Hypertech or Superchips?
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Hangin in the sunshine state....staging forum..
I'm not sure what you know of dynos, and how much different conditions can skew the results. If you control a test, you can get results that can steer you into making the appropriate changes to produce results. If I do a dyno locally on one give machine and someone else does it 1500 miles away on another without notes on how they were performed, ie hood up/hood down, vehicle temperature, air temperature and so forth, there can be very different results.
For me, having had both programmers and using the data acquisition from the Superchips to do some 0-60mph data acquisition, case closed. My rig, 2 door, 6 spped, 35s, 3.73s, 3 runs with my former programmer produced a 0-60mph best time of 9.84 seconds. First run with the Superchips, 9.14 seconds. I never did a second run because that isn't the way I drive my Jeep but the difference was staggering and not unlike my in initial impressions.
So take it for what it's worth. You can wait for a dyno sheet which to me is inconsequential, or take the advise of those who have both. Also take a look at the people who have owned other brands and what they have to say. It's a 50/50 proposition if anyone had noticeable results with the other programmers. With the Superchips there has been few if any who have said they didn't see an immediate improvement in not only performance, but the majority have seen mpg increases as well.
For me, having had both programmers and using the data acquisition from the Superchips to do some 0-60mph data acquisition, case closed. My rig, 2 door, 6 spped, 35s, 3.73s, 3 runs with my former programmer produced a 0-60mph best time of 9.84 seconds. First run with the Superchips, 9.14 seconds. I never did a second run because that isn't the way I drive my Jeep but the difference was staggering and not unlike my in initial impressions.
So take it for what it's worth. You can wait for a dyno sheet which to me is inconsequential, or take the advise of those who have both. Also take a look at the people who have owned other brands and what they have to say. It's a 50/50 proposition if anyone had noticeable results with the other programmers. With the Superchips there has been few if any who have said they didn't see an immediate improvement in not only performance, but the majority have seen mpg increases as well.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Statesboro, GA
All I can add to this is I have a 6spd with 3.73 gears and the superchips. A friend has 6spd, 3.73 gears and the hypertech. The first time he rode in mine he said he was getting rid of the hypertech and getting a superchips.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 88
From: Arizona
I'm a lukewarm Max Energy fan. I like it because I can program the things I can, but I don't like it because I can't program the things I can't. Huh? 
How is the Superchips customer service? If you f-up you vehicle on a Saturday, are you certain it will be fixed by Saturday evening? Sunday? Monday? Someday? The one great thing I can say about Hypertech is they did go out of their way to make sure I got my JK back on the road. However, it did f-up a perfectly good weekend.
- The Hypertech Max Energy gives a little seat-of-the-pants improvement. Looks like the Superchips is better.
- Hypertech doesn't have a TPMS alarm adjustment. Communicated with them about it - said they would do it if there's enough customer interest. Really? That's like saying they'll put water in the pond if there's enough duck interest.
- Locker control, idle run-up, and crawling tune can only be imagined by Hypertech.
- Considering the cost difference - well - there isn't.
How is the Superchips customer service? If you f-up you vehicle on a Saturday, are you certain it will be fixed by Saturday evening? Sunday? Monday? Someday? The one great thing I can say about Hypertech is they did go out of their way to make sure I got my JK back on the road. However, it did f-up a perfectly good weekend.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 3
From: Southeast
Well, I'd be a lot quicker to order the Superchips if the locker, idle, crawl tune, and TPMS stuff actually worked! Anybody have a timeline on this? It does seem absurd they don't mention the lack of these functions in the current issue of the programmer, but if they get it up and running, all is forgiven!
In the meantime, I'm running the Hypertech that I already have. The latest premium tune is terrific at below 2.2K rpms, just average everywhere else. For around town, it's great, being able to lug it down to 1400 rpm in 4t or 5th, and smoothly accelerate back up to speed without a shift. Or downshift to pick up some speed rapidly, it's all good till you run into the aerodynamic wall.
This 2 door Rubicon desperately needs some performance in the 60mph range for passing slow cars on 2 lane secondary roads (4.10s, 6-speed, 35s) and no, 4.88 or 5.13 gears (or any programmer) won't do it. Oh sure, the advice is a set of 4.88 gears, that'll fix the 6-speed right up, well it won't, there isn't any power to work with.
At 60mph it's running about 2100 rpm and even a downshift to 3rd, around 4200 rpm doesn't do much more than 4th at 3200rpm and only a little more than 5th at 2600 rpm (speed/rpm estimates). The torque curve is flat, and not very high!
I'll go with the RIPP blower to solve this problem, which is of course worse due to the weight increase and aerodynamic decrease from modifications. But there isn't a thing wrong with my Jeep that 75+ ftlbs of torque and HP won't fix.
In the meantime, I'm running the Hypertech that I already have. The latest premium tune is terrific at below 2.2K rpms, just average everywhere else. For around town, it's great, being able to lug it down to 1400 rpm in 4t or 5th, and smoothly accelerate back up to speed without a shift. Or downshift to pick up some speed rapidly, it's all good till you run into the aerodynamic wall.
This 2 door Rubicon desperately needs some performance in the 60mph range for passing slow cars on 2 lane secondary roads (4.10s, 6-speed, 35s) and no, 4.88 or 5.13 gears (or any programmer) won't do it. Oh sure, the advice is a set of 4.88 gears, that'll fix the 6-speed right up, well it won't, there isn't any power to work with.
At 60mph it's running about 2100 rpm and even a downshift to 3rd, around 4200 rpm doesn't do much more than 4th at 3200rpm and only a little more than 5th at 2600 rpm (speed/rpm estimates). The torque curve is flat, and not very high!
