Superchips on "Economy"
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
Superchips on "Economy"
I picked up a Superchips tuner for my '04 PSD and haven't done anything with it yet but I have a few questions. I know tuners on a 6.0 are quite controversial and can be overdone. I'm happy with my trucks' power and I'm not looking to smoke the tires in third gear. Right now, with the cost of fuel my main concern is squeezing a little more mileage out of it. My reasoning is that the 'economy' mode of the tuner, if anything, puts less demands on the motor than stock or, certainly, any of the performance modes. One of the requirements for setting the economy mode is that you say you aren't towing 8,000 lbs. or more. That tells me right there that you're probably a little down on power. Has anybody set up their truck with the tuner in economy mode and, if so, have you seen any real mileage gains? Also, I now that part 2 of the programming is for the tranny. Does it set it up to short shift? My '94 Corvette is that way, it's in 3rd gear by 15 mph. That's how they get the EPA ratings to be respectable.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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I had a superchips on my '06. Never got any mileage gains out of it to speak of on any program (economy, tow, or performance). Superchips claims that performance will get you the best mileage if driven with a light foot. I never saw more than maybe a 1/2 mile per gallon improvement if that. I always fill to the brim and hand calculate. I sold my flashpaq to a friend and bought a SCT X3 from Matt at Spartan Diesel and my mileage with the general economy file (EGR ON) has increased about 1 mpg in town and 2.5 mpg highway! I am currently waiting on 2 more tunes to be emailed to me (aggressive street and hybrid both with EGR On). I may get even better mileage with these. Good Luck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by ed foster
I'm happy with my trucks' power and I'm not looking to smoke the tires in third gear.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Bountiful, Utah
I did an EGR Turbo up-pipe and other Mods listed and increased my MPG 1.5 town and 3 MPG HWY. I have more power, much lower EGT's and yes I can spin my tires in 2 gears (daily). I agree purchasing the SCT from matt, I am saving up for after Xmas for one myself.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
I always drive the truck real easy, with the proverbial egg between my foot and the pedal. I picked the Superchips up at a swap meet for very little so I figured I'd give it a try, can always go back to stock. Doing about 2500 miles around Christmas so if it even gave me 1 mpg it would pay for itself. What I still want to know is if anyone who set their truck to economy mode had realized any loss of power. I'm taking mine out tomorrow for about 60-70 miles to see how it runs before I head out on my road trip. Packing the tuner in the toolbox so I can reset along the way, if needed.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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My 2004 F250 cc 3.73 5sp auto is all stock and I drive in the mountains of Virginia. My in town mpg run 16 empty and 14 towing a 3700bls. trailer with lawnmowers. I pull a fithwheel camper weighing 7500bls. and get 11.5 on 2 lane roads at 55mph. The best I ever got was 20.6 on the I81 on a round trip to Knoxville Tenn.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: North Florida
Ed foster, you should actually get an increase in power in the economy mode. In fact, if you go to flashpaq.com and download the upgraded files for that tuner, you will no longer have an economy file, it is now called "tow performance". It's the same file though.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by elee3
Ed foster, you should actually get an increase in power in the economy mode. In fact, if you go to flashpaq.com and download the upgraded files for that tuner, you will no longer have an economy file, it is now called "tow performance". It's the same file though.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
Thanks for the info, guys. Taking it out today so we'll see how it runs. My mileage has been about 16 most of the time, mixed town and highway. I haven't done much towing with this rig but I'll be taking a tandem axle trailer up north and then returning with another gooseneck. My '99 7.3 always got about 12 when towing around 10,000 lbs. I never complained about that because of the power. I've had Fords since my '87 with the 6.9 and I used to climb hills in PA at about 35 mph on the way to Carlisle. Heavier trailer now and I did the same hills at 65 with the '99 with more power left.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
Well guys, today I took it out for about 90 miles and I have to say it definitely felt snappier off the line. I jumped in the truck in a hurry and forgot about the new tune and it took me a minute to realize what was happening. Overall, it felt good except I noticed a very slight surge at about 70 mph. For what it's worth the overhead console read about 18-18.5 on the trip and it normally would read about 16 or so but I really won't get a check on it until I run from NC to NY and back. Also, I think I was really babying it. As far as towing it too hard I can monitor the boost and EGT so I'll watch those real close. I also might try to get a transfer flow tank in it before I go to avoid paying 70 cents more for fuel in NY. Anybody have any experience with one of those on your truck? I'll be leaving on Tuesday for the holidays so I want to say "Merry Christmas" to everybody and I hope you get all the truck stuff you wished for!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
Hey, 4x4 Mark. I just noticed in your profile you did the 2" spring pack. How close to level did that put your truck? That's something I need to do, mine looks like a 2wd in front for some reason.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: North Florida
Ed, make sure you post after your trip and let us know how it was. I think it was mentioned before, but the Superchips people say that you get the best economy with the performance tune and an easy right foot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by elee3
Ed, make sure you post after your trip and let us know how it was. I think it was mentioned before, but the Superchips people say that you get the best economy with the performance tune and an easy right foot.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Tryon, NC
Will do, elee. Packing the truck up now and hooking the trailer on Monday. Not looking forward to 3 bucks a gallon but excited about the trip. Changing my diff fluid tomorrow and putting on one of the '08 aluminum covers. Thanks, everybody, for contributing your thoughts. That what makes this site a nice escape from the real world out there.