I know there are a thousand threads about handheld tuners, but my question is are there any that will allow you to remove TM from the tranny? I'm hesitant in getting a pcm tune (although I know they are probably the best) so I'm leaning towards a handheld. Also, I was looking thru my Cabelas today and saw that Hypertech had like an Eco tuner? It said 2-6 mpg increase in mileage? I would think the only way that would be possible was to remove TM but I was always under the preminition that you couldn't do it with a handheld.

I think Diablo Predator does but not all the way. You want some in there anyways. Im not a fan of Hypertech. Ive had one.

Yes, the DiabloSport Predator does remove some TM. Plus, with the Predator you can do data logging and see what your vehicle(because all vehicles and driving conditions are different) is doing, and what you need to do to get a few extra ponies and mpg's. Lots of info on DiabloSport's website and forums. Hypertech and Superchips are the ones that give handhelds a bad rap, so stay away from them.

I just get so confused about all the different ones out there. Some say get a custom tune, EFI live, HP tuners, Diablo, Bullydog, etc. It's hard to know what to do. I like the fact that you can remove some TM with the Diablo as so far that's the only one I've heard you can do that on. And it also sounds to me like compared to Superchips and Hypertech that the Predator is better. I really would like to get a custom tune, but I'd rather do one in person. I live in western KS and live far away from any tuner I've heard mention on this site. Is there any tuners close to Kansas?

If you don't really have that many mods done to your truck a mail order tune would be just fine. If you have different cam, supercharger, etc. then an in person tune would be your best bet.

Look up Blackbear Performance & they will have all of the ino you need on custom tune http://www.blackbearperformance.com/. He can even send you a data logging cable that you drive around with for a while, then you send it back to him, and he sees exactly what your truck is doing. They are cheaper than a handheld & you get better results. I love my Blackbear tune. I do recommend getting a spare ECM/TCM if you're worried about warranty so you can easily swap them out when you take it to the dealer.

Well my pickup is out of warranty anyways. I've kind of been looking at prices and really a custom tune would probably be cheapest if you look at the gains/costs. I mean why spend $400 for a modest increase when you can spend $300-400 for a substantial increase. I'd like to know a little more about the scan cable tune. Where can I get more info on this. Keep in mind I'm very new to the tuning thing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

Goto the website mentioned above. Blackbear. His name is Justin and is very good. Another one is Wait4me tuning. Jesse is owner there. Bang for buck this will be best option available. Its easy with the cable. He will send you the cable. You plug it in and drive a bit. Send it back. Writes you a tune and then relog with cable to fine tune. Might be able to send info thru email from cable...I dont know cause I just bought the whole program.

Do it...you wont regret it. Plus if you ever upgrade you have the platform to do so PCM wise anyways.

Well my pickup is out of warranty anyways. I've kind of been looking at prices and really a custom tune would probably be cheapest if you look at the gains/costs. I mean why spend $400 for a modest increase when you can spend $300-400 for a substantial increase. I'd like to know a little more about the scan cable tune. Where can I get more info on this. Keep in mind I'm very new to the tuning thing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

Do a little more research on the diablosport predator, its not EFI live, but you can modify alot of parameters yourself, and there is some way to load custom tunes onto it. Ide be willing to bet just cutting back the torque management alone would surprise you. There is an 87 tune and a 93 octane tune. You can read your check engine codes, adjust your computer for changes in tire size and gear ratio. You can also restore your truck back to stock at any time. It may not offer the sheer performance of a mail order tune, but you are getting a much more versatile product.

You can find them all day long for $370 brand new, i think one website i found had your choice of either free next day air shipping or a free PC cable kit for the predator. I ordered one from a local shop and he got me the programmer for around $300 no shipping. And i had missed a couple unlocked ones that went used on ebay for around $100. I haven't used mine yet as the truck is not %100 yet, but i researched it heavily based experience with a friend of mines truck and decided it was the tuner for me.

Oh and it seems to me you can totally eliminate the torque management settings, but it prompted with a warning about it. But i dont remember for sure and i have plugged mine in yet.

