Topic: looking for some insight...

[Main One]

is this system simple? and practical for everyday use? this is going to be my daily driver... im not much of a tuner of sorts... and there is no real tuning shops around here even if i wanted to have somebody else deal with it... non of the handhelds out there can handle what i want? i mean... if this system is simple then i guess that i could give it a shot...

I guess I have a different opinion than MyBigToy, and I feel that while the link provided by Ski Edition shows the power of the tuning software options, it does tend to make the tuning process seem overwhelming.  Unless you are tuning an engine from scratch, you are usually making tweaks to just a few of the 500 data parameters in an engine tune at one time.  Add a cam, you will likely want to adjust some idle parameters, knock sensor sensitivity, volumetric efficiency table, and possibly shift points.  Add a high stall torque converter, you will probably want to change some shift points.  Want a firmer shift?  You can get that by changing the programmed shift time and possibly other parameters.  With a handheld for instance, you can change the WOT shift points, and can select either a stock or firm shift, but not have much other control over the tranny operation.

There are folks out there that have bought tuning software and have never really used it.  I would encourage you if you want to know what your engine is doing, and would like to make some tweaks without getting your hands dirty, to give it a try.  If you've figured out how to use a computer to get on this site, you can figure out how to make some simple adjustments to how your engine and tranny work.  Can you screw it up?  Absolutely!  You could also screw up and hit a semi head-on but I assume you've managed to avoid that so far.

What I did, was start out with a Hypertech programmer.  I then decided I wanted to go with the laptop software, and was able to download into the laptop the Hypertech 87 and 93 octane programs, with normal and firm shift settings respectively.  I put the stock program back into the truck, and was able to download that as well.  I then sold the Hypertech for half of what I paid for it, reloaded via the computer the Hypertech program, and have made adjustments from there.

[z71vortec]

so anotherwords i just cant pop on a supercharger with a full exhaust without using complicated tuning software? doesnt most supercharger kits come with downloads or piggyback units?

[MyBigToy]

so anotherwords i just cant pop on a supercharger with a full exhaust without using complicated tuning software? doesnt most supercharger kits come with downloads or piggyback units?

Yes, you can use the canned software that comes with the supercharger that's typically loaded with a handheld. But you're leaving quite a bit of power/drivability/etc. on the table when you go this route. And, I can tell you from experience, it's a slippery slope once you get started adding power.  I've never added up the money I've spent on power additions and I don't want to.  Suffice it to say I'm sure it's in excess of $9000.  I believe I've finally got it where I want it so I'm just going to drive it and enjoy it now. 

[Main One]

so anotherwords i just cant pop on a supercharger with a full exhaust without using complicated tuning software? doesnt most supercharger kits come with downloads or piggyback units?

I pretty much agree with MBT on this question.  Yes, you can do it, but if you tweak beyond just adding a supercharger, you'll probably want a custom tune.  You can either do it yourself, pay someone else to do it for you, or find another enthusiast nearby who has a license for your vehicle who can do it for you.

HPTuners, and I assume EFILive, has a comparison tool that allows you to see what's been changed between for instance your truck's stock tune and one you got from the SC manufacturer.  That can give you some insight into what the SC manufacturer thought needed to be addressed, and you will probably see that they leave most of the parameters alone.

From what I've seen, most of the SCs give you with their standard pulleys about 150 HP.  That is a pretty safe amount of extra power, and can in many cases be supported by your stock fuel injectors if your SC kit includes a fuel pressure regulator that kicks up fuel pressure when your SC is adding boost.  If you go much beyond 150 HP, you will quickly be in the realm where a custom tune is pretty much required.  For isntance you may be running non-stock fuel injectors at that point, requiring the fuel injector parameters to be changed in the tune, among many other things you will likely need to be tweaked.  With the extra torque you are likely getting from the SC, you will probably prefer that the tranny hold gears before downshifting under part-throttle conditions.

[z71vortec]

ok then... so how much is this HP tuners kit and software... cause i am now confident that there are other members on this board that can help me along the way... as i am also sure that i can learn it for myself with your guys help... not looking to make a race truck at all... just want it to sound cool and get up and go quite decent for its size and weight...

[Main One]

ok then... so how much is this HP tuners kit and software... cause i am now confident that there are other members on this board that can help me along the way... as i am also sure that i can learn it for myself with your guys help... not looking to make a race truck at all... just want it to sound cool and get up and go quite decent for its size and weight...

See the link below to HPTuners web site, but it starts at $499 with the standard interface, $649 for the pro interface.  I've got the pro interface due to when they were discontinuing support for my original serial port interface, they offered a deal to upgrade to the pro.  You can read on their web site, but to my knowledge all that the pro adds is the ability to log sensor data that is not on the OBDII port, such as maybe a wideband O2 sensor, which I haven't yet used, but may one day, and the ability to log and store data for later downloading to a laptop, which I do use quite regularly, instead of having to have the laptop up and running while recording data.  Since my laptop's battery doesn't keep it alive for more than about 10 minutes these days, I'd be limited to 10 minute or so data log vice being able to record data for over an hour that is stored on the interface and then I can take it in the house and download with the laptop plugged into the wall.

HPTuners has gone to a credit system, whereby you can buy and spend credits to be able to tune specific VIN numbers, or for more credits, say all 2003 Avalanches.  As the link notes, with the 8 credits that come with the minimum packages, you'll be able to tune at least 2 vehicles.

http://www.hptuners.com/order.php

[MyBigToy]

I'll add one additional comment - I was able to purchase my HPT used for $250 with 4 credits left on it. I watched several forums for quite some time before I was the first one in line; they don't last long once someone posts on for sale, unless they have it priced too high. Credits cost $50 each. I'm not seeing as many "for sale" ads as I used to so this may not be an option for you unless you are as patient as I was - it took somewhere around 1-1/2 years.

[z71vortec]

after i load up this unit and start playing around with it, if for any reasone at all i decided to go back to a fully stock tune, can this be done?

[oHIobellboy]

after i load up this unit and start playing around with it, if for any reasone at all i decided to go back to a fully stock tune, can this be done?

Yes, First this you do with any tuning equipment is backup your stock tune and it will always be available.

[Main One]

after i load up this unit and start playing around with it, if for any reasone at all i decided to go back to a fully stock tune, can this be done?

Yes, as OBB said one of the first things you will want to do is save your stock tune on your computer.  I use the compare function quite regularly to see where I'm at relative to the stock tune, so having the copy of it to use with the compare tool is where I use it most often.