How difficult do you think it would be to learn and custom tune with an HP Tuner. Im thinking it would be sweet to custom tune my own rig as well as a few of my friends but is it something that I'll need a dyno for ya think? Worth the price ($500)for almost unlimited possibilities? Or should I just leave it to the pros? I know auto mechanics, I understand EFI, and programming but I would have to bridge the gap on these to pull this off. My main goal was to play and learn and maybe do this on the side after some experience.

 

I think it would be fun if i had more time.

 

Check out the link in the thread "a good read". a guy gives his opinion on his first experience.

 

Ok thanks! I'll brb after i read it.

 

I read that before but this time I paid more attention. I don't have a lap top so data logging is out of the question. So the choices are:

1. Predator
* Cheap - Well within my price range.
* Program at will.
* Meets basic needs.
* With some tweaking will it meet the performance of a custom tune?
* Only one vehicle but I only need it for one.
2. Software
* Program up to 3 vehicles at will, but I only have one.
* Lap top can be used for data logging, I only have a desk top.
* Endless possibilities with combination of settings. Better than custom tune and Predator in that sense.
* Recommended use of Dyno to "fine tune" the settings, that will never happen.
* About $100 more than I have to spend unless I can make money off of it.
3. Custome Tune
* Basically the same benefits of Software but at the mercy of the guy who tunes it.
* Need to send it back to make changes.
* Better overall than Predator.
* In my price range.

I can pull off doing either of the three. If you guys needed something done and I had the software I could always do it at around $100 or so a pop (for license purchase on VIN) Any input would be greatly appriciated! Thanks!

 

I should prob mention that I am a programmer, and I'm pretty good with mechanics, so the software might be something I could do on the side or something later on down the road.

 

What are your plans for your truck? Is there a particular goal you are trying to achieve?

 

The most bang for the buck. Its going to be around for at least three more years (if she hold up I'll have her for much longer). I'd like to go better performance than a programmer hence custom tune. But I don't like not being able to remove the tune when I want (like if gas prices keep going up Im not planning on using 91+ octane anymore, but Westers promises 1-2 mpg gain). So that leave me with the software, very cool, very functional, but pretty steep. But will it be worth it for "at home" programming WITHOUT 1/4 mile runs or a dyno? Side note, this is something Im very interested in doing. The money makes me hesitate but if I could do this for other people as well then I could get some of my money back. The truck will be everyday runner but it needs to be a little quicker for me.

 

Can you order a custom tune and pay the core without turning yours in? Have two ECUs, stock and tuned.

 

For Westers I don't think you can but for Wheatley, yeah you can keep it but you pay $90 more fot it so I'll be paying $365. If I do Westers and they want $90 too, then I'll be up to $440, might as well go for the software then. I'm going to call around to junk yards this week and see if there might be a 99-02 GM truck aroung I can get the PCM out of. That might work.