Wondering if anyone has had any luck with either of these:
1) Hypertech Power Programmer III
2) Hypertech Power Tuning Module
3) Jet Stage 2 Computer Chip

I'm leaning toward the hypertech power programmer for my 96' Z, I already have short tube headers, centerforce clutch, a hurst short throw shifter, and 3:73 gears. I'd like to try and tune the engine to get better performance.

 

You won't be able to do much tuning with any hand held programmer. The most you will be able to do is slightly advance the timing and recalibrate for the gear. Find someone with LT1Edit or buy it yourself, it is the best tuning software for LT1's

 

Thanks for the reply, sowhere can I buy the LT1edit or is it similiar to the Jet Dynamic Spectrum Tuner that i've seen on Summit racing?

 

http://carputing.tripod.com/9697lt1edit.htm

It not like the Summit thing at all. LT1Edit will give full control of the enitr PCM, it almost gives too much. Newbs need to be carefull with it because you can change any table or value. The good news is that there is support sites and you will always have your stock tune saved on your laptop. It runs $450 for the program and interface cable that is locked one cars PCM, you can add more PCM's for $100 each. I cannot stress enough how superior this is to a the lame handhelds.

 

Looks like exactly what I would need to get the most power out of my car. Would you suggest contacting local dyno shops that may already have the software and knowledge? I could give them the $100 for an additional PCM. I live in southeast Michigan.

 

A dyno & tuning software would be the ideal combination, change settings & see results. An experienced dyno tuner can optimize your PCM in less than 4 pulls & probably charge around $500. They have their own commercial software packages (usually LT1 Edit) with unlimited PCMs. The problem with this is that you learn very little, and wind up paying someone anytime you have to make changes.