Re: [a/s] Souping up a Ford diesel

[Scott Dunaway <sdunaway@xxxxxxxx>]

Hello Jack and friends,

I have never heard of the diesel chip, but I have heard reports of gas
engine aftermarket chips.  Bottom line- they are a rip-off.  They cost the
manufacturer about $5 and may take 30 minutes to install.  Ford or any
other OEM has already tested power and fuel economy extensively over
a two year, four-season development schedule at altitudes from Death
Valley to Pike's Peak.  They are maximized within government regualtions
for pollution-- and here's the catch: on gas engines these chips may
bypass emission controls such as Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR).  You
might expect a marginal, maybe 2-5% power increase on gas engines at part
throttle and no increase at full throttle.  Sorry, I can't estimate
diesel.  One final thought..  remember that these folks don't have
multi-million dollar test and calibration budgets that OEMs like Ford
do.  So while you might like the feel of a throttle tip-in at 70 deg, it
might not run so well when very hot, cold, or way up on top of a
mountain.  Good luck and happy trailering!

Scott Dunaway
Ford Powertrain Electronic Applications
313-84-50812