Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I recently tried the new Superchips Microtuner for my Cummins, and thought I’d share my experience:
I bought a used 98. 5 Cummins with nothing more than an intake and exhaust, and was immediately bit by the BOMB bug. So in following the advice of the numerous experienced and wise members that post here, my first upgrade was gauges.
From that, I was torn between spending $400+ on an EZ, or less than $300 on the new Superchips tuner that claimed similar gains, and would allow me to adjust for my tire size as well. So after leaving myself nearly bald from pulling my hair out (no offense to anyone), I decided that with Superchips’ 30 day warrantee, I couldn’t go wrong, and ordered the programmer.
While waiting for the programmer to arrive, I pulled the G-Tech pro out of my Mustang Cobra that I’ve been very happy with and have used since it was available in beta, and went out to do some baseline runs on a flat stretch of road by my house. After numerous runs, I came up with an average baseline of 178 HP, and 352 ft-lbs.
Once the tuner arrived, I excitedly installed the Hi Perf tuning (highest setting) that Superchips claims will make at least 70 HP and 140 ft-lbs. As I am realistic, I would have been satisfied with half of that even though their web site claims “Results vary by vehicle – your results could be better”. Additionally, I configured my ECM for the corrected tire size of 34”, and went back to my “test track” prepared to be thrilled.
As I’m sure you’re all dying of suspense by now, here is the bottom line: although the speedo correction worked great (as verified by the GPS), my power reading after numerous runs ended up at 187 HP and 368 ft-lbs for a total gain of 9 HP and 16 ft-lbs – hardly the results I expected. To make things even more disappointing, upon contacting Superchips regarding my lack of gains, the response I got was “While we've had great results with most Cummins diesels, some have not produced any noticable increases. We are working on the problem but have not yet got it worked out fully”
I’ll spare you all the details, but I did try the other 2 settings available with the MicroTuner, and they yielded similar results.
So now, I’m sitting here patiently awaiting my EZ box! And then the DDIIs, and …
I bought a used 98. 5 Cummins with nothing more than an intake and exhaust, and was immediately bit by the BOMB bug. So in following the advice of the numerous experienced and wise members that post here, my first upgrade was gauges.
From that, I was torn between spending $400+ on an EZ, or less than $300 on the new Superchips tuner that claimed similar gains, and would allow me to adjust for my tire size as well. So after leaving myself nearly bald from pulling my hair out (no offense to anyone), I decided that with Superchips’ 30 day warrantee, I couldn’t go wrong, and ordered the programmer.
While waiting for the programmer to arrive, I pulled the G-Tech pro out of my Mustang Cobra that I’ve been very happy with and have used since it was available in beta, and went out to do some baseline runs on a flat stretch of road by my house. After numerous runs, I came up with an average baseline of 178 HP, and 352 ft-lbs.
Once the tuner arrived, I excitedly installed the Hi Perf tuning (highest setting) that Superchips claims will make at least 70 HP and 140 ft-lbs. As I am realistic, I would have been satisfied with half of that even though their web site claims “Results vary by vehicle – your results could be better”. Additionally, I configured my ECM for the corrected tire size of 34”, and went back to my “test track” prepared to be thrilled.
As I’m sure you’re all dying of suspense by now, here is the bottom line: although the speedo correction worked great (as verified by the GPS), my power reading after numerous runs ended up at 187 HP and 368 ft-lbs for a total gain of 9 HP and 16 ft-lbs – hardly the results I expected. To make things even more disappointing, upon contacting Superchips regarding my lack of gains, the response I got was “While we've had great results with most Cummins diesels, some have not produced any noticable increases. We are working on the problem but have not yet got it worked out fully”
I’ll spare you all the details, but I did try the other 2 settings available with the MicroTuner, and they yielded similar results.
So now, I’m sitting here patiently awaiting my EZ box! And then the DDIIs, and …
