Hello. A few questions. I live in Colorado (about 7000ft) and had a few questions. With gas prices going down I am thinking of loading my 93 performance tune for the 1st time. I have an sct x3 with tunes from vmptuning. I have to do that update from awhile ago on the x3 as I have not planned on changing tunes since 4 yrs ago. So I know I have to do that first. Question 1- do I have to return the truck to stock before the update? Question 2- I use 87 with my 87 tune but have been putting 91 in for the last 3 tanks but always fill up at 1/4 tank. How long should I use 91 before re tuning? Question 3- 93 tune with 91 octane is the most I can get here. Octane boost on top of 91? (since I bump up to 87 instead of 85 for my 87 tune). Question 4- can I see my settings that are loaded on the truck right now like tire revs per mile and things like that without re tuning? And final question- anybody feel a decent difference from 93 performance over 87 performance?
I have a buddy with a N/A cobalt SS and I am close lol. He has higher performance spark plugs and wires and CAI. Wanted to see if loading the other tune would help a lot or hardly at all. According to my scangauge I am making about 193 to 196hp average. Of corse it depends on the air temp and my engine temp but my max I have ever seen on it at about 7000ft is 203hp but have seen as low as 186 with a dirty filter and hot outside air. Thanks for any input in advance.

 

Have you contacted VMP? You may need tune adjustments for the high altitude and lower octane.

 

Hi Timmy - we discussed this before: https://www.f150online.com/forums/ch...ghlight=update

That should answer Q1.

Q2: No need to wait if you've already been running the new tune's target octane.

Q3: DO NOT USE OCTANE BOOST ! Have the tunes adjusted fer available effective octane based on yer elevation, or at least ask Justin for input on adjustments you can do via the End-User settings if they are exposed in yer tunes.

Q4: Yes

Q5: Difference is significant - at least on a 3V. On a 4.2? Probably not.

WTF is a 'higher performance spark plug? That's BS. As are hi-perf wires. May as well say 'Hi-Perf' stickers - Gotta be a wannabe ricer in that Cobalt

BTW - you have a heavy-*** pickup, he has a light fartwagon - two completely different vehicles - he has a huge mass/inertia & grip advantage. He has approx 17 lb/hp; you have approx 25 lb/hp ( @ the crank, not factoring in driveline losses which would be less for the other feller ).

BSB

 

I told him high elevation when I ordered and have asked him if I could use 85 in 87 tune and he said yes but I could use whatever but with 93 tune I just know no lower than 93 normally but at elevation 91 is like 93 in low elevation.

 

Thanks MGD. He has the N/A 2.4L(171hp) which was only considered an SS for 1 year. I can stay with him for the most part but after 80 I cant. We did a side by side from 0 to about 70 and he had me by a few feet. ill ask justin at vmp. Guess that should have been the first move instead of here but I get quicker replies here lol.

 

Email sent to justin at vmptuning.

Hello. I bought an Sct X3 with custom tunes from you in 2010. I bought 87 econ, 87 performance and 93 performance. I live in colorado at about 7000ft and asked awhile ago about using 85 octane with 87 performance tune and you said it was ok but I went 87 anyways. I have been using 91 (highest available) on my 87 tune with better performance of course. With gas prices going down I was thinking of loading my 93 performance tune. Questions are is it a noticeable increase in power from 87 to 93? And can I use 91 with it or are there adjustments I can do on the device? You wrote the tunes with elevation in mind already I believe. I asked on f150online and was told to ask about any adjustments and to stay away from octane boost (since I was using 87 and 91 on the 87 tune I just thought anything above 91 would be ok on the 93 tune). If it's not very noticeable in your mind I won't change it mainly because I have to do that critical update for the x3. Don't want to be wasting my time if it's not worth it. Vehicle is 08 4.2L f150. Thank you and have a good day.

This was the reply. I forgot it's like pulling teeth to get more than a vague answer from him lol.

Hey, I would try the 93 tune with your premium gas up there, it may work fine, there is not a ton of cylinder pressure at those altitudes so you don’t need the octane as much.