Just swapped my Volo Performance FS3 addon chip for my 01 Ram 5.2 for one for my 05 Ram 5.7. Never did install it on the 01 but plan to on the 05. But before I do I would like some info if anyone has it. Basic question is did it work and how well? Bought it for mpg improvement and because it was reasonable in price (less than $100).

Request for enlightenment ye wise ones.......

 

I have yet to see any of these "chips" do as claimed. Most simply use a 10 cent IC to "fool" the PCM into thinking the truck is running at a different temp. Cooler means more fuel is put into the mix for a very modest power gain (at the expense of fuel economy), where hotter means less fuel in the A/F mix resulting in a very small MPG gain (at the expense of lost power). Whether the PCM reads cooler or hotter depends on the IC used.

In most cases the result is very minute and I've known some of these chips to screw up the truck (sensors), resulting in a CEL (Check Engine Light) and loss of performance.

IMO there is no $100 "magic" chip...

 

sounds like a power wire you could do for less than $10... unless you are looking for the hotter version.

 

Yea bud you've been dupped. Sorry man

 

Yeah, figured that was probably the case. With that in mind, I won't splice it into the wiring harness but will add the plug so I can just plug it into the diagnostic port. Whatever the results, you will see it here first.....just may take me awhile to get er done.

 

Well better late than never. Just finished the install of the Volo FS3. As I said before, I did not splice it in behind the OBDII plug but instead wired it into a male OBDII plug.

For those who are interested, go to www.carplugs.com for the plug. It was $5 for the male plug with 10 pins (only used 4 for the VOLO). I also purchased an OBDII cable and diagnostic software to use my laptop for troubleshooting and clearing trouble codes. That was $60 and way nicer that buying a code reader, unless you get the bargain basement version from Harbor Freight for $35 with a coupon. It is on sale at ScanTool.net for $49.95 (OBDLink SX) as of today.

No problems with the install and followed the directions from VOLO about hitting the reset button after the truck warmed up to allow for the calibration. All the blinking lights were pretty and did as expected.

Now for the baseline I'm working from-
mileage at time of install- 85582
existing modifications- none, this is a bone stock gov surplus Ram 2500 2wd with a hemi and automatic.
average mpg since purchase- 14.956 (20 tanks)
Best mpg to date- 16.54
Worst mpg to date- 12.31
Last tank mpg- 15.59

Tomorrow begins the real life test. It will be a combo of city/highway driving with the VOLO FS3 in constant operation. I won't post again until sometime next week when I fillup the tank again.

 

I will stay tuned.

 

sounds interesting, seems like most of these chips don't do squat but hey, you never know i guess.

 

i get around 15 city/highway with no chip b/c i drive like a grandma to and from work lol.

 

First tank has been somewhat disappointing, 350 miles using 23.37 gals for an average of 14.98 mpg.

Two things that may have had an adverse effect, 1) half the miles driven were in the city and 2) I forgot to disconnect the truck's battery to reset the ECU before installing the FS3.

Opinion at this point is that the FS3 will do a little better than stock on the road and a little worse than stock in the city. Four more tanks using it full time will tell if I am correct. Then I will test five tanks of just highway before making a final decision.