HP Tuners for 2005-2015

I used a crappy old harbor freight one. No need for a fancy one for this purpose. You aren’t trying to charge the battery, or “tender” it with a fancy battery tender. It’s more to prevent any low voltage surges during the flash process.

Edit: this is basically the newer version of the one I have.

 

Flashed the truck last night using the newest beta release, everything went smooth. Flash only takes about a minute now. Thanks @HPTuners for standing by with us!

 

I use the

$155 CTEK Multi US 7002, 12V Battery Charger for Cars, SUVs and Trucks, All Weather Smart Charger, Battery Tender Charger, Battery Desulfator, Battery Maintainer, Power Supply Mode and Reconditioning Mode

CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger I bought to keep the Shelby battery healthy throughout the winter. It's a versatile unit, compatible with 12-volt lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, Gel, AGM and Ca) from 14Ah to 150Ah (charging) or 14Ah to 225Ah (maintenance).

 

I think @TacoFergie 's assessment is spot-on. I too want to thank @JustDSM (v1 engine) and @nd4spdbh (v11 transmission) for their excellent work getting my trunk running like it should have from factory. I have a stock engine as well so I wasn't expecting big power gains but it just feels so much more responsive and lively. I always knew it could be better... I just wrote the tune earlier today and haven't had a lot of time behind the wheel but what little I did see and experience; it was good...very good!

To avoid risking a bricked ECU, I used an old Sears battery charger I had lying around. I also connected up a digital multimeter and placed it against the windshield so I could keep an eye on it. Then I turned the key to the on position (without starting up HP Tuners) to watch the multimeter. I'm so glad I did this...it was surprising how fast the volts were dropping even with all accessories turned off. Once the volts dropped to about 12.5 or so, the battery charger kicked in and quickly got it back up to about 14.5 where again it stopped allowing the volts to drop down again. I watched a couple of cycles to make sure it never went below 12.5 and then proceeded with writing the tune. It went just fine (and knowing how the battery charger was cycling on/off definitely saved me from having a stroke).

To anyone like me who was on the fence...hop down and get yourself a tune, you'll be happy you did.

 

Im curious as to how one can look at the numbers within the component protection tab and make sense of how fueling is actually done. I mean i see the component protection map but at what point and how things are actually calculated has always alluded me.

Alsi if you are getting 13.5mpg in the dunes you are doing DAMNED good... im always around the 4-7mpg in the dunes.

 

Glad to hear the positive feedback!

Also glad to hear that @HPTuners got writes down a little quicker. I have yet to flash anything since i got my backup ecu up and running as the V1 just DSM and my trans tune have been serving me very well.

Also @HPTuners, any word on instructions for bringing back from the dead a bricked ECU?

 

As far as the charger goes, you really want at least about 10A of output as a minimum. Although Schumacher is one of the best you can get (consumer grade) you don't need to overthink this one. I used an old sears one my dad gave me, so it's likely older than me. But I also have a high capacity AGM battery that is about 1yr old so that helps too. Just an FYI for everyone it took about 2:30-3:00min to down load the factory tune to send off. To upload it took around 10-12min total time. However, this is only read/write times. You will have your trucks key in the "ON" position for longer than that because of connecting to HPTuners and stuff like that. It is imperative that your radio is off, blower motor is off and ANY other accessories off. That will help greatly reduce any parasitic drain from your battery during operation. The total process from start to finish (while hooked up to the truck) for me was about 15min to down load the factory tune and about 30min to up load. take into perspective this was my first time tuning a car using this type of software AND my laptop is CHEAP and 6yrs old (VERY SLOW).

I hope my experiences (which have been extremely positive) help everyone else as I'm not familiar with tuning like this so I'm trying to help people that are on the fence and may be a bit timid about it. With that said, if you are on the fence.....just do it! You will be soooo happy you did!

Something else to note if you are still a bit nervous about DIY. Check your area for speed shops, many of them will likely have HPTuners because of the popularity of LS swapping everything under the sun. Another option is to see of there are any "tuner crowds" in your area. For instance, I was able to borrow the MPVI2 from one of my buddies, that saved me a bunch of dough!

 

So I pulled the trigger with an impulse buy a few days ago and got an HPtuner! On a battery note- I have one of those Noco battery jumper dealios, would that work to hook up to while I'm flashing to maintain battery voltage?

 

Absolutely. Use a similar unit on the regular.

 

Awesome! Just got my shipping notification this morning, definitely excited. Hoping for a phone call to pick up my truck within the next few days!

 

I am capable of pulling PCM part numbers off just about any vehicle that is configured in a CAN network. If I remember right I think that is how I obtained my own part number when that was needed of me to get started in this rabbit hole.

You can say that again! A bargain is a HUGE understatement!

This, plus a response back regarding iTransmission logic with downshifting while sensing an incoming incline would be a MAJOR game changer for the A5 trans drivability on highways and otherwise steeper inclines.

@HPTuners

This will work just fine!

Congratulations man! Welcome to next step in the evolution of our blowers. I promise you that you'll love the way thr truck drives after getting your tune, or else your money back.

(Just kidding about the money back, no refunds)

 

Ya know ever since I flashed with the hpt my truck has never been slower. Has nothing to do with the extra weight and larger tires added around the same time.

 

The only issue I have noticed which is no fault of the tuner itself is that pedal lag input despite the increased map. I still notice there is a slight pause before throttle engagement.. I might have to change pedal maps again from the mild to extreme version, but that is the least of my worries right now.

 

your truck cant even move right now..... fuggin thing has moved less than mine did with a bricked ecu.

 

Dude! That seems like a good answer. I have done all my flashes without anything and now I'm worried to do it again.

 

See, it made my truck so slow!!! Lol this is true. Hopefully it’ll be mobile by the end of next weekend. And hopefully have new tires the following week.

 

Anyone know, if HP Tuners work with a 2012 2.7 4 cylinder? I'm looking for a solution, for the SAIP. Thanks for any help.

 

As of right now, no. But my understanding is HPtuners is working on the 2.7, not sure what year tho. @HPTuners any update on the 2.7. Thanks.

 

I kind of figured that, after checking there website. It's not listed under there vehicles. I wasn't sure, so at least now I know . Stupid SAIP and dumb engineers. Thanks for the help.

 

Yeah of course. Totally agree with you on the SAIP! Like I said I’m sure hptuners is working on the 2.7. Stay tuned to this thread.