Pulsar for 5.7

[hunterdan]

Have a guy not too far from me selling a pulsar for the 5.7 for $100. I'm tempted to make the hour or so drive to pick it up. Realistically, I have zero interest in going with a custom tune, just isn't in the cards unless I run into a good bit of money. This one was on a 2015, but from what I can tell, they're all the same for 4th gens. For $100, worth it?

 

[EdGs]

Pulsars are different for 2019 and up, IIRC.

 

[hunterdan]

Pulsars are different for 2019 and up, IIRC.

For the 2019 5th gens I believe. But from what I researched, 2015-2018 and 2019+ classics (4th gens) are the same.

 

[EdGs]

Yeah, you're likely good then. I forgot about the Classic line.

 

[ramffml]

For $100? Yeah it's worth it IMHO. I paid full price for mine. The "tow" tune with mds disabled is my favourite setting, but even "stock" with MDS disabled is such an improvement, no more mashing the gear limiter every time I switch to drive.

 

[hunterdan]

I'm set to pick it up Friday afternoon. Have to make about 1.5 hour trip to get it, but I think it'll be worth it.

 

[ramffml]

I'm set to pick it up Friday afternoon. Have to make about 1.5 hour trip to get it, but I think it'll be worth it.

Nice, just make sure to connect the ground lead solidly, there have reports of the pulsar causing electronic issues but all linked to not connecting the ground, or connecting the ground poorly etc. I've had mine on for probably close to 2 years now and absolutely 0 issues.

 

[hunterdan]

So... Yeah it was definitely worth the $100 and 2.5 hour total drive time

 

[hunterdan]

Put a few miles on it last night and today and I'm honestly impressed with the difference it made in the overall drivability. Took the wife to dinner, so we had took about a 15 mile drive (mostly highway) to get there. Had it in performance, mds off. It stayed in 8th gear the entire ride on the highway. It felt like it had more lower end power than I'm used to. Even with the increased throttle sensitivity, it didn't downshift. Fuel mileage was pretty reasonable as well. I don't know if I'll stay in the performance setting or maybe drop it to the tow setting.

Now, if it ran this good with a piggyback tuner, I can't imagine how much better these engines run with a custom tune.

Hardest part was getting the stupid connectors off the PCM. Had me questioning my choices for a while...

 

[ramffml]

Honestly I could do without the throttle changes, it's a pity IMHO that they tie the tune to the pedal changes. I actually prefer stock pedal feel and just want the bump in power and the ability to disable MDS. When I bought mine the marketing page said something about tuning the fan as well though that ended up being false.

 

[Adamcr68]

Put a few miles on it last night and today and I'm honestly impressed with the difference it made in the overall drivability. Took the wife to dinner, so we had took about a 15 mile drive (mostly highway) to get there. Had it in performance, mds off. It stayed in 8th gear the entire ride on the highway. It felt like it had more lower end power than I'm used to. Even with the increased throttle sensitivity, it didn't downshift. Fuel mileage was pretty reasonable as well. I don't know if I'll stay in the performance setting or maybe drop it to the tow setting.

Now, if it ran this good with a piggyback tuner, I can't imagine how much better these engines run with a custom tune.

Hardest part was getting the stupid connectors off the PCM. Had me questioning my choices for a while...

I agree I could definitely feel a difference with the pulsar,
Performance mode with mds off, but it fouled my plugs.

Many here know a lot more about how it works but as far as I know, it advances the timing and adjust air to make more power.

On my 15’ you could really smell how rich it was running, to the point I didn’t want to be behind it with the motor running and I imagine it didn’t help I left in performance mode all the time.

I think I recall it adjustable, switching modes while driving, but people reported problems, safer to do while in park.

I’m much happier with my HP tune, power kicks in at around 3k if I recall correctly so it not running rich at idle and lower rpm’s, so you’re right that you would probably like the custom tune better, but for the deal you got on it can’t hurt to give it a shot.

Hopefully continues to work good for you, I just wanted to share my experience with the Pulsar.