My friend (who is not a online guru) just purchased the Predator for his 04 Chev LB7. I have been reading up on this site for him to help him out. He wants to run the 40hp tune on his stock truck (except for 285s) and adjust for the tires.
His question is, will running the 120hp tune right off the bat limp his tranny if he goes easy on it?
I won't hold anyone responsible for their answers. Just let me know if anyone has tried the 120 setting out of the box on a stock truck and just gave it a 1 mile test run.
Remember no pyro, no over sized exhaust. just stock.
I tried to warn him of the posts I have read here. He swears he is not planning on hammering it he just wants to feel it out.
I also mentioned to him that the tranny will run funny at first anyways. I suggested running the 40 hp then the 65 the giving the 120 a run maybe in a few weeks.
Personally I would not 'f' with 120 at all.
Any guesses?

Will the predator lock onto his truck? Or can he return to stock and let me try it out?

Although he is not planning on hammerring it, it is like a drug and you feel you have to. With all the settings, you feel a difference in the truck and the rush gets the better of you. As for me, now I know how those crack addicts feel.):h
It may or may not limp his tranny, right away. But eventually he may. It all depends on how he drives it for the length of time he can run without limping it. The 65hp and 85 hp tunes are great and much safer in regards to tranny limp. I believe bullydog has a tranny upgrade to allow 50 additional horsepower for less than $200. My theory is that if the truck will run a 65hp tune and the 85hp tune without limping it, then the enhancer should cover the added horsepower. But don't hold me to it as I have yet to test it out.

With the 120 tune he'd have to go really easy on it not to limp it or do damage for a future limp on a lower tune. What fun is running the 120 and going easy on it? I'd stay below the 85 tune just to make sure the tranny lasts since the predator has no tranny protections built in like the juice does. Start saving $$ for a tranny upgrade because the power bug will start on a lower tune. Just my .02.

I beleive that if he loads the stock tune back into his truck then you should be able to use the predator. Not 100% sure though. I know it's been discussed somewhere on this site before.

Will the predator lock onto his truck? Or can he return to stock and let me try it out?
I just read an article on this very subject and the LB7 predator WILL lock on to his VIN and even though you reload the stock program you will not be able to move it to another vehicle. The LLY Predator can be moved from vehicle to vehicle if the stock program is reloaded. Later,
JP

The tranny upgrade from Bullydog that says it will hold an additional 50hp didn't seem to do anything for two of my friends. They both run the Bullydog Powerpup 155hp. It still limped both trucks just as easy after the upgrade on the highest setting. In fact, one still limped it on the 95hp setting. Just an observation.

I "tried" the 120 tune...5k later it limped my tranny. So I went down to the 85 tune...10k Limped again. Now I'm in the 65 tune. Hope to get my alli upgraded before I limp it again. I knew that I would limp it in the 120, but thought that if I limped it just once then droped down to the 85 I'd be OK...I was wrong.

Heartbeat Hauler has it right! Currently they are charging $75 to un-lock.

I purchased a few weeks ago a Predator (v1.11) for my '04 LB7. I started at the 40HP setting for the first couple of weeks, and you're right, it shifted like cr@p. However, once it shifted smoothly for a few days, I upped it to the 65HP setting. I'm |planning| on staying at this setting as it's plenty quick enough for me. I think I'd also read on this forum of another member who limped with the 85HP setting, so that's also got me a little gun-shy. (Guys and Gals, correct me if I'm wrong here).

My Dad's got a Predator for his 04.5 LLY, which he's got on the 65 HP setting.

NCMIC's right. Added HP's like a great big ol' fat bag o' crack.