I just purchased a Hypertech Power Programmer 3 for all 3800 Monte Carlo, Regal, and Impala. I would like to know if anyone has suggestions about where to set the REV limiter and SHift Points? I am new to this and I don't want to ruin my car. Has anyone done this or used this programmer before?

 

Don't touch any of that. The rev limiter is set to what your motor is able to do. Unles you do a cam, better valvesprings, etc, you can't raise it without losing a lot of power or damaging the engine.
I personally would return that and pick up an hptuners and have someone who does a lot with 3800s help you out in person. The only thing I ever changed on my tune, being a stock non supercharged 3800 was the speed limiter, and we bumped up the 3-4 gear shift rpm since it is set so low for the limiter. It's hard on the transmission though.

 

I agree but I just need to know what if I increased the Rev limit to 6000 RPM where would i set the tranny to shift? 1-2 MPH, 2-3 MPH, 3-4 MPH, and 4-5 MPH. That is what the power programmer asked me.

 

The rev limit in which gear? You don't even have a 4-5 shift. You really want to leave the rev limiter stock.

 

You can't shift past 5900RPM on a stock valvetrain.

 

OK, I won't touch the rev limiter! How about the shift points? I believe it asked 1-2, 3-4, 4-5 and it wanted MPH... What about that setting? I know my perfomance won't increase much because of the large wheels but I want to make it was fast as I can without them. There's also a kit for a 3800 turbo on ebay and I was wondering what you guys thought about those?

 

eBay kits are terrible ideas.

It wants the MPH, but no one knows without running data. You need to know how to run the car hard and see when it shifts and at what RPM and Speed, and TPS. This is why tuning software is much better than these. They store the data, and allow you to make the choices.

 

Agree. Return the hypertech I had one and it was useless and a waste of money. Get yourself HP tuners.

Unless you mod with a cam or valve train its harmful to rev or shift higher. You will lose power and harm the engine....

 

I 2nd this, or is it 3rd this by now... I have HP tuners and our cars shift points can be determined by a number of things, RPM, MPH & Throttle position.

The car has to meet both Speed & RPM requirement in order to shift. It is usually better to leave the RPM setting lower & set the shift points by MPH. As others have stated it is best if you have supporting mods, Valve springs, rockers / different Cam.

I recently installed an XP hot cam with better springs & according to ZZP shift points can be 6,400 and rev limiter 6,800. Note you will also need to adjust the Fuel cut off vs. RPM. (I think this is normally set around 6,000 by default)

As a word of caution, if you do purchase the HP tuners, be prepared to spend MANY hours learning about tuning if you are new to it..