My Ultrapower Experience

golden · 02-12-2009, 03:41 PM

For all the RV.Net readers - UP sucks and isn't worth the money. You don't need to bother to read any more.

For the rest of you, I got my Ultrapower installed today by Oemy. It took me an hour to drive to his place and three to get back home. Why you ask? First, I was pulled over by the highway patrol for drag racing on I-35 and being clocked at 103mph while racing a Corvette, and then I had to be taken to the hospital to get a neck brace for the whiplash I got when taking off from a standing still start. Also, when I left Oemy's, my gas tank showed 3/4 tank full. By the time I got home it was almost full! Ok, they might be SLIGHT exagerations!

Actually, I asked Oemy to do some other work for me in addition to the UP and being the good swabbie that he once was, he agreed. He changed all the filters (oil, tranny, fuel, and air), changed out the transmission fluid, oil, and brake fluid, ran diagnostics etc., all for $695 including the UP. Ok, that might also be a SLIGHT exageration as well! However, he did save me several hundred dollars over what I would have spent going to my dealer or the local WH guy. He took the time to show me what he was doing, why and how to do it (sorry Dale, but I've forgotten most of it already!), which is far more than anyone ever did for me in the past.

Rather than rave and wave pompoms (that's for you RV.Net folks that may still be reading), let me give you a practical example of how UP is working for me. Most of the way between my house and Oemys is gently sloping hills, nothing too serious. However, whenever I drove that way before - and today - my OD would normally kick out many times back to 4th gear. On the way home, I was in 5th the entire time and it never even threatened to go in 4th. I travelled about 60 mph all the way in cruise.

So, that's my initial impression of UP. I don't care if it costs $100 or $1,000, it does what I want it to do and that is all I care about.

Spoonman · 02-12-2009, 03:57 PM

Golden,
Sounds like you got more than you expected and very happy with the outcome,not surprised.
Doesn`t matter what anyone else thinks.

**"007"** · 02-12-2009, 04:48 PM

Now see isn't that what we have been trying to tell you.

The UP will improve even more after the ECM learns your driving habits all over again.

max49 · 02-12-2009, 05:21 PM

Golden, with that post you may make "Cheerleading Squad Leader"

You should copy/paste it over at RV.net just for fun.

Jeff H · 02-12-2009, 06:13 PM

I'm the one who posted first after the original poster on "ultra power???" topic.

Here's my post, I'm sure some of you saw it...you won't see me posting over there any more.

"Try the Ultrapower, plugs, wires first. They DO make a huge difference in power and torque and a little in mpg.
Check out the Workhorse Forum, LOTS of info and testimonials.
Expensive Performance Upgrades - don't you think so?
We have both the Banks Powerpack (w/o Otto) and the above. We can pull a 24 ft Hallett over a hill at 60 mph with throttle to spare.
To us, totally worth the price!"

golden · 02-13-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Golden, with that post you may make "Cheerleading Squad Leader"
You should copy/paste it over at RV.net just for fun.

Max
05 Damon Daybreak, 34'9" WH

I like you! You are even more of a troublemaker than I am!

Denny

JimElliott · 02-13-2009, 05:33 AM

Please start up a new post on "RV.NET"

They seem to need that information.

Jim

two2go · 02-13-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

For all the RV.Net readers - UP sucks and isn't worth the money. You don't need to bother to read any more.

Sheesh Golden, you had me real worried for a minute.
My ECM with Brazel's UP magic is on the UPS truck for delivery today. But I'm looking out at 3" of snow, so I won't be reinstalling it for a few days now. Can't wait. We finally make a break for AZ in two weeks.

offshore · 02-13-2009, 09:21 AM

Golden, to ask a question, what is UP?

golden · 02-13-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Golden, to ask a question, what is UP?

I'm probably one of the least qualified to give you EXACTLY what Ultrapower is and I hope others will chime in here. Also, just do a search on this forum for Ultrapower and you will find at least 47 pages.

Let me tell you what I was looking for UP to do for me. I wanted to get more pickup and more "staying" power on the in the hills/mountains of CO so that it wouldn't constantly downshift when on a small hill. They also advertize the possibility of a very small increase in mpg, but I could care less about that. In other words, the hills/mountains I've been climbing in 2nd and 3rd gear I should now be able to climb in 3rd or 4th or even 5th gear. Based on my initial reaction driving home, my "butt dyno" tells me that I now have the MH I wanted.

I'm not trying to not answer your question specifically, I'm just not qualified to do so. Please follow my reommendations above and hopefully others will jump in as well.

golden · 02-13-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Sheesh Golden, you had me real worried for a minute.
My ECM with Brazel's UP magic is on the UPS truck for delivery today. But I'm looking out at 3" of snow, so I won't be reinstalling it for a few days now. Can't wait. We finally make a break for AZ in two weeks.

If you like it as much as I do, you will be REALLY happy! Remember, though, that I had a bunch of other things I needed to have taken care done at the same time. Still in all, I love the UP.

oemtech · 02-13-2009, 09:55 AM

Just to let you folks know that Denny's UltraPower upgrade was not without a small hiccup. After we finished all his work I sent him on his way. But, I received a phone call from him stating he had NO OVERDRIVE. So, I had him come back to the shop. I called Steve Brazel to discuss the problem. He said that UP does not change anything in the TCM. But, he said he would go back and check the tune and send me a fresh copy.

I check the tranny fluid and it was a touch over max. So, I drained maybe a pint out, not that it would make a difference. Next I took my Scan Gauge II and checked for codes, none set. Steve called back and we decided to put the stock tune back in. That took all of 15 mins. Now to take it for a test run... Nope, not fixed. But Denny noticed the difference between the stock tune and the UltraPower tune the minute we left the shop. Denny's Winnebago Sun Cruiser has a lift up dash and I had to lifted it up to pull the Acita dash fuse during the UP upgrade. I have done this many times with no problems. But, at point it slipped out of my hand and dropped an=bout 4". So, I had Denny pull over and I checked any plugs and connectors that had anything to do with the transmission. I hopped in the drivers seat and took off.... Wa La we shift in to OD at 55 mph. So, we pull over at the next turn and I re-install UltraPower. I put Denny back in the drivers seat and take off. Old lead foot has us in OD in nothing flat. He drives by the shop, I get out and he heads home.

golden · 02-13-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Please start up a new post on "RV.NET"
They seem to need that information.

Jim,

They shut down an eight pager this week on RV.net concerning UP and I was an active participant. The problem over there was that many of the people were so anti-UP that the OP really didn't know which way to turn. Also, there were so many of them who felt it was a waste of time and money, and they didn't even have UP or the type of MH that could have UP! There were one or two that had the UP installed and were not as happy as the HUGE majority of UPers are. I respect their opinions, as they hold more relevance than the others who just had digital diarrhea and nothing positive to add to the discourse. So I really think that putting this on RV.net would serve no useful purpose. If I thought that a reasoned discussion would flow, I would do it, but they have proven to me that, in this case, it ain't gonna happen. If you want to cut and paste it over there, you have my opinion. They we both could just sit back and watch the flames approach.

Denny