Mike,

We talked about 5 months ago and I purchased the Magnaflow/ BBK/ AF1 from you. I am happy with all of these. On top of this I have the FTVB installed. Here is my delima. I have the diablo flip chip and I am just having so many issues with it. I loved it as my first mod, but I am just to modded for it I believe. I am not sure but I think I am rich on the low end and lean on the top. Which I know use to be a problem with carburated engines...

I plan on doing pullies and your fan kit. How much would would I gain from one of your dual stage chips w/o a blower/ nitrous?
I am a lead foot at heart... there is no medium, it is all go no stop foot on the floor action. Please advise!

Nate Eix

 

Hi Nate,

Nice to "see" you again!

First, with regard to your tuning............if you think your A/F's are suspect, you can drop by a chassis dyno facility and have them tested, and that doesn't cost very much to do - maybe a coupla hundred bucks at most (and for that you usually get 3 dyno pulls, your horsepower & torque plots and your A/F ratio graph in hardcopy that you leave with, this is all very standard procedure), and is *very* well worth it. I would have the A/F's tested both on the *stock* factory program, and then with that Diablo chip (each program if it's multi-program) as well. You can FAX that data over to me and I'll be happy to review it to see how it's doing.

Now since you have already bought & paid for that Diablo chip, ideally it would be nice if they corrected your tuning for you, as that is generally going to be cheaper than buying a new chip from us to have us do whatever custom tuning you might need - so once you have that dyno data, you might want to contact Diablo first to see if they are willing to work with you - this is up to you of course, I'm just trying to see if you can still make use of your initial investment in that Diablo chip if possible. If you prefer to just have us do it, that's fine too of course, this is strictly up to you.

Now usually you will need to have the part-throttle shift pressures brought down when you install the Factory Tech valve body, so that might be one thing you are referring to, and that is easily done with a program adjustment.

With regard to how much power we can add to your engine via the Superchips tuning over what it makes on the stock factory program, on pump premium with the "max" performance tune we generally see 20+ HP gains on a stock truck, depending on the dyno & atmospheric conditions. Now once there are some mods so the motor can breathe better, etc., we'll generally pick up a bit more power.

The electric fans & underdrive pulleys are *excellent* mods, as you get somewhere in the area of 25 to upwards of 30 more HP to the rear wheels, and you'll also pick up some fuel mileage, too. Reducing parasitic losses is a great way to gain power and burn less fuel, we're a big fan of those kinds of mods on just about any vehicle. Those types of mods generally do not affect the engine's tuning, so you don't have to do those mods first and then do the tuning after - that is strictly up to *you*.

At any rate, just give us a call when you get a chance & we'll be happy to go over everything with you in detail & take care of any potential issues you may be having with your tuning, if need be - we're happy to help.

Good luck & talk to you soon!

 

Mike,
A question (not a complaint),
In most of your posts you tell us to call and talk to you, but your staff is VERY good at screening your calls. What do I have to do to be able to talk to you?
I usually get an answer to my questions but I usually have to contact the manufacturer by phone (per your staffs request) and that is another phone call or two. Kind of a time waster.
Is there a secret hand shake or password to be able to talk to you directly? Or a tech person, capable of answering these very standard (probably) questions?
I only ask because I could easily ask all my questions here but you seem to prefer to get a phone call on the "long winded" questions and I AM a long winded kinda guy (like you haven't noticed )
Thanks for all the insight that you so freely give,
Lonster (the LongWindedQuestionGuy) Avenmarg

 

LMAO!!!!

 

I have also tried to call and have never been able to actually talk to you Mike...I know you answer most questions here but I also ran into a situation where you said call and I wasnt allowed to get through.. I think we all understand that you get alot of calls, but it would be nice to get it from the horses mouth on occasion..

And Lonster...I was Born In Eureka..my sister and Bro-in-law still live there and own a grocery store near Humboldt State..

 

I like the shifts I am getting with the FTVB and just a touch of chip. I talked to Gregg and he said it should be fine just dont over do the software side of the tranny.....

I will see if the local dyno shops can help.. There is one that actually tunes Diablo on site so I will see.

