Best hand held programmer 5.7 vortec?

[CRF450R]

I'm looking to get a hand held programmer for my 98 5.7 vortec. Im not interested in a Black Bear tune seams like to much of a pain specially being all the way in Saskatchewan. I'd also perfer a hand held programmer as I can check and clear engine codes as the shops around here charge one hour shop rate for five minute scan local GM dealer is now at $150/H shop rate. I'd also like one so I can change tire sizes if change out to bigger tires and id also be able to change some shift points. Who makes the best one ? And any experiences? I'm not to concerned about power gains it's a old truck with 340 000km on its gutless I know that and I'm fine with that.

 

[df2x4]

Personally if I were going to spend $150+ on a handheld programmer in your situation, I would think really hard about spending a little more and getting the HPTuners MPVI2 for around $300. You'll need a laptop to run it, but since you have a '98 you're one of the lucky few to have your factory PCM supported by HPTuners software. That would enable you to datalog and diagnose problems much more reliably, and also tinker with many more things than a handheld programmer is capable of. Disable Passlock, tune for more power down the road, etc.

I will stress though, a mail order tune from someone like Black Bear really isn't a pain at all if you pay the core charge for an extra PCM. If you do it that way your truck won't have any downtime while you wait for the tuned PCM to show up in the mail, and you'll always have your stock one to swap back in if you need to send the tuned one back for (free) alterations. It takes longer to disconnect the battery than it does to actually swap the PCMs out.

 

[CRF450R]

Im liking this PTunersMPVI2 idea and I do have a laptop. I'll have to look into this tuner is there any software I need for my laptop to do this Ive never really done anything like this before not sure what's all involved. I did call a performance shop in Saskatoon and they didn't sound remotely interested in doing a dyno tune and didn't think they would be able too do anything with it being how old my truck is and they told me it would cost me $1200-$1500 if they could tune it. The only thing done to the truck is 3" true duals manifolds back double H pipe no cats no mufflers 5" tips. My main goal is shift points and engine codes . Thanks for the information I'm definitely going to look into this PTuner thanks.

 

[df2x4]

Im liking this PTunersMPVI2 idea and I do have a laptop. I'll have to look into this tuner is there any software I need for my laptop to do this Ive never really done anything like this before not sure what's all involved.

I believe the necessary software is included with the MPVI2, you just have to pay for credits for each PCM you want to tune with it. I have no experience with it though. Unfortunately my trucks are '97s so they're not supported by HPTuners.

 

[CRF450R]

I believe the necessary software is included with the MPVI2, you just have to pay for credits for each PCM you want to tune with it. I have no experience with it though. Unfortunately my trucks are '97s so they're not supported by HPTuners.

Well think I'm going to go with the HP tuner kit like you said. Im going to go with the pro series witch here in Saskatchewan is about $800. But I feal ill make that money back as I can do tuning to all my friends trucks and then some as it can be used on any vehicle after 97. It's a bit of money but dam if I can make little side income and get good at tuning I feel I could make some decent extra cash side money. And with the pro series ill have ability to tell my truck it's has a 4l80e when I do the swap as well as tune LS computers to standalone witch would allow me to start doing ls swap wiring harnesses and computer tuning. I appreciate you getting me onto this HP tuner system was online and YouTube all night you opened a whole new world to me can't wait to dig in.

 

[df2x4]

Well think I'm going to go with the HP tuner kit like you said. Im going to go with the pro series witch here in Saskatchewan is about $800. But I feal ill make that money back as I can do tuning to all my friends trucks and then some as it can be used on any vehicle after 97. It's a bit of money but dam if I can make little side income and get good at tuning I feel I could make some decent extra cash side money. And with the pro series ill have ability to tell my truck it's has a 4l80e when I do the swap as well as tune LS computers to standalone witch would allow me to start doing ls swap wiring harnesses and computer tuning. I appreciate you getting me onto this HP tuner system was online and YouTube all night you opened a whole new world to me can't wait to dig in.

You're welcome! Truthfully I'm a little jealous. I've wanted to start messing with tuning my trucks for a long time but like I said I have '97 PCMs which aren't that well supported. The most full featured software I can find for the '96-'97 black box PCMs is Jet's Dynamic Spectrum Tuner (formerly TunerCATs) and from what I've read it is a pain. Super outdated software that requires an ancient Windows operating system and hardware just to run it. I wish I had an excuse to buy HPTuners!

 

[CRF450R]

You're welcome! Truthfully I'm a little jealous. I've wanted to start messing with tuning my trucks for a long time but like I said I have '97 PCMs which aren't that well supported. The most full featured software I can find for the '96-'97 black box PCMs is Jet's Dynamic Spectrum Tuner (formerly TunerCATs) and from what I've read it is a pain. Super outdated software that requires an ancient Windows operating system and hardware just to run it. I wish I had an excuse to buy HPTuners!

I looked at a 97 GMC exactly same truck but it had a on floor 4x4 and I wanted pushbutton. Glad I got the 98. I just can't believe there's that's much difference vetbetw 97-98 computer is there anyway to put 98 computer in your truck?

 

[df2x4]

I looked at a 97 GMC exactly same truck but it had a on floor 4x4 and I wanted pushbutton. Glad I got the 98. I just can't believe there's that's much difference vetbetw 97-98 computer is there anyway to put 98 computer in your truck?

I'm sure there is, but at that point I'd rather just swap to a newer 0411 PCM. And if I'm doing that it's probably going to go in with a junkyard LQ4 6.0L. Kind of waiting to tackle the re-wiring until I have a V8 for the red truck. But I haven't been motivated to look for one all that hard, the V6 runs great and is decent on gas so I kind of hate to rip it out until it has some sort of major issue.

 

[CRF450R]

Yes I here ya but I be stickin too my 5.7 after many thoughts of a 6.0.ls swap. Mainly cause of my crave for my Dirtbike's plan on joining the Saskatchewan motocross association next season at 28 and start competing so no major engine swaps for me any time soon most of my spair money goes to my Dirtbike's. I love motocross.

 

[letitsnow]

One of my trucks main jobs is pulling my camper (and dirt bike) to off road races.