RYDNHI4X4
Halt Halt Or I'll Release My Dog
Written By: Unit453
Just made the switch from Hypertech to Predator.
I've been running Hypertech on level 3 for the last 50,000 or so miles with ZERO problems...
I loaded the Predator 85 h.p. tune and spent a couple days behind the wheel. There are several differences to be noted. With each, there are likes and dislikes.
Initial experiences:
Predator seems a lot more jumpy. It made an already touchy throttle, touchier. This is not bad however. It takes less throttle now to get it moving, so, I kind of like it.
Shifting:
The shifts were a little bit quirky the first 10 or so miles of stop and go. It seemed as if the TCM wasnt sure when and how to shift. It didnt seem to take long at all though. I really only got in it once or twice so far. I didnt ever have to floor it to get max boost before so I guess I'll stick with the same driving style for a while. I dont understand why it would have to relearn the added power all over again. Hell, its been used to level 3 tuning for the last 2 years. Why should it have to relearn?
Speedo calibrations:
Speedometer calibrations were way off. I drove the truck stock for all of 2 days when I got my new steering shaft installed a couple weeks ago. The speedo was off by -5. Having it read slower than I'm actually going is not cool by me. It will get me in trouble and I rarely even speed. I loaded the Predator for 285's and it was off by +4. Hypertech was the same way. I dont get it. I liked how with Hypertech you can adjust the tire sizes in very small increments to get the speedo right on. I always used 31.75" and it was 100% accurate as per my GPS. I then loaded it for 265's to see if it would help any. Now its reading -2 slow. I guess I'm going to try 275's and see if that works. Otherwise I'm just going to leave it alone.
EGT:
Driving mostly highway, Hypertech's EGT's were running a steady 800 degrees with cruise set at 70. I never saw in excess of 1250 while running empty or loaded with around 8000 lbs in trail. Predator EGT's are steady at 700 degrees running at 70 with cruise control on. I expected the opposite from all I've read here.
Defueling:
Those running Hypertech know how it feels. It defuels at every shift and is very noticeable but not annoying. The only time it smoothed out is when you dropped a load on the hitch. Predator's defuel isnt nearly as pronounced. It feels like a smoother transition from gear to gear. Thumbs up goes to the Predator for smoother shifts.
Performance:
I have no desire to drag my truck on the street or on the track. I didnt buy it to race it. I had several other reasons at the time. Hypertech level 3 was not underpowered at all. Yes there are much hotter tunes out there. No, I do not have the funds to build my tranny anytime soon so it needs to last. Hypertech seemed safe and reliable and not once did I ever have a bad experience with the product or customer service. Sometimes it would break the tires loose in 2nd gear and sometimes it wouldnt. I really think that the quality of fuel makes all the difference. Sometimes it felt really strong and other times I was like "Thats it?"
The predator seemed just as strong down low end on the 85 tune, maybe a tad stronger than Hypertech on level 3. The Predator smokes ALOT more than Hypertech ever did. I dont care either way, so how much smoke that coats the 17 year old girl's Civic behind me, is not my top priority. Hypertech didnt exactly not smoke but Predator's is a lot more obvious.
The tuning seemed just as easy. Predator has a lot more options than Hypertech when getting ready to tune. It loads a program just as quick.
One thing that I noticed is the noise level of the motor. The engine seems a lot louder with Predator. Its got an annoying rattle when the motor is cold and it doesnt seem as bad when its warmed up. I dont really like it. Hypertech never did that. I know that it increased the timing but I didnt expect it to sound like an 85 Hummer with a crusty 6.2 in it starting is -20 degree weather....Ok, well not quite that bad but I'm not fond of it. Do all the tunes sound like that?
I hear about the downloads that its capable of. What does that consist of? USB port from their website to download what exactly?
I set the speed limiter to 120. I dont know why because it'll never see that. Hell, I rarely see 80. Hypertech didnt have that option and I cant say that it really bothered me at all.
Overall, I like the tune. It seems quite potent with good drive ability. Hypertech was an excellent tuner...Best bang for the buck in my opinion. I'm interested to see what my mileage will be now. I'm going to keep it on the 85 tune and go from there. Hypertech was giving me a solid 18 mpg with a best of 18.6. This is all highway while using cruise and never exceeding 72.
What are most of you guys seeing for mileage with the 85 h.p. tune?
Overall, Predator was definitely stronger low end, especially in 1st gear than Hypertech. Hypertech is a great safe and reliable towing tune.
