Power Programmers

• The engine power programmer, also known as a tuner or performance chip, is a handheld device used to push the engine to its full potential.
• Power programmers feature an easy plug-and-play installation. 
• Tuning nowadays is more complex in terms of how you can extend the performance of your vehicle regardless of the factory spec. It is, however, digitally guided as most of the tuning will be done on a computer.
• While it is true that modern power programmers are designed for less complicated tuning, a slight miscalculation can still cause a system to perform below ideal specs.
• You should, at least, know what upgrade you want to do in your vehicle, compare and research the parts you are interested in buying, and back up your research by talking to a professional tuner.
• CarParts.com offers power programmers or tuners with affordable prices that start at $250 and go all the way up to $630.

Modern cars feature an onboard computer known as the engine control module that holds various data like the engine’s timing, air-fuel ratio, emissions, and tons more. It controls how your car performs through multiple sensors for each system. This computer calculates and adjusts certain areas in your car to answer the varying demands of daily driving.

As you know, computers are programmable, and the electronic control unit (ECU) is no exception. Programming the ECU can help your car achieve many things, and adding more horsepower is one of them. However, don’t be too quick when it comes to tuning your vehicle.

To avoid headaches, plan and research before you make final decisions. Much better, let a professional tune your car. Professional tuners have the best know-how when it comes to proper tuning. For starters, here are the things you need to know before you purchase a power programmer for your vehicle.

The engine power programmer, also known as a tuner or performance chip, is a handheld device used to unlock an engine’s full potential. One way of pushing your car to the limit is by unlocking its hidden horsepower. Apart from the additional horsepower, it can also help your car achieve better fuel mileage and torque. Power programmers feature an easy plug-and-play installation. 

The engine power programmer is the answer to a more advanced and complex tuning. Thanks to the introduction of the onboard diagnostics standard known as the OBD-II, you won’t have to upgrade hardware to tune your car, you simply need to plug in a device and use your fingertips. However, although it’s a lot easier to tune your car now, it’s still best to bring your car and have it tuned by an actual tuning garage.

Before cars were equipped with onboard computers, tuning a car was relatively hard and required a lot of work. The only way to tune a car back then was to replace existing factory hardware with aftermarket replacements. Tuning in the past was also limited, as you can only work around the factory peak torque of a vehicle at one given point in the curve and adjust it to a certain RPM range to your liking.

Nowadays, tuning is more complex in terms of how you can extend the performance of your vehicle regardless of the factory spec. It is, however, less complicated as most of the tuning will be done on a computer. Most systems in your vehicle are now computer-operated, such as the variable valve timing and ignition. Working around systems like these will require digital tweaking. Make sure a professional tuner does that for you.

If you’re DIY-ing, make sure you’re consulting a mechanic until the very end of your project. Tuning requires precision and the right combination of variables. While it is true that modern programmers are designed so that owners can tune their ride in their garage, a slight miscalculation can still cause a system in your car to perform below the ideal specs. This can also put you in unpleasant situations so be wary.

As mentioned earlier, bring your car to a tuning shop to avoid any mishaps.

If you already have specific tuners in mind but can’t make up your mind about which one to buy, let us help you out. Here are three things that will help you finalize your decision on which power programmer to get:

Know what upgrade you want

Before anything else, the first thing you have to know is the improvement you want to be done in your car. Most plug-and-play power programmers work on a wide array of modern vehicles. However, there are tuners designed specifically to enhance one area in your vehicle.

By knowing which areas to improve, such as fuel management (you can decide whether to improve your fuel economy or add extra power), deciding what programmer to buy will be a lot easier.

Review your existing modifications

The second ideal thing to do is to check for any existing performance modifications you have in your car. Knowing this will help you map out exactly what you can achieve after the upcoming upgrade. 

Compare products and do your research

There are tons of products out there without a doubt, all being marketed as the best. It is your duty to pick one that you think will suit your needs the most. You can do this by picking out all the products you are interested in and pitting them against one another. Comparing different tuners will reveal their advantages and disadvantages, ranging from design, functionality, user interface, and user-friendliness.

You may also check different forums but do so at your own risk. Do extensive research and find out what other people have in their cars. It would also be better if you can find a forum specific to your vehicle model.

Have a conversation with your trusted tuner

Sometimes, research alone is not enough, especially online, as there’s a lot of inaccurate information that you can freely access. The workaround here is to talk to a professional tuner. Look for a local tuning shop and get in touch with them. Tell them what you want to be done to your car and consult if you have your plans all set. It’s always good to get knowledge from people who really know what they’re doing.

CarParts.com offers power programmers or tuners with affordable prices that start at $250 and go all the way up to $630. You can select from the different series under several brands to narrow down your list. For a more specific search, input your vehicle’s year, make, and model in the filter tab under the search menu.