Project Silverado: Hypertech Power Programmer III - Part Two Drivetrain Performance

Hypertech Power Programmer III

Jul. 01, 2001 By Kevin Gorzny

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Featured This Month:	Pro-Comp 6 " Suspension Lift	Pro-Comp All Terrain Tires
	Weld Sidewinder Forged Wheels
Drivetrain Performance Part 2:
	Hypertech Power Programmer III	AIRAID Intake System

Let's face it, most off-roaders like electrical gadgets. How about a hand held computer that allows you to re-program your vehicles on board computer? I wouldn't exactly call that a "gadget", but Hypertech has developed a device that enables the user to alter numerous functions within the vehicle, creating more power and better economy. Plus, it's totally safe and completely editable.

What Can it Do?

New and in the box....

There are numerous characteristics that can be altered:

Raise top speed limit to match the speed rating of high performance tires
Adjust transmission shift points (RPM and MPH)
Adjust transmission shifting firmness (just as a shift kit would do)
Adjust RPM 'Rev Limiter'
Calibrates speedometer and odometer for various tire sizes
Optimization for octane of fuel used
Calibrate for various axle ratios
Adjusts for the Hypertech 160 degree Powerstat, creating more power from a cooler running engine

OK, Now How is This All Done?

Simple. What you get is the hand held computer and a cable, which connects the Power Programmer to a port below your dash, on the driver's side.

Here's what you do:

Make sure your battery is fully charged....it will need to be charged enough to handle powering the computer for 25-30 minutes.
Turn the key off, making sure that ALL accessories are turned off. Set the emergency brake in order to turn off the Daytime Running lights, if needed..
With the key off, connect the computer to the electrical port underneath the dash (via the cable provided)
Now turn the key to the Run position...but DO NOT start the vehicle.
Press the Up arrow to turn the computer On.
The computer will now recognize the vehicle and its specifications.
From here, just follow the series of Yes/No questions until you have the desired settings.
Once the questions are completed, the computer will ask you to Program.
The Programming process will take approximately 25 minutes.


The Hypertech Power Programmer comes with all the necessary parts.		Just plug it into the DLC port below the dash and you're ready .

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Do not disturb the cable while the Power Programmer is programming. The Power Programmer can only be used on ONE vehicle at a time. If you decide to use the device on another vehicle, you MUST program the computer back to its stock settings. Hypertech's unit stores the original settings within the Power Programmer. To return the settings to stock, follow the same process as listed above, but when you connect the unit to your vehicle, it will tell you that the computer already contains Hypertech Power Tuning. From there it will ask you if you want to return it to Stock or view the current settings.

What Did We Think?

Just answer a series of Yes/No questions to get through the process..

I was debating on whether or not to install a shift kit, but the Power Programmer took care of that question. I was wondering how I could calibrate my speedometer to adjust for the new, larger tires, and my problem was solved again. Who doesn't want better gas mileage, and optimum performance? The Power Programmer cured many of my questions and concerns.

First off, I altered the following settings: Shifting Firmness, Power Tuning (optimized for 87 octane), and Re-calibration for 33" tires. The Hypertech unit just plain works. With the 4.8 L and 33" tires, the motor was lacking a little. Now the truck pulls harder off the bottom and really lights up around 4500 RPM when accelerating. The shifting firmess is not very noticable, but you can tell that it hits a little harder, which may seem harder on the drivetrain, but actually it creates less slippage in the transmission, which results in less heat. Previously, the biggest problem with the truck was when cruising on the interstate. Before the Power Tuning, the truck would drop into Drive too soon, creating a 'dead spot' in the gas pedal. At approximately 60 mph, the truck would run at nearly 1500 RPM, but had no throttle response unless you kicked the pedal down far enough for the transmission to drop a gear lower.

Now, with the altered programming, the truck cruises down the highway at a slightly higher RPM, and has a much better feel in the accelerator. Overall, the Hypertech Power Programmer keeps the truck in the peak of the RPM curve, resulting in much improved throttle response. "I have installed aftermarket exhaust, an Air Raid intake system, and a few other performance mods, but the Hypertech Power Programmer just put everything together and made it all work", "It is by far worth it, creating the biggest performance difference yet," expained one of our readers who has been following along with this series. We agree. After driving the Silverado for a couple of days, I programmed the truck's computer back to its stock settings. It was difficult, but I left it at the stock settings for about two days. I couldn't get the Hypertech Power Programmer back out of the box soon enough, to re-program the computer to its modified settings. It really makes a noticable improvement.

The Good	The Bad
An obvious improvement in performance Numerous functions, from calibrating for altered tires size, to improving the shifting action of the transmission For the 4.8 Chevy motor, the Hypertech unit greatly improved the dead spot in the gas pedal when running in Drive Keeps the truck in the peak of the RPM curve, especially when cruising down the freeway	We couldn't really think of many negative comments concerning this device - other than the $367 price tag Even when optimizing for 87 octane, we noticed minor knocking when the motor was under a load, which called for a higher octane gas. Although this problem could be exlusive to the 4.8L

We are open to suggestions from you on why, how and what we should put into this project. Like I've said before, the ORC Silverado will accompany the Off-Road.com staff to many of the events that we cover, from Baja races to the Chevy Trucks US Motocross Championship Series, so you'll get the chance to have a first hand look at how our truck is coming along.

As of now, the project Silverado will be solely dealing with 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers. If you would like to be a part of a major project after this series is over, we would like to hear from you. For all future sponsors, we will provide a complete full-feature article that will include full-color photo galleries and detailed descriptions of your product, along with step-by-step installation instructions. PLUS, we will also provide a link from the project vehicle page to your web site.