DiabloSport Predator News!

Diablosport is working hard on it and it will be available ASAP. It is literally day by day now and it may be tomorrow that they tell me it's a go. We want this release to happen more than anyone. Trust me, this is years of hard work we've been working on.

The engineers were at it all day yesterday on the bench tests and on the real vehicles.

I could have avoided any and all questions about this, but that isn't my style. I wanted to tell the truth as I get it. I want this to be released as much as you all, trust me. It's killing me as well.

Some other news:

DiabloSport last night bought a blue 2003 Corvette Z06 from the dealer. As of 30 min. ago they already started to tear into it. Sick aren't they? Less than 100 miles and she's being raped, LoL. This is great news to you all. What they will be able to do w/ this vehicle will greatly enhance their already brilliant knowledge of tuning.

Hang in there guys! If any of you have any personal things you'd like to discuss please feel free to email me or call me at your convenience.


Also I wanted to tell you that the Predator, and this may change, does very very minute changes if you ask it to.

Meaning, on the 2001 Camaro SS we tested last Friday, well the rev limiter was 6190, and you can adjust it in increments of 10 rpms (yes, 10!!!) all the way up to 6600 (it goes an additional 500 over factory). As I said, this may change in the future, but for now it is that.

Also, if you want your fans to turn on at 190.3 or 201.7 then BAM you can! As for the timing and fuel trims, the scale on the timing is + or - 10% and anywhere in between. Meaning if you want 7.5 or 3.35, etc. I was also told that it will have a larger spread on the timing eventually (i.e. maybe +/- 15%), and the fuel trims are now on a +/- 5% scale (which larger control may be given on these as well). I do know that a +1% on the fuel trims leaned the vehicle out quite nicely, so I'm sure a full +5% would have done a lot.

The scale is also over the already existing curves. Previously I was thinking +10% equals 2 degrees regardless of base timing, but now it is 10% more than whatever base is. Same on the fuel trims.

OKay, hope this helps for now...

If this thing can do everything LS1 Edit can and more, I am sold.

However, I heard it won't work for the 98 cars. Is this true? I don't see why they would be any different. :think:

Will you be able to shut codes off, like the A.I.R. system so it doesn't throw codes if disabled?

Why would they pursue the z06 market prior to the f-bodies like 1998's ? Isn't the market larger in terms of f-bodies ?

Originally posted by BlackHawk T/A

However, I heard it won't work for the 98 cars. Is this true? I don't see why they would be any different. :think:

The pcm is TOTALLY different on the '99 and newer. Developing the Predator for the pre-'99s will take a whole new blueprint. Once we get this version released I am positive the engineers will aim towards the pre-'99s.

Will you be able to shut codes off, like the A.I.R. system so it doesn't throw codes if disabled?

Yes, and this will be done via custom programming. We offer custom programming that we test in house and on real vehicles w/ the same modifications.

Just who is Diablo???

We have been tuning for YEARS (since 1986 on fuel injected vehicles) and all of our software is designed in house by a team of engineers and tuners.

Our head tuners are the best in the business bar none. Patrick Stajdel started out in 1986, giving work to the Buick Grand Nationals w/ The Turbo Tune Company. Then at Hypertech, Patrick worked with one of the best chevy tuners/racers in the business. Patrick then went from Hypertech to Superchips in '92ish/'93ish. He did most everything for Superchips. European, American, Chevys, etc. Also he has done some stuff for Jet. He came to DiabloSport to help spearhead the company 2 years ago. Lee Hurley had some stuff done by Patrick. Patrick has done almost all the MEFI boats (MEFI 1 and MEFI 2), and will be doing them again w/ Diablo eventually.

Willie (if you want to know his last name, and I can't spell it right, haha, pick up any magazine w/ the latest BFGoodrich ad to see it) who is a World Ford Champion for like 5 years in a row and has been tuning since 1986 as well. He's ran a 5.32 in the 1/8 lately, and also runs 8.20's in the 1/4, all from a 351 Windsor powered mule w/ fuel injection. Oh, did I mention that it was STREET LEGAL, too? In the World Ford events he must do a 40 mile ride then has to hot lap 3 quarter mile runs to qualify for the race!

These boys also tuned the 10.87 second, NO NOS, 2003 Cobra at Bowling Green two weeks ago that was ran by Paul Svinicki of Paul's High Performance http://www.paulshp.com/paulshp.htm (the same person who NEVER would leave home w/out his Superchips flyer back in the days). Don't forget about Johnny Lightning's 10.9 second DiabloSport tuned 2001 Lightning that weighs 4800#'s either.