Thanks again,

Nate

 

Hi Lonster & TerryK67,

Thanks for your posts - that hilarious "secret handshake or password" comment was great - I actually broke out laughing at my monitor when I read that.

Just some quick background on this for everyone in general (not just you 2 guys specifically).........

My time has to be spent on things that actually *require* me - I can't be available just to save someone from a call to a manufacturer, or to talk about a Micro Tuner, our staff handles those simple things - my time needs to be spent on those matters that actually require me, like complex or more involved configurations, technical things, testing, R&D, vehicle modifying, working with manufacturers, etc., etc. - we have been doing just that for many years, that's how we gain our knowledge and what gives us the ability to answer all these questions & help so many people.

To do that, we have to prioritize incoming calls from people asking for me personally. Our staff can handle most matters - Heck, the women at our company can install many of our parts, including a Superchip or a Micro Tuner or an AF1, etc. So our staff passes on to me those matters that only I can handle as a general policy - that's the only way we can do what we do. Then if I have some spare time, I gladly take calls from anyone - and I wish I could do more.

If we didn't do things like we do, we would not have anything more to offer than all the mail order/phone room operations - where the reality is mostly nobody knows much of anything about these vehicles, customer service is a joke, nobody touches any customer vehicles, nobody tests anything, etc. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I literally would be too ashamed to show my face if we ran that kind of operation. So because we choose to do what we do, our staff handles everything that they can handle, and passes on to me only those matters that actually *require* me. If we didn't do that, then I'd never get anything done, no testing, no R&D, no visiting & working with manufacturers (and no coming here 350-360 days a year over the past 5+ years to answer questions), and all the other things that we have to do to keep us who & what we are - one of America's better Truck & SUV performance specialists.

I guess when you get down to brass tacks, the fact is that I just don't know any better way to handle things.

We manage to take off parts of maybe 5-8 days each year - that's *including* weekends & holidays. And on every single one of even those days, I'm still talking to people, returning phone calls, etc. - even on Christmas Day.

So no, there really is no secret to getting thru to me personally, but if you 2 guys (Lonster & TerryK67) will call us & leave a message with your phone numbers (assuming I'm not available when you call), I will try to give both of you a call over this coming weekend & spend some time with you going over everything you need to know - how's that?

 

Hi Nate,

OK, sounds like you'll be in good shape!

Have fun,

 

Thanks Mike.
I still have a little glitch but I think it may disappear when I finally install the tuner program.
Here's what's going on,
I first installed the Magnaflow SI/SO cat back exhaust and loved it immediately. Great sound and seat of the pants ("Butt Dyno") improvement. The next day I installed the AF-1 kit and while installation was fairly simple, I seemed to loose power right off idle. In other words, from a standing start, the engine "bogs" a little. It's like having a big Holley double pumper on. All 4 barrels open at once and it bogs for a second. Then it catches it's breath and rips right up. It has a very noticeable improvement from 5 mph on. If I am doing a rolling start it is not noticeable at all. It just rips.
I disconnected my battery while I installed he AF-1, so the computer would be able to recalculate mixture but so far (100 miles) no difference. I also re-checked the installation, particularly where the steel tube goes into the rubber boot, to make sure it is not covering the air tube holes and that is OK.
I have 33 inch tires but I had no bogging with the stock air filter/inlet system.
What do you think?
Sorry for posting this in the "Chips" section but it is a continuation of a previous post.
Thanks for your help,
Lonster

 

Thanks for the reply, Mike...and I'll hold my personal chip..(grin) until I have a few more questions and the cash to order on the spot!!

I'm still enjoying my microtuner and I'm getting the fans and pulleys next....my questions had more to do with transmissions, so Like I said I will bank my "secret handshake" for a later time.

And we do all appreciate your input to all the questions you are asked...I spend way to much time here as it is, but your posts are worth the time spent!!

 

Hi Lonster,

Yep, I know exactly what you're talking about, and yes, we *do* have a procedure you can do to improve that specifically. Sure, the Micro tuner helps, but this is something you can do right now, without the Micro Tuner...............

