I am looking at getting a chip and there are an awful lot of options out there. I've done some research but I can't seem to narrow down overall comparisons. I have a 2008 Unlimited with an auto tranny, running 33s, and I have 3.73 gearing...also, my computer is still on stock configurations. I was wondering if any of you had experience with any one of the three chips and which you prefer and why. My main concerns/needs are to get better gas mileage and to trick the computer into thinking I have higher gearing so the Jeep doesn't downshift from 4th to 3rd so often. It seems that even on the slightest incline, the Jeep is downshifting. I know that most all chips will re-adjust my speedo and can be configured to have the computer read my new tire size, but I've found mixed reviews regarding my primary needs. Some say Superchip is the way to go, and some say to stay away from it. Others say they swear by their Hypertech ECON. One thing that I have noticed is that every poster has anything BUT a 2008 JK. Would the year affect how the chip performs in the Jeep? I was originally just gonna go with the ECON since it promotes increased fuel economy, but after researching the ECON, some support Hypertech's claim and others say SC is better. I just want to make sure I'm spending more than $300 on the right thing.

Thanks everyone!

 

I recently got the hypertech max power. To be honest, I'm not all that impresses by it. There is a slight noticeable mid-range power increase. Throttle response is still garbage.

As far as gas mileage goes, I'm probly getting maybe 1 mpg better. It has the option to adjust tire size, which should prevent the constant shifting. I'm still on stock tires so I can't say exactly.

Not sure about superchips but the hypertech has the option to run 91 octane, which should do better. I'm just to cheap to run that.

 

Haha...I agree with you on that! My commute is roughly 100 miles roundtrip (and I'm a high school teacher..so it's not like I getting paid well enough to afford the gas that goes in it) and putting 91 in the tank with a chip would kinda defeat the purpose of getting the chip to increase fuel efficiency...hahaha! Thanks for the input!

So Max Power may not be the best solution...? Any supporters for Max Power? Anyone else running with any other chip?

Thanks again!

 

Most of the mpg gain will come from calibrating for the new tires/gears, not from 'tricking' the computer.

ex - 19mpg stock. Add a lift and 35's without a recal, mpg goes down to 12 (because of the added height and tire size, and the computer thinking you still have stock tires). Recalibrate for the tires, and the mpg comes up to 16.
Does the new tuning give 1mpg of that increase? Maybe. But without a doubt, the recal gave the significant portion.



Why not just do it the right way and Re-Gear ???

 

I just got this about a week ago. Calibrated the tire size and installed the "87 Milage" tune.

Will see what gains in about a week

 

Amen to that!! Would love to re-gear my ride! I figure until I get the two grand to put 5.13 in the punkin I can at least get something going right now for a few hundo...

And thank's for confirming a suspicion that I had regarding my "tricking the computer" statement...it makes sense that when I recal for the larger tires, my downshift problem may disappear and my odometer will read correctly and will adjust my mpg as such...I was under the impression (from what I have read) that some people are reporting almost 6 mpg gain! Is this for real?!

 

Right on! Keep me posted!

 

Possible? Sure. Why not. Probable? No. My guess - that 6mpg figure is the benefits of recalibrating, with a little bit of help from the tuning, and a lot of exaggeration thrown in.

The only way to know for sure would be to run a test yourself, making sure you drive the exact same way each time:
Log your current mpg's.
Get a ProCal (or a tuner without the tune) to update your tires/gears, and log your mpg's again.
Add a tune, and log your mpg's.


When I first got my tuner, I jumped on the tuner bandwagon and reported a 3-4mpg freeway increase. (I swapped from a procal to a flashpaq, so recalibration was not involved, just the difference in tune). What I didn't realize at the time was that I had also changed my driving style, deliberately trying to increase mileage. After factoring that in, I see zero mpg increase in-town with a tuner, and 'maybe' 1-2mpg increase on the freeway.




One other thing worth mentioning is the shift points. The Flashpaq has a function to change them, which I have not messed with yet. What I have tried, though, is the different tunes. For me, 87 was no different than just a recalibration. The 91 tune/gas was actually a bit worse than 87. But the Tow tune is great!! It adds more 'felt' power, and changes the shift points to much more usable places for me.

If you go with a flashpaq, be sure to try all of the tunes to find the one that works best for you!

 

Great info! Thanks! After hearing that, I'm leaning toward the SC Flashpaq... Those are USB upgradeable, right?

Any info on the Hypertech ECON, anyone?

Thanks for all the input, nthinuf!

 

Yep, create an account on their site, then plug it into your computer to update as soon as you get it, (in case it has been sitting on a shelf for a while).
Also, the function to turn the tpms system off will be downloaded separately, it doesn't come pre-loaded. (you need to check a box acknowledging that you want to turn it off).