Unlike others, our guys are not hired from Kodak. You'll be assured you do not have imaging equipment salesmen changing your parameters for you.

Let me put it this way: Whatever GM can do to the computer, we can do it. We're pretty limited in what parameters we can change, huh? I don't think so

I would dare anyone to name one company that has the knowledge and years of tuning experience on electronic computer vehicles that DiabloSport has, and especially one that has experience on EFI tuning dating back as far as 1986.

I also shouldn't forget about the new upcoming Revolution software and tuning schools, yes schools!, that will change the face of the tuning world. We wrote the book on Ford tuning (Secrets of Ford Tuning Revealed) and will soon release one on GM's!

Why would they pursue the z06 market prior to the f-bodies like 1998's ? Isn't the market larger in terms of f-bodies ?

The Z06 is part of the '99 and newer market. Like I previously said the pcm is totally different on the '99 and newer vehicles, and we are looking at the # of vehicles on the road. There are also 5 model years to work w/ ('99-'03) instead of just 2 ('97-'98).

Hope this helps guys/gals! I appreciate your concerns and questions!

Alright, the Predator sounds awesome but I got a few questions first. I've seen in other threads that the predator will be able to show things such as a/f ratio. This is awesome. What I want to know is if it will be as accurate as say autotap? I know you recommend a dyno to get the a/f ratio but I think I'd be happy with the ratio info coming from the predator itself. Also, will it give a reading on my timing and k/r??? If it does, are these as accurate as say autotap???

Ok could anyone explain just how the PCM is different from the 98 cars to the 99-02 cars?

When you say custom programming, does this mean I will have to send it back to you to have it custom programmed? Or is it a custom programming standard option that they will all have? I am looking for something that will do basic diagnostics like Autotap, and some of the basic stuff that LS1 edit does. It sounds like this will do it. Do you have a complete list of everything that this can do without going through a bunch of threads?

Jesse, you download the program off their website, directly into the unit, after you give them all the details/parameters of your setup, This is what I understand, from what I've read!!

Predator Features:
Screen Size is 300% larger than the competition
Files can be downloaded from internet which allows for future updates and customized programming
Quicker program installation than the competition
30-day money back guarantee
Lifetime Warranty!
Full OBD-II diagnostic software
User adjustability. the user can set their own parameters. Choose from DiabloSport's performance program, have a custom performance program made for you by a Diablo Tuner, or create your own:

a. Raise and lower shift points
b. Increase or decrease shift firmness
c. Reduce shift time
d. Raise and lower rev limiter
e. Advance or retard ignition timing
f. Richen or lean fuel mixture
g. Correct speedometer for gear changes and/tire sizes (will support ALL gear changes)
h. Turn on fans at lower temps.

And, of course, many more...

Originally posted by Geeterman
Alright, the Predator sounds awesome but I got a few questions first. I've seen in other threads that the predator will be able to show things such as a/f ratio. This is awesome. What I want to know is if it will be as accurate as say autotap? I know you recommend a dyno to get the a/f ratio but I think I'd be happy with the ratio info coming from the predator itself. Also, will it give a reading on my timing and k/r??? If it does, are these as accurate as say autotap???

No, the Predator did not get the a/f monitoring like the GM Tech2 has, although we were hoping to have that originally, BUT remember that no monitoring is at all accurate unless it has true wideband capabilities. This also includes the AutoTap. Our stock O2's read 3 settings, "rich, stoich, lean", hardly at all effective. Sure, one can get some info. from short and long term fuel trims, but this still isn't accurate at all.

There is also no K/R measurement built into the Predator as well (knock reduction for those who aren't aware of the meaning of that), but there the live data portion does display timing, as well as short and long term fuel trims.

When you say custom programming, does this mean I will have to send it back to you to have it custom programmed? Or is it a custom programming standard option that they will all have?

You are able to download the files via the web right into your Predator. I'll update you more all later as more information on this portion of it is made available.

well im sold. :D how much is it going to retail for?

Originally posted by supersp0rt
well im sold. :D how much is it going to retail for?

Great!

The retail is $495, but I'm selling for $425 w/ FREE shipping currently on a pre-buy basis. ETA is by the 19th. I may keep that 425 price, but it may go up. The free shipping will most likely end, though, as I'm having to eat that.

I appreciate your concerns!

Thank you!

