Tuner or Performance Chips - Do they work?
Not really sure where to post this so popped it in here... I am interested in possibly putting a performance chip in my 1995 Jamboree Rallye 30ft MH with a Ford 460 V8 engine. I just bought it a...
Forum Discussion
My opinion is not much especially if increased fuel economy is your goal and your expectations are 2-3 MPG increase. As mentioned the timing and compression ratio are already maxxed for regular gasoline.
There are a couple scenarios for increased power. One is through improved airflow, generally at higher RPM. Exhaust modifications, intake modifications, camshafts. Nothing I can think of with these mods increase fuel economy. Most of these mods are way up in the power band and require revving engine high to get the benefit from them. Some are actually at the expense of low RPM power.
The other scenario is a chip which tunes the engine open loop under wide open throttle and significantly enriches the mixture at that time. You would have to confirm your stock engine is in closed loop at full throttle (14.7 to 1 mixture) to benefit from this mod. An open loop tuning could richen the mixture to 12.5 to 1 with attendant extra spark advance, and possibly premium fuel. This modification could produce noticeable torque increase across the band. It almost certainly would decrease fuel economy if full throttle were used often.
I personally have very strong doubt the aftermarket tuners/engineers are more capable than the factory. I also have strong doubt the modifications are run through the same proving cycle as the OEM do. IMO at your own risk.
There are a couple scenarios for increased power. One is through improved airflow, generally at higher RPM. Exhaust modifications, intake modifications, camshafts. Nothing I can think of with these mods increase fuel economy. Most of these mods are way up in the power band and require revving engine high to get the benefit from them. Some are actually at the expense of low RPM power.
The other scenario is a chip which tunes the engine open loop under wide open throttle and significantly enriches the mixture at that time. You would have to confirm your stock engine is in closed loop at full throttle (14.7 to 1 mixture) to benefit from this mod. An open loop tuning could richen the mixture to 12.5 to 1 with attendant extra spark advance, and possibly premium fuel. This modification could produce noticeable torque increase across the band. It almost certainly would decrease fuel economy if full throttle were used often.
I personally have very strong doubt the aftermarket tuners/engineers are more capable than the factory. I also have strong doubt the modifications are run through the same proving cycle as the OEM do. IMO at your own risk.
