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FAQ

*Hypertech Performance Products*
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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Hypertech tuning void my warranty?

 

No. Federal law prohibits a dealer from voiding your warranty just because you are using aftermarket parts, with only two exceptions: A warranty claim can be denied only if the part is the cause of damage, or if it adversely affects the emissions or the emissions system.   Return to top of page

 

What is Hypertech Power Tuning?

 

Power Tuning is the optimization of the fuel delivery and ignition spark timing curves to produce maximum horsepower and torque. An engine's air, fuel and spark requirements vary throughout its operating range. When Hypertech engineers and technicians develop Power Tuning for a vehicle, their objective is to absolutely nail the best spark timing and the best air/fuel ratio for every point in the rpm curve.    Return to top of page

 

Is Hypertech Power Tuning emissions legal?

 

All Hypertech Power Tuning products are legal for sale or use on California pollution-controlled motor vehicles according to CARB Executive Orders. Power Tuning products for 1998-2003 Ford and Chrysler gasoline applications are currently in approval-pending status, based on completion of required testing presently being conducted. All 2003 Ford Power Stroke and GM Duramax applications are legal for sale or use on California pollution-controlled motor vehicles under CARB E.O. D-260-10 and D-260-11, respectively.  Return to top of page

 

How does Hypertech develop a Power Tuning Program?

 

Tuning an engine is an empirical process that requires sophisticated equipment and knowledgeable technicians to produce "real world" results. Power tuning is a time-consuming and expensive procedure that requires running the engine on a dyno, testing at each of the tuning points in the computer's "lookup table", and developing new values for best spark timing and fuel delivery. This is the procedure used by the automobile manufacturers, and it is the procedure we use exclusively. We use two computerized chassis dynamometer at our Engineering Center in Memphis to develop the most powerful tuning programs possible. First our engineers experimentally adjust the spark timing to obtain the highest torque and power readings at a given engine rpm. Then they adjust the air/fuel ratio to obtain the highest possible power and torque readings that an optimized air/fuel mixture can produce. After the spark timing and air/fuel ratio for that particular engine speed have been optimized, the rpm is increased to the next point and the entire procedure is repeated again. The process continues, point by point, up to the engine's maximum speed. This technique is called experimental, point-by-point curve fitting. There is no more effective way to power tune an engine.   Return to top of page

 

How does Hypertech validate a Power Tuning Program?

 

When we select a vehicle for Power Tuning development, we tune a number of vehicles so that our engineers can establish a bell curve. For example, if you had 100 stock vehicles and tested them on a track or a dyno underthe exact same conditions, you would find that most had about the same power. Some would be slightly less powerful and some would be slightly more powerful. Plotting the results on a graph would produce a bell-shaped curve. Therefore Hypertech engineers always test enough vehicles to know that we are in the middle of the bell curve, and that the results are typical ofthe majority of similar vehicles. After we develop a Power Tuning program on the dynamometer, the next step is a "beta" test where we install the tuning in dozens of test vehicles for "real world" road testing and evaluation. We receive detailed reports on how the tuning program performs. If our beta testing confirm our dyno results, then and only then do we release the new tuning program.   Return to top of page

 

Why don't factories optimize their engines tuning?

 

The factories tune for average drivers who might buy low-octane gasoline and lug the engine. Hypertech Power Tuning is designed for drivers who care about performance and use premium-grade fuel. With the rising cost of gasoline, Hypertech now offers special 93/87 octane "Dual Fuel" programs for selected cars and trucks with low-compression engines that are designed to run on regular octane gasoline. We have tested a few engines where the factories have left very little gains to be made. But we were still able to optimize the tuning curve to gain some additional horsepower and with all the other performance features available in the Power Programmer, our customers believe the Power Programmer is an excellent value. In general, we find that the factories do not optimize the spark curve at low speeds or extremely high speeds nearly as well as they do in the 2000to 4000 rpm range. Our engineers often find that engines require additional spark advance at low speeds and very high speeds for optimum performance. There is no rule of thumb, however, which is why we must evaluate and dyno test specific engines and vehicles.   Return to top of page

 

Can I run regular gasoline?

 

While most tuning is designed and calibrated for 92 or 93 octane fuel, we do have some applications that have a dual fuel tuning program available. Please check our GM or Ford Feature Comparison Chart for specific applications.   Return to top of page

 

Will Power Tuning hurt my engine in any way?

 

No. Best power is always made when air/fuel ratio and the spark tuning has been optimized for maximum power, meaning maximum "push" on the piston during each power stroke. Damage occurs if the air/fuel mixture is too lean, meaning that there is not enough fuel for the amount of air in the cylinder. This results in excess super heated air which can cause burning of valves and pistons and will also induce detonation (which can break pistons, etc.) Relative to spark timing, too much "advance" will cause detonation which reduces power and can also damage parts exactly as a lean mixture does. When we finish power tuning, your engine will run at maximum efficiency yet safely distanced from possible damage due to leanness or excessive spark advance.   Return to top of page

 

Does Power Tuning work with modified vehicles?

 

Hypertech Power Tuning is calibrated for stock or near-stock engines (engines equipped with high-flow air filters and cat-back exhaust systems). Any additional modifications that alter the engine's airflow and volumetric efficiency, such as installing a modified mass airflow sensor, high-lift or long-duration camshaft,ported heads, headers, supercharger, nitrous oxide, etc., would require new tuning. This tuning must be done individually on a dynamometer with a vehicle equipped with those parts. If you have modified your engine with aftermarket equipment other than a low-restriction air filter or cat-back exhaust, the Power Tuning developed for a stock engine may not be correct. Note that the Power Programmer III provides many additional benefits beyond Power Tuning. Depending on the application, you can adjust the engine's rev limiter, raise the top speed limiter to match the speed rating of factory-approved tires, adjust the transmission shift points and shift firmness, correct the speedometer and odometer readings for non-stock tires and rearend gear ratios, and adjust the on/off temperature for electric cooling fans. That's why we say that a Hypertech Power Programmer III is the most powerful performance product an enthusiast can own! If you suspect that your modifications would benefit from custom Hypertech tuning, call our custom tuning department at 901-382-8888.   Return to top of page

 

Can I use a Power Programmer to program more than one vehicle?

