That doesn’t mean Hypertech couldn’t tunnel under the firewall and sneak into engine controls to boost performance on many Hemi applications as well as a couple of popular Jeep products with the 3.6-liter V6.

Called Intereptor Power Tuning, this new device simply plugs into the engine wiring harness under the hood. It monitor’s the vehicle’s functions, then recalculates the factory settings with Hypetech performance calibrations.

“The new generation of engine computers is very complex and complicated,” explains Hypertech engineer John Lambert, noting the Interceptor is a single performance tune and cannot be changed by the owner. “But the programs are different for the different vehicles, due to differences in the air intake or other factors.” 

While Hypertech programming engineers were looking to break the codes so that a fully adjustable programmer that plugs into the diagnostic port could be developed, others took a peek on the other side of the firewall, literally.

“We hooked a car up on the dyno and had a spaghetti bowl of wires going to the harness,” says Lambert, who says testing also included more than 3,500 miles in a Hemi-powered Grand Cherokee. “Basically, all the experience Hypertech has in tuning paid dividends out of the box.”

Power increases could be from 5 to 10 percent, says Hypertech’s Amy Faulk, who also added that the Interceptor will be undergo tests for CARB certification.

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Hypertech also announced new applications for the Max Energy programmer, left, and the Max Energy Sport.

In other Hypertech news from SEMA, Additional applications are now offered in the Max Energy and Max Energy Sport power programmer series. Sport models are now available for select Subaru WRX 2.5T, MazdaSpeed 3 2.3T, Mazda Miata 2.0, Nissan 370Z 3.7, Nissan 370Z 3.5 and Honda Civic Si 2.0 models. In the Max Energy line, new models cover the GM 6.6L Duramax, 6.2L Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang 3.7 and 5.0, Ford 6.7 Power Stroke and Ford 3.5 EcoBoost.