Topic: HELP!! How do I tune this thing..and why?

[oHIobellboy]

Ok, You've got me lost. Yes I understand that "tuning" my 5.3 a little will help with the power and maybe the mileage. It seems a little sluggish off the line. Although the truck has almost 84,000 on it I'm sure a little tweaking wouldn't hurt. Was just wondering what is reccomended, what works for horses and what works for mileage or should I just leave things well enough alone.

[bluedevil]

Did you get a hand held programmer?  What brand?

[oHIobellboy]

Havn't bought one. don't know it someone can just reprogram mine or should I buy a preprogrammed chip and just put it in. I'm in the 1st stages of thinking about this and definately wanted some feedback.

[bluedevil]

Handhelds run 'bout $300 or less now-a-days. I bought a used HyperTech III for $200 couple years ago on eBay.

Capable to adjust settings for towing,MPG,fuel grade,Tires etc.  Theyre supposed to add a maximum of  extra 20-30 Hp  (I would guess with the help of pipes,air filter,plugs etc.)

Lots of folks have these and they seem happy. Good investment? Sure.



I have 2 handhelds ....HPP3 and Diablo Predator.  $300-$400

 and HPTuners software that i still dont know how to use it. $600

[oHIobellboy]

I just spent about an hour at the national site looking over a serious thread. I got lost but most of it is dealing with heavily modded engines. I don't wanna go that far. just a little tweaking.

[oHIobellboy]

the only one i've really looked at on ebay is the hyp III. It's the only name i could remember at the time. Why do you need all these handhelds? I believe our avy's are the same year. you wanna sell any?

[MyBigToy]

If you're going to go the handheld route, I'd suggest the Diablosport Predator. I've previously used a Hypertech on my Av and used the Predator on my 03 Vette.

The Predator has more flexibility than the Hypertech. If you buy a current-generation one you will be able to lessen/eliminate torque management and slightly adjust fueling and timing above or below the "canned" tune. Elimination of torque management will give you a noticeable difference in performance as timing will not be pulled at off-the-line high throttle input.

You could also buy a retuned PCM from someone like Nelson Performance. It's a little more expensive than the programmers but you'll get a little more horsepower.

[oHIobellboy]

If you're going to go the handheld route, I'd suggest the Diablosport Predator. I've previously used a Hypertech on my Av and used the Predator on my 03 Vette.

The Predator has more flexibility than the Hypertech. If you buy a current-generation one you will be able to lessen/eliminate torque management and slightly adjust fueling and timing above or below the "canned" tune. Elimination of torque management will give you a noticeable difference in performance as timing will not be pulled at off-the-line high throttle input.

You could also buy a retuned PCM from someone like Nelson Performance. It's a little more expensive than the programmers but you'll get a little more horsepower.

Thanks BadAv, I'll keep that in mind. I'm just starting to think about this so I have a while til a decision is made.

[bluedevil]

the only one i've really looked at on ebay is the hyp III. It's the only name i could remember at the time. Why do you need all these handhelds? I believe our avy's are the same year. you wanna sell any?

I started with hpp3. Later i scored the hptuners software which is alot more advanced. Very difficult to learn if you ask me.  Well i uploaded hptuners when hpp3 was already installed and somehow i lost the data for hpp3.   Right now hpp3 is empty and junked.

When i installed the supercharger,a Predator handheld came with the kit. Thats what im using now for the moment until i learn how to use hptuners.

[Main One]

Judging by your comments, I'd recommend seeing if you could get a used Predator on ebay.