Promising better fuel economy for AFM engines, the Range

[BlackZ71Silverado]

^^^^

Well said.

You can also obtain maximum performance with AFM shut off with a tune and increase mpg's.

This Range thing doesn't seem to be worth it IMO. If you want to drive around in 4cyl all the time, why waste your money getting a V8 truck?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone4S

using Tapatalk

[Range Technology]

The instrumented testing that the percentages are reported were on an eddy current Dyno, a five gas analyzer running the EPA drive cycle tests. Each test was run many (many) times with and without the module so that there was always a baseline series and a "Range" modified series. ,then all the data was crunched from the analyzer, dyno. and laptop monitors resulting in the documented gains. We threw out runs that were out of the stat deviation (once and awhile we could see a freak of 15% or something). This was all modeled using matlab/Simulink and we went through lots of iterations to find the sweet spot between drive ability and gain.

 

So that said, the absolute numbers were based on the cycles being tested (which varied). That provided the repeatable and verifiable gains. Then once we had a good performing cal, we logged fuel usage over real world usage as much as we could with and without the module (alternating tanks of fuel). That was less precise but was used to evaluate drive ability and to provide a good back up that the gains persisted. Averages went from right at 15.1 mpg to ~16.3-16.5 on the base test vehicle (2011 Tahoe 5.3 4WD 6 speed). Other vehicles had different absolute numbers (we had a wide range of beta testers, different altitudes, different motors, different gears, etc)

[Range Technology]

^^^^

Well said.

You can also obtain maximum performance with AFM shut off with a tune and increase mpg's.

This Range thing doesn't seem to be worth it IMO. If you want to drive around in 4cyl all the time, why waste your money getting a V8 truck?

Sent from my iPhone4S

using Tapatalk

Which is similar to the range module. Like a tune without having to flash the Ecu. And if you want a V8 truck, we do that too! We have one that keeps it in v8 mode using the same NO FLASH technology.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

From 15.1mpg to 16.5mpg?.....Hate to say it but guys are still better off with a performance tune. You will see even better mpg's with the afr adjusted properly.

With a tune you get maximum torque/HP output with real gains, better, firmer, faster shifts, and better mpg's while being tuned specifically for your engine/transmission.

 

This Range thing all you get is a cookie cutter and from reading about it, is in no way comparable to a tuned truck. It may be an ok product just not my cup of tea. If people are looking for V8 all the time, a tune is definately the way to go and the benifits are much greater. For people who can't afford to have their vehicle tuned, I guess this Range thing would be ok.

 

 

Are there any actual customers that have had this thing a while and can write a review?

[Range Technology]

From 15.1mpg to 16.5mpg?.....Hate to say it but guys are still better off with a performance tune. You will see even better mpg's with the afr adjusted properly.

With a tune you get maximum torque/HP output with real gains, better, firmer, faster shifts, and better mpg's while being tuned specifically for your engine/transmission.

 

This Range thing all you get is a cookie cutter and from reading about it, is in no way comparable to a tuned truck. It may be an ok product just not my cup of tea. If people are looking for V8 all the time, a tune is definately the way to go and the benifits are much greater. For people who can't afford to have their vehicle tuned, I guess this Range thing would be ok.

This is not a tuner. We're talking apples vs. oranges. It Will keep it in v8 (if you choose that option) with no footprint or changes to the stock calibration (so it'll pass warranty, emissions, etc.). Its an option for those who don't want to have a permanent changes. Plug it in, unplug it... Simple.

 

So it's an option and if its not for you, that's cool. That's why the aftermarket is so much fun. All sorts of flavors for all sorts of needs and wants!

[Range Technology]

From 15.1mpg to 16.5mpg?.....Hate to say it but guys are still better off with a performance tune. You will see even better mpg's with the afr adjusted properly.

With a tune you get maximum torque/HP output with real gains, better, firmer, faster shifts, and better mpg's while being tuned specifically for your engine/transmission.

