Chippin the V10?

[JimM68]

starting a new one, cause Brazel's seems to be kinda long and kinda dead...
Besides, they selling a $700 solution in a world of $400 solutions. (ya know how it is when it says motorhome on the packaging...)

I want chip my V10, or actually I should say I wanna reflash it with a handheld programmer that plugs into the odb2 diag connector. This is a 99, a 2 valve, with a 4 spead EOD trans.

My biggest complaint is the sillyness of Fords downshift program. This things got nuttin above 4000 rpm, so why on earth did they program it to drop down a gear or two even at only half throttle?
I want it to stay put and down't downshift ever, unless my foots on the floorboard.

Are there any "chips" that give that control?

[wa8yxm]

Some years ago when the Ultra Power thread was a hot topic I happend to chat with a representive of a Ford Dealer,,, Also with a Rep from Workhorse (on the GM side) about chip systems..

now.. there are a few systems that have been specifically designed for RV's. the two I know of are the Banks Power pack and The Ultra Power which is what Brazel's sells.. These systems have been installed on thousands of motor homes and are known to be qood quality products that actually work well, though not necessary as well as you expect.

Both Joe, and Alan, however had just returned from giving an owner the news.

These owners had OTHER "Chips" on their vehicles (one motor home, one car) and some other modifications as well.. both had blown their engines and from the descriptions both of them gave me it was clear (Even to me) that the upgrades were what blew the engine.. Thus, NO WARRANTY.

In addition the Workhorse rep told me about some of the GM type chips and what they do... One popular GM type Chip is nothing more than the OEM chip from a pickup.. This does not bother the engine much, but it takes out your ABS brakes since the truck uses a different brake system and it's on the same chip.

But, yes, you can shop elsewhere, get a chip not as well designed, and save 300 bucks.. then spend well over 3,000 to replace an engine.

I'd recommend you wait for Braziil's.. They know what they are doing and both they and Redlands (Another UP distributor) stand behind their work from what has been posted here.

When I upgrade.. I'm going to Brazil's.. That I have already decided, no other.

[Rick Long]

Because you're on a Ford engine/tranny, I would go with Banks "TransCommand" Banks Power | 97-05 Ford - 6.8L V-10, Class-A (20-valve)>>TransCommand®

[JimM68]

hmmm, i appear to have been edited.

IS THAT WHAT HAPPENS AROUND HERE WHEN ONE WONDERS WHERE A SITE SPONSOR HAS GONE OFF TO?

I guess while Brazels has been lost to the forums for quite awhile, the checks are still good?

Does Ultrapower still exist?
And is it still the best solution?
Internet seaches either come up with year old info or hits at Brazels that go nowhere beyond "call us."

[JimM68]

Hmmm, it seems I was mistaken in my belief that there had been other replies to this thread. Moving on...

Still looking for any "software solutions" to increasing the performance and driveability of my 2 valve V10, and especially looking for a way to tame the overzelous trans downshifting program?

[LVJ58]

JimM, although not a software solution, I installed the Banks system on our 2000 along with their TransCommand module, (I guess the TCM is software to some degree) which seemed to improve the shift points somewhat, and added a bit more power, though nothing to write home about.

It's my understanding in talking with folks who have the 1999 V10's, the Banks system provides a greater boost in power than on the later 310hp v10's.

Sometime in the future when up WA state way I would like to drop by Brazel's and spend the $700 or so to have my ECM reprogrammed. Mike Bronzini tells me that the reprogramming works even better on engines with the headers and free flow exhaust systems installed.

Hope you find a power increase solution that works to your satisfaction.

Best of luck & safe travels,

Jim

[JonBrazel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68 hmmm, i appear to have been edited. IS THAT WHAT HAPPENS AROUND HERE WHEN ONE WONDERS WHERE A SITE SPONSOR HAS GONE OFF TO? I guess while Brazels has been lost to the forums for quite awhile, the checks are still good?

We still actively participate and monitor the forums...although the Workhorse forum gets a bit more activity than the others...

You can buy a cheaper programmer or chip for your V10 but nothing will work as well as UltraPower and you will not receive the level of customer service and support from anyone else.

[JimM68]

Jon, thaanks for the reply. Can you be a lil more specific on your solution though?
Last I heard, in your really long thread that died of old age quite some time ago, you were working on a solution that would require me to pull my pcm (thereby rendering my motorhome dead and lifeless) and send it to you, and you would flash it and return it after a time.

And if I ever got it serviced by ford and they put a stock tune in it, I'd have to pull it again and send it back to you.

IMHO, that is not an acceptable solution, certainly not in this world where $300 hardware "flashers" that can download, save, and restore the stock tune, are commonplace.

What is brazels solution today for the 2 valve v10?

[JonBrazel]

We can load UltraPower tuning to a blank handheld device and then you will have the ability to go back and forth between stock and UP...we do it all the time!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Long Because you're on a Ford engine/tranny, I would go with Banks "TransCommand" Banks Power | 97-05 Ford - 6.8L V-10, Class-A (20-valve)>>TransCommand®

I've run a Trans Command on every Ford Tranny I owned and it would transform the Tranny from a Mush-O-Matic Crown Victoria Ride to a pretty good gear jamin' box. I recommend it especially if you're hauling a load or own a motorhome. My application was for he E4OD (on a 1/2T gasser and a 3/4T PSD) which is no longer in production.

[Abnmarine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBrazel We can load UltraPower tuning to a blank handheld device and then you will have the ability to go back and forth between stock and UP...we do it all the time!

What is the cost for this? I don't need to keep the hand held programmer either. Does it also firm up the tranny shifts? I've already done the exhaust and CAI.

[mythplaced]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer I.....transform the Tranny from a Mush-O-Matic Crown Victoria Ride to a pretty good gear jamin' box. .....

OK Mike, great choice of words there

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythplaced OK Mike, great choice of words there

Thank you.

[JimM68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBrazel We can load UltraPower tuning to a blank handheld device and then you will have the ability to go back and forth between stock and UP...we do it all the time!

Marvelous. and that means I get to keep my pcm, yes?

How many dinero?
Is this an 87 octane tune?
Is an 89 octane tune available, and at 10 cents a gallon penalty, would it make any sense?

What about trans tuning. Yes, taking some much out would be nice, but my biggest issue is shift timing.
She just won't upshift at half throttle or more
Spends her life screaming along at rediculous rpm levels for no reason at all. Sometimes I think there must be a problem with my TPS, but it ain't throwing any codes...

jonbrazel, do you have more info on this product you could share, either publicly or privately?