Well, with diesel up around $3.50 per gallon I'm starting to think an investment in fuel economy might finally be justified. I was talking with a guy last week who "put a chip" in his 2007 Cummins, along with an AFE air filter, and claimed a big increase in mpg's. I see all these technical discussions of various aftermarket boxes and such, but don't understand the basics: what is a "chip", is it different from the Smarty, Bullydog, etc. we see