Flakey claims
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Flakey claims
It seams to me that the power gains from using a programmer should be certain, yet all I hear is "up to 30 HP" or " up to 2 MPG better fuel economy". I drive an 01 supercrew with a 4.6 and I know there are allot of us with the same motor in our trucks. All these motors are basically the same, so I don't see why some would get better gains then others. So why can't the programmer manufacturers be more definite in their claims? Does the moon have to be full and the engine gods looking upon us to hit that "up to" number? They seem to be fairly certain what the gains will be with the diesel engines, but not the gas engines. Am I the only one that gets frustrated with these "soft" claims? Why would the gains be better on some engines then on others of the same size? 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
There are many different PCM codes available for each year. Each reacts differently. Additionally, for gas as well as diesel, altitude, air temperature, barometric pressure and fuel quality can impact performance. For instance, both Diablo Sport and Superchips are based in Florida at sea level. On average, every 1,000 feet above sea level you'll see a 3% decrease in HP.
With the 6.0L diesel, the results are very similar from truck to truck. With the 7.3L diesel that's how much is given over stock, but total results vary because stock PCM codes can vary by as much as 20HP, especially with the PMTx PCM codes.
Don't get it for mileage, its not for mileage on a gasser. Any mileage you gain will be offset by the cost of premium so you fuel costs should remain roughly the same provided you don't get a lead foot.
With the 6.0L diesel, the results are very similar from truck to truck. With the 7.3L diesel that's how much is given over stock, but total results vary because stock PCM codes can vary by as much as 20HP, especially with the PMTx PCM codes.
Don't get it for mileage, its not for mileage on a gasser. Any mileage you gain will be offset by the cost of premium so you fuel costs should remain roughly the same provided you don't get a lead foot.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Originally Posted by webmaster
Don't get it for mileage, its not for mileage on a gasser. Any mileage you gain will be offset by the cost of premium so you fuel costs should remain roughly the same provided you don't get a lead foot.
I have a 2003 F-250 FX4 5.4 with a K&N filter already installed. It gets around 12.3 MPG around town and it pulls to the right when a gas station is in view...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
I got about 13 before the chip and now I get about 13 with the chip in town. I recently took a trip to Phoenix (about 360 miles one-way) and got 17 going and 18 coming back. It's about the same mileage however I was averaging about 85 mph. If I would drive unlike a madman I'm sure it would get better, but like Ken said before....the lead foot thing comes into play. It's soooo hard to not feel that extra power.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
The best MPG increase mod is an egg under the accelerator pedal. Honestly, while you may gain mileage from an intake kit or exhaust, its going to take so many miles to make up the cost that its probably not worth it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa, Ca
Okay, this is kind of simple... We all break in our vehicles, and drive them daily differently, if the engine is broken in to be a little looser, it will have a larger gain overall, but yes, shorter engine life. Now also, to get the most out of these chips and anything else "bolt on " for that matter, you have to finish the job, IE: you boost the intake. Thats great, but now if you do that, you need to do the exhaust, because it can breath in, but not out. You can get the max gains with this chip, by doing the other necessary things to improve performance to the upmost potential, this is all the advertisers are really saying... Good Luck! 
