Jump to content

Predator with a 2003, anyone had good luck??

rico750sxi

Recommended Posts

rico750sxi Enthusiast

rico750sxi

Posted
Posted

Seems like the Diablo Predator is giving people with 2003's the most problems. Seems more common with people with custom tunes no matter what the year as well. I welcome people's experiences so I can help decide between Westers(what about the crankshaft position relearn?), Predator, or SPE Proflash. Thanks

ridnlow Enthusiast

ridnlow

Posted
Posted

There is a huge topic on www.fullsizechevy.com about which one is better. The owner of predator and Wester's actually go back and forth about the crankshaft relearn procedure and i think everyone over there agrees that you do not have to get it done as long as your SES light doesnt come on.

 

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=73367

 

I have read of 2 or 3 people here letely who have converted from Diablo to Wester's and they are extremely impressed.

MountaineerTom Senior Enthusiast

MountaineerTom

Posted
Posted

If your service engine light comes on, who does the crankshaft re-learn? Do you have to take it to the dealer, or does Wester's take care of that?

rico750sxi Enthusiast

rico750sxi

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I've been following the argument over at FSC.com. I figured I'd just ask if anyone with 2003's have been happy with the Predator. Seems like everyone with pre-03 trucks are happy. Everytime I find someone with an 03 that has good things to say about the predator I PM them. Three times now the people have messaged me back saying:"well since my post my PCM got fried" or "since my post I loaded a custom tune and everything got messed up". I am looking for a satisfied 2003 Predator user. Westers is looking very promising but $595 is making me cringe. If it's as good as everyone says then it's worth it.

And if you go to a dealer for a crankshaft position relearn won't they start trying to void parts of your warranty??

Tungsten Enthusiast

Tungsten

Posted
Posted

I think the predator is a POS. I can not tell when its installed! So I never have it installed, I also can't be filling my gas tank up with the high grade gas for $2.00 a gallon!

rico750sxi Enthusiast

rico750sxi

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Tungsten, you had it installed on your 2003 I take it then. Did you play around with the shifts at all or anything like that? Nice truck btw. What part of NY are you from?

stlmaj Enthusiast

stlmaj

Posted
Posted

I have a 03' 1500hd crewcab w/6.0L. I think the Diablo sport rocks!!! I did allot of research on the westers and predator prior to my decision to purchase the predator. I went with the predator because the westers cost more and left me with less function. I.E. scan tool and ability to adjust settings myself!! I have not found anyone that was not happy with the predator. Except for the one guy in this post which from the way it sounded it's possible he did even get it loaded? I have been running the predator since early Aug this year, I put on 2500 miles and I think it's awesome. I even went with a custom tune done for me by Diablo sport and it rocks.

 

Good luck with what you decide, maybe there’s a difference in the 6.0's as opposed to the 5.3's??

 

Matt

ridnlow Enthusiast

ridnlow

Posted
Posted

Rico, there are a lot of people that are very happy with the Wester's over at SilveradoSS.com. As far as the crankshaft relearn the dealer will do it.

rico750sxi Enthusiast

rico750sxi

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes I know of all the happy customers over at ss.com. I am on that board a lot. That is one of the big reasons why I'm considering Westers. If I had heard of one person with an SS having good luck with a Predator then I would try it. I'd rather spend $420 instead of $595.

And as far as a crankshaft position relearn, won't the dealer ask questions and void your warranty?

hcvone Enthusiast

hcvone

Posted
Posted

The Preditor made a huge difference on my Escalade, it is a night and day difference with the Preditor loaded compared to the stock tune. I have Corsa exhaust and Volent air box as well. The control of the shifts pressures makes the truck shift like it should. I would buy another Preditor for sure.

ridnlow Enthusiast

ridnlow

Posted
Posted

The Dealer cannot tell if your PCM has been modified or not.. i think i read about someone getting the procedure down after getting the Wester's PCM and not having any trouble with the dealer...

Butch 02 Denali Enthusiast

Butch 02 Denali

Posted
Posted

ridnlow is correct.

 

The dealer cannot tell the PCM has been modified. As far they can tell, it's the one that came with the truck. The procedure is 100% covered by the emissions warranty, which is 100k miles or 5 years (i think). When they do the crank learn, it will have no affect on the Wester's programming. Many things could set off the SES light for crank learn, including dirty spark plugs. It is a normal, but not common procedure for the dealer to do, with or without a wester's PCM change. If you were one of the 2.3% of the Wester's or any other PCM change, that got the SES light for crank learn, be assured that it won't affect your warranty, and the dealer will do it for you no questions asked.

 

BTW that was me over at Fullsize on the Wester's side of that discussion! Boy that was a big thread! I did finally get my point across though!

 

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

magragc5 Enthusiast

magragc5

Posted
Posted

I added the predator to my '03 Avalanche. My truck was built in 6/03 and I tried to install it 7/03- apparently GM changed the software around that time and the predator fried my pcm. after getting the pcm fixed, Johan at Diable set up a custom tune for me after downloading my trucks pcm programming.

 

All I can say is the truck ROCKS now. I can spin 'em off the line without powerbraking, torque management is seemingly gone and the shifting is amazing!

I would buy it again even after my trouble.

 

I also have to mention that Johan was great to deal with as well as James at RWTD. I don't know of many companies where you can get someone who actually does the programming to help on the phone at 9 pm.

