Community Forums

Dutch Star David · 08-13-2013, 09:07 PM

Ran into a fellow recently who "chipped" his fairly new Cummins ISL. Said it increased HP at rear wheels 40+ HP and increased mileage by almost 2 MPG.

Questions:
1. Does this sound reasonable?
2. What happens to warranty on Allison and engine?

I suspect that the answer to #2 is; no warranty coverage due to excessive HP and torque. He claimed chip would be easily removed should a problem come up. Don't these machines have memory that would show that the chip used to be there?

iawoody2 · 08-13-2013, 09:19 PM

On my new Ford, with today's technology, the owner's manual says that if any chip or mod is made the the Bluetooth and My Sync will pick this up and void warranty. In other words they would know right away.

Dutch Star Don · 08-13-2013, 10:08 PM

dlovitt......Read this link http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/dies...ns-171958.html it's the chip that your asking about.

On the last page, you'll see where one of the members had his dyno tested. It added 52 HP and over 100 Torque. On Monaco rear radiator coaches, they also offer an improved engine fan that gives the ISL an additional 25 Hp.

I have the chip and the fan on mine, but I didn't add it until it was out of warranty. Allegedly, the DIGI chip discussed in the link is invisible and will not allow the engine to exceed it's rated HP and Torque at wide open throttle. It adds power through the midrange.

I saw a legitimate .5 mpg increase with the engine fan, but I can't really tell what the chip is adding. It's improved my mpg, but definitely not an additional 2 mpg. Most are claiming an additional 1.1 - 1.2 mpg increase. I will be leaving on a 6000 mile trip next month and will get a true reading on my increase. The chip seems to have smoothed out my power band. When I hit a grade, I drop into 5th and can do at least 55 mph or better towing my Chevy Silverado, but I'm a short coach and weigh in at about 33K when towing.

I think the ISL is one of the best all around engines with a ton of power, but your coach is bigger and heavier than mine and may suffer a little more in the hills when towing.

Lastly, I didn't chip mine until it was out of warranty, plus the chip didn't come out until about a year ago. You didn't say what HP your ISL was, but some can be boosted from 400/425 to 450 by Cummins. They charge somewhere around $2500.00 for this, but they continue to warranty your engine as part of the price.

I wouldn't chip yours until you get some miles on it. It won't be huge, but your coach will pick up some power when it breaks in at around the 10K mark.

Mr_D · 08-13-2013, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

It won't be huge, but your coach will pick up some power when it breaks in at around the 10K mark.

They start to break in at about the 10,000 mile mark and by 40,000 they should be fully broken in.
Our ISC is at about 38,000 and seems to run pretty well now. I added the Banks kit about 10,000 miles ago and it did make a BIG difference.