(Repost of a message Vic appears to have missed since before SEMA)

Hi Vic,

Wanted to address your response separately, since you ARE, after all, the SCMT guru here.

...touched on but in most cases not really answered -- I spent a good part of the last week reading all 47 pages only to find many questions unanswered.


I understand and appreciate that, but have seen you leave more than a few REALLY long (and helpful) responses in the past, so I hoped you might get into a little more detail on a few of my questions.


Awesome! ... exactly what I was hoping to hear, and I suspect several others will appreciate knowing this too, in light of the recent posts addressing sometimes harsh light throttle shifting.


Fair enough ... I just thought this was a reasonable suggestion to make for the future.


I know manufacturers hate to "spill the beans" on exciting new features until they're ready to take advantage of the "hype," but do you have even an inkling of how long it might be for this feature to arrive? 6 months, a year, more than a year?

This appears to be "the big one" that is causing people the most trouble in making up their minds which way to go. Obviously the goal is to have the performance of the product be the deciding factor, but it seems reasonable that a feature like this is so critical to whether a product can or can't be used at any given time, so I understand the continuing interest in knowing whether you folks have established a time frame for deployment...


Now this one is the question I most wanted an explanation of (if you would be so kind). As you know from my original post, I already knew they couldn't be "flashed," but I was wondering why and hoping you might quickly explain what is physically different in the system that prevents this... Are the motors mechanically different? Is there a different computer in the stronger '03's? Can the appropriate parts be purchased for an '04 that would allow it to run the '03 strategy? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be fascinated to know the answer to "Why can't it be flashed?"

Of course, the follow-up question I asked is valid too ... at the end of the day, is there a noticeable difference in power when using the SCMT? If not, it really doesn't matter if the '03's are a bit stronger, but you ARE, after all, the man with the unique insight here so if you would be so kind as to gift us with your knowledge we'd really appreciate it and be able to put this question to bed for good...


I expected most forum members to recommend the Excursion over the Sienna (and it's the one I think I'd prefer driving) but how often does the fun factor ever truly get to be the deciding factor in these kinds of decisions?

Thanks again for your time ... hope you might get a chance to go into a little more detail on the two questions I touched on above that haven't been "put to bed" in this thread yet.

Best Regards,
Steve

 

Vic,

When I have my tuner on high performance I get 17.2 MPG when it is on economy mode my mileage drops about 2 MPG. Is it possible that the tuning is labeled wrong?

Eddie

 

Is this actual calculated mileage or is this what the overhead is showing?

Also,over what period of time (and mileage) are these tests being performed?

 

Vic,

I have to say I am extremely happy with the shifting of the new version. You did a great job!

 

Vic,

I calculated this milage manually. I got my tuner after 3000 miles on my truck and have had it tuned to high performance since than. The truck has 13,000 miles on it now. Since fuel cost so much now I have put it on economy and have lost about 2 miles per gallon. That was my last tank full. It looks like this tank will be the same. This is all local driving. I shouldn't complain but I would like to get 2 miles per gallon on economy.

This not part of any test. Just looking to get better fuel economy.

Eddie

 

17.2 is great! I can only hope for 15 stock or with a chip.

 

Sure is.

What he may be experiencing is a difference in the area of the maps that are being traced with his individual driving style. In his case, the perf may be getting better mileage.

If you are getting better mileage with the perf...go with it!

Trust, you would want to make sure the mileage testing is accurate before assuming that the perf is getting you better mileage than the econ, but the idea isn't farfetched.

17+ MPG is damn good for a truck making all that power.

 

Well I will try a few tanks before tunning it back to high perfomance. I will let you know what happens.

Thanks
Eddie

 

vic my tuner is version 5.0 and I am generally happy.my trucks mileage has not improved but seat of the pants performance is better.is it possible that I can have this tuner updated to a newer version 5.03 ?how do I do that ? what do you need? thanks for any help you can give.

 

Call Superchips.

 

The only change in 5.03 is shifting. If you are experiencing a harsh shift, I can update the tuner.
If you are experiencing a big HP gain but no mileage gain, you may want to look into your driving habits. A frequently aggressive foot can negate mileage gains.

Look at it this way, if you are getting all that power and not losing mileage, you are in great shape!

 

The best of both worlds...

 

Vic...had my tuner updated to support the new flash...was told its version 5.03. What are the implications of the softer shifting in relation to my 39.5 tires? It would seem that I would want the shifting to be firmer due to the increased rotational mass.

Thanks

 

Vic I am very happy with the hp and really have no mpg issues.I would really like to take care of the harsh sift though.Can I send it in? do I call you?if you could tell me what to do to have it updated I would surely appreciate it thanks jim

 

The shifting is not softer than stock, just softer than earlier versions of the tuned files.
This is only at part throttle....it still rips at and near WOT =o)