 

I would ask them to download your file from GM before you buy to make sure everything is compatable. Like I said- I would highly recommend getting it!

 

Ed

rico750sxi Enthusiast

rico750sxi

Posted
  • Author
Posted

magragc5

I did not know about the change by GM. My truck was made in May but I do want to find out more.

What type of things did they do with your custom tune?

Tungsten Enthusiast

Tungsten

Posted
Posted
Tungsten, you had it installed on your 2003 I take it then. Did you play around with the shifts at all or anything like that? Nice truck btw. What part of NY are you from?

Sorry for not getting back to you quick. It seems as though I live at work. :)

 

Anyways... I really can not tell that I even have it installed, And I don't wish top pay $2.00 a gallon for 93 octane. I guess the diablo guy is working on a tune for me. I asked him to make it so I could use 87 octane. I'll let you know how that works out when it happens. I live in Rochester NY.

-Jeff

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Getting greedy...   The AC pump has been replaced at least once per service records, and it's been recharged twice since 2018 or so, in approximately 2 year intervals between those charges.   It was done at the same shop...clearly they were enjoying the revenue of recharging the system periodically versus actually tracking down and fixing the leak. I learned that the owner was 88 years old when she passed in 2023, so maybe they assumed only a temporary fix was needed anyway.   The system is basically empty now, the compressor spins freely, so I'm guessing it "just needs a recharge".   I vacuumed it down, and it has basically held overnight. Doesn't appear to leak under vacuum, check! So it must leak under pressure. I don't have a way to pressurize the system and pressurizing it with shop air wouldn't be great for the air dryer (which is probably toast anyway?)   The dryer (accumulator? I'm not an AC expert) has a Schrader valve, but the high side has an old ball-type valve, which are notorious for leaking. It's clearly had schmutz blown out of it at one point because the line/area next to the valve is coated old black crud, which I assume is AC refrigerant residue/oil, or maybe even dirty dye. I think I'll roll the dice and replace the valves. I have a black light around here somewhere so I'll find it and shine it around the engine bay in the dark to see if there's any dye.   I can't think of another way to track down the leak other than injecting some dye (if it doesn't have any) and having it charged up. We can't buy R134a off the shelf here anymore, so I'll run it up to Jiffy Lube and have them do it. I think I have a coupon. At the very least, the charge should last long enough for a year or two, according to history. I think this truck will be long gone by then. But cold AC is a selling point.    
    • clowe1243
      6.2L L87 Powertrain Engine Noise (Lifter Failure) Question

      By clowe1243 · Posted

      Got the truck back today.  Called them yesterday to get an update, and miraculously my truck is finished?!?! The $13k out the door was complete bullshit!  Ended up being over $14k.  They added some bullshit service bulletin that I cant even find, where they replaced my radiator without telling me or asking me, and charging me for it.  Need to do more research into it, cause they leaked the first delivered radiator was ran over by FedEX.  Sounds like bullshit to me. 2.5 Months for an engine swap, which ended up being remanufactured, not new; ****ing ridiculous.  Brakes are squishy as hell, not sure if its from sitting.  Will give a couple days to see it that figures it self out.  GAVE IT BACK TO ME WITH 1 GALLON OF GAS!  Just filled the tank the day before drop off, more bullshit.  My dash cam SD card was formatted, not really much I can do about that. 3 year, 100k GM warranty at least.  Time to sell it and say **** off to GM.  Bad experience.  Cant wait for the survey email to come through.  Overpriced Raptor R, here I come!
    • haoleboyZ71
      Radio Update

      By haoleboyZ71 · Posted

      If I forget the phone in the truck, and forget the truck in the phone, and reconnect.  It works great for the day.  Truck sits overnight, and the next day is a no go.  It will connect Android Auto via usb cable, but not bluetooth.   Ive tried Everything in this thread so far, and nothing works for more than a day.   I think I might have to go to the dealer and have them flash the pcm.   thanks for all the suggestions guys. 👍
    • Bill Lemmond
      primary drive belt tensioner

      By Bill Lemmond · Posted

      2022 2500HD Crew Z71 Duramax single alternator.  Recently had the primary (water pump / fan) belt tensioner pulley bearing to fail while hundreds of miles from home of course the plastic pulley melted and belt shredded which took out some wiring. Found a replacement tensioner assembly and belt to continue now would like to find a replacement for just the pulley and bearing to have a spare assembly in case of a repeat, the rest of the tensioner is fine. Has anybody here found a correct replacement part for just the pulley and bearing? Any help is appreciated.
    • Atlas
      Upgrade to a 2026 AT4 with the 3.0L Duramax

      By Atlas · Posted

      +1 for the 3.0   Perfect for 1500 pickup towing duties.   Perfect engine for a 1500 pickup period. Huge torque at stunningly low RPM makes it feel a lot lighter than it is. The fuel mileage is insane for a tall and heavy 1500... 30+ on the highway. Mid 20's around town.   It's probably not perfect if you bought a 6.2 for the braaaaaaapppppp V8 noises and wrapping it out to 6k. The LZ0 acts and sounds like a small turbo diesel and there's nothing you can do to make a small turbo diesel sound like a big one, and you can't make an inline diesel sound like a V8 diesel/big Duramax. It's a different driving experience altogether.   Drive one, I think you'll like it, though...

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...