 

This Range thing all you get is a cookie cutter and from reading about it, is in no way comparable to a tuned truck. It may be an ok product just not my cup of tea. If people are looking for V8 all the time, a tune is definately the way to go and the benifits are much greater. For people who can't afford to have their vehicle tuned, I guess this Range thing would be ok.

 

 

Are there any actual customers that have had this thing a while and can write a review?

 

Black Z71

I was the CEO of Superchips and Edge Products. This product is not a competitor to a tune. This product is intended for people who do not feel comfortable with the potential of voiding their warranty but want either better fuel economy or full-time V8. I have seen a lot of voided warranties in my career and wanted to develop a solution for those who did not want to take the risk. The fact is - dealerships are getting more aggressive about this.

 

It's obviously not for you - which is fine.

 

Thanks,

Adam

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Interesting background you have..............I am just looking for real world customer reviews that's all. Companies these days are known to make all kind of crazy claims about products. The MPG numbers posted in the other topic are worse than a properly tuned truck. Trying to figure out the benefits over a tune. Seems like you are on the right track with this thing but if you can somehow get the MPG's increased without loss of performance, these things may be a hot product.

 

Anybody own one of these and want to let us know how your mpg's are after a couple months of real world driving?

[Nathan79]

I just received the V4 Max version this weekend. I have only driven ~40 miles so far so not scientific but I see ~1-1.5mpg more. I do a lot of low speed (<45mph) driving, hilly, stop and go, and short trips (<5miles) so my mpg is generally very bad (average ~14mpg). The Range has definately improved the mpg as I mention. You can definately tell that it is working. It keeps the truck in V4 much longer, even up hill.

 

I would say that my preliminary opinion is positive in that it does what it says it is supposed to do - keep in V4 longer. You should know what you are buying prior to purchase as this is for better mpg, not improved performance. You will definately notice that it is there. The good thing is that if you are in an area that you do not want it to kick down to V4 a lot you can just put it in M5 until in an appropriate area as sometimes it can go into V4 too aggressively.

 

I will report back with more long term results once I have them.

[Range Technology]

Nathan:

You'll see that the areas of "downshifting" will be reduced significantly when you get some more time on the road.

 

You're driving is exactly like mine. Hilly and slow. I have seen 9.6% long term gains in my Tahoe (over 18 months). Your truck is lighter which means that you will get better gains - but sometimes the V4 switch will feel a little more aggressive.

 

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

Adam

[2007SierraSLT]

So with the Plus calibration on the 4 speed 5.3 trucks doing lets say 60-65mph, will the range still be effective?

[f5fstop]

Interesting thread; interesting product. Been looking to turn off the AFM on my new silverado. However, looking at the options, a custom tune or a tune supplied by a tuner such as Diablo leaves a trail in the calibration log of the ECM. GM has published a bulletin in regard to checking this log prior to performing any engine repairs. (Diablo says there tunes do no leave a history...but anyone have any experience with that?)

 

However, this device does not have a real history, yet..And if it is just messing with the algorithms of the ECM to make it not turn on AFM and probably messing with feedback signals to make it think AFM has been applied I understand why it will not leave a trace in the calibration log.

 

Besides if just turning off AFM is the goal, who needs to pay a hundred or more for a tuner?

 

So, I'll just hang back and wait a few months. But I'll follow this tread....

 

.

[Range Technology]

Mostly on rolling off the throttle and very level ground. Problem is there's a torque limit where 4 cylinders is marginal for the gearing/rpm/aero loads

[2007SierraSLT]

Because I know if i try hard on the highway doing about 60 I can keep it in v4 mode quite a bit, just hope it helps out because the highway is quite level in most spots

[BlackZ71Silverado]

You guys are buying into this "4cyl most of the time" MPG stuff. My 2 tuned trucks get better MPG's tuned running all 8cyl all the time than stock. Even better results than what the company for this thing has posted. Pretty sure the BBP tuned trucks can agree. Nothing like torque, HP, and better MPG's in the same package.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone4S

using Tapatalk

[TooTall1]

Personally if I'd wanted a 4 cylinder truck I would've bought one. But let's not knock the guys that are interested in this technology.