mako22

iTrader: (2)

In my experience, it is not real useful for guys just starting out and are not real technical. It is not "plug & play" 15-20 RWHP out of the box. I'm not bashing the Predator, just throwing a reality check out there. This is a tool you will have to work with for results.

The real value of the predator can't be achieved (IMO) unless you get a custom tune. And in order to get a custom tune, you need to;

a) be able to record live data (either at track or on a dyno)
b) have a good knowledge of the LS1 parameters like A/F ratio, timing etc.
c) be patient enough to go through the process of going back and forth with e-mailed tunes until you get to where you want to be.

The Predator is great for setting shift points, detecting SES codes, setting fan temps, accounting for higher gears, etc. But unless you are ready to get your hands dirty and work at it, take your $400 down to a reputable dyno-tune shop and have them tune your car. You'll leave with your true HP and TQ numbers so you truly know where you are at, a tune that is precise to your car, and probably $100 left over for subsequent re-tunes when you add more mods....

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

If you have changed your gears what do you recommend to get to correct your speedometer?

mako22

iTrader: (2)

I don't necessarily have a better alternative for that situation, but that wasn't my point really

My post was fueled by seeing an ad in Chevy Hi-Perf for the DiabloSport Predator +22RWHP!!! and I was thinking how gullible I was back then to think that it was going to be that easy....I ran right out and got it, along with the Granatelli MAF sensor (which I have since gotten rid of). Two mods that are appealing to newbies but I contend are not really what they seem.

That and returning from my first live dyno tune influenced that post. IMO money better spent at the shop with a professional rather than recording/e-mailing/waiting/fine tuning/guessing.......

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

A stock motor with headers doesn't really need a professional tune. There are plenty of people bolting headers on and running their cars. With the addition of a cam tuning would be beneficial.The shop I go to uses the predator and a dyno to tune cars.

I don't think the predator would be a waste of money for anyone, the HPP3 on the other hand may be a waste of money for many.

I'm not a technical person ,however,the predator is user friendly.A little sweaking with A/F ratio and timing at the track would be easy to do.

Something like LS1 edit or HP tuners would not be for a newbie.

I don't want our fellow racers to think the predator is a complicated tool to use.Part of the fun is learning how to mod and tune our cars ourselves so we don't have to rely on a $500. tune to pick up 10 RWHP.That may be considered a waste of money by some.

mako22

iTrader: (2)

Remember, I'm talking about NEWBIE's - guys with near stock cars who have very little knowledge of things like a/f ratio, knock retard etc. Yes, in the right hands a Predator can be a very useful tool. Just pointing out it is a lot more involved than it may appear in it's advertising!

Don't want to scare anyone away, I shouldn't be product bashing. I guess it's a matter of preference, how much work do you want to do as opposed to letting a pro do it when it's necessary.

Powered By V8

iTrader: (2)

thx for the info mako22, it's always good to hear anything from the perspective of a fellow board member instead of the company selling the product or a freind of a friend etc.

thanks again!

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

mako22, Modding our cars can be confusing. We do have to beware of the products we buy. I wasted my $$ on a HPP3 and a set of sportline lowering springs.

This is a great site to find out what NOT to do or buy for our cars.

elderon

I have a Predator also and I completely agree. It does take some knowledge to get the most benefits out of it. I wouldnt get one just for simple adjustments like shift points and gear swap. Best thing to get for minor changes is still a Hypertech - if you get one used for around $100 that is......

mako22

iTrader: (2)

yeah, that's the other thing - Predator is yours forever once you get it.

Speaking of which - now that I got a dyno-tune, is my Predator useless? Meaning if I go to change my shift points now, will the Predator tune get installed over my dyno tune when I upload???????????

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Once you get a nonstandard tune, you really want to be
using the "custom tune" software that you can download
from diablosporttuning.com; unlike the Predator as-shipped
this will make the Predator unit able to "suck in" your
present tune and then just adjust on top of that. You
can save the tunes it stores, onto a PC; you can get
custom tuning done on that basis (presuming your
vendor cares about anything after the payment clears).
So you could get dyno tuned and then diddle spark and
PE about that point (I would restore stock tune first
just for luck, and use the downloaded interface program
to save copies of stock and the received dyno tune as
well. If you have a problem with the dyno tune you
may still be able to get customized upon that as a base.