is a PROGRAMMER worth purchasing?
08-25-2016, 07:43 AM
#1
JK Newbie
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is a PROGRAMMER worth purchasing?
Thinking of purchasing a programmer that I can use on my JK, RAV4 and RIDGELINE. What functions, price range do I look for?
08-25-2016, 09:43 AM
#2
JK Freak
Your talking about buying 3 separate programmers, not one. Any programmer gets VIN locked to the vehicle it is on, and most that I am aware of are specific to a certain family of vehicles for a group of years. So your looking at around $400 each for the 3 units.
08-25-2016, 11:19 AM
#3
JK Jedi Master
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Are you wanting a PROGRAMMER? Or a TUNER? The PROGRAMMERs will have a lot of nifty features, but no TUNING. TUNERs will have all of the nifty features of the PROGRAMMERS, but will also have TUNING to give a minor boost to hp and torque.
PROGRAMMERS are around $150ish, the aev procal and superchips flashcal are the two most popular.
TUNERS are up in the $400 to $800ish range, depending on features. Superchips flashpaq is probably the most popular, and diablosport is an option.
PROGRAMMERS are around $150ish, the aev procal and superchips flashcal are the two most popular.
TUNERS are up in the $400 to $800ish range, depending on features. Superchips flashpaq is probably the most popular, and diablosport is an option.
08-25-2016, 12:27 PM
#5
JK Junkie
It is not only worth it but required if you change gears. Or you could pay the dealer to reflash the gear setting for the same price or maybe a little more or less than the cost of a programmer. Otherwise, you will enter limp mode. That's where the Jeep computer thinks something is wrong and locks the transmission in third gear so you can "limp" to the dealership. So if you plan on a gear change in the future, then yes, worth every penny.
08-25-2016, 08:44 PM
#6
JK Newbie
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Thanks everyone!
Are you wanting a PROGRAMMER? Or a TUNER? The PROGRAMMERs will have a lot of nifty features, but no TUNING. TUNERs will have all of the nifty features of the PROGRAMMERS, but will also have TUNING to give a minor boost to hp and torque.
PROGRAMMERS are around $150ish, the aev procal and superchips flashcal are the two most popular.
TUNERS are up in the $400 to $800ish range, depending on features. Superchips flashpaq is probably the most popular, and diablosport is an option.
PROGRAMMERS are around $150ish, the aev procal and superchips flashcal are the two most popular.
TUNERS are up in the $400 to $800ish range, depending on features. Superchips flashpaq is probably the most popular, and diablosport is an option.
08-25-2016, 09:35 PM
#7
JK Jedi Master
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Yep, they lock to the specific vehicle VIN. Keeps you from passing it around to everyone you know to give them free programming/tuning.
The flashcal has a screen and is internet updatable. Which can be a pain since the connection/update process can sometimes have issues, and their tech support isn't the greatest.
The procal uses simple dipswitches. Set the switches, plug it in, honk honk, you're done. I have found that it is by far the more reliable of the two. But it doesn't have the fancy screen that a lot of people need.
The flashcal has a screen and is internet updatable. Which can be a pain since the connection/update process can sometimes have issues, and their tech support isn't the greatest.
The procal uses simple dipswitches. Set the switches, plug it in, honk honk, you're done. I have found that it is by far the more reliable of the two. But it doesn't have the fancy screen that a lot of people need.
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08-26-2016, 05:17 AM
#8
Super Moderator
I think I'll be getting the Super Chips Flashcal in the near future. My thought is this seems to be the best path for cost and flexibility. I can find a Flashcal for $160-$175 and then superchips is offering a S/W update for $99 which upgrades the Flashcal into the Flashpaq. So less than $300 you can get a Flashpaq which typically runs about $400. However, the S/W update for the 2015+ Flashpaq is more expensive.
08-26-2016, 05:32 AM
#9
JK Junkie
I think I'll be getting the Super Chips Flashcal in the near future. My thought is this seems to be the best path for cost and flexibility. I can find a Flashcal for $160-$175 and then superchips is offering a S/W update for $99 which upgrades the Flashcal into the Flashpaq. So less than $300 you can get a Flashpaq which typically runs about $400. However, the S/W update for the 2015+ Flashpaq is more expensive.
09-07-2016, 01:41 AM
#10
JK Enthusiast
It is not only worth it but required if you change gears. Or you could pay the dealer to reflash the gear setting for the same price or maybe a little more or less than the cost of a programmer. Otherwise, you will enter limp mode. That's where the Jeep computer thinks something is wrong and locks the transmission in third gear so you can "limp" to the dealership. So if you plan on a gear change in the future, then yes, worth every penny.