What's the best PCM reprogrammer?

bcfitzsimons · January 20, 2003

OK-to all those who have used Superchips, Hypertechs, Predators, Diablos, etc.-

Which one(s) do you like the best? And why?

I'd like to know before I shell out $300.

Fitz.

Tjwong · January 21, 2003

Well, they all seem to do all of the basics, change speed and rev limiters, shift points, firm up shifts, gear ratio changes, calibrate for tire size changes (to a limit) a generic performance calibrations which basically adds a bit of timing to the base timing maps. Hypertech has two programs, one for low and one for high octane fuel. And the difference is one has more timing than the other.

Suposidly SuperChips does all of that plus having the advantage of downloaded a specific calibration to your needs. But let me tell you, I called them and asked about a specific calibration for my 02 Suburban which has a 8.1L with a blower. They couldn't do a thing for me, even when after I told them exactly what to do and what tables to edit! Hypertech does not even offer custom tuning any more, even though their website says they do.

Predator is said to have the ability to do all of the above plus having the ability to load custom calibrations, but if you read the fine print, its when its available? Whats that to mean?? Its still a new product and as far as I can tell there hasn't been to many that has been sold. A few guys on the LS1 Edit forum has discussed this product and so far most reviews has been negative.

I personally own a Hypertech. If you just want to use it to change tire sizes, shift points, firm up shift points and get a generic performance tune its fine. All if any of its power gains are going to be at WOT. All they changed was the timing maps and took a little fuel out in the power enrichment table at WOT.

A few handheld suppliers say they calibrate for part throttle tuning. But what they don't tell you is that GM PCMs are what we call strategy programmed controllers. Even if they change certain parameters the logic within the PCM will learn and go back to its original intentions of maintaining stoichmetric efficiency (in closed loop operation), which is maintaining an ideal 14.7:1 air fuel ratio. They can only change the constants that the PCM looks at, they can't change the control strategy. In other words there is not a lot they can do for part throttle operation. Sure GM PCMs can be tuned for stroker engines and big cams, but would one really trust a generic hand held to do it? I don't think so......

I would seriously doubt that any of the hand helds will ever offer ways for the public to defeat parameters such as Torque managment and risk someone wiping out their transmissions and facing liability suits, or changing shift firmness tables with out some kind of limits. Even Hypertech which once allowed users to change speed limits that matched speed ratings of Z rated tires in trucks. Not any more, the maximum allowed in their truck calibrations now, I beleive is 110 MPH.

All of these products will marry to your truck once installed. The Predator marrys to your PCM and its permanent. Meaning that once you use it, its yours. With the others you can download to your PCM and if someday you want to sell the product, you just remove the installed programming and then you can sell the device to someone else.

Their product is also sold with a built in scan tool which they say is identical to a GM TECH2 Scan tool. I can attest that what they say there is totally bogus. At best it gives you generic OBD2 parameters. But it is an option that none of the others offer.

Because of the modifications I have to my truck. None of the so called handheld devices could do what I needed done. I have since purchased LS1 Edit which allows me to do in depth tuning in the PCM. Its a very powerful tool and should be treated as such. An unexperienced person can literally destroy his engine or transmission by entering the wrong data.

If you want a Hypertech HPP+, I have one that is new their part number 30012 which is for all 2002 GM Trucks and all engines and transmissions. I will make you or anyone on the list a great deal, if you are interested you can email me off list. I used it to calibrate for tire sizes, but as stated above I have since removed their tuning and have been using LS1 Edit for my programming needs.

CMNTMXR81 · January 21, 2003

TJ, Hypertech (HPPIII) for a 4L85E may be able to do the basics like tire changes, gear changes, tranmission shift points, etc, etc you keep forgetting that we with pickups have the Allison. When I contacted Hypertech when they first came out with HPP's for 8.1 pickups, I asked them what I could alter in terms of this and they said nothing. There is limited access to the tables because of the Allison.

If you wanted to use it for their power programming (that's what they call it anyway ;) ) you'll be happy with it. However, I wanted it to adjust other stuff for which it was a waste of money since it couldn't do it. If they've come out with a revised unit since then, I don't know as I pretty much wrote off Hypertech after this so I haven't kept up with them.

I can't comment on the Superchips or Predator units as I've only done basic research on them.

bcfitzsimons · January 21, 2003

Well, from what it sounds like, all these units lean out mixtures at part- to wide-open throttle-which is exactly what I DON'T need. I also don't need MORE advanced timing. If anything, I still get some predetonation at WOT using 89 gas.

I just don't get why my block is such a pressure-cooker.

Hmm. From the sounds of it, maybe the $350 is better spent on something else, eh?

Thanks, guys-

Fitz. :thumb:

CMNTMXR81 · January 21, 2003

I concur!

The best route for programming goes is to be able to do it on a dyno (or at a track if that is easier) and a program like LS1edit. Very similar to the way TJ has tuned his. With LS1edit you can lean out/richen up and advance or retard timing curves where you feel the need to. You're not relegated to a pre-set data table.

But as easy as this sounds, it takes some understanding of not only the software, but also understanding the tables enough to drastically alter them. Even I leave that to people more experienced. Then there is the cost of LS1edit as well as needing a laptop (preferable) to run the software on.