Just made the switch from Hypertech to Predator.
I've been running Hypertech on level 3 for the last 50,000 or so miles with ZERO problems...
I loaded the Predator 85 h.p. tune and spent a couple days behind the wheel. There are several differences to be noted. With each, there are likes and dislikes.
Initial experiences:
Predator seems a lot more jumpy. It made an already touchy throttle, touchier. This is not bad however. It takes less throttle now to get it moving, so, I kind of like it.
Shifting:
The shifts were a little bit quirky the first 10 or so miles of stop and go. It seemed as if the TCM wasnt sure when and how to shift. It didnt seem to take long at all though. I really only got in it once or twice so far. I didnt ever have to floor it to get max boost before so I guess I'll stick with the same driving style for a while. I dont understand why it would have to relearn the added power all over again. Hell, its been used to level 3 tuning for the last 2 years. Why should it have to relearn?
Speedo calibrations:
Speedometer calibrations were way off. I drove the truck stock for all of 2 days when I got my new steering shaft installed a couple weeks ago. The speedo was off by -5. Having it read slower than I'm actually going is not cool by me. It will get me in trouble and I rarely even speed. I loaded the Predator for 285's and it was off by +4. Hypertech was the same way. I dont get it. I liked how with Hypertech you can adjust the tire sizes in very small increments to get the speedo right on. I always used 31.75" and it was 100% accurate as per my GPS. I then loaded it for 265's to see if it would help any. Now its reading -2 slow. I guess I'm going to try 275's and see if that works. Otherwise I'm just going to leave it alone.
EGT:
Driving mostly highway, Hypertech's EGT's were running a steady 800 degrees with cruise set at 70. I never saw in excess of 1250 while running empty or loaded with around 8000 lbs in trail. Predator EGT's are steady at 700 degrees running at 70 with cruise control on. I expected the opposite from all I've read here.
Defueling:
Those running Hypertech know how it feels. It defuels at every shift and is very noticeable but not annoying. The only time it smoothed out is when you dropped a load on the hitch. Predator's defuel isnt nearly as pronounced. It feels like a smoother transition from gear to gear. Thumbs up goes to the Predator for smoother shifts.
Performance:
I have no desire to drag my truck on the street or on the track. I didnt buy it to race it. I had several other reasons at the time. Hypertech level 3 was not underpowered at all. Yes there are much hotter tunes out there. No, I do not have the funds to build my tranny anytime soon so it needs to last. Hypertech seemed safe and reliable and not once did I ever have a bad experience with the product or customer service. Sometimes it would break the tires loose in 2nd gear and sometimes it wouldnt. I really think that the quality of fuel makes all the difference. Sometimes it felt really strong and other times I was like "Thats it?"
The predator seemed just as strong down low end on the 85 tune, maybe a tad stronger than Hypertech on level 3. The Predator smokes ALOT more than Hypertech ever did. I dont care either way, so how much smoke that coats the 17 year old girl's Civic behind me, is not my top priority. Hypertech didnt exactly not smoke but Predator's is a lot more obvious.
The tuning seemed just as easy. Predator has a lot more options than Hypertech when getting ready to tune. It loads a program just as quick.
One thing that I noticed is the noise level of the motor. The engine seems a lot louder with Predator. Its got an annoying rattle when the motor is cold and it doesnt seem as bad when its warmed up. I dont really like it. Hypertech never did that. I know that it increased the timing but I didnt expect it to sound like an 85 Hummer with a crusty 6.2 in it starting is -20 degree weather....Ok, well not quite that bad but I'm not fond of it. Do all the tunes sound like that?
I hear about the downloads that its capable of. What does that consist of? USB port from their website to download what exactly?
I set the speed limiter to 120. I dont know why because it'll never see that. Hell, I rarely see 80. Hypertech didnt have that option and I cant say that it really bothered me at all.
Overall, I like the tune. It seems quite potent with good drive ability. Hypertech was an excellent tuner...Best bang for the buck in my opinion. I'm interested to see what my mileage will be now. I'm going to keep it on the 85 tune and go from there. Hypertech was giving me a solid 18 mpg with a best of 18.6. This is all highway while using cruise and never exceeding 72.
What are most of you guys seeing for mileage with the 85 h.p. tune?
Overall, Predator was definitely stronger low end, especially in 1st gear than Hypertech. Hypertech is a great safe and reliable towing tune.
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