hey everybody,
i know you guys have talked a lot about the diablo chip, but i have a quick question, about the three stage chip, do you always have to run high octane even if your in the stock mode? and does it come with preprogramed settings, on the web page it had something about a programing fee and i didnt understand that. And the biggest question, does it work for what you pay................

Thanks

 

Whats up man, and welcome to FTE. I hope you're here to stay. I dont know much about the diablo, but yes it is talked about quite a bit in this forum. If you happen to look back through past threads im sure you will find what youre looking for. Or Tom, jimmy dean, or garret will post somethin up here for ya because they arevery smart when it comes to street performance on the 4.2L. tom(busa01_) garret-(horizonhuskies) (jimmy) and last but not least i cant forget frank LOL

welcome along man -homer

 

Although Homer4.2 failed to mention my legendary name, I'll let ya know how the Diablo chip works seeing as how I have one. j/j

The chip is actually a 2 stage chip for our 4.2 trucks. It has 3 different switch patterns, but it is actually a 2 stage chip. If you are running stock, you DO NOT have to run premium. I've been running 87 octane for the last 2 fill-ups due to the rising prices. All you would need to do is switch the chip to the stock setting, and you'll be set. The downside to that is you won't get the performance out of the chip. It is made to work on premium gas.

Yes it comes with preprogrammed settings...basically when you call Motorhaven and order the chip, you'll talk to Ken, and you'll tell him specifically what you are looking for. He'll then program the chip for you and mail it to you. Any changes you might want to make to the chip afterwards, you'd have to mail it back to motorhaven. It's really not a big deal...very easy to do.

About the programming fee...that fee only applies to you if you want to send the chip back after 30 days to get it reprogrammed. I don't know your mods or anything, but if you are stock and get the chip, you would have to pay to get the chip reprogrammed if you wanted to get gears or something later on.

YES! The chip is DEFINATELY worth the money you pay. $230 for a chip of that magnitude is unbeatable...especially if your truck is an automatic. It really firms up your shifts and power with an auto tranny as opposed to a manual tranny...but it still gives the manual plenty of power.

...order the chip, pay the money, and get satisfied . . . plain and simple.

Joey

 

Homer4.2, I just viewed your pics. I love your truck man! Very nice! That insert looks pretty good.

 

thanks alot man. sorry i forgot to add your name up there. I know you are probably the top one on here, and should be a moderator if Brian dies. haha j/k. Anyways, yea i will be posting more pix in my gallery soon because i have euro taillights on the bad boy and i am getting exhaust for it friday! I cant wait, hey check out the 2nd to last or so post on "glasspack???" for me and tell me what you think about my exhaust setup and whether or not it could be better. Thanks alot

-homer

 

and ps joe, your truck is Super Slick lookin, i LOVE that black paint job

 

Joe,


If you don't run the high octane in your truck, what does the chip actually do then? I thought that the high octane setting is what the chip is mainly for.


David

 

Nothing. If you run the turn the chip to stock setting, you aren't even running it. It basically makes power by 'leaning up' you air/fuel mixture. 93 octane has the best for this. I've been running stock lately due to financial situations... Also, I had my chip tuned a little more aggresively than normal, so my truck actually gets better mileage with the chip off. But it's just temporary.

 

So actually if you want the chip you should be willing to pay for the 93 octane. Seems like to me just save your money until the price of gas comes down (or when I hit the lottery and give it all to my mom-in-law).

 

hey true4.2
thanks a lot for all the info, it really helped me make my final decision...which is try it out.................o got had a question i forgot to ask
what is the difference in the stock mode and the 87 octane program ?

Thanks again

 

Ok, here goes:

Your chip will come with a switch that hooks up to the back of the chip. (I believe Tom has a pick of his switch in his gallery) It's a very basic switch. When you turn the switch all the way down, you are in 'stock setting' which means the chip switches the computer to the stock setting for air/fuel flow mixture. In other words the chip isn't running.

The middle switch position is for your performance program. ie: whatever octane you will be running is what the chip will go with. If you want the chip to be programmed for 87 octane, I 'think' Ken can do that but you won't get anywhere near the power of 93 octane. I'm not even sure if he programs for 87 octane though. So, common sense, you get the chip programmed for whatever premium octane is in your area. Most places is 91 octane instead of 93.

The final switch position is for any future power upgrades that you will have to get the chip reprogrammed for. The chip can do all this because it is a 4 bank chip (and Ken can tell you what that means) which most other chips are not. By power upgrades I mean stuff like gears, SC, cam gears, some sets of headers, etc... Intakes and exhaust do not require reprogramming.

I hope that made sense. Stock mode has nothing to do with your octane level of gas. You could run 93 octane in your 'stock mode' on the chip, but your chip wouldn't be working for you because you have the switch turned to stock. When you switch it to the performance setting, then you would get the 93 octane to work. Does that make sense?

 

So, when it is programmed for 93 and your chip is turned on for 93, you get more hp and a smoother ride.

I doubt if I will get one until the price of gas comes waaaaaay down. But hey, that's me.



David

 

thanks again, i understand much better

 

No problem man. I just hope I didn't confuse you with my explanations.

 

Never do, Joe. Always a help. Tom, on the other hand....