Max Energy Power Programmer
#3
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 470
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From: Boca Raton, FL
Wild Cherry - never heard of that programmer but I wouldn't even bother with anything other than SCT for Fords, SCT software > all others. Contact http://www.5startuning.com/ and they'll hook you up with killer tunes for the 5.4
Last edited by Quicksilver; 10-01-2011 at 08:55 PM.
#6
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 409
Likes: 54
From: Palm City, Fl
I had an '05 8.1 Suburban that I used a Diablo Predator hand held tuner for. It changed the requirement to premium fuel, firmed up shifts etc. While I did not dyno it, they claimed a 30 hp gain and there was no question that it gained power. Not sure if you will see the same gain in a small block, but I would recommend it.
However, I would be concerned about the trans if you are towing a heavy load with a tune. You may dvelop more power than it is rated for and with a heavy load,you could be asking for trouble. Not sure what trans an F150 has..
However, I would be concerned about the trans if you are towing a heavy load with a tune. You may dvelop more power than it is rated for and with a heavy load,you could be asking for trouble. Not sure what trans an F150 has..
#7
Registered
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
I have tuning done with SCT programmer and it's really night and day difference on my truck, n/a V8, vs stock.
I had an '05 8.1 Suburban that I used a Diablo Predator hand held tuner for. It changed the requirement to premium fuel, firmed up shifts etc. While I did not dyno it, they claimed a 30 hp gain and there was no question that it gained power. Not sure if you will see the same gain in a small block, but I would recommend it.
However, I would be concerned about the trans if you are towing a heavy load with a tune. You may dvelop more power than it is rated for and with a heavy load,you could be asking for trouble. Not sure what trans an F150 has..
However, I would be concerned about the trans if you are towing a heavy load with a tune. You may dvelop more power than it is rated for and with a heavy load,you could be asking for trouble. Not sure what trans an F150 has..
Last edited by Quicksilver; 10-03-2011 at 01:22 PM.
#8
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 409
Likes: 54
From: Palm City, Fl
I'm asking this because I was never able to get get a specific answer from these companies. What is exactly is custom about a custom tune that creates more hp than an over the counter unit? Every stock motor is the same, so what is being customized that makes Blackbear or Westor, or anyone else's so different? They're not putting your specific motor on a dyno, its a canning software program.
They can modify the torque or hp curve and you might get power earlier if you wanted, you can remove the torque managment feature, etc, but more max power, how??
I could not get an answer,so I bought a programmer over the counter.
Also, the 8.1 'Burb made 340/460 hp/torque stock. Adding 30 hp is 8-9% more hp. My thinking was just going to premium fuel in big block would develop meaningful gains in that ballpark..
My $.02.
They can modify the torque or hp curve and you might get power earlier if you wanted, you can remove the torque managment feature, etc, but more max power, how??
I could not get an answer,so I bought a programmer over the counter.
Also, the 8.1 'Burb made 340/460 hp/torque stock. Adding 30 hp is 8-9% more hp. My thinking was just going to premium fuel in big block would develop meaningful gains in that ballpark..
My $.02.
#10
Registered
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
I'm asking this because I was never able to get get a specific answer from these companies. What is exactly is custom about a custom tune that creates more hp than an over the counter unit? Every stock motor is the same, so what is being customized that makes Blackbear or Westor, or anyone else's so different? They're not putting your specific motor on a dyno, its a canning software program.
They can modify the torque or hp curve and you might get power earlier if you wanted, you can remove the torque managment feature, etc, but more max power, how??
I could not get an answer,so I bought a programmer over the counter.
Also, the 8.1 'Burb made 340/460 hp/torque stock. Adding 30 hp is 8-9% more hp. My thinking was just going to premium fuel in big block would develop meaningful gains in that ballpark..
My $.02.
They can modify the torque or hp curve and you might get power earlier if you wanted, you can remove the torque managment feature, etc, but more max power, how??
I could not get an answer,so I bought a programmer over the counter.
Also, the 8.1 'Burb made 340/460 hp/torque stock. Adding 30 hp is 8-9% more hp. My thinking was just going to premium fuel in big block would develop meaningful gains in that ballpark..
My $.02.
Just b/c you plug a tuner in and run the "canned high octane" program that comes with it, and running 93 octane doesn't mean it's optimized. My friend ran Hypertech on his Denali, don't know much about Westor, but he had Blackbear write custom tunes I think with efiLive... but the truck run's so much better and quicker now. Being able to control and adjust the GM 6 speed for firmness and **** points is a huge thing also, b/c GM has got to have the worst tq mngt of any manufacturer.
Last edited by Quicksilver; 10-04-2011 at 09:51 AM.



