Performance and trans op with chip?
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Elder User
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
Performance and trans op with chip?
I have a 2003 7.3. I just installed a Bully Dog 4 bank chip. I have noticed a considerable increase in fuel economy and also a marked improvement in part throttle performance, but I am not happy with heavy accel or WOT perf. I don't use the 100 hp setting as the exhaust and the rest of the truck is stock. In the 50 and 75 hp settings, light throttle provides quicker accel than stock, but any heavier throttle and it seems to lack power. Is it possible I am encountering some sort of fuel starvation, or is the stock air filter set-up (with new filter) too restrictive to allow good performance?
Anyone else have a Bully Dog chip?
Tim
Anyone else have a Bully Dog chip?
Tim
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Okay, a couple of things.
1. Don't trust the computer's mileage reading. With all chips and tuners the mileage display is notoriously inaccurate. Verify the mileage by hand.
2. For the heavy throttle are you getting any smoke? Clean air filter? This is unusual... you should be getting very good throttle response all through the throtttle positions with a properly tuned diesel chip.
1. Don't trust the computer's mileage reading. With all chips and tuners the mileage display is notoriously inaccurate. Verify the mileage by hand.
2. For the heavy throttle are you getting any smoke? Clean air filter? This is unusual... you should be getting very good throttle response all through the throtttle positions with a properly tuned diesel chip.
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
Hey Ken,
I verified the mileage and it has gone up. It was terrible before the chip. Cruising @ 75, I was lucky to get 11.5 mpg. Now it's up to 14.5-15 mpg. I get almost no smoke ever on the 50 hp setting. On the 75 hp setting, I get a wisp on light (barely touch the throttle) accel, and it is very responsive. Anything other than VERY LIGHT throttle and I get quite a bit of smoke. On moderate to heavy accel from a stop, it launches fairly well, but after the first 50 feet it just acts like it is being held back. Even @ expressway speeds, a light touch on the throttle and it picks up rather nicely, but anything heavier, and it just doesn't go. I have seen some posts on here about "defueling" and was thinking that may be what's happening, but with all the smoke, that doesn't seem to make sense. I would think that black smoke = unburned fuel or a rich condition. I am NOT a diesel performance guy. I am old school carbs and cams gas engine knowledgeable. That's why this has me puzzled. I know others on here have chips and tuners while maintaining a factory air filter, so I am thinking something else must be wrong.
Thanks,
Tim
I verified the mileage and it has gone up. It was terrible before the chip. Cruising @ 75, I was lucky to get 11.5 mpg. Now it's up to 14.5-15 mpg. I get almost no smoke ever on the 50 hp setting. On the 75 hp setting, I get a wisp on light (barely touch the throttle) accel, and it is very responsive. Anything other than VERY LIGHT throttle and I get quite a bit of smoke. On moderate to heavy accel from a stop, it launches fairly well, but after the first 50 feet it just acts like it is being held back. Even @ expressway speeds, a light touch on the throttle and it picks up rather nicely, but anything heavier, and it just doesn't go. I have seen some posts on here about "defueling" and was thinking that may be what's happening, but with all the smoke, that doesn't seem to make sense. I would think that black smoke = unburned fuel or a rich condition. I am NOT a diesel performance guy. I am old school carbs and cams gas engine knowledgeable. That's why this has me puzzled. I know others on here have chips and tuners while maintaining a factory air filter, so I am thinking something else must be wrong.
Thanks,
Tim
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Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Okay, that's about right for mileage. I've seen some people claim in the mid-20s before with a chip and have yet to see one verifiable case that high. It sounds like the tunes they installed are overfueling. You shouldn't get heavy smoke with a 50/75 tune. With a 100 or higher, yeah, smoke is par for the course and requires a larger exhaust. Do you happen to have a boost gauge to see what's going on with the boost?
A couple of things first before calling BD about it. First, verify that the cetane rating of the fuel is 45 or higher. Next, verify the air filter is clean. I have a ton of customers running 100+ without these problems.
A couple of things first before calling BD about it. First, verify that the cetane rating of the fuel is 45 or higher. Next, verify the air filter is clean. I have a ton of customers running 100+ without these problems.
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
No boost gauge yet. Air filter is new. I put in a new one the day I installed the chip. I will have to check on the cetane rating. I usually use what's locally available as "premium" diesel. I will fuel up tomorrow and see what it's rated at.
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
Cetane is good. I e-mailed the company that I bought the chip from for support, and also e-mailed Bully Dog, but received no replies, so I have to assume they have no interest in helping. I have requested a return authorization and will not only stop doing business with the retailer, but will actively protest them and Bully Dog also. If they don't want to stand behind their products and offer support, they shouldn't be selling them. Of course, I don't want to mention the retailer until I have my refund.
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim
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From: va beach VA
I don't have a diesel truck but my dad did. big difference after he installed the aftermarket exhaust/intake with the higher tune settings. It also helps hold down the EGT's
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Post Fiend
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Originally Posted by enduringexplorer
Cetane is good. I e-mailed the company that I bought the chip from for support, and also e-mailed Bully Dog, but received no replies, so I have to assume they have no interest in helping. I have requested a return authorization and will not only stop doing business with the retailer, but will actively protest them and Bully Dog also. If they don't want to stand behind their products and offer support, they shouldn't be selling them. Of course, I don't want to mention the retailer until I have my refund.
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim
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Elder User
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
Ken,
After 4 e-mails to the retailer and no response, I called Bully Dog. I normally won't accept something that isn't correctly manufactured, so I wanted a refund. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I talked to BD, and they offered to reprogram it for me, and if I still wasn't happy, then I could get a refund. I sent the chip to BD yesterday, so I will update when it returns. I don't want the money, just a chip that works. I suppose it doesn't hurt to give them a second chance.
Also, in case you are interested, I was looking into the SCMT chip you offer here, but everytime I click on "details", my computer locks up. I have to unplug the power and reboot. I don't know if it's something with the link or my computer, but thought I would pass it on.
Tim
After 4 e-mails to the retailer and no response, I called Bully Dog. I normally won't accept something that isn't correctly manufactured, so I wanted a refund. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I talked to BD, and they offered to reprogram it for me, and if I still wasn't happy, then I could get a refund. I sent the chip to BD yesterday, so I will update when it returns. I don't want the money, just a chip that works. I suppose it doesn't hurt to give them a second chance.
Also, in case you are interested, I was looking into the SCMT chip you offer here, but everytime I click on "details", my computer locks up. I have to unplug the power and reboot. I don't know if it's something with the link or my computer, but thought I would pass it on.
Tim
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Elder User
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From: WHITE LAKE, MI
Internet Explorer 6
I can browse everything else and all the other products. I go to the Motorhaven site, click on the link at the bottom of the banner on the right, under all the chips and tuners where it says "Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, trucks, and suv's, 1987-2004". That takes me to the next page where, at the bottom, there are different products listed. When I click the "details" link under the picture of the 5 program 4 bank chip, everything locks up.
I can browse everything else and all the other products. I go to the Motorhaven site, click on the link at the bottom of the banner on the right, under all the chips and tuners where it says "Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, trucks, and suv's, 1987-2004". That takes me to the next page where, at the bottom, there are different products listed. When I click the "details" link under the picture of the 5 program 4 bank chip, everything locks up.