Do a little more research on the diablosport predator, its not EFI live, but you can modify alot of parameters yourself, and there is some way to load custom tunes onto it. Ide be willing to bet just cutting back the torque management alone would surprise you. There is an 87 tune and a 93 octane tune. You can read your check engine codes, adjust your computer for changes in tire size and gear ratio. You can also restore your truck back to stock at any time. It may not offer the sheer performance of a mail order tune, but you are getting a much more versatile product.

You can find them all day long for $370 brand new, i think one website i found had your choice of either free next day air shipping or a free PC cable kit for the predator. I ordered one from a local shop and he got me the programmer for around $300 no shipping. And i had missed a couple unlocked ones that went used on ebay for around $100. I haven't used mine yet as the truck is not %100 yet, but i researched it heavily based experience with a friend of mines truck and decided it was the tuner for me.

Oh and it seems to me you can totally eliminate the torque management settings, but it prompted with a warning about it. But i dont remember for sure and i have plugged mine in yet.


Thanks alot for the info. I don't have any experience with tuning or programmers, but I too have thought even though the programmer may not give as much of a response it would be a little more versatile. I live on a farm and we have a fuel tank, but it's only 87. If I got a custom tune I would probably lean towards a 91 tune. That would create some problems so I think the programmer may be better. I guess my question now is, can you readlily switch back and forth between a 87 and 91 tune? I figured you could, but I didn't know if the vehicle had to "learn" the program a while or not. I think I'll get the predator or bullydog when I get a little cash saved up.

Thanks alot for the info. I don't have any experience with tuning or programmers, but I too have thought even though the programmer may not give as much of a response it would be a little more versatile. I live on a farm and we have a fuel tank, but it's only 87. If I got a custom tune I would probably lean towards a 91 tune. That would create some problems so I think the programmer may be better. I guess my question now is, can you readlily switch back and forth between a 87 and 91 tune? I figured you could, but I didn't know if the vehicle had to "learn" the program a while or not. I think I'll get the predator or bullydog when I get a little cash saved up.


I dont remember for sure, but its just a matter of plugging it in and following a few steps, i think it will take you like 5 minutes to load or unload a tune.

I would leave some % of TM in on a 6.0L.

I would leave some % of TM in on a 6.0L.


I have heard a couple of people say that completely eliminating torque management is a good way to considerably shorten the life span of the 4l80e and 4l60e. Im sure it could be driven with care and respect, but the kind of person who wants to cut back the TM is not the kind of person that drives there truck with to awful much care and respect.

Not to hijack the thread, but how much TM would you leave for a 4.3 V6 4L60e?

Had one more question. What are the differences between the Predator and the Bullydog for a gasser? It appears like after doing some research you can't remove any TM with the Bullydog, but can with the Predator. But many seem to give the Bullydog good ratings.

Had one more question. What are the differences between the Predator and the Bullydog for a gasser? It appears like after doing some research you can't remove any TM with the Bullydog, but can with the Predator. But many seem to give the Bullydog good ratings.


One of my buddys had a bully dog, he was happy with the power but you couldnt customize the tune in anyway, its just load there tune, and i think re calibrate speedo for different tire sizes. Where the predator you can actually do things like bump the rev limiter, and change fuel injector slope to accomodate larger injectors. And ive read that 8.1 injectors in a 6.0 truck is a pretty good little mod coupled with some other stuff.

Anyone ever used the BullyDog Triple Dog GT? I was looking on Bullydog's website and it seemed like it most of the features of the Diablo, but one that looked intresting was a "driving coach". I guess it's supposed to help "teach" you to maximize the performance/economy of you're vehicle or something like that.

Anyone ever used the BullyDog Triple Dog GT? I was looking on Bullydog's website and it seemed like it most of the features of the Diablo, but one that looked intresting was a "driving coach". I guess it's supposed to help "teach" you to maximize the performance/economy of you're vehicle or something like that.

I just plugged my diablo in to my 8.1L truck, you can advance or retard the timing up to *10 in three different rpm ranges, out of curiosity i looked at the bully dog and they say you can advance it *2 The only problem with the using the diablo for my 8.1L truck is that the tranny features dont apply.