Predator Motorsports Stage 4 Engine Upgrade

[pdxhummerguy]

I have a 2002 H1. I have been talking to the folks at predator and the local dealer about having this upgrade kit put on the truck for not only added power, but added cooling as well. Does anyone have any knowledge of this or experience with similar upgrade kits? Any information would be appreciated.

http://www.predatormotorsports.com/i...ROD&ProdID=417

[ssgharkness020147]

I think the HP/TQ claims out of the Predator stage 4 are a bit generous. However, it will be an animal compared to your stock engine. As far as better cooling goes, no your truck will not run cooler. An intercooler will cool your turbo air if thats what they meant. But, people have tried for years to cool the H1 down, and in all honesty it has been to little of no avail. A word of caution about all the extra power: Its not always easy on your engine. I know of one owner that cracked his no 8 cylinder (on an updated block) and cracked both his heads after doing basically the same thing as Predators kit. He bought the stuff from the old manufacture of Predators performance products. Oh and the price of predators stuff is INSANE!

[pdxhummerguy]

any suggestions as to other routes to go for more power and less cost?

[JeffShoots]

Did all that with Heath diesel to my '99 6.5L.

It has a little more pep but nothing surprising just makes merging in traffic easier.............My H1 is my daily Driver.

[ssgharkness020147]

call down to Travis at Rubber duck 4x4. He sells the Heath stuff, and can set you up well for a fair price. Start with the proper gauges. From there I would get the mechanical wastegate, computer, injectors, and exhaust (if you dont already have one). That should get you a handsome increase in power.

Originally Posted by pdxhummerguy

any suggestions as to other routes to go for more power and less cost?

[JeffShoots]

Originally Posted by ssgharkness020147

call down to Travis at Rubber duck 4x4. He sells the Heath stuff, and can set you up well for a fair price. Start with the proper gauges. From there I would get the mechanical wastegate, computer, injectors, and exhaust (if you dont already have one). That should get you a handsome increase in power.

Did all that with Heath. They gave me a great package deal and install was FREE saving me about 800 to 1200 dollars.

As I said before don't expect a night and day difference. Yes it has more power and the system works well but it's louder and spits a bit of fuel out the exhaust.

BTW: you need to add a larger fuel pump to your list.

[2002H1]

I just had the stage 4 kit installed from predator.. Major Problems. Before I picked it up they called me and said a half shaft broke after the install. They fixed it at my cost of $600... Then I pick it up a day later. As soon as I leave the check engine light came on. I brought it back...They said they would tune it up and call me. A few days later they said "we have bad news, the tranny went out". I spent $5,600. at my cost to replace and build a "better" tranny. I then pick it up and the check engine light came on. They suggested to erase the message. Also, they put custom rims and tires on and the CTS system leaks in the front, but not their problem even though it happened after the rim / tire purchase.... It should be called STAGE 4 MONEY PIT, not Raptor Kit. Do not mess with the performance of the engine. MAJOR PROBLEMS and MONEY. And not much help!!! Poor Service. The same day as my final pickup a man was furious as his PCM broke in their shop and they tried to sell him there replacement. He had his H1 towed to the dealer. He must have been pissed to do that!!!! MONEY PIT KIT

[pdxhummerguy]

Yikes, that doesnt sound like any good at all. The H! is far to expensive an animal to be dealing with stuff going wrong item after item. I really appreciate the feedback and would love to hear any other that might be out there.

[ssgharkness020147]

I would not be affraid to go after more power if you want to. Its on my list of things to do. Just be cautious with the extra power. I plan on a computer, injectors, wastegate. After I get a new exhaust system (mine cracked, but its straight piped already), and the gauges.

Originally Posted by pdxhummerguy

Yikes, that doesnt sound like any good at all. The H! is far to expensive an animal to be dealing with stuff going wrong item after item. I really appreciate the feedback and would love to hear any other that might be out there.

[pdxhummerguy]

So I decided to pass on the predator upgrade. This is very frustrating as I would not have even gotten started down this road had I not called and spoken with them extensively about it. The talk was "we stand behind all of our products 110%" Now it's well, we are going through alot of changes and we will do our best but there are no guarantees. Anybody else have any suggestions on upgrades?

[ssgharkness020147]

I really think its too bad. Predator was a great company, with a lot of awesome products. I've more or less been hearing for the last year nothing but dis-satisfaction from people that have done business with Predator. PDX, go to www.rubberduck4x4.com and call Travis (who can be a bit hard to get on the phone sometimes). Travis IS a standup guy that does stand behind all of his products 110%, and can give you an honest opinion on what performance upgrades.