Hello,
first post here. I recently bought a hypertech pp III for my 2001 f250 v10. The truck has 63k miles and is completely stock. MAF is clean, air filter is clean, recent fuel injector cleaning etc. After installation of the program for 87 the truck pinged on 87. The hypertech rep said it was probably carbon buildup since I was using a name brand gas (Chevron) and everything else had been cleaned. He suggested Sea Foaming it through the brake booster vacuum line. Ok, I did that twice. Still pinged so I returned the truck to stock till I could talk with the another rep. The next rep said try a different brand of gas. Ok, refilled with 87 Shell and tested it with stock programming. Absolutely no ping at all. I then re-installed the hypertech 87. Ping was back. I drove it down about 1/4 tank and then filled it with 93. I figured that would give me about 88.5 octane. Ooof, big difference. No ping unless I absolutely stomp it uphill in overdrive with AC on and then just a dot. So, I have 5 days left to send it back and am wondering about the following :

1. Do programmers shorten the life of the drivetrain since they advance the timing and possibly run hotter ?

2. Do programmers help an auto transmission or create more line pressure - on the 'non-enhanced' setting ? I have read that they improve life since the shifts are quicker. I have also read because of the increased line pressure to get those quick shifts it's harder on the transmission.

3. Does it hurt to go back and forth between the stock settings and programmed settings ? Each time I do this I hear a pop/thud under the dash that completely gives me the *******. I'm not sure if it's a relay or what. Has anyone experienced this ?

4. Has anyone heard anything bad about hypertech programmers ? This one is new.

5. Think I should keep it ? I like how it shifts and the increased power especially right at 65 mph. it's a noticeable difference from stock. It still bothers me that it does not perform on 87 but I think ... I THINK I can live with filling up with 1/3 87 & 2/3 89 to keep it happy.

Sorry for the long winded post. I appreciate any thoughts or experiences. $314 is a LOT of cash for the small increase in HP ... but it does run and shift very smooothly!

Thanks

 

u sure the pop/thud u hear under the dash isnt just the HVAC blend door closing ???

they can be noisy as its under a fair amount of pressure when u start the truck up.. mine does the same thing...

and i have no tuner at all...

 

Mmmm, am pretty sure, I'm familiar with that sound the HVAC blend door makes (thought I had run over something when that happend the 1st time). This is not quite an electrical POP, just more of a very low volume ... bong ? Kind of like a turn signal flasher relay on steroids.

I just spoke with the hypertech rep. He said it was normal for a gas truck and that the diesel trucks make that noise and a whole bunch of others. Of course I spaced asking him exactly what that noise was...

Thanks

 

I would return it and call up Mike at 5-Star Tuning and invest that money in a custom tune from him.

 

exactly...

that is some good advise...

 

I believe it. I fired Mike a note earlier today with a short description of my hypertech fun. I didn't expect a reply any time soon. Two hours later there it was. Wish I had know about 5 star and this site a month ago!

Thanks for your help

 

He speaks the truth.

 

Ok guys, 5 Star it is thanks for your help!

 

thanks Porch40 for the opportunity and welcome to FTE we hope you will be around a long time. These guys on this V10 forum know their stuff when it comes to the V10 or Superduty and are always willing to help out...


thank you all V10'ers for recommending us.. I appreciate that .


thanks
Mike