So I'm seeing some ads for these new "fuel performance mods" that are supposed to give me about 20 for hp, while causing my mileage to gain about 3-5mpg. Has anyone use done of these? I have thoughts of getting one for my 05 STX, mainly for the extra hp, as the 4.6l is a bit if a dog.
The bigger question is whether or not there is long term damage to the engine, since it states thatiut changes the fuel/air ratio and advances the timing a little bit. I wouldn't think there would be, but then again there are smarter people than me out there.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
-Joe-

 

What you've seen is likely the ads for the $50-$100 "chip" that will increase your mileage and your performance...


...it's snake oil.



Fuel mileage and performance are typically NOT related. One comes with the sacrifice of the other.
Now, if you do want to wake up your 4.6L then you should look into two companies that offer reliable hand held programmers with custom tunes.
5 Star Tuning (Owned and operated by Mike Butler - he is a site sponsor here)
5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services
Sells SCT hand helds, and builds custom tunes for around $400 and up.

or

Power Hungry Performance
Power Hungry Performance - Feed your hunger for POWER!
Sells EDGE hand helds that have to be "unlocked" and converted to Gryphon (PHP's device) with custom tunes for around $500 and up.

Both have a nice proven track record, good customer service (Mike Butler's customer service is better) and safe reliable tuning options.

 

With regards to “Chips” and “Tuners”, years ago it was the best that most could do to enhance the ignition timing, fuel curve, transmission shift points, etc. It was (and still is) very important that a person verifies that the “Tuner” is ASE certified in both ECM and Transmission programming and IMHO be have current certification by the OEM whose vehicle you want to modify. There are plenty of persons who advertise their programs to be the best and even offer custom tunes, but in all reality, very few actually have credentials in these areas- but that’s not to say that some of these “geniuses” haven’t really caused damage to a few vehicles- just jump over to flatratetech.com and read just some of the comments from the MSE techs!. Perhaps what is equally important is the parameters that can be adjusted are set by the OEM vehicle software…so there is really no “magic” in what they are doing anyway. Now about this new marketing hype that if you have a CAI you need a custom program………….hogwash!!!!!! The OEM software system is designed to adjust the fuel mixture up to 10%.......that’s more than enough to handle fuel mixture adjustments up to 7,000 foot elevation change! (for high elevations 8,000+ there are oem software programs for those specific applications) The 5.4 V8 for example if close to stock can only suck in a maximum of 480 cfm and a flat panel filter will flow 500 cfm, there is simply no way any CAI on a relatively stock engine can increase the air flow enough to exceed the ECM’s ability to adjust and maintain the correct fuel mixture. The only reason for the “custom” program to support the CAI is because the design is poor resulting in false readings from the air intake sensors, etc….period! If you look at the dyno charts from many of these supposed HP/TQ increases, they are typically around 5%-7% at peak rpm ranges…….guess what, 5% is a standard deviation even amoungst mfg dynos and the most important item is……these “expert tuners” (at least most) do not have or choose not to test their results (in comparison to the oem intakes) during actual vehicle motion (or simulation- such as a wind tunnel) as the oems do. What many view as an issue (is the plastic intake tube with its noise canceling design) actually increases air pressure. It is the same hydraulic concept used by fire fighters creating water supply where psi is low. By having the air cross the path at a 90 degree angle, the pressure is increased proportionally. Fire fighters use what is called a “4-way valve” or “Blake Valve” at the hydrant where the water is cycled through the fire engine (pump) and sent back into the valve crossing the water flow at a 90 degree angle. In this case it also acts as a sound canceling device! At low speeds, this can reduce the flow a tad (which is what most “feel”), but in terms of peak hp/tq, a good high flow filter is all that is needed.

Recently, Testand Corporation conducted an ISO standards test on automotive air filters which can be viewed at this link: http://www.dieselbombers.com/chevrol...r-testing.html. All I can say is this explains in detail the reason for validating the mfg's marketing hype is just that- hype!

If you do an online search for “air filter test” there is a lot of very good information. IMHO, the CAI units are NOT WORTH THE $$! Unless you are talking about a system that was specifically designed for a specific application there are very little hp/tq gains actually achieved in a street use vehicle and there are very few docs that these mfg’s can produce that actually show an increase in hp/tq in the power-band range of a relatively stock street vehicle.

I would avoid oil impregnated filters. While they have their purpose in off-road applications, Ford/GM/Dodge all have “watch-out” bulletins where the oil has contaminated intake sensors. - they even have a training video for the techs on this (flatratetech.com) .

If you look at the flow data, WIX HP filters flow 98+% of K&N and have a much smoother flow post filter plus excellent filtering, for a fraction of the price! The OE’s have an excellent air intake system.

IMHO, if you live near any major city there are excellent tuning specialists with dynos who for the same price (if not less) will tune your vehicle taking into consideration your specific needs including environmental conditions, for your specific vehicle. IMHO, the best bang for the buck!

 

Both of the above make sense...I don't live anywhere near a "big city" so I went the PHP route. Your (or mine) 4.6L will likely never be a tire shredding monster, but some kind of tuner/tuning will definately make it a lot more enjoyable to drive. If you want real power you should see my coworker. He's fine tuning his 520 something" twin-turbo drag/street car right now, and expects close to 1600 HP. That is not a typo.