your PCM to any vendor makes you dependent solely on them and they own you from then on.

 

Is there a reason that more guys seem to send their pcm in to get it reprogrammed? The TTS seems to be about the same price, and less hassle. I could do a cam swap, then plug in the TTS and be set to go. That would be nice for us who have only our LS1 as a daily driver. There would be no down time waiting on the pcm to come back. I think I'll go this route unless I hear something bad about it.