Exhaust System
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Exhaust System
I send Diablo literature out all the time to my customers. I've written a FAQ that covers a lot more than their literature does if you're interested:
http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/W...l/chipfaq.html
FTE/MotorHaven program's more Diablo chips then any other programming dealer in the world --- we're Diablo's highest volume programming dealer. We've handled everything from Super Duty diesels to Escorts.
Chips aren't programmed for regular fuel unless a person asks for it and even then I usually advise against it. If you want to stay with regular then don't get a chip because there aren't many good reasons for getting an 87 octane chip. You just won't see any usuable horsepower gains with an 87 octane chip because timing can't be advanced.
http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/W...l/chipfaq.html
FTE/MotorHaven program's more Diablo chips then any other programming dealer in the world --- we're Diablo's highest volume programming dealer. We've handled everything from Super Duty diesels to Escorts.
Chips aren't programmed for regular fuel unless a person asks for it and even then I usually advise against it. If you want to stay with regular then don't get a chip because there aren't many good reasons for getting an 87 octane chip. You just won't see any usuable horsepower gains with an 87 octane chip because timing can't be advanced.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Edmond,Oklahoma
Exhaust System
I agree with you 100 percent-nowadays your in a catch 22 position put a chip in and run premium to gain the performance
but is the extra price of the gas worth the amount of performance? If the 86 octain chip is basically a "placebo" it should not even be offered! It all boils down to if you chip be prepared for that premium ball and chain on your ankle or leave it alone and save the money!
but is the extra price of the gas worth the amount of performance? If the 86 octain chip is basically a "placebo" it should not even be offered! It all boils down to if you chip be prepared for that premium ball and chain on your ankle or leave it alone and save the money!
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detoit, MI
Exhaust System
I've got to disagree a little bit here. I had a chip on a 96 T-Bird that allowed you to run either 87 or 93 octane dpending on whether you pulled the SPOUT comnector on the 4.6L engine. Pulling the SPOUT allowed the chip to load a different set of timing and fuel tables. (the 93 octane did a lot for that car, but it was much lighter than the trucks we're talking about here).
Even on 87 octane the change in the transmission efficiency gives you added MPG by taking out that mushyness between shifts. They also changed the shift points at various throttle positions, converter lockup schedule, etc.
Basically, even though you didn't add HP out due to higher octane fuel, you raised the efficiency in the powertrain over the stock mushy settings. Higher efficiency equals more power at the rear wheels to some extent.
Even on 87 octane the change in the transmission efficiency gives you added MPG by taking out that mushyness between shifts. They also changed the shift points at various throttle positions, converter lockup schedule, etc.
Basically, even though you didn't add HP out due to higher octane fuel, you raised the efficiency in the powertrain over the stock mushy settings. Higher efficiency equals more power at the rear wheels to some extent.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Exhaust System
That's not how a chip operates. That connector decreases the baseline timing, nothing more. It does not impact the programming in the chip. It was put there so dealers could take care of issues with engine ping.
This is not a 96 T-bird, its a 2000 F350 and timing is programmed entirely via the ECU program. Chips do not in increase efficiency of the transmission. What they do is raise the shift points and increase the line pressure during the shifts for a firmer shift. They can also change the torque converter lock-up but they rarely do and generally leave the factory setting alone (unless the customer asks for specific tc programming).
This is not a 96 T-bird, its a 2000 F350 and timing is programmed entirely via the ECU program. Chips do not in increase efficiency of the transmission. What they do is raise the shift points and increase the line pressure during the shifts for a firmer shift. They can also change the torque converter lock-up but they rarely do and generally leave the factory setting alone (unless the customer asks for specific tc programming).
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detoit, MI
Exhaust System
I fully realize we're not talking about a 96 Bird here, I was merely mentioning that on the 4.6L engine, the chip I had used the SPOUT (Spark Out) connector to do something totally different when the chip was installed e.g. - load a different set of fuel and timing tables.
>>>Chips do not in increase efficiency of the transmission<<<
By doing what you wrote, they absolutely do. Firming up shifts for instance decreases clutch pack slip and lockup time which would otherwise turn power into heat instead of transmitting it to the back wheels. Less heat means less wear. The trade off for the increase in efficiency is a decrease in "comfort" denoted by the firmer shift.
>>>Chips do not in increase efficiency of the transmission<<<
By doing what you wrote, they absolutely do. Firming up shifts for instance decreases clutch pack slip and lockup time which would otherwise turn power into heat instead of transmitting it to the back wheels. Less heat means less wear. The trade off for the increase in efficiency is a decrease in "comfort" denoted by the firmer shift.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Exhaust System
Chips trade off clutch-pack life for band life. That's a fact of increasing firmness. One or the other will wear sooner depending on the shift firmness. The only time the chip makes a difference concerning that is during the shift. I don't consider that more efficient, at least not in regards to mileage because the shift points are raised slightly so the engine winds up higher during heavy acceleration. Generally, people who tow see a difference but for day to day drivers the difference in tranny temp would be negliable. While I don't consider these characterics more efficient (I guess it depends on what you mean by effiency --- I consider it fuel mileage) I do consider it desirable. If the tranny tuning made any difference to overall (fuel) effinciency then people would see mileage increases with 87 octane chips and they don't (except if the chip is correcting an improper A/F ratio).
