I'm really disappointed with my AF1 and Xcal3 I just bought...
 

I seem to have lost power with these two mods. Other then alot of extra noise, it doesn't seem to have gained me anything. At first the Xcal3 was causing some detonation noises at WOT at high RPMs. They suggested I back off the timing by 1 degree. That fixed the detonation, but I swear I've lost power. So I borrowed a friends Gtech that I had borrowed a few months ago and tested my truck. I compared data from two months ago when I tested it and found my 0-60 times increase by 1.5 seconds and the HP numbers were 15 less. So it not only feels like less power, but measured less power too.

What a disappointment for a $700 investment. I've been told the custom tunes from Troyer will make all the difference, but how can the Xcal3 and AF1 not make a difference now while I'm waiting for my Troyer tunes?

I'm putting in what I consider better gas soon (waiting to use up current gas) and I'll see if that helps. I'm considering going straight to premium on my next tank.

Can the problem be this "adaptive computer" stuff I keep hearing about. Can it really make that big of a difference?

So you're just running the canned tunes off of the Xcal3, right? Those tunes are designed for a vehicle running the stock intake, not an aftermarket intake and especially not the AF1 since it flows so well. I would of thought Troyer would of told you to wait until you got the custom tunes until you ran the AF1. I doubt you've lost any power, it sounds like you were just expecting too much from it.

Actually, the first thing I did was install the canned tunes. I used the tunes for about 4 days before I put the AF1 on and I felt no difference. And the Gtech doesn't lie either. It showed a loss. Adding the AF1 didn't make any difference one way or the other.

You should probably get ahold of Troyer ASAP about this. In the meantime, I'd probably go back to stock tuning. I recall Troyer saying that some trucks come from the factory runing rich or lean, and the "canned" tunes can make it worse. In those cases, you'll either need to get custom tunes using a dyno (not simply mail-order custom tunes), or do the proper datalogging that Troyer suggests, and let him see if there's a problem.

Again, either way, I'd go back to stock tuning until you get it squared away. Something's wrong if the canned tunes are decreasing power.

I got the exact same thing for my 05 fx4 5.4 scab and the canned tunes definiteley decrease power.

Did you go back to stock? I assume you were/are waiting for custom tunes. If you did get custom tunes how well did the customs work?

I've just about emptied the tank and tomorrow I'll fill up with good quality premium. I then try Xcal3's 91 tune and see what that does.

Sometimes gas makes all the difference in the world. Octane rating is only the beginning. Try using a "Top Tier" gas, as opposed to an off brand. "Top Tier" vendors often have a proprietary blend of additives in the gas. I've found that certain brands perform better than others. I also use Lucas Oil Upper Cylinder Lubricant.
http://www.mwfi.com/Fuel-Additives/g...torcleaner.jpg

Which AF1 did you get, the 3.0" or the 3.5"?

- NCSU

I used the same Lucas product. I was actually wondering if that was causing it. This morning I put in good quality 91 supreme and put the 91 canned tune in. No detonation. But I didn't put in the Lucas either. So I changed 3 things all at once. Duh. Apparently I forgot the simple rules of trouble shooting. Change one thing at a time.

O, and I drove the truck home first before changing the program so I ran the 87 canned tune with 91 gas. No problems. I've been wondering if I could run higher octane gas then the tune allowed for.

I have the 3". There's an insert inside.

Driving your truck with higher octane fuel, and a low perrformance tune will not hurt anything. You just dont want to run 93/91 Performance Tune, with 87/89 Grade.

I put my AF1 CAI in a week after I got my kit from TP. I can't use the canned tunes because SCT don't make any for the 97-03 4.2Ls. But I have noticed better mileage and more power with just the AF1 and the UDP installed. Now not sure if the power gain is mostly from the UDP or not but I'm happy. C'mon Mike get me my tunes...I'm gettin' antsy :P j/k.

Yeah i went back to stock. ive had the tuner waiting on my custom tunes for almost 4 months now so every once in a while i will pull it out and try different gas or different settings but all ive managed to do was get even less power so im sticking with stock til my custom tunes get here.

will hurt the performance-been proven you will get lower numbers running premium on 87 tunes-max power is yielded when you have just enough octane to prevent detonation-proven fact:thumbsup:

Huh? I must be really stupid. If this makes any sense to anyone, please, enlighten me.

- Jack