Local distributor brought in as new Micro-tuner since the Hypertech tuner I'm using has some issues with the Tranny programming on "firm". Stock shift pressure is fine, along with Hypertech 87 tuning, raised shift points and speed limiter. But, I really wanted was to compliment the package with firmer shifts. Less time spent between gears the better.

I put my SD back to stock settings, on the 19th, put on roughly 70 miles, then programmed the truck with the Micro-tuner on the 20th. 87 octane tuning, raised speed limiter, Superchip settings for the firmer shifts in all gears, and Superchip settings for raised shift points in all the gear also. Noticed right away the Tranny behaved very well. Clean shifts, reduced "in between" times, worked good. There is one issue woith the tuner I'm dissappointed with though.
The 87 tuning with the micro-tuner did not have the same hp/torque gains as the Hypertech. This was noticable as soon I was out on the road and under throttle. Light throttle, heavy, torquing in OD, responce was not the same. I've put on close to 200 miles since the Micro-tuner programming so I believe everything is settled in as far as the programming. The truck did not hold OD the same on our steep hills, and acceleration in OD felt slower/ less responsive. I wanted to find out if it was all in my head (flashback maybe?!?!?), so this is what I came up with.

I decided to run a series of hills today at 110km/h (69mph), to see how the truck managed to hold it's speed, accelerate if possible, or how much speed it lost, all in OD, no cruise control. One hill was done in drive at lower speeds.

The first was a long straight climb, started at 80km/h(50mph), managed to hit 110km/h before the top, held it. The second hill, at 110km/h, lost 3 km/h, stayed in OD. The third hill, 110km/h, lost 2km/h. 4th hill, 50km/h (31mph), in drive, managed 85km/h (53mph) at the top.
Minor drops, not one downshift into drive.

Cleared the programming, drove a few hours, the programmed the Hypertech back in the truck. 87 octane power tuning, raised shift points, raised rev limiter, raised speed limiter, stock shift pressure. Toured around town for an hour, then went out to hit the hills.
First hill, OD again, 110km/h, held it fine, managed to reach the speed quicker, could of got to 115km/h if I continued accelerating. Sencond hill, 110km/h, held the speed fine, and managed to get another 3km/h out of it before the top. 3rd, hill, 110km/h at the bottom, 112km/h at the top. 4th hill, 50km/h in drive, and managed to get 90km/h before the top. My radar started going off so I backed off before I reached max speed. I'm sure I could of squeezed a few more km/h before the top.

The tranny program is better with the Micro-tuner as far as my truck goes, but the power tuning is in the Hypertech. I could tell the difference on the hills, and on the flats how much better pull I had on the throttle.

What is more important for me, quicker/smoother shifting, or more torque/hp to hold hills better.

Maybe one day I'll send the Hypertech tuner to get the shifting bugs worked out, but for me stock shifting with higher shift points, and increased power overall is what I choose. I pull weight occasionally thoughout the year, and being able to hold the OD longer, or pull the trailer easier is more important to me than the quicker shifting.

In my truck I guess generic works better, as wierd as it sounds.
No worries though, I know in 2 years I'll have a PSD, and Superchip is the King for the PSD.

 

HI!... No offence, but everything you just did is usless unless you have data. Go to a dyno and run both programs. Also, I don't know about the MICRO TUNER but with the SUPERCHIP you need to drive for at least 500MILES before it's at it's full power. IMO the HYPERTECH is junk and always will be, but that's just me.

 

500 miles to set?!? If that's the case I will stuff it back in and try again. Allthough with previous Superchips The change was evident within the first day, but if it may get better I'll try it.
FYI, the difference was enough I don't need a dyno to clarify for myself which tuner works for my needs. Would I be discredited if I said the Micro-tuner spanked the Hypertech in every regard?
I talked with Mike for 20 minutes yesterday on current mods, the tuner, future mods, etc. I've purchased a few Superchip products before, and they're my first pick when I think of a new one.
This post isn't to discredit Superchip or Mike, it's a "wierd" find.

We'll see what happens after 500 miles, could be a glitch in the 87 octane tuner. Maybe Mike may know of a few problems. This is what "I" found out today.

Once again to Superchips loyalists

This post isn't to discredit Superchip or Mike, it's a "wierd" find.

 

HI!... If you want REAL WORLD data then set both programmers at PREMIUM fuel setting. That's where 95% of people that buy these things is going to run it.

 

 

Not only do I NOT need 93 octane tuning for REAL WORLD data, why in the world would anyone deside on which chip to purchase because it has better gains on an octane you wouldn't run anyway.

 

HI!... I bet if you ask around 95% of people here that are running a chip or a programmer are running it with premium fuel. IMO running either of these two items without the premium fuel aspect of them is a waste of money and time. Then all you get basically is a shift improver (which you can do with a shift kit) or a top speed limiter remover.

 

So if everyone else is running premium, what would that have to do with anything I've said to date. I apologize if I haven't clarified, I run 87 octane. Period. You think it hasn't occured to me that better performance could be gained with premium? I couldn't care less what any chip does on Premium due to the fact my truck runs on FREE company gas. Why would I start paying for Premium fuel for the first time in 7 years.

The Superchip cleaned up the shifting and raised the speed limiter.

Hypertech increased power and raised the speed limiter.

I had no idea it would be so painful for someone to read a post that didn't proclaim Superchip superior in every regard.

 

Dyno data is nice, but real-world driving impressions is what it comes down to for many of us. Thanks for taking the time to share your info

 

 

Hmmm, that wouldn't be you looking up at your"SUPERCHIP IS GOD" poster by chance, would it?

 

HI!... No that's me rolling my eyes at you. I've run both and the SUPERCHIP beats it hands down. That's with PREMIUM (94 OCTANE) too!

 

Neal-

Have you Dyno'ed or run the 1/4 lately....it's been a while since I've been around. I'd like to keep track of that awesome truck of yours.

 

The "seat of the pants" dyno isn't all that accurate. There are way too many variables.

In my truck there is a big difference in the "feel" depending on the ambient temp. There is a noticable increase in power when it is below freezing. If I had to estimate based on the seat of the pants dyno, I'd say that there might be a 10hp, maybe even 20hp increase with a cold (there has been plent of that lately here) dense intake charge. The '03 E250 with the 5.4 that I drive for work is the opposite. It feels stronger when it's in the 40's than it does with the teens and twenties that we have now.

We hear claims fron all sorts of places. Who's right? Who's wrong?
I just don't think it's that simple. If your happy with what one product does for you over what another product does, more power to you.

 

Ahhh, so that's where the blind faith / fanatical worship comes from. "Running a Superchip on premium in my truck has better results than a Hypertech on premium, therefore any claim that differs from this is wrong. That includes a totally different vehicles running programs on 87."

Thanks for the clarification Neal, makes "alot" more sense now. LOL.



wittom commented:

" If your happy with what one product does for you over what another product does, more power to you."

I agree wittom, thanks for the comment. Glad Griffin and I are not the only ones that can respect one indiviual's comments / finds, even if they don't conform to the masses.