I am considering buying a tuner and have searched and read a lot of info on different ones on this site. It seems like the more I read, the more questions I have. I think I have narrowed my choices to the PPE vs. Predator.

I called an online vendor and asked some questions about these two tuners. I was told that the PPE would be the better choice due to the "quality of the tune." I don't really know what goes into a tune or how I would know what the quality of any tune is.

After searching and reading a lot of posts on both of these tuners, it seems like guys running them really like both. Both have similiar features but the price of the Predator at $300 is really nice. I don't mind paying extra for a PPE if it is really better, but is it?

I'm not looking for huge power. I mostly am interested in increased fuel economy and some of the other features like tire size adjustibility and code reading/clearing, etc. I would really appreciate any advice or insight form you guys about things that I should consider when deciding on a tuner.

X2 for me also. I have an '07 Classic CC LB and with summer fuel the best I've seen for an average is 15.7 mpg. Now I'm getting about 13.5 mpg. Pathetic economy if you ask me. I don't need additional power, but what I do need is better economy. I always hear that folks don't buy diesels for economy, but instead for pulling power. Nope, our family ALWAYS bought diesels for economy. We occasionally load them down as they are work trucks. We need 3/4 ton trucks minimum, and we never see gas powered 3/4's get near the economy as the diesel. I don't want to risk trashing my warranty, so I'd like to find a programmer that can place back the stock setting with no traces of a tuner when the dealer checks into it. I also would like to ability to adjust for tire sizes and if at all possible, check trouble codes. The predator and PPE are also towards the top of my list. I just am not sure of the ghost traces they may leave behind when returning to a stock tune.

if you ever plan on gettin your tranny uprgraded get the ppe. With an upgraded tranny you will be able to upgrade the ppe to match the new tranny. Cant do that with predator.

if you ever plan on gettin your tranny uprgraded get the ppe. With an upgraded tranny you will be able to upgrade the ppe to match the new tranny. Cant do that with predator.

Yea, I have read a few posts with the same opinion. I don't plan on ever upgrading my tranny, though. Whichever programer I chose, I will probably only use the economy and tow tunes. I'm pretty happy with the stock power, I just like some of the extra features of the programmers and would like to see better than 10MPG when towing my trailer.

As far as features, the Predator has everything that I want for $300.00. I just wonder what "quality of the tune" means. I do want a good quality program if I'm going to tinker with my truck's computer programming but is there much difference between one company and another?

jsmall,

I just received my Predator and installed a tune. It was very easy to do.

I have not driven much in the truck so I have no idea about how it will perform.

Bought the Predator because I don't want to start a chain of "Bigger, better, badder."

Mike

I have the Predator and have had the current tune installed for a couple weeks. Along with the new exhaust, the truck runs awesome. I am not use to an engine of this power, my other truck is a 350/300hp gasser and I thought it was decent but this thing rocks! I am happy with this setup actually, mileage has improved, power has improved, and it is fun smoking people every now and then, especially my friend in his Porsche Boxster!:D

I'm not looking for huge power. I mostly am interested in increased fuel economy and some of the other features like tire size adjustibility and code reading/clearing, etc.

I run the 90hp PPE tune. I get all of the above benifits and Great customer service. I bought my PPE tuner for economy and I'm happy with the product. There's a Great write up by Unit453 on both PPE and Diablo tuners.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169225

I've had the Predator for over a month now. I've run both the 45 hp (tow) tune and the 65 hp tune so far. I don't want to go higher before I get gauges. The 65 hp is a nice daily driver tune. It yields about a 1 mpg increase on winter fuel from what I can tell. I use the 45 when towing just to be safe. I was towing about 9K yesterday and couldn't even tell it was back there even up hills.

I'm very pleased so far. I just wanted something to add a little power to the truck and help with economy a little bit although my truck has a life to date average of almost 18 mpg in 33,000 miles. I looked at both PPE and the Predator and couldn't see paying the extra since I was going to basically keep the truck in relatively stock form. I'm very pleased and the Predator seems to do what I wanted.

Can you guys tell me where you are finding a Predator for $300???

Easy...XDP, a vendor here. After I got mine though, I saw where it was a little cheaper somewhere else!:eek: I just did alot of searching in the vendors area for what all I wanted, and that is about it...

I have had a Predator and now have a PPE Hot+2 ET, If you only plan to add 85 HP or less the Predator will do just fine. I did'nt like the driveability of the Predator on the 120 setting it was a good race program but it did'nt shift good enough for daily driveing. The PPE programer has good driveing manners even on the 350 tune. So I guess the best way to sum it all up is if you want a good quality tune, 85,65 or 45 HP the Predator is great and the price is to. If you want good driveability and massive power get the PPE.

Thanks guys for all of your input. I decided to give the Predator a try and just ordered one from Xtreme. Now I have to wait for it to arrive!

You won't be disappointed with the Predator!

X2

The Predator is SOOOO much better than my Hypertech!

I also like mine. 8500 miles with it on and no problems to date.

Be sure to get back on here and let us know how it goes. I'm looking for the same things you are.

if you ever plan on gettin your tranny uprgraded get the ppe. With an upgraded tranny you will be able to upgrade the ppe to match the new tranny. Cant do that with predator.

Not everybody is getting a built tranny either..

I ran the Predator for a while. I loved it. It's a great tuner for the money, hands down.

Ok everybody the little women just said I could get a tuner:D I am going to get a Predator and do not plan on going past the 85hp setting:rolleyes:

I really do have a question:eek:

Will that hurt my trany, I have read a bunch about "watch" the overdrive shift-up's.

Ok so here is the question, at what RPM or throttle setting (how much mushing on it) will I have to "watch" the up-shift's"

Thanks to all:)

Ok everybody the little women just said I could get a tuner:D I am going to get a Predator and do not plan on going past the 85hp setting:rolleyes:

I really do have a question:eek:

Will that hurt my trany, I have read a bunch about "watch" the overdrive shift-up's.

Ok so here is the question, at what RPM or throttle setting (how much mushing on it) will I have to "watch" the up-shift's"

Thanks to all:)

A good heavy foot will not hurt to IMO...Just watch the WOT shifts..

I was stuck between the 2 also. After reading the write up, I am going with the Predator. The wife will only budge so much and a built tranny isn't going to happen. So it looks like I am going with a 4" turbo back w/ cat delete and the Predator.

You guys have also convinced me to get the Predator, but I have a question. How do you switch between tunes? Is there a switch or do you have to reload evrytime you want to change?

You have to plug in and reload. It takes about 5 mins.

You have to plug in and reload. It takes about 5 mins.

Or less!

Well, it came yesterday. I put the 65 HP tune in and drove some. Haven't tried any other tunes yet but really like it so far. I'll report more soon. Do you guys remove the three fuses that the instructions say to remove each time you change tunes?

Hey jsmall,I see you have gauges so maybe you could give us a report on how the Predator affects your EGTs.Also see you pull a trailer,thats where I would really like to see what the EGTs are doing versus stock.

Do you guys remove the three fuses that the instructions say to remove each time you change tunes?

I did the first time but not anymore. Just make sure everything is turned off.

I did the first time but not anymore. Just make sure everything is turned off.

X2....

I never pull any fuses. I did it at first also but I got tired of reprograming my radio buttons.