I'll go with the RIPP blower to solve this problem, which is of course worse due to the weight increase and aerodynamic decrease from modifications. But there isn't a thing wrong with my Jeep that 75+ ftlbs of torque and HP won't fix.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 1
From: Prosper, TX
I'm not sure what you know of dynos, and how much different conditions can skew the results. If you control a test, you can get results that can steer you into making the appropriate changes to produce results. If I do a dyno locally on one given machine and someone else does it 1500 miles away on another without notes on how they were performed, ie hood up/hood down, vehicle temperature, air temperature and so forth, there can be very different results.
For me, having had both programmers and using the data acquisition from the Superchips to do some 0-60mph data acquisition, case closed. My rig, 2 door, 6 spped, 35s, 3.73s, 3 runs with my former programmer produced a 0-60mph best time of 9.84 seconds. First run with the Superchips, 9.14 seconds. I never did a second run because that isn't the way I drive my Jeep but the difference was staggering and not unlike my initial impressions.
So take it for what it's worth. You can wait for a dyno sheet which to me is inconsequential, or take the advise of those who have both. Also take a look at the people who have owned other brands and what they have to say. It's a 50/50 proposition if anyone had noticeable results with the other programmers. With the Superchips there has been few if any who have said they didn't see an immediate improvement in not only performance, but the majority have seen mpg increases as well.
For me, having had both programmers and using the data acquisition from the Superchips to do some 0-60mph data acquisition, case closed. My rig, 2 door, 6 spped, 35s, 3.73s, 3 runs with my former programmer produced a 0-60mph best time of 9.84 seconds. First run with the Superchips, 9.14 seconds. I never did a second run because that isn't the way I drive my Jeep but the difference was staggering and not unlike my initial impressions.
So take it for what it's worth. You can wait for a dyno sheet which to me is inconsequential, or take the advise of those who have both. Also take a look at the people who have owned other brands and what they have to say. It's a 50/50 proposition if anyone had noticeable results with the other programmers. With the Superchips there has been few if any who have said they didn't see an immediate improvement in not only performance, but the majority have seen mpg increases as well.
I am aware of what you state about the dyno runs and how if jyou are not running the same vehicle under the same conditions you truly don't get an accurate reading of gains, but at least Hypertech is willing to publish their claimed gains over stock and the others aren't. I am also aware the the gains I have seen on my Jeep since installing my Hypertech may be less (or more) than the gains Hypertech publishes.
Ut;s kinda like the throttle body spacer thing for our Jeeps. Many claim improvements but it is truly a waste of money on our motors due to design,
It's also like the Ford v Chevy thing mainly for this. I think people have their preferences and it may not be that one is actually better than the other. I have yet to see any hard data. BTW, people saying "Superchips is better" does not constitute hard data in my book. I think there is a great need to justify dropping $400 bucks on something that there is no hard data to substantiate those claims. It's like those on this forum that claim to get >20 MPG in their JKs. There are certain things I will just always call BS on.
Also like the great tire debate, which is better, BFG, Pro Comp, Interco, Mickey Thompson, Parnelli Jones,.... get the picture?
BTW, great write up that you did on your superchips.
I did read that prior to pulling the trigger on my programmer.
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 0
From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, OH
It's also like the Ford v Chevy thing mainly for this. I think people have their preferences and it may not be that one is actually better than the other. I have yet to see any hard data. BTW, people saying "Superchips is better" does not constitute hard data in my book. I think there is a great need to justify dropping $400 bucks on something that there is no hard data to substantiate those claims. It's like those on this forum that claim to get >20 MPG in their JKs. There are certain things I will just always call BS on.
If the Hypertech, Jet or Unichip programmers work for others I think that's great. I did my research before I bought my first JK programmer and decided to buy a second one solely based on past experience. My disappointment with the Hypertech is pretty well documented in these forums, but had i not seen a sizable difference between the two, I could have easily returned the Superchips. It wasn't even close and I didn't need to arrive at some holy war of brand loyalty to reach my decision.
Oh and btw, I can definitely pull over 20mpg on the highway with the Superchips and did the same with the Hypertech running 35s.
Last edited by JPop; Jun 28, 2009 at 06:59 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, OH
This 2 door Rubicon desperately needs some performance in the 60mph range for passing slow cars on 2 lane secondary roads (4.10s, 6-speed, 35s) and no, 4.88 or 5.13 gears (or any programmer) won't do it. Oh sure, the advice is a set of 4.88 gears, that'll fix the 6-speed right up, well it won't, there isn't any power to work with.
At 60mph it's running about 2100 rpm and even a downshift to 3rd, around 4200 rpm doesn't do much more than 4th at 3200rpm and only a little more than 5th at 2600 rpm (speed/rpm estimates). The torque curve is flat, and not very high!
At 60mph it's running about 2100 rpm and even a downshift to 3rd, around 4200 rpm doesn't do much more than 4th at 3200rpm and only a little more than 5th at 2600 rpm (speed/rpm estimates). The torque curve is flat, and not very high!
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 88
From: Arizona
The EPA MPG estimate is 19 out of the box. You really don't think anyone can get 5% better gas mileage than the EPA estimate?
"Call BS" means you are calling someone a liar. So the people that reported their mileage on fueleconomy.gov are liars too? Must be, since they reported 19 to 24 MPG. OMG - lying on a government site!! Obama must be rolling in his grave! (what? too early?)
Wait a minute. I get 19 MPG as a trip average when I do a road trip to the mountains. I get 21+ MPG when I stay on the flats. Still talking road miles here. Lifted, 35" tires, gears, bumpers, etc. but use hypermiler techniques. I am an engineer by trade so granted, my math skills are suspect.
OK. Call BS if you want - that's your opinion. But I'll call your opinion BS because IMO someone has a narrow mind (and probably a heavy foot).
