OK, I have spent countless hours searching and reading on this forum trying to decide which programmer to get for my LBZ. I am down to Superchips or Hypertech and I can not get the final answer to my question which one is best for my application. I was leaning towards Superchips but as I studied it is not safe for towing in all levels. Then I started leaning towards the Hypertech III and I read there are all kinds of transmission problems and their support is not the best. I tow with my truck 90% of the time and when I purchase a programmer I just want to set it and forget it. I tow a boat that weighs 5000lbs plus and 50% of time I also have a fullsize camper on the back. So if anyone can PLEASE help me decide I would appreciate it since I would love to finally get a programmer ordered and installed.

I was in a similiar boat and was leaning towards hypertech when the edge evo jumped out of nowhere and grabbed my attention. The 22 different parameters that could me monitored did it for me. It is a whole set of gauges in itself. The price wasn't bad either at $410.

i would go with the hypertech. it is actually the safest programmer for your tranny.

First of all, Hypertech is NOT a bad product. Its certainly NOT a tranny fryer either. Hypertech is safe, reliable power that dosent put out enough power to kill your tranny. I ran Hypertech in every vehicle I've owned within the last 10 years and most recently, 55,000 miles worth with my 04.5 LLY. I never once had a problem. Their customer service isnt bad either. I've towed about 9000 lbs the steepest of grades and never once had excessive EGT's...

There are much hotter tuners out on the market but it all comes down on what you are using your truck for. While I would reccomend Hypertech anyday for the casual user, tower, or just wanting a bit of extra power for spirited driving. Hypertech is designed for towing in mind. I ran mine on level 3 and never messed with it.

Bottom line, whomever told you this is full of crap. Hypertech is a good product. For the price, under $300, you really cant beat it.

I have the flashpaq and am very happy. The upgradability and being able to move it to whatever D-max I buy in the future sold me. Changing programs is very simple so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

HPP3 may not kill the tranny, but it sure feels like it is doing so. and their techs cant give you an answer for that other than their programmer doesnt control the ally. but yet when you put it back to stock the shift are firm and normal in all conditions.

First of all, Hypertech is NOT a bad product. Its certainly NOT a tranny fryer either. Hypertech is face, reliable power that dosent put out enough power to kill your tranny. I ran Hypertech in every vehicle I've owned within the last 10 years and most recently, 55,000 miles worth with my 04.5 LLY. I never once had a problem. Their customer service isnt bad either. I've towed about 9000 lbs the steepest of grades and never once had excessive EGT's...

There are much hotter tuners out on the market but it all comes down on what you are using your truck for. While I would reccomend Hypertech anyday for the casual user, tower, or just wanting a bit of extra power for spirited driving. Hypertech is designed for towing in mind. I ran mine on level 3 and never messed with it.

Bottom line, whomever told you this is full of crap. Hypertech is a good product. For the price, under $300, you really cant beat it.
I agree, great product for the money, sometimes the Allison shifts "wierd" but i think its cuz i dont run it hard all the time so when i give it a nice wot punch it has to learn again. I think if i ran it hard all the time the Tranny would better expect it. For towing and all around driving/fuel milage i reccomend this product. I ve had great customer service and for 281$ you find a better deal. If you want to drag race though this is not for you.

There is not a tuner out there that is safe at "all levels". EGT's when towing limit your HP gain even if the transmission can handle it. About 65 rwhp is when the EGT's start to become an issue.

Lots of good products out there now for LBZ's, all of them have "safe" power levels, and most have "unsafe" power levels. Big dogs are PPE and EFILive, but even those products have safe power levels available.

But if you want the whole truth, your LBZ has enough power stock to get a speeding ticket going up mountains. When we had 310rwhp in Blue, it would be at 17,000lb combined and go 80mph up the Grapevine without breaking a sweat, and our LBZ is stronger stock than Blue was with a 65hp tune.

Obviously I like the PPE handhelds or I wouldn't sell them. And I like EFILive because of the flexibility it offers.

the hypertech is an ok programmer. I ran it for a long time on my LB7.

As for the transmission shifts getting screwed up by a hypertech, its not any more than any other programmer does. None of the hand helds do anything with the allison programming. Just have to either get the TAPS reset for the trans, or give it a little drive time to re-learn and adjust to the added power.

As for the trans feeling firmer going from added power to stock, every programmer does it. The allison adjust the shifts to the added power, so now with the lower power, the shifts are quicker and firmer feeling until it readjust for the lower power level.

the hypertech is an ok programmer. I ran it for a long time on my LB7.

As for the transmission shifts getting screwed up by a hypertech, its not any more than any other programmer does. None of the hand helds do anything with the allison programming. Just have to either get the TAPS reset for the trans, or give it a little drive time to re-learn and adjust to the added power.

As for the trans feeling firmer going from added power to stock, every programmer does it. The allison adjust the shifts to the added power, so now with the lower power, the shifts are quicker and firmer feeling until it readjust for the lower power level.



since you are so close to me, i would love to have you take a look at mine and tell me if its hurting anything with the tune.

pm me if thats possible...thanks! :D

I have to agree with Evil C5. Mine doesn't shift good at all. I have tried both level 2 and 3 both do the same I've got over 1000 miles on 2 and close to 2000 on 3. If you drive it normal thru town it doesn't even feel like there is a programmer installed. It isn't smooth thru the rpm range either. When you give it about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle when the rpms get to about 2000 it rockets off. Any wot runs and it feels like it is slipping into gear and upshifts really fast. I called customer service and ask questions about these things and was told they had never heard of any shifting problems and to send it back which I'm going to do after the holidays.
Xstarpuller sorry for the rant on your thread. Just my experience.