First, here's what happens in some of these vehicles (not all, just some of these vehicles) after installation of any intake kit (K&N's FIPK, Airaid, AF1, etc., doesn't matter) ..............the factory intake has reductions in bends, etc. to keep the velocity of the incoming air very high at low rpms & part-throttle - just like they design their exhaust systems, to optimize light-throttle driveability. Well, when you open that up to reduce the large amount of restriction, you can lose some velocity of the incoming air - now we see less of that with the AF1 intake than any other, but it can happen to a certain extent with any intake. And again, this is only at low rpms & light throttle. It feels like when you give it that first 1/8" of throttle it responds, but give it *another* 1/8th" of throttle and it bogs - then give it yet a little bit *more* throttle still, and it picks right back up.......sound familiar?

Ok.........the stock throttle bodies are set up pretty sloppy in terms of the TPS voltage, it's usually about .84-.88 or so from the factory - well, you adjust that up to .98 to .99, and you'll see that problem virtually disappear. Now there is no adjustment range "built in" to the stock TPS usually, so you just file a little "notch" in it so you gain some effective "adjustment range" - you set it with the engine off, you can use either a diagnostic tool to read out the TPS voltage, or you can simply use a simple voltmeter - you know, a little digital voltmeter connected to both terminals of the TPS to read it's voltage - then adjust it by turning the TPS a bit until you get somewhere in the .96-.99 volt range - .99 is ideal, but anything from .96 to .99 is fine. That procedure helps that light-throttle driveability nicely!

This kind of thing is aggravated by those taller tires, as they reduce torque multiplication - and yes, I understand you didn't have that symptom with the stock intake setup, but once you open it up, then any other factors that may be present start rearing their heads, so to speak. The stock throttle body setup doesn't help - it's "ok" bone-stock, because the factory air intake tract's configuration is such that it provides nice velocity there at low rpms & light throttle - at the expense of power everywhere else, just like the exhaust. So once you open up the intake by installing any intake kit, it's a good idea to go ahead and optimize that TPS voltage for best driveability, and that helps that problem noticeably.

Good luck!

 

Hi TerryK67,

Sure, I'll be happy to answer your transmission questions, & you don't have to wait until you're actually ready to order, by the way - I don't want anyone to feel that way. It's perfectly natural to have questions & need info before making a purchase decision.

Thanks much for your understanding & kindness, & I hope to speak with you soon!

 

Thanks Mike.
That's exactly the kind of info that I was looking for.
I certainly didn't mean to dismiss your staffs ability to diagnose problems, but neither they nor the tech person from AirForceOne gave me any response like you just did. It is obvious to me that you have way more knowledge of these things than probably anyone else on your staff. That kind of diagnostic ability can only be learned by hands on - trouble shooting and problem solving.
After 17 years in the auto parts business and 13 restoration/rebuilds of various vehicles, I understand and appreciate your knowledge and ability.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my (and everyone else's) questions so completely and thoroughly.
I will take a look at my TPS and check the voltage, and see what needs to be notched, to adjust the current.
Thank you again,
Lonny Avenmarg

 

I have been fortunate enough on several occasions to speak with Mike directly. I've also spoken with Anita on several occasions as well and she answered my questions immediately.

Heck, sometimes I wonder if Anita actually runs the show and not Mike T., (just kidding Mike).

It's always the women behind the man who makes the engine run!!

 

Hi Lonnie,

That's very kind of you.

By the way, in that previous post I was just trying to find a way to convey some sense of what I have to do with my personal time - I really wasn't thinking of or trying to communicate that you (or anyone else) somehow weren't being "appreciative" of or were in some way being "dismissive" of our staff's abilities, etc. - I didn't get that impression at all, so please don't worry about that. Actually, I'm the first to say that some things our staff can handle, the more simple bolt-ons for example, while other more involved matters they either don't or shouldn't handle, or it's something that I *prefer* to do personally so I can be more thorough, etc.

I think it's a relatively simple matter of experience, just like with what you do in your segment of the auto parts business - the more you do, the longer you do it & the more you get exposed to, the more you know about it - thus the more you have to offer and can better help people - like with the TPS deal, which is really quite simple once you know about it. No doubt you run into those kinds of situations every day in the auto parts business!

Have fun & talk to you soon,