Performance "Chips"

[Mr John]

Is anyone using a plug in chip to enhance engine performance? We received an e-mail today that stated " increase your MPG 4 to 7 mpg with our performance chip". It is also, 100% guaranteed or your money back. Well, my wife made a few phone calls and when she got company rep on the phone he said, " probably in the neighborhood of possibly 1 or maybe even 2 mpg. gain. As far as 100% money back guarantee if not satisfied; well, you have to return the chip in 14 days. I've read on the Ford Enthusiast Forum that some of the diesel guys are using chips to increase power and get some "bragging rights" but I'm not sure if anyone is getting better gas mileage on the V10 by plugging in a chip. If you are using one and it is working please advise me of the make as I would be interested in talking to the company rep. Right now we are getting from 8.3 to 9.5 MPG. It doesn't seem to make a difference if I drive 58-60 or 65-70 it all comes out the same.
Thanks, John

[MSHappyCampers]

I had a '99 F250 7.3 PSD until last year. I put a chip in it, not for fuel mileage, but for more power to pull the 5er. It did make a big difference. I think most people now are using tuners, not chips. That way you can change the settings on the fly for whatever the situation requires. If you have a diesel you might want to look at thedieselstop.com. Good luck!

[WeatherTodd]

chips are for salsa and queso... not performance.

There is something to be gained in "tuning" your motorhomes engine. Manufacturers put "canned" tunes to work for 100% of end users but at a sacrifice of efficiency and power.

[Gary RVRoamer]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Seriously, would you really think there is some magic that can turn the 7-8 mpg that everybody gets with the V10 into 12-19 mpg?

[macnkat]

There's a lot to be gained in these V10 Fords...check with Mike at 5 Star.

5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services

And check out this thread in the Ford section:

5 Star tune

[wa8yxm]

I can not comment on most performance "Chip" products but I have gathred much info.

A few companies.. For example UltraPower, which is the only company I will name in this post, have done their homework, they have designed, tested, redesigned, re-tested refined and tested some more and yes, I would consider their product as it's a proven winner... You might not actually gain any MPG, but you will gain performance.

Other companies will hack together somethign, perhaps drop a pick up chip in a motor home engine, And wind up causing all sorts of issues and problems up to and including blown engines....

Now, the opinion: IF they are selling via SPAM type E-mail... likely not a tried and tested product like UP, but one of the rip-off outfits that will do more harm than good.

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Seriously, would you really think there is some magic that can turn the 7-8 mpg that everybody gets with the V10 into 12-19 mpg?

Gary there really is such a magic (read on and.. oh yes, if you have food or drink in your mouth.. Swallow before reading on)

I found it... The last time I was out west, on my way home, as I was crossing Texas, there was chatter about the "14mpg Motor home" on the forums... Well.. as I crossed texas this normally 8MPG Chevy Vortec Powered motor home was delivering 13.8 per the dash.. 13.8 MPG.. I am fairly sure that had there been a ford V-10 behind, , in front of, or beside me, they would have been pushing about the same..


OF course the tumbleweeds (Blowing straight down the freeway past us) were passing us like we had the brakes on (Wind speeds of 100MPH give or take 10 MPH and coming from Directly, and I mean DIRECTLY astern)

[Cat320]

Chips are very expensive and be sure to check to see if your drive train (trans, rear end, etc) can handle the extra torque and power.

[macnkat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320 Chips are very expensive and be sure to check to see if your drive train (trans, rear end, etc) can handle the extra torque and power.

What do you consider expensive? And how much extra torque do you think it would take to max out the F-53 drive train?

[Franka548]

Don't know how the tuners work on the gas engines, but they work wonders with the diesels. On my old P30 chassis I increased the mpg by 2 to 2.5 by raising the air cleaner off the carb by 1" adding a freeflowing air filter, and changing the ignition module and the coil to a high performance one. better air in and better air out, plus higher spark leads to better mpg, now to the extent, I can't tell you if the improvements are worth the cost. The $150 that I spent on the old ineffiecient 454 paid off in about 1000 miles, but the newer fuel injection engines are more efficient to start.
Frank

[mrblanche]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm I found it... The last time I was out west, on my way home, as I was crossing Texas, there was chatter about the "14mpg Motor home" on the forums... Well.. as I crossed texas this normally 8MPG Chevy Vortec Powered motor home was delivering 13.8 per the dash.. 13.8 MPG..

We spent almost 3 years on a dedicated route from Dallas to Phoenix and back twice every week. We averaged 5.5 mpg going west and 7.5 going east during that time. It's all downhill from Tucson or so on east, and the prevailing winds are westerly.

[Billieg]

Forget the chip and buy a good tuner. I have a Superchips tuner and I'm happy with the results. 48 more hp and 210 ft tq. just push a button.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Gary there really is such a magic (read on and.. oh yes, if you have food or drink in your mouth.. Swallow before reading on) I found it... The last time I was out west, on my way home, as I was crossing Texas, there was chatter about the "14mpg Motor home" on the forums... Well.. as I crossed texas this normally 8MPG Chevy Vortec Powered motor home was delivering 13.8 per the dash.. 13.8 MPG.. I am fairly sure that had there been a ford V-10 behind, , in front of, or beside me, they would have been pushing about the same.. OF course the tumbleweeds (Blowing straight down the freeway past us) were passing us like we had the brakes on (Wind speeds of 100MPH give or take 10 MPH and coming from Directly, and I mean DIRECTLY astern)

My VMSpc will show 14 to 16 MPG on the flat/level highways towing our '05 Ody (Cummins ISC 350/1050 with Banks, now 435/1200), but my average is much less. You can't depend on the instantaneous readouts to gauge mileage.

[Wizard]

Mr John, On the Ford engines, if you have the newer model there is little to be gained. When the V10 came out it was rated at 290HP, second edition went up to about 320HP and now is rated at 340 or so. Don't remember the exact numbers but the engine is now about maxed out, few tuners or chips will help.

A lighter foot on the accelerator is the best approach.