Pittsburgh Power Computer

[deltastar459]

Has anyone had any experence with the Pittsburgh Power Computer as displayed on their website. Claims to give up to 200 more horsepower and better fuel mileage..... Deltastar459

[KIX]

Horses have to eat. I'm just sayin'

[deltastar459]

Some say that the more horspower the better the mileage.....

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltastar459 Some say that the more horspower the better the mileage.....

That would probably be true IF your present horsepower is not enough for the weight of your rig. And even then more HP can get you up to highway speed quicker where you can operate at a lower throttle. So, will more HP increase fuel mileage.........maybe. Do the math on your HP to weight. If your rig has something like 100 lbs. per HP or better then IMO you are in good shape like you are. But, that's just an opinion.
Will more HP cost you to have it? Yep.........not only the cost of the "chip" or programmer but you've got to consider the tranny coupled to the engine. Even if your engine can handle the increase HP can your transmission? I doubt your manufacturer installed a tranny capable of handling an additional 200 HP.

So, I'll stick to my original reply......"horses have to eat". If you're willing to "feed" 'em then go for it.

[H. Miller]

200 add'l hp with merely the addition of a computer? And full Banks kit has a computer, new turbine, etc. etc. etc. and can only ek out an additional 115 hp.... Strange but possible?

[Drifter]

deltastar459, I think they only make something for C10 and up on a Cat. But nothing for a C9.

[deltastar459]

Thanks to all of you. I think you may be right about the C-9 not having a kit as I have sent an e-note to Pittsburgh Power to inquire. I am not lacking power as I have a 400 HP C-9 in a 2005 37" Beaver Coach, with a GVW of about 37000 lbs. I am more interested in bringing up my mileage. However after reading several post on this site I don't think I am that far off at 6.8 to 7.5 MPG. May go with new performance muffler. I have already had Allison change my shift point going into 6th gear from 62 mph to 58 mph. Any other ideas or suggestions would be greatly apprreciated. deltastar459

[KIX]

deltastar459..........getting the performance and fuel mileage you're getting is probably as good as it's going to get. One thing that can affect your fuel mileage negatively is ride height. . You'r numbers are pretty good.

[stubeje]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIX That would probably be true IF your present horsepower is not enough for the weight of your rig. And even then more HP can get you up to highway speed quicker where you can operate at a lower throttle. So, will more HP increase fuel mileage.........maybe. Do the math on your HP to weight. If your rig has something like 100 lbs. per HP or better then IMO you are in good shape like you are. But, that's just an opinion. Will more HP cost you to have it? Yep.........not only the cost of the "chip" or programmer but you've got to consider the tranny coupled to the engine. Even if your engine can handle the increase HP can your transmission? I doubt your manufacturer installed a tranny capable of handling an additional 200 HP. So, I'll stick to my original reply......"horses have to eat". If you're willing to "feed" 'em then go for it.

Just a quote from my Cummins center when I wanted to get more power and better mileage also..."TO GET MORE POWER IT TAKES MORE FUEL-OIL"... I had a
cummins in a dodge dually w/5th wheel then...

[AC eagle]

Horse Power is cheap to get and really does not mean as much as Torque. Non of the chips are giving you more torque and that gives the diesel engine POWER.

[Mike Canter]

Normally a diesel does not operate at the RPM that gives you peak HP. The gearing and tire size are designed to run the diesel in what is called a "sweet spot" which is just above your peak torque curve. This is the point that you will get the best MPG. If you drop below the peak torque point then your MPG will suffer. The cubic inches, the camshaft and the valve system design have the biggest effect on where this sweet spot is. Also at the "sweet spot" you don't want a lot of boost. The more the boost the more the power and more fuel. I just don't see how reprogramming the ECU can change this "sweet spot". I can see how you can increase the boost limits and increase the fuel to match it which will give you more HP but that is it. THis will help you to climb steep grades where you increase RPM more to the peak HP point. It takes a set amount of power to move the weight and frontal area of the MH down the road. That set amount of power requires a specific amount of fuel.

My motor makes its peak torque at 1100 rpm and the peak HP at 1800 rpm. My sweet spot is advertised at 1450 rpm which is right at 62 MPH. Going up or down a little on RPM doesn't change my MPG that much but that is probably because it has 850 cubic inches and a very broad torque curve.