Vortec Programmers?

speedshifter · September 8, 2003

Hey guys, been away from the forum for a while so I'm not up to date. I did a search with no luck either.

I just want to see if there are any other programmers out there besides hypertech and superchips? Right now, I am planning on a superchips because its supposed to add performance from idle to WOT, not just at WOT like the Hypertech does.

I've heard a lot about westers, but they don't list a price for my pcm on their site and I just want a hand held programmer, not a PCM reprogram.

The diablosport Predator is the best as far as I can tell, but they don't have one for my truck yet.

Have I missed anything? If not, would you guys say the Superchips is the best handheld programmer for the Vortec 5.7L? Do you think it will work well with my mods (listed in my sig)?

I appreciate your opinions! Thanks and have a great day!

ridnlow · September 8, 2003

The Wester's PCM is 395 for your truck and from what ive seen from other people it really wakes the 5.7L up

speedshifter · September 9, 2003

Yeah, but I like the "do it yourself" convenience of a hand held. I can get a super chips for $289 new on eBay and also read and clear DTCs, adjust my tire sizes for my summer and winter tires. Plus, if my PCM ever goes bad, I can reprogram the new one with the handheld.

So for handhelds, is superchips my best bet for a Vortec?

ridnlow · September 9, 2003

If you must have a handheld i would go Diablo Predator...

trckn4life · September 9, 2003

If you must have a handheld i would go Diablo Predator...

I don't think there is one for the Vortech's...correct me if I"m wrong though...

gmcjoe · September 9, 2003

If you must have a handheld i would go Diablo Predator...

Diablo is available for the current Vortec engines, however once you use it it mates itself to your VIN. It is NOT like the HPP3 in that once you return the vehicle programming to STOCK you may use the unit on another vechicle.

I have contacted Thunder Racing and Diablo themselves and was told this.

If you lease or plan to upgrade to another type of programming (Westers, etc) you will be stuck with the Diablo unit.

I have the HPP3 on my 2000 5.3l and am very satisfied with it. All I wish it did handle was torque management

speedshifter · September 9, 2003

See Granatelli told me the Predator was only for the 99+ trucks and said that they didn't make a programmer for the older body style trucks. Is this true?

ridnlow · September 9, 2003

Looks like your right... The Predator and the Wester's PCM are the only two worth having I think.. but if you must have a handheld i would go with superchips over hpp3...

speedshifter · September 9, 2003

cool, thats what I was looking for.

Any bad sides about the Superchips that I should be aware of?

trckn4life · September 10, 2003

oops i was meaning 99 and beofre vortechs. the superchip should work well for you....I'm not sure if it has a low grade gass tuning or not? (not at all sure about that). if that matters... is to be a good unit. ...but yeah I've heard it's better than the Hypertech (though that's what I have for my 98 5.7 cause I picked it up used pretty cheap). I like it.

speedshifter · October 3, 2003

Hey guys,

I bought the Superchips. Its easy to use and I cleared my DTCs easily. I can't power tune the truck, however. I try to tune it, but when its establishing communications, it gives error 002 and tells me to call superchips.

So i called superchips and they said the 002 means excessive power draw. I tried driving it around the block and then stopping turning on the ignition and program it, but its still getting the error. My capacitor for my amps reads 12.4 volts which is perfect. I shouldnt really have much problem anyway since I'm running the dual battery setup with the cables from the diesel 6.5L trucks.

So then i called them back and told them my cap reads 12.4V. The guy then said to try disconnecting the amps because even tho they are off, they still have capacitors and could be drawing power. So, I went and pulled the fuse on the 4 gauge, but it still gives me the error. A final call to superchips determined that they think the unit is bad and they said to exchange it with the guy i bought it from.

Anybody else run into this problem?

350vortec · October 8, 2003

If I was you I would take the superchip programmer back and get a Westers PCM.I did and it gained 26rwhp and 36rwtq.You will not get that kind of increases with a HPP III,or superchips.Trust me you will not be sorry.Hopefully other people with the westers will come in here and tell you how they like like I do.

speedshifter · October 8, 2003

Yeah, but:

-Westers PCM costs double what my superchips did

-I can clear dtcs with the superchips

-I can reprogram my speedo when i change from summer to winter tires

-I can adjust what my perforamance based on what fuel grade i want to use

-I can adjust my tranny shift points

-If my pcm ever goes bad, I would have to pay westers to reprogram the new one

350vortec · October 8, 2003

How much is the superchips programmer?You will only pay 400.00 bucks for the westers and it will make the biggest difference than the superchips.I highly recommend it to you.