Diablo Sport Trinity T1000

Perry Mack

The Trinity is a diagnostic code reader, performance tuner and gauge monitor all in one.

To get started, immediately go to the DiabloSport web site, get the DS Downloader and download the updates for your vehicle. You could use the CD but the web site will be easier and faster. You will need a PC as there is no Mac version – I had to resurrect an old laptop to get my updates.

The case itself is unimpressive and the touch-screen sensitivity and resolution is not the quality of your smartphone, but let’s face it, they aren’t building millions of these in Chinese factories. Don’t be discouraged though because once you get past the looks, the functionality and performance are stellar.

You can navigate via the touch-screen or the directional arrow buttons to the left. DiabloSport has done a good job of making it an intuitive process and by that I mean it conforms with unrelated devices that you’re used to using.

After updating the device with the info it needs for your vehicle, the tuner is a snap to install. Literally. Snap the cord into the OBD II port and it is connected, no additional power cord is required. The device has a number of tunes pre-programmed into it so any novice to the tuning world can select and install an improved tune whether it’s for improved fuel mileage or more horsepower.

For the technologically for savvy driver, the Trinity allows you to customize almost every feature it offers - from the display of virtual gauges to fully customizable tuning parameters including octane rating, fuel mixture, shift ranges and allowances for aftermarket changes in your vehicle like intakes, exhausts, tire sizes and more. What you can adjust is dependant on your vehicle. Some of your options are:

  • Spark Advance (Multiple RPM bands)
  • Fuel Tables/WOT fuel (Multiple RPM bands)
  • Cooling Fans
  • Idle RPM
  • Mass Air Table
  • Rev Limits
  • Speed Limits
  • Shift Points RPM/MPH
  • Shift Pressure

The stock tune can be saved so you can restore your vehicle to factory settings at any time. Rumour on the web has it that this is how you can avoid any warranty headaches as your dealership won’t know you’ve been making ‘improvements’ if you return it to stock tune settings before you take it in.

For truck owners whose vehicles serve double (or triple) duty as a daily driver, tow vehicle and performance adrenaline injector, this is an invaluable tool allowing you to change the personality of the vehicle to suit your demands.

I started with the performance tune for 87 octane (there are options for higher octane) – which only slightly modifies the stock tune. Giving it some gas, the back tires squawked and I took off. More power off the start line for sure – but how much? The Trinity has a race mode, which allows you to measure your ¼ mile, 0 to 100mph and 0-60 mph times. After five runs, the truck ran 0-60mph in an average 7.88 seconds. I stopped and reverted to the original stock tune, which resulted in an average of 8.15 seconds. For a slightly modified tune we got a 3% improvement. No, you probably don’t drag race your truck but some extra acceleration when you need to merge makes life safer.

The next tune was for fuel economy. I immediately noticed a change, as the engine seemed to be revving lower through the gear changes and felt slightly slower but not in an alarming way. After driving 100 km, it began to feel ‘normal’ and the average gas consumption improved by 4%.

One of the most noticeable changes was very positive. Ever since I purchased the truck, it had a hard down shift at roughly 70kmh. The guys at my garage couldn’t get rid of it nor could the specialty transmission place. After the mpg tune using the Diablo Trinity – sweet shifting, it was smooth all the way down through the gear range.

You won't regret purchasing this tuner, because it does it all.