DHP vs HP Tuner

[PCGUY112887]

Very soon I plan on ordering a tuner and sharing it between my car (96 GP with a 3500 going in) and a friends car (01 3.8 Camaro).

I can't decide which would be better to buy. Doesn't DHP give you files to load on the cars your DHP is licensed for based off what mods you tell them you have? It would be GREAT to have a decent tune for a 3500 to go right on since I know nothing about tuning, I would be learning.

How much support is there at the DHP forums for the 3x00's? The 3.8? What about HPTuners forums?

Thanks.

[sprucegagt]

I'll try and clarify some things. When you get a Powrtuner you do get a 1.5 file for your vehicle. This file is only a starter file and will not include adjustments for large changes like engine swaps. Instead you will have to make your own file, but don't worry. The DHP forums are very helpful and full of information along with a few handy tools and tuning guide. Getting everything set up can take a little time, so be prepared. But you will find out that the results are well worth it. You'll also findout that OBDII tuning is a universal technique that's not so specific to any one engine. Don't get me wrong, there are some differences between boost and N/A. But it's not that much.

As for which support forum is better? Well, read the link below. The first couple pages do have some very good info.

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.as...mode=1&smode=1 (yes I know )

[Rhedalert]

From personal experience the PT is a great tool to have, and forum support, via tools and members is phenominal. It is typical to have some difficulty getting everything going when you first buy it. Long story short, there was a 5 month gap between ordering my PT and actually tuning my car, due to waiting for the unit, waiting for a working PCM file, and some other mishaps. If you have a L67 you can tune practically instantly (things are much more geared to the 3.8 on there and many more 3.8 owners, versus the 60 degree motors) but once you get yourself going, it's a blast.

[3400-95-Modified]

I will say the most recent issues with the PT was the 841 hardware change, and the 1.2.3 software implementation... Now that everyone is and should be on 1.2.4 it should run smoothly. I had no issues getting mine up and running when I got it and it has been flawless since I started using it.

If you ask me the car support for HPT is more expensive. DHP is a cheaper alternative but will still net you the same tuning results. I also feel that the DHP software isn’t very pretty or "user friendly" but it works and does what it should, where the HPT software is dressed up a lot and they are missing some key components as far as functionality.

just my .02

Oh and never tune a friends car... let him do his own tuning.

[PCGUY112887]

Oh and never tune a friends car... let him do his own tuning.

Whys that?

[3400-95-Modified]

So you’re not responsible if it blows up...

[Rhedalert]

plus technically it's not allowed under the usage agreement so if you do it, STFU about it

[PCGUY112887]

DHP themselves told me I could share a Powertuner between my car and a friends car if those were the 2 cars on the license.

[Rhedalert]

oh absolutely, if you chose that persons car then that's fine.

[PCGUY112887]

That's good.

I am kinda leaning towards HPTuners now. I rather have DHP but all of the websites you can order them from are messed up (as far as the options go, neither site lets you pick a second car, 1 tries to make you pay for the A/D support which is now free, and the other has no mention about Wide Open Engine support or an option for it.

I have emailed both sites and DHP and the last I heard 1 of the sites was waiting on a response from DHP. DHP won't respond directly to me at all (at least not yet).