I'm trying to determine if the Jet Chip or Superchip will actually improve performance or is it a waste of money. I've read both positive and negative inputs. I don't need the speedo adjust, etc. All I'm looking for is more torque and horsepower, and better acceleration. I tow a boat and could use the improvements if it is possible. I do have the freeflow exhaust, K&N air filter and cooler thermostat. I just don't want to blow a couple hundred dollars needlessly. Thanks for your inputs.

 

Well to start with, Jet Chips and Superchips are two completely different tuning tools. Superchips is actually a programmer. When installed, it replaces certain pre-programmed settings on your PCM with its own. Jet Chip is a piggyback chip. It attempts to change the input going into the PCM to try to "fool" it so that it will do things like add fuel of advance timing. Programmers are better options for our trucks then piggyback chips. Yes, you will feel a gain with the chip in the begininning, but over time, it will be compensated for by the PCM, and any gains you once had will gradually go away.

Though the programmers are good, I recommend instead you first try a free flowing air intake system (to replace the stock air hat assembly), and a Fastman TB. Those are good mods for acceleration and throttle response. Secondly, you may want to consider regearing. These trucks are extremely heavy, and if you are running larger then stock tires (and really even if you aren't), changing the gear ratio gives the engine a better mechanical advantage over the weight and rolling resistance, greatly improving acceleration, escpecially while towing. People will say that you will lose mpg on the top end, but only if you go too low with your gears. Keep it within reason, and you will see nice low end improvement without much, if any, top end mpg loss. Third, a set of 1.7 ratio rockers (for the money) is a better mod then a programmer, in my opinion. Good low and mid range gains.

I tow a lot, and besides the gears, some of the best mods I did were those that gave me more hp/torque at high RPM. Things like headers, high flow cat, and air intake mods. High RPM mods really help out when you are towing or hauling a load, and hit a steep hill or need to pass. That's my $.02.

 

Thank you for your response. What you state makes a lot of sense. I hated to beat a dead horse but I continually hear good and bad things about these items. Thanks again!