Classic AquaSport
General Aquasport Forums => Chum => Topic started by: gran398 on February 18, 2012, 07:12:13 PM
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Here's one that claims to increase HP, increase mileage, and reduce emissions, with zero warranty issues.
Is this snake-oil, or is there something to it?
Never been a gear-head (wish I were) but trust those of you here that are.
Thanks
http://www.gfchips.com/ (http://www.gfchips.com/)
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I think any mods will cause you warranty problems but most of the systems have a way to set all programming back to factory if you have to take it in to the dealer.
Many years ago another guy and I sat down with a JC Whitney catalog. We calculated that if I spent $300 on performance improvements from the catalog that I would have my old '63 Impala making gasoline at the rate of a gallon every 10 miles.
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:lol:
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Gotcha :thumright:
But have a friend with a 2009 Ford F-250 diesel that says the chip makes a huge difference. He paid $350 for the chip.
But, as they say, if its too good to be true...
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snake oil!!!!!
if you drive a ford truck, i can help!!! if you drive something else, i cant help :mrgreen:
gas and diesel are two completely different worlds when it comes to tuning and chips
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Aaron, please expound....thank you young man :thumright:
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I have a Ford 7.3 Turbo Deisel
Some time ago, I went to Gail Banks Eng.
Had a bunch of things done to my truck.
Computers, exhaust, waste gate, coolers, gauges, etc
The truck has ran perfect and has lots of power as well as better mileage.
I am sure to make up the savings in diesel would take years but it sure runs nice
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Bryan, thanks!
The reason I inquire is regarding an '03 Chevy Tahoe. Daily driver, now retiring it to a yard truck. Has 155K miles, good truck, good condition. But warranty expired long ago.
The truck will now be used for towing. If can increase HP, increase mileage...that would be great. With such high mileage...worth 6K max on a trade. For sure not worried about voiding a warranty.
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there are loads of stuff you can do to a chebby to gain some power, summit racing has been my friend, they can be yours too...
cold air intake, a tuner, exhaust, cam, spark plugs, cats, o2 sensor, but nothing will ad power like some forced induction :cheers:
i have a separate section in my book of receipts for my truck just from summit racing
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Year ... del/TAHOE/ (http://www.summitracing.com/search/Year/2003/Make/CHEVROLET/Model/TAHOE/)
ive done just about everything except a blower to my truck, headers/exhaust, ported intake, egr and smog delete, higher lift rocker arms and cam shaft, upgraded ignition, built transmission, and 4.56 gears...
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I had a chip in my F-250 diesel and I did get better performance and mileage. That was until the dealer reprogrammed my trucks computer and my chip would no longer work. But I did trash my transmission at 80K miles too. I should have gotten another one before my trip up to NC I would have saved some fuel fer sure!
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Thanks Bruce, thanks Aaron, thanks guys
Aaron...regarding the Tahoe upfit.
If you had a stock '03...not ragged out...would you keep it factory-spec...or would you tune?
Thanks
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These chips make a big difference when the engine is de-tuned; not so much when the engine is running close to max performance. For example, the Cummins same diesel can produce 200, 300, or 400 depending on chip setting and intercooler setup. So you can "dial in" what you want. The warranty may not be voided or might be, depending on what you do.
Another example: the only real difference between the Optimax 90, 115, and 125 is programming.
Diesels are more responsive to re-programming due to a greater potential output. Gas engines less so. Here's an idea: see if the seller offers a money-back guarantee. If you don't see what they promise, you can sent it back. That may separate the players from the wanna-bes.
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Bryan, thanks!
The reason I inquire is regarding an '03 Chevy Tahoe. Daily driver, now retiring it to a yard truck. Has 155K miles, good truck, good condition. But warranty expired long ago.
The truck will now be used for towing. If can increase HP, increase mileage...that would be great. With such high mileage...worth 6K max on a trade. For sure not worried about voiding a warranty.
Scotty,
There is no "horsepower in a can" that's going to fix a 155,000 mile engine. What your 5.3 needs is some maintenance.
1) The engine is full of carbon, they all do it. Get the throttle body, intake plenum, injectors and cylinder heads decoked using the BG process. Find someone (google) in your area that provides the service. About $175.
2) You're probably 2-3 computer upgrades behind from GM. Get the computer upgraded at the dealer or a shop that has the modern equipment to do it. Your '03 was built before ethanol fuel and needs the upgrades to run better on this fuel. Another $175.
3) Morning knock? Leaking intake manifold gaskets and / or bad knock sensors. This was a problem on earlier 5.3's
4) Spark plugs; ever changed them? If not, they're gone.
5) Air cleaner, K&N throw that paper one away. She will breathe better with a K&N
6) Timing chain, I'm not sure how long they last on this design engine, but on older small blocks that had regular oil changes, they were done @155,000.
