A Hypertech Power Programmer for a 97 LT1. Do they provide the results that they claim? Is it worth buying something like that? Or would that money be better spent on something else, performance wise?

 

In my opinion you money is better spent somewhere else. Lets say you PM madwolf and have him tune your car's PCM for $80. That gives you at least 13rwhp, which alot more than you'll ever see a Hypertech do. Here is a dyno graph to support my claims.

http://www.ws6.com/mod-3.htm

Not to mention a CAI ($150) or good catback ($280-750) will gain you about the same for less, 12-20 rwhp.

You could also buy your own cable use it on your home PC or laptop and tune the car yourself or have madwolf send you tunes and administer them yourself for about $140. That would give you unlimited number of tunes for any application which the HPP wont even venture into.

-Dustin-

 

How does that work?



That was going to be my next question. Would that money be better spent on a CAI

 

There are several ways to tune your car. HPP is one, but its really a rip off. You can PM one of our supporting vendors Madwolf and send him your PCM(Computer) from your car, he will tune it and then mail it back to you for around $80. You can use you own PC and buy a cable ($65-90) to attach it to your cars PCM and have madwolf send you the tunes in an email ($60 for unlimited). Or you can use a program to tune the car yourself.

Second the CAI, Lingenfelter sells one for $159.99 and they claim 12rwhp on a stock motor and up to 25rwhp on a modded one. Thats the best deal for a new one on the net. They use a HUGE K&N conical air filter element.

Keep the questions coming.

-Dustin-

 

Thanks for the info Dustin.

So by pulling the PCM out, I assume that I am unable to drive the car right? If that is the case, then how long will I have to wait?



What kind of cable?

 

No you wouldnt be able to drive your car with the PCM missing. It usually takes 2 days after they get the PCM to return it. So the time it takes to get to them plus 2 days.

A cable from AKM Cables would work, you can buy them depending on the year F-Body you have. They interface your PC with the Diagnostic port on your car. I went this route since I cant have the car down for more than 2 days.

-Dustin-

 

Now you don't have to wait. If you can work out a deal with the tuner they will ship out the pcm before hand to you. Then send out the old pcm back to them with a deposit.

 

Dont waste the money on a hypertech programmer. Also, if you get a cable and have access to a laptop or an extension cord for a desktop you can load the program yourself, no waiting, no hassle of shipping. Very easy to do.

 

Its not much of a wait at all , my car was down cuz I blew the rear so when I went to order my rear parts I went ahead and sent my pcm off to pcm4less.com and I got it back within less than a week. I wouldnt recommend a hypertech at all if you plan on really workin up your car

 

LT-1 Edit for OBD II is the only tuning software you can buy for the 96-7 cars right now.
It's 550.00 and not 150.00 like the OBD I cars.
You can go to www.carputing.com and check it out.
The HPP3 is ok if you buy one used for 100-150.00
and have a mostly stock car.
I felt some difference with the power program when I was running it, but other things like changing end ratios, tire height, shift points, and resetting coolant temperature come in handy.

 

Go with Madwolf's tuning. The Hypertech is for people that didn't bother to ask the question you're asking before they bought it.

 

Is Madwolf one of these tuners?

 

I have a used one for a 97 a4 somewhere...its a fun tool for an auto car...I bought it just for a gear change....Felt a nice sotp gain but didly at the track

 

yes, just email him with what you want. He will work something out.

 

So unbelievably true my friend