2nd Gen Dakota Tech 1997 - 2004 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 2nd Gen Dakota.

is a performance chip worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 06:51 PM
  #1  
aed208's Avatar
aed208
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
Default is a performance chip worth it?

I was just lookin at the superchips website and saw that i could buy a chip for my trucks 5.2 v8 on there for like 250-300$. Does anyone have one and think that its really worth it? Can you feel it in the seat of your pants when your driving and notice it at the pumps? Let me know cause im very curious....
 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 08:09 PM
  #2  
RoaminGnome's Avatar
RoaminGnome
All Star
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From: Southern NH
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

A lot of people here use the superchips and like em. Not sure what difference you'd notice on a stock motor but like most mods would probably stack nice with other mods. Im a bit curious about the finer details aswell, tho i have the 3.9l v6 Ill just assume that it will be similar just a little less
 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 10:34 PM
  #3  
TheePlaymaker's Avatar
TheePlaymaker
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 2
From: Willow Street, PA
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

i've been thinking about one as well and have heard both good and bad things mostly good things though. if you want something a little better but not as easy and reversable as that i heard custom tunes are a lot better. there is a company out there b&g or something like that i forget the name but they do really good ones so i've heard. try a search on it im sure something will pop up.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 12:43 AM
  #4  
aed208's Avatar
aed208
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

yeah i hear ya. im weighing the pros and cons right now cause other than a home made intake and exsaust the truck is stock and i want more power and better fuel mileage. But the only thing that holds me back is the price. But it plugs right into the port under the steering wheel and from there you can adjust the performance, rev limiter, and speed limiter. It also bumps the timing up a little bit for better throtle response and power through out the entire power band. But im only going off of what i read about the superchip for this truck i dont even know if it works that well thats what im trying to find out before i take the plunge at 250-300$ but if i do ill be sure to let everyone know.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 07:15 AM
  #5  
JasonA's Avatar
JasonA
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

Remember that everything comes at a compromise. If it advances timing too much, you may have to start using midgrade or premium fuel to keep spark knock at bay. And more power and more fuel economy are usually mutually exclusive. More air through = more power. But more air through also= more fuel through. That's just the way it goes.

The best way to improve fuel economy, besides modifying your driving style,is weight reduction. Is a 2WD truck an option for you? The 4x4 system adds a lot of weight and mechanical resistance to the drive line, even when you're not using it; everything always turns anyway. You can probably swap your front hubs to manual hubs -- that would keep the front driveline from turning, and would reduce your drive line resistance.

How fast do you drive? How fast do you accelerate? During normal driving, I accelerate so that the engine never really revs past 2000 RPM (and I have an automatic). That's generally slightly slower than normal traffic flow, but not much. The engine has a lot of low-end torque, and doesn't need to rev high to move you out. Don't use A/C when you don't need to. Drive with the windows up at highway speeds to decrease drag. Make sure your tires are inflated to at least what Dodge recommends (likely 35 PSI front and rear). A lot of guys run at least 40 PSI in their tires. Just don't go above the maximum allowable pressure that's molded into the tire's sidewall.

I would skip the chip. It's not going to make a big difference in power, and any difference it does make is going to worsen your fuel economy when you take advantage of it anyway.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 07:39 AM
  #6  
mplue's Avatar
mplue
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville, IN
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

I have an '03 4.7L QC 2WD with the K&N FIPK, Magnaflow cat-back and the Superchips programmer. I didn't notice any mileage increase or decrease, seemed to stay about the same for me. What I did notice was the shifting. When you mash the gas, it shifts a lot harder and faster. I have the automatic, so doubt you would notice anything with a manual. The Superchips has 3 settings, 87 performance, towing and something else, don't remember off hand. Any setting other than 87 performance requires you to run 91 or higher octane. The towing setting gets you a little more low end power, hence for pulling trailers. The other setting I can't remember was more for mid to high end performance. I'm currently running 87 performance because of crazy *** gas prices. Hope that helped.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 12:17 AM
  #7  
aed208's Avatar
aed208
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

yeah thanx for the input. im not sure if im guna buy one or not im still thinking about it. I just put 200$ into it puting new sparkplugs and wires and exsaust and intake so i think i might just lay off for a while and just drive it as is. I just bought the truck about a 2 weeks ago and ive never owned a v8 or anything this new haha. So im just tryin to get a feel for how to get more power out of it and whatnot but thanks for all the advice
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 01:06 PM
  #8  
scandal669's Avatar
scandal669
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

from what i have heard, they work better along with other mods
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2008 | 12:16 PM
  #9  
jonnymagnum's Avatar
jonnymagnum
Grand Champion
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,645
Likes: 3
From: ontario, canada
Default RE: is a performance chip worth it?

I had magnaflow exhuast and a CAI and a 180stat with my superchips and noticed a good difference. and it shifted alot better with it too.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:42 PM.