The thing about computer controlled engines is that they continually try to heal themselves as things degrade by adjusting timing and fuel curves in order to stay running within the original design parameters until they reach limits. The problem is the loss of torque and horsepower is so gradual, that you don't notice it until one day you go to pass someone or hook it up to something heavier than your jonboat and you realize what a pig she has become and you will notice a 5 gallon bucket full of soot blasting out of the tail pipe. If you at least do 1), 2), 4), and 5) she will come back to life and pick up some mileage.
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everything that fitz said,
i personally would have put a tuner on it the week the warranty expired lol... the timing chain is probably due to be changed
if theres any slack in it the cam timing will be off and cause a slight lack of power...
heres the timing chain from my old 302 with 147,000 miles
http://www.fordtruckclub.net/forum/phot ... 280189.jpg (http://www.fordtruckclub.net/forum/photopost/files/2/2/4/p9280189.jpg)
http://www.fordtruckclub.net/forum/phot ... 280190.jpg (http://www.fordtruckclub.net/forum/photopost/files/2/2/4/p9280190.jpg)
here you can see the carbon build up inside the motor,
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30 ... CT0015.jpg (http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30/aswaff400/PICT0015.jpg)
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30 ... CT0005.jpg (http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30/aswaff400/PICT0005.jpg)
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A chip won't gain a lot of performance on a gas engine. If you plan on using the Tahoe mostly for towing, swap years to a lower ( numerically higher) set. This will make the truck pull much harder off the line but will cause higher engine Rpms on they highway. Chevys always have geared trucks high to help with fuel mileage. Most likely your truck has 3.08:1 gears. If you swap in 3.73:1 that truck could pull anything.
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Scott
Open your glove box, inside you will find a label with a bunch of 3 digit codes, look through them and see if you see G76 and GS3. These codes are called RPO or regular production options. The G76 is an Eaton locking differential, the GS3 is for the 3:73 gear ratio, they are both pretty standard on full size gm trucks that came originally equipped with a tow package. Getting the engine decarbed with the BG service is good advice. I have an 02 GM Sierra HD PU with the 6.0 liter, and bought the Hypertech reprogrammer for it. The 6.0 liter has a bigger performance increase than the 5.3 with the Hypertech, but transmission performance is much better, and in general you can really feel the power increase, especially if you press the tow/haul button. Of course this assuming you have the 5.3 and came with the tow package, if it was a lower end Tahoe with the 4.8 then it is really not meant for pulling much.
http://www.hypertech-inc.com/products-results.aspx (http://www.hypertech-inc.com/products-results.aspx)
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Scott, I have a 2000 GMC Yukon 4x4 with 3.73 gears and 100,000+ and just towed a 16x7 cargo trailer for 10 hours from Punta Gorda, FL to Charleston, SC with no problems. It surprised me because I usually tow it with 2007 6.7 Cummins. It did not the power of the Cummins, but since I don't the Ram truck any more, it was my next choice. It took 3 tanks of gas to make the trip but it towed fine. 60 gal= 550 miles
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Gears would make the truck feel like it has way more power. I swapped out 3.55 for 4.56 gears felt like an instant 50 lb.ft. torque. 4.10 gears are a good tow gear...
Most shops around here charge about 600 per axle for a gear swap.
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Thanks for the great input guys!
Had plugs and wires at 100K. Have a K&N air filter.
So looks like the first step should be the BG service. It has the 5.3 with the tow package.
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Thanks for the great input guys!
Had plugs and wires at 100K. Have a K&N air filter.
So looks like the first step should be the BG service. It has the 5.3 with the tow package.
Scott
Your good to go, that 5.3 will pull anything you want within reason
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I have a ton of different tuning websites that I can refer you too for gm trucks if you need them. I did the seafoam decarbon procedure on mine at around 150,000 miles, but not as much as I would have expected came out the exhaust pipe. As long as you aren't driving like a grandma all the time, you engine shouldn't be all carboned up. I got my computer tune on my ecm because my suburban was a complete dog after the lift & tires were put on. I just thought I could throw a lift & some 35s on there with no repercussions...boy was I wrong. I regeared with 4.88s(a little too low gearing however good for towing) because the 3.42s were not cutting it. I got it tuned to match the new gear ratio, tire size, mods, etc. The difference between the factory ecm & the tuned ecm was night & day. It has very good performance for a lifted gas truck now. I kept my factory ecm & had the tuner program another ecm which is more expensive, but I can swap my factory ecm in if I ever have to take it to the dealer for something. I would not spend my money on just getting the updates from the dealer, when you can really increase performance from the professional tuners out there. Some tuners are expensive, some are more affordable. It all depends on how in depth of a tune you want & how much you are willing to spend.
I agree with everyone that the gas engines don't see near the benefit of the diesel engines with a tune. I had a custom tune done based on my need to get my speedometer to show the correct speed again after my tire size change & gear change first, then for the performance second. The regearing probably changed my performance more than anything else though.
-Ben