This is my first post although I've been reading here for a while.

I'm looking for info on aftermarket chips available for this truck. It already has one (also a Airaid filter and Gibson cat-back) and I've got a detonation problem between 2200-2500 RPM only under load in 2nd-OD using 87 octane fuel. Doesn't happen in park or nuetral. Not good for towing. I took the truck to the dealer this morning and they told me it's got a non-factory chip with black tape holding/covering it (it also protrudes from the metal enclosure) and they can't work on it. I bought the truck off a dealer lot 1 month ago and it was there since June. I mention this incase some chips might have come out since then. I've been calling around to vendors to see who has just a chip and not just a micro-tuner. From what I've learned it might be a Diablo. Anyone know of a plug-in stlye chip other than them?

I'm thinking of going back to the OEM chip to solve this problem. Any comments on that as well?

Thanks,

--Jason

 

Just got back from the dealer. They didn't re-mount the ECM correctly, so it was easy for me to remove the plactic mount and see that it's a Superchips module.

This is just a piggyback module right? If I remove the Superchip (can I just pull it, or do I need to diconnect the battery?) will the OEM program will take over?

Anyone got stats as to what HP/TQ this chip is worth over the OEM program?

--Jason

 

Hi Jason,

First - whatever you do, DO NOT ATTEMPT to remove or replace that Superchip without disconnecting the battery first!

Your problem is a very simple and obvious one - you're using cheap low octane gasoline with a performance chip, and you CANNOT do that with a performance chip. That's why it's detonating.

Performance chips for these vehicles specifically retune the engine for the use of high quality *premium* gasoline of 91-94 octane, and *that* is what you must always use as a result - it is the act of tuning the engine specifically for good fuel that unlocks most of the additional raw power the Superchip adds.

The are only 2 ways you can go back to using 87 octane gas - one is by removing that Superchip, the other is you can contact us and we can reprogram it so you *can* use 87 octane gas. That will reduce the power gain, but the bottom line is you CANNOT use cheap gas with a performance chip, and *that* is why you're getting detonation.

You are also most likely getting detonation in areas where you can't even hear it - particularly at heavy throttle & higher speeds - this inaudible detonation is dangerous, as you can't hear it so you don't let your foot up off the throttle to quell it - and that can lead to potential engine damage.

Nobody can tell you what power gains you're getting right now - in fact, in your present situation you could actually be making *less* than stock power when you use that Superchip improperly, by using only 87 or 89 octane. The knock sensor is signaling the PCM to reduce spark advance because of the detonation, it's doing all it can, but due to the cheap low-grade gas it's *still* not enough to quell the detonation - so you're really not getting any significant power gain, it could be *less* than stock, and you're *definitely* hurting your engine - so that must STOP immediately.

Generally speaking, when used correctly the Superchips tuning is going to give you about 8%-11% more raw HP, and 13%-15% more torque - in round numbers, we call it a 10% power-gainer, just to give you a rough idea. Optimizing the powertrain program gives you more performance improvement than just the raw power gain however, especially in the Superchip - there are many transitional delays, retards, etc. that also affect performance that are optimized, so the actual affect on acceleration times is more than what a 10% power gain would tend to indicate on paper, just doing the math. Optimizing the powertrain program is the best bang for the buck mod on just about any computer controlled vehicle, which is why so many people use the Superchips tuning in these vehicles.

I would suggest that you either remove that Superchip altogether, which will cause the PCM to go back to it's stock factory program & you can run 87 octane OK then - or, just start using the correct fuel - *ONLY* the best quality premium gasoline available, at least 91 octane and not more than 94 octane - the more octane the better within that range. And don't shop for gas based on price, as that only hurts you and your vehicle in the long run - you get worse detergent additives, a lower BTU content and less performance and fuel mileage - no matter whether a vehicle is bone-stock or heavily modified or anything in between, and no matter what octane it's tuned for, always use only the best quality fuels available. Steer clear of all off-brands, no-names, and no Exxon, either - it's clean, but is reformulated year-round, so it always has a lower BTU content.

Whatever dealership you bought this truck from is who is responsible for all this - assuming that truck came to you with that chip in place from them, the dealership should have known about it and told you in advance - ideally. However, in the real world, the reality probably is that they didn't even know about it, as the previous vehicle owner might not have even told them about it when it was traded in or bought wholesale. At any rate, if you bought that truck from them in that condition, then tell them to either remove the Superchip and give it to you, so you can use 87 octane gas, or just start using good premium gas of 91-94 octane. A 3rd option is to call us at our number listed below & have us reprogram it so you can use 87 octane gas - the power gains will be smaller, about 8 HP at the wheels, but at least you won't have rampant detonation and hurt the motor - and it will be quicker than stock, the top speed limiter removed, better shifting if it's an automatic, etc. It's definitely worthwhile.

I hope this info helps, & please don't hesitate to call us for help on this, such as if you want that chip reprogrammed for 87 octane, etc.

Good luck with your truck!