Impressions of My New HOT Tune

litton · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 11:25 am

Since I just installed the Exchanged ECU a week ago and at 38,750 miles, there is still a lot to learn about it. However, there are some points of interest.

First or course is the power. Definite improvement in the seat-of-the-pants experience. By no means is it fast but it sure is quick. Biggest improvement...for me...is that it doesn't run of of breath when accelerating up to freeway speed which around here is 75 to 80.

Just for giggles I did take on a Jeep GC at a stoplight. Remind me not to do that again. Of course, just before it pulled away in a cloud of tire smoke I saw an SRT-8 decal. Really a poor idea on my part.

Fuel economy seems to be better. It normally gets 22.6 to 23.4 (by EVIC) in our normal driving loop and ~26.5 (by EVIC) on the drive into town and back running at 80 mph. My first trip to town pulled 32.1 (EVIC) and back at 29.6) I know the EVIC has had a optomisitc error so if GDE corrected that then the improvement is better.

Fuel gauge, not sure if it's as linear as GDE claimed. It took about 100 miles for it to drop to "F" and 164 miles to drop to 3/4. I'll check this more closely when I fill up at 1/4.

Big differance in starting. Usually it would crank several time before firing. Now it starts right up even if I don't wait for glow plugs to warm. Also, the cold idle is much smoother. I could be wrong, but I think the "diesel" sound is a bit more pronounced.

So far, there is no shudder with my stock TC. Fingers crossed on this one. It does feel like the shift points are a bit more solid but not obtrusive.

Overall, I'm a happy camper.

mag03kj · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 11:43 am

litton wrote:

Since I just installed the Exchanged ECU a week ago and at 38,750 miles, there is still a lot to learn about it. However, there are some points of interest.

First or course is the power. Definite improvement in the seat-of-the-pants experience. By no means is it fast but it sure is quick. Biggest improvement...for me...is that it doesn't run of of breath when accelerating up to freeway speed which around here is 75 to 80.

Just for giggles I did take on a Jeep GC at a stoplight. Remind me not to do that again. Of course, just before it pulled away in a cloud of tire smoke I saw an SRT-8 decal. Really a poor idea on my part.

Fuel economy seems to be better. It normally gets 22.6 to 23.4 (by EVIC) in our normal driving loop and ~26.5 (by EVIC) on the drive into town and back running at 80 mph. My first trip to town pulled 32.1 (EVIC) and back at 29.6) I know the EVIC has had a optomisitc error so if GDE corrected that then the improvement is better.

Fuel gauge, not sure if it's as linear as GDE claimed. It took about 100 miles for it to drop to "F" and 164 miles to drop to 3/4. I'll check this more closely when I fill up at 1/4.

Big differance in starting. Usually it would crank several time before firing. Now it starts right up even if I don't wait for glow plugs to warm. Also, the cold idle is much smoother. I could be wrong, but I think the "diesel" sound is a bit more pronounced.

So far, there is no shudder with my stock TC. Fingers crossed on this one. It does feel like the shift points are a bit more solid but not obtrusive.

Overall, I'm a happy camper.

Bold-

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 12:00 pm

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

litton · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 12:08 pm

mikey1273 wrote:

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

Yeah, I figure it'll go T.U. after awhile so if/when it does I'll address the issue.

flman · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 2:35 pm

mikey1273 wrote:

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

I got 2

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 4:52 pm

flman wrote:

mikey1273 wrote:

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

I got 2

I guess I would just not be that bold to try it. my CRD is my only vehicle and I need it nearly everyday.... I don't have anyone that could loan me a car for long untill I worked an issue out, so I have to be careful what I do to mine. I respect that you all can do that with yours. If I had a euro or suncoast TC then I'd let her rip. If I had cash and nothing to spend it on I'd have a euro TC, hot tune, turbo upgrade and a lift.

litton · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 9:51 pm

Well, outside of the possible...OK probable TC failure somewhere done the line, this Hot tune seems to be a real boon for the Libby. Now that my wife has gotten back, it'll revert to "her" car and it'll be interesting to see if she notices a differance. I haven't yet told her of this little change.

If the TC starts to become a problem......perhaps it'll be her fault?? :jester:

CATCRD · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 10:53 pm

There's no way to fix (in software) how long it takes the fuel needle to come down and start moving below F. It's a property of the fuel tank. When the float is pegged, it's pegged.

You'll notice that once the needle is below F it's more linear for the rest of the tank.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 11:07 pm

Those SRT8's are a whole nother animal :shock:

flman · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 8:28 am

mikey1273 wrote:

flman wrote:

mikey1273 wrote:

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

I got 2

I guess I would just not be that bold to try it. my CRD is my only vehicle and I need it nearly everyday.... I don't have anyone that could loan me a car for long untill I worked an issue out, so I have to be careful what I do to mine. I respect that you all can do that with yours. If I had a euro or suncoast TC then I'd let her rip. If I had cash and nothing to spend it on I'd have a euro TC, hot tune, turbo upgrade and a lift.

I tried this on one Jeep with success, well that and a tube of Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder fix. After a few months, I decided I could do the same on the Jeep with the Eco Tune I purchased new. Only difference is that Jeep took 2 tubes of the fix. Litton, I hope you put some of this in, I am surprised you did not get shudder yet? I don't think the Hot Tune will hurt the TC, it is the shudder that will tear it up. You wont get any shudder racing a GC.

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 1:47 pm

mikey1273 wrote:

Hot tune on a stock TC is BOLD from what I understand but tell us how it works out for you in a few months.

Same experience, hot tune on stock TC and no shudder so far. I will replace with Euro TC as soon as I feel any shudder...if i ever do.

The EVIC is still off about the same on my tune, whatever he fixed, by getting better economy it seems to have compensated and off about the same as stock. off about 2-3mpg city, off 4-5 hwy.

- Mark

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 5:49 pm

Got the chance to tow again this weekend. U-Haul flatbed car hauler + modified Toyota Tacoma 4x4 on 33" tires through KY and TN in HORRIBLE weather. CRD with HOT tune performed admirably and returned 16 MPG!!! I'm VERY pleased considering my Ram 1500 would have gotten around 10 MPG if I was lucky. I also could hold 5th gear lockup on hills with that load! :pepper:

These CRDs are "beast" as my kids would say.

UFO · **Posted:** Mon May 03, 2010 2:41 pm

Challenge that SRT-8 to a tank race. Furthest on a single tank of fuel wins.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon May 03, 2010 3:14 pm

UFO wrote:

Challenge that SRT-8 to a tank race. Furthest on a single tank of fuel wins.

I'd still lose both races in my KK :ROTFL:

Impressions of My New HOT Tune

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