EFILive is looking better everyday.

The bullydog power pup felt the same exact way you just described your hypertech, taking off at 2000 rpms and such. I think it probably has something to do with the base programing of the LBZ. I will hopefully be playing with EFILive this weekend with the beta software release.

Like everyone says though, you start going over tow tunes, the ally may live without any problems or it may start to shorten the life. All depending on how its driven.

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciated it.

I have the Superchips model on my LB7 , towing 8,500lbs 90% of the time, had used level 1 for first two years, now run gauges and level two, pulls great no funny tranny stuff happening and EGT's seem fine.

i have the hypertech and love it no problems yet shifts smooth as stock on levels 2 and 3 have not tried level1 yet hope this helps 285 delivered thats a great price for a very good product imo

I can't get my Hypertec to shift consistent on level 3, I got it to shift ok for awhile and then it goes back to acting up. It does really speed up and feels like it slips on level 3. around 2100 rpm. I am disappointed with the product because of this. Just when I think its ok it acts up again. Hypertech has done nothing for me like some of the other members have stated. Some members have had no problem with shifting, but allot have. I have driven thousands of miles and it doesn't seem to make any difference. I am hopping that Edge or some one will get one that delivers power and is smooth shifting. Banks for me is just about out of the question. They have told me story after story that was not true. And if they will lie about the product on small things what will they do if there is a real problem after you buy it. Just my opinion. Edge is sounding to me like the best product for safe power unless you want to make big power then PPE or EFI Live sounds like the way to go.
Good luck.
Ron

As a Pro what's your take on adding the transgo jr.kit with Hypertechthe hypertech is an ok programmer. I ran it for a long time on my LB7.

As for the transmission shifts getting screwed up by a hypertech, its not any more than any other programmer does. None of the hand helds do anything with the allison programming. Just have to either get the TAPS reset for the trans, or give it a little drive time to re-learn and adjust to the added power.

As for the trans feeling firmer going from added power to stock, every programmer does it. The allison adjust the shifts to the added power, so now with the lower power, the shifts are quicker and firmer feeling until it readjust for the lower power level.

Was it realy worth to ad the jr.kit to it ?
I just received mine yesterday,but have thoughts about putting it in.
I also run Hypertech Stage 3 and no problems shifting (YET)
Other concern is the Warranty voided if messing with the AllisonI can't get my Hypertec to shift consistent on level 3, I got it to shift ok for awhile and then it goes back to acting up. It does really speed up and feels like it slips on level 3. around 2100 rpm. I am disappointed with the product because of this. Just when I think its ok it acts up again. Hypertech has done nothing for me like some of the other members have stated. Some members have had no problem with shifting, but allot have. I have driven thousands of miles and it doesn't seem to make any difference. I am hopping that Edge or some one will get one that delivers power and is smooth shifting. Banks for me is just about out of the question. They have told me story after story that was not true. And if they will lie about the product on small things what will they do if there is a real problem after you buy it. Just my opinion. Edge is sounding to me like the best product for safe power unless you want to make big power then PPE or EFI Live sounds like the way to go.
Good luck.
Ron

I like my hypertech. I only run it on 2, as i like my transmission. It's pretty strong, very comparable to my lb7 with the va set at 100.
Nice boat x star puller. I pull an X-15

So I hear good thing about EFILive. Hope to get a good look at how it works in the next couple of weeks.

I can tell ya what, I plan on avoiding Bullydog and Hypertech. I got a couple of buddies that own an 06 and an 03 and they are less than pleased with these two tuners. It's seems that they are experiencing some shift issues.

The 03 has recently been taken back to stock, an had new engine and tranny module installed. Cost him about $2600.

My advice; Ask a lot of questions and learn as much as you can. Then make an informed educated decision. The members here are very helpful.
:rant:

I don't hardly tow at all, but I do like to run the dog pee out of my LBZ. I run Bully Dog and most of the time use tow mode for fuel economy. But when I feel the urge I turn it up to Extreme, or as I like to call it, Dunk Mode. The only tranny probs I encounter are 1-2. It holds it for a bit then shifts. I don't think having the 6speed you should worry about anything. Maybe do a Transgo Jr kit to shift a little firmer. But you won't be able to tow on all mode i a programmer due to excessive EGT's. Like it's stated in a earlier comment, 65hp+ is where you start running into EGT issues. But from my experiences, drive it like you stole it. I floor it with a stock tranny on 180hp mode and no probs! Will be doing it again after work today!

Edge Evo with Transgo jr. works very well towing or banging around.

I run the Bully Dog with Outlook, 5in. exhaust and AFE stage 2. I run this thing on all settings with no problems. The only issue is the 6spd. downshift. It has a huge delay coming out of 6th to 4th when I mash it. The truck just lays down. The problem is the Ally not the programmer. However, Bully Dog was less than responsive to any inquiries as to why I was having these issues. they just don't respond. I won't buy another for that reason alone.