TO ALL '03 owners:

Good News: All the '03 LS1/LS6 Vette files are finished. You will be able to now get your unit at the same time everyone else does. ;)

TO EVERYONE:

I have some more news to share later on and will update everyone accordingly.

Thank you all!

Sincerely...

Hey guys/gals! I apologize about not being online as much in the last couple of days. I am not purposely doing so. I have construction going on at my home (adding 900 sq. ft.) and it's taking a lot of my time up in the last several days. I will be able to stay online quite a bit more starting tomorrow.
Here's the latest I have from Diablo:

Still day by day, not week by week. It looks to be down w/in a couple of days from shipping out from Diablo to me.

Several updates, and I believe I already stated this before but will again, have been made to the unit in terms of what was there already. For instance, the readings were in metric mostly, so all the fan settings will now be in F and no C. The km/h in the live data mode will be in mph, as well as the C will be F for the IAT and coolant, etc. Some timing changes were made on the base programs, and how they are changed via the Predator for the end-user. You'll still have the +/- 10%, and anywhere in between, but instead of replacing all 3 tables they will change a % to all of them across the board.

They are just testing and retesting on the bench and on cars making sure that it does everything as needed. So far so good, and it's just a matter of their engineers to state, "Green Light!". I personally feel that'll happen any day now.

Some of this may sound redundant, I know, but it's really only a matter of a day by day situation. Hang in there guys/gals! I'm a customer just like you all, and I too feel the anxiety that it's doing to us! It'll all be worth the wait, and you all will be very happy!

Sincerely...

does it get locked into one Vin like the other programmers?

Originally posted by psychocabbage
does it get locked into one Vin like the other programmers?

Yes, it does. Bubba can elaborate on this if necessary.

BTW...please trim your sig to 5 lines or less!

Let's see so it doesn't log data, you can't do your own custom tuning and it has no resale value since it is vin locked. So I guess it's just a glorified Hypertech!

Best news yet!!!

Okay, all the units will be shipped out starting on Monday, then Tuesday, and should be ending on Wed. That means I will receive all the initial shipments 2 days after each of those dates, and ending up on Friday. We're not going to have to make you guys wait for more betaing. Though, please, you all will be our testers in a sense, so I want feedback from you all. If you could, instead of *just* posting about your experiences here online, please send me a personal email, and/or call me, that way we can be more in touch about it. It'll be hard trying to keep up w/ 100 customers' posts on the forums in different areas, and different websites.

Now, I'm going to SCRAMBLE to try and get what I get in shipped back off that same day. I will do my best, but remember, I am only human.

I have ALL the shipping boxes and the shipping peanuts ready to go. BTW,. I use cornstarch peanuts so they will dissolve if you spill them in your yard and make a mess - been there, done that! The Predator packaging measures 13.5 x 6.5 x 2.5, and my shipping boxes that they will go into measures 14 x 8 x 4, so they will be nice and safe w/ the peanuts inside. You'll love the Predator's own packaging too! It's very aestically pleasing w/ nice images and text.

Smile everyone! You deserve it

Okay everyone, I was able to get some units out the door today. Those who got them will be notified via email w/ your UPS tracking #.
I will get more units out the door on tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday. Please be patient, everyone who pre-ordered, yours is coming!
Those who have ordered in the last week, please note that your unit will be getting out by middle of next week as well.

I will have enough units to be able to have same day shipping starting late next week. All I ask is for those to bare w/ me on this. I had a MAJOR influx of orders in the last couple of weeks, and Diablo is steadily working on production.

Also, remember, I am expecting that EVERYONE who gets one to PLEASE give me feedback so I can forward it promptly to the engineers and head tuners. I want your impressions with the unit, any problems you encounter, and naturally I'd love to hear how well you like it! This is very important that you stay in contact w/ me on this. With all of your help we will be able to rectify any situations that may arise, and get new revisions out sooner if need be. I am not stating that you all will have problems, but same may, so in order for us to capitalize on any issue asap then your input will be required.

Thank you all so much again!

Just a lil FYI for everyone on the shipment situation:

I'm shipping 24 more units out today, 24 more out tomorrow, 24 out Thursday.

I figured you'd all like to hear that

Hey Bubba, I've been following your posts here and at LS1.com, but there's so many posts going on its hard to find the most current info ;).

Do you (or can you make) a summary post as to the results that LS1's have been achieving with the item (stock or not)? I know not many cars have been tested (beta or otherwise), but as people post their results, can you post them in a common spot? If possible please.