 

No. The Power Programmer III marries itself to the first vehicle it is connected to. However, you can program that vehicle back to stock at any time.   Return to top of page

 

How does Hypertech Power Tuning change the way my engine performs?

 

Hypertech tuning replaces stock computer tuning inside the vehicles computer to give maximum power and torque. The tuning can be delivered in the form of a chip that replaces the stock computer chip, a chip that piggy-backs the stock computer chip, a chip that plugs into the back of the stock computer, or a device that reprograms the stock computer with Hypertech Power Tuning. The type of device needed is dictated by the type of computer in your vehicle. The tuning information is stored in the computer chip which controls all of the engine's characteristics like air/fuel ratio, spark advance, shift firmness, shift points, top speed, rev limit, and axle ratio. Sensors monitor many engine and transmission parameters like RPM, manifold air pressure, mass air flow, coolant temperature, intake air temperature and many more. These sensors send this information to the computer. The computer uses this information delivered from the sensors along with the information stored on the chip to deliver the optimum air/fuel ratio, spark timing, shift firmness, etc. for this set of operating conditions at that instant in time. Hypertech can tune a vehicle for the conditions by using a dynamometer to measure horsepower output while altering the information stored on the chip. This is how Hypertech maximizes your vehicle's power output!   Return to top of page

 

How will Hypertech Power Tuning affect my gas mileage?

 

Hypertech Power Tuning does not alter part-throttle calibrations in any way that would hurt fuel economy. Only high-load calibrations are modified for maximum power and torque. Fuel economy will remain virtually the same or may even improve ( depending upon specific driving patterns) unless the vehicle is driven in a spirited manner or is regularly used for towing. For trucks that tow, Hypertech's Power Tuning is generally closer to the best fuel economy than the stock tuning. So in addition to power gains, a vehicle that tows with Power Tuning will often exhibit better mileage than one with stock tuning.   Return to top of page

 

Does Hypertech Power Tuning remove the speed and rev limiters?

 

It depends on the specific vehicle. On most chips, we raise the top speed limiter to give a maximum speed of 2 MPH less than the speed rating of the stock tires (i.e. if the speed rating of the stock tires was 130 MPH we would set the limiter to 128 MPH). The rev limiter is raised when possible and is completely dependent on the application. The Power Programmer III, available for 1994-97 LT1 and LT4 cars and 1996-2001 Vortec Trucks, allows the user to set the top speed limit to match the speed rating of the tires that have been installed on the vehicle. It also allows the user to alter the rev limiter within a predetermined range.   Return to top of page

 

If I use the Power Programmer III to tune my computer can I ever get the stock tuning back? Does the computer ever automatically overwrite or undo the Hypertech tuning?

 

The tuning delivered by the Power Programmer III will be the active tuning in your computer until YOU decide to remove it. At any time, you may plug the Programmer into the under-dash connector and reprogram your computer with the stock tuning that was originally present.   Return to top of page

 

 

What if the dealer updates my calibration and overwrites the Hypertech tuning that I installed with my Power Programmer III?

 

After your vehicle is returned from the dealer, plug your Power Programmer III back into the under-dash diagnostic port. The Power Programmer III will detect that the calibration has been altered by the dealer and will ask if you wish to reinstall your tuning options. You will not lose the capability to program your vehicle with your Power Programmer III if the dealer updates your calibration.   Return to top of page

 

Does Hypertech stand behind its advertised results?

 

Absolutely! We select typical tests for publication. We conduct consecutive tests to stabilize the engine operating conditions and we perform all tests at the same oil and coolant temperatures to obtain repeatable results. We require at least three consecutive tests with a variance of no more than one or two horsepower before we accept the results as accurate and reproducible. Due to differences among individual vehicles, a particular engine may make more or less horsepower than our published results. Please note that except for certain "Dual Fuel" applications for selected trucks, all Power Tuning is based on the use of premium fuel. Use of regular grade or low-octane gasoline (less than 93) will result in no horsepower gain.   Return to top of page

 

Why are there three stages of power tuning for the 99-03 Ford Power Strokes and why do you recommend using the transmission feature?

 

Diesels, when under heavy loads and for long periods of time, can build up excessive internal heat in engines and transmissions. When that occurs, the check engine light may come on, or flash off and on to warn you that you need to either back off on the power level, or lighten your load. You can't always lighten your load, but now with the Hypertech Power Programmer #41029 for 99-03 7.3L Power Strokes and SUVs, you can select the maximum power tuning stack you can safely use under those particular conditions. Why should you use the transmission feature? The transmission feature allows the automatic transmission's shift firmness for increased line pressure. This option should be utilized when other than stock tuning is in the vehicle. At high boost levels, with higher torque the transmission needs to have firmer shifts...this helps to keep the clutch plates in the automatic transmission from slipping. This is especially true when towing heavy loads. For everyday use, it isn't as critical.    Return to top of page

 

Do you have a question that we did not answer?

 

If you still have questions pertaining to our products, then we want to help you. Please call Hypertech Sales/Tech at (901)382-8888, and they will be able to assist you in getting your problem resolved.



 

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