Big power gains for 2.7L from Superchips Pulsar XT tuning

[Superchips_Mktg]

Product looks good. How do you have throttle response when in reverse? Do you revert to the factory setting? Last thing I want is a touchy throttle in reverse. Thanks.

It does revert back to normal in reverse

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[Brokenparts]

I've purposely waited a bit to give my take on the tuner.... I've been driving around with it for almost a week now.

It's good. My original plan was to do a "follow along" install video/pics, but the linked video of the install is as straight forward as it can get. I was able to get the tuner installed on my lunch break and still have enough time to flog the throttle around the business park. Stupid easy... plug and play.

If you look at the dyno graph, you can see quite a bit of meat in low-to-midrange. To me, this part of the power curve is the most useful. Sure 0-60 times are great but being able to feel the gain while at a cruising speed or at part throttle/off-idle throttle stood out with this tuner for my driving style.

I previously was using a Pedal Commander which was nice improvement for throttle response but there really wasn't a "power gain". On the other hand, this tuner allowed me to back off the throttle sensitivity (in comparison to the Pedal Commander), yet still feel the power. I have throttle sensitivity set at +4 and love it. Overall, the tuner adds "grunt" to my Bronco that was previously missing. MPG differences are negligible... especially if you don't flog the throttle like I've been doing...

My Flowmaster/American Thunder Exhaust showed up yesterday. I am eager to see if it complements the tuner like I hope it will. I'll be sure to update my feedback after getting it installed.

 

[Altitude]

I got this installed and was able to play around with it a little. It definitely works. Install was easy although working on my back under the dash was a little rough for this 48 year old. No codes, hiccups or other issues beyond not being able to pair the little remote control, which I don't think I'll use anyways as the app works fine, even if it's a little slow. Vehicle is a stock 2.7 Badlands with the factory 33s. I was running a fresh tank of 91 octane with (no more than) 10% ethanol and it was 73 degrees. I haven't been able to find 93 octane here.

To test it out I went to a local industrial area that has no to little traffic on Sundays and used the 'Dragger' app to measure 0-60. I would not make any claims that this app is accurate, but I thought it should be okay for comparisons sake. I ran it twice on 'stock' and twice on level 5 with level 3 on the throttle. I didn't load the brakes and it was release brake pedal then WOT. All runs were going in the same direction and starting from the same point, back to back.

With the stock setting I got 0-60 times of 7.65 and 7.72. On level 5 I got a 6.81 and a 7.02 on the second run. I had the boost gauge open on my dash and the boost level achieved was around 2-3 lbs less on the 7.02 run. I was showing 16-17 during the first and only in the 14s for the second level 5 run. I suspect the system was pulling timing and / or boost due to ping, but I don't know. Maybe heat affected it as well, but I wouldn't expect consistent performance on level 5 on only 91 octane. I felt like any more runs would probably be less and less, so I stopped after those 4.

I have it now set on level 3 power with level 3 throttle. Noticeable power increase and much peppier throttle feel over stock, was able to keep fogs on with brights, and turn off the damn start / stop feature. I would absolutely remove this anytime you take it to the dealer for ANY service.

Overall I am very happy for a plug and play module that can be removed at anytime and if needed can run 87 octane in the 'stock' mode, unlike the Ford Performance module where it appears 91 is required and 93 to get the most out of it.

So to update my post, I added a bottle of cheap STP Octane Booster from Wal-Mart and went back to the same spot to re-test to see if I could squeeze more out of it with presumably higher octane. I have no idea how many points the STP would add, I figure not much though. It was 49 degrees, so cooler than my first runs, which I'm sure helped. Also, I was sitting with 3/4 of a tank, instead of full. Quite impressed! I did a run on 'stock' tune and got a 6.99 0-60 and a very surprising 5.73 0-60 using level 5. Same parameters as before, same spot, same app, going in the same direction, and all runs where made on 'normal' GOAT mode. I did a run on level 3, which is what I have been using and got 6.56. I believe these numbers would indicate that the tune is capable of more than the advertised numbers if using higher octane fuels than 91 (assuming the octane booster actually worked, which it appears it did / does). I did move the throttle sensitivity down from 3 to 2. On three it seemed like it was always in boost and really killed the gas mileage. On 2 with a feather foot I can keep out of the boost and for the few trips I've taken without my foot in it, it does appear to have increased the gas mileage. I typically have seen 17.2 on the gauge and its now showing 18 as average on similar trips. I prefer the feel of level 3 however.

I would love to see someone run this on an independent dyno with 93 octane.

STP Octane Booster (5.25 fluid ounces) - Walmart.com

 

[Superchips_Mktg]

Thanks for the feedback! Obviously the vehicle is still going to self adjust based off the fuel quality to make sure there is know detonation or pinging under load. The Ecoboosts defintley pull alot as the engine heats up, we've seen this for years in dyno testing. The first run can be 20-40hp higher than a third/fourth run just simply because the engine has gotten hot.

But we did develop these calibrations using 91 Octane and have been extremely happy with the results.

 

[Treich]

Well damn I just got Procal in the mail, not installed yet since it's almost worth throwing money at a dealer for the install. But this sounds like a better deal.

 

[Superchips_Mktg]

Well damn I just got Procal in the mail, not installed yet since it's almost worth throwing money at a dealer for the install. But this sounds like a better deal.

we’ve been getting great reviews from owners on these devices in the field.

 

[0ne]

we’ve been getting great reviews from owners on these devices in the field.

Have you folks stacked it with the Ford Performance ProCal delivered tune yet?

 

[Superchips_Mktg]

Have you folks stacked it with the Ford Performance ProCal delivered tune yet?

we have not testing with any competitive devices.

 

[Bradley Thornton]

Can I change my axle size with this and if so what's the largest size? 5.38?

 

[NorthTexasBronco]

we have not testing with any competitive devices.

I purchased this and I do like it, can you share what is different about each map? I cant find any information online.

 

[0ne]

Anyone stack this with the Ford Performance ProCal delivered tune yet?

 

[MWILD]

Anyone stack this with the Ford Performance ProCal delivered tune yet?

If Superchips wants to send me one for testing then I'd be more than happy to provide a review and some data

That said, I do have an inexpensive RaceChip S coming next week so I plan to see how that does. on top of the Ford ProCal.

 

[0ne]

If Superchips wants to send me one for testing then I'd be more than happy to provide a review and some data

That said, I do have an inexpensive RaceChip S coming next week so I plan to see how that does. on top of the Ford ProCal.

Have you folks stacked it with the Ford Performance ProCal delivered tune yet?

we have not testing with any competitive devices.

 

[Ninjak]

The super chips device looks to give decent gains, and like the other piggybacks, makes it easy to go back to stock.

The meat of the Ford Procal though is the transmission tuning. The added power is great, but the transmission tunning is what makes the Ford device worth the price of admission.

I have not really seen a lot of information about people running both devices together. But as I said earlier, it should work, but it also comes down to how much you would get out of it as Ford tune already gives some gains. You would most likely not be able to turn the piggyback device tune up that much. Testing needs to be done.

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