Not to argue with anybody because I don't know squat about performance chips.
But I always wondered. If performance chips did provide a significant increase in HP and/or torque, don't you think the manufactures would equip the vehicles with them right at the factory or at least offer them as an option. Especially with each manufacturer vying for bragging rights over the others?
camperbuds3 wrote: Not to argue with anybody because I don't know squat about performance chips.
But I always wondered. If performance chips did provide a significant increase in HP and/or torque, don't you think the manufactures would equip the vehicles with them right at the factory or at least offer them as an option. Especially with each manufacturer vying for bragging rights over the others?
It is funny that they dont - then always advertise HP and torque numbers.
They are more concerned with warranty issues that may develop. Chipped/tuned diesels will typically run hotter at increased EGT's (exhause gas temps) which can melt pistons. Pistons arent alum, but an alloy and have a bit higher melting temp than alum.
The transmissions are still the weak link in most drive trains. Ford 7.3L can get lots more power - I have read of 800+ with print outs. Problem the tranny wont last. So they are detuned.
Our Ford dealer does sell them as an after market product, but Ford Motor Co doesnt.
I have always been curious (havent asked yet) what happens to a warranty if Ford dealer installs a chip or custom program?
To my loving wife, Carolyn:
"I dont love you because I need you. I need you because I love you".
I'll say up front, I do not have a chip. Why am I posting? Because a shop I have great faith in says the chips they sell improve hp and torque per the shop's dyno, but the increase in fuel economy is only 2-3%. I've got plenty of power.
I use a Superchips Cortex to tune my ECU. The fuel economy tune gains me about 1-2 mpg DD and the Tow Tune improves performance a bit while towing the TT.
As for CAI, Exhaust, etc, they usually increase performance, but not MPG. Everyone and their dogs say you "can gain up to" 3-5 mpg with their product because that makes it an easy sale and you can't prove otherwise against some farout wild claims from other folks that they'll dig up.
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My TV is also my daily drive and I put about 400 miles a week on it. I am considering some modifications to improve my Canyon's fuel economy (chip, cold air intake, cat back exhaust...) but I don’t want to mess up my trucks ability to easily tow my boat to the coast (lots of hills between North Alabama and the Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast).
I am looking for comments based on experience using similar products. No unsubstantiated opinions please.
One chip manufacturer (SLR) makes some tall claims some of which seem contradictory:
• Add 50+ Horsepower
• Add 50+ Torque
• Save 3-6+ MPG
• Faster 0-60 Time
• Improved mid-range power
• More power for towing
• Smoother Shifting
• Smoother IDLE
• Reduced overall engine stress
• Up to 40% Quicker Throttle Response time This tells me one thing, they have removed the full throttle protection you get from the OEM/ECM and you will be buying a new transmission in the near future. The TQ is the weak link and is protected from full throttle launches by retarding the timing and defueling the engine. Without this in place you WILL be buying a new TC and possibly and new transmission in the future.
• Pays for itself with gas savings
• Improved Top End Power
• Improves your 1/4 Mile Times
• Improves your 1/8 Mile Times
• Less and fewer oil changes due to a more efficient tune
• Prolongs your engine life due to a more efficient tune
• Improved Low End Torque Again TC and Trans will not hold up.
• Improved Performance in high altitude areas
• HELPS your vehicle to pass emissions or SMOG testing
What can one reasonable expect from products like this?
http://slrmotorsports.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=319
I work at a the Chrysler plant that builds all the torque converters but the one for the CTD and have talked with the engineers about adding a chip to my truck and they all told me the TC will not last and when it goes it will take the transmission with it. So that was enough for me as I don’t have 5/7K for a new trans.
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A LOT of Scam companies use Domains By Proxy because it hides their identity and you have to prove you've been scammed to the authorities before you can seek any legal action.
I always look up who I'm dealing with before buying because there's far too many con artists running pretty websites out of their apartment. If they are a ligitimate company, they will publicly post their address and phone number for customer service issues.
It really depends on the car and engine as to what gains are possible. Auto manufacturers in many cases ARE tuning to get the most out of their engines. I looked into possibilities for my N/A Imprezza and found out that the factory has the engine against the wall. The stock timing is SO agressive that it should be run on premium and depends on the knock sensor to "detune" on regular, and there is no more performance to be had without MAJOR mods like cams, valves, intake and exhaust, or going turbo. I don't know about the 5.4 in our expedition yet, but I suspect a similar situation.
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camperbuds3 wrote: Not to argue with anybody because I don't know squat about performance chips.
But I always wondered. If performance chips did provide a significant increase in HP and/or torque, don't you think the manufactures would equip the vehicles with them right at the factory or at least offer them as an option. Especially with each manufacturer vying for bragging rights over the others?
My guess is chipped vehicles generally will not meet emissions standards. Car Co.'s work very hard to meet the various EPA guidelines. Tuning can deliver day vs. night performance gains. But they also throw all the emissions and MPG rules out the window.
I have the Bully Dog Triple Dog GT Gas programmer and have been impressed with it so far. I haven't had it long enough to really check MPG and determine whether or not its mpg/fuel flow info is accurate. It definitely has more get up and go across the board and seems to be relatively happy towing our TT so far compared to when we towed a different, supposedly lighter trailer a couple of years ago.
To address the "Up to 40% Quicker Throttle Response time" that some advertise, this is actually tied to the drive-by-wire system and simply changes the sensitivity of the throttle sensor (gas pedal sensor) so that there is a smaller range of motion to reach WOT. This also means the upper end of the sensor is a "dead zone" of sorts. If WOT now happens at 3/4 throttle movement then the last 1/4 doesn't really "do" anything.
Performance tunes aside, the big reason I went with the Bully Dog GT was for the gauges - Actual trans and coolant temps, battery voltage, etc. No more wondering if my number-less gauges were partial dummy gauges.
Also, as to the more power = more stress argument, that's not always true. If the engine is able to make more power and torque at lower RPMs then you won't be downshifting as much or winding the engine out as much, both of which I consider to be stressful. If the engine doesn't have to work as hard because it's making more power then I can't see why what wouldn't be considered less stress on the engine. The compression ratio and such are not changing.
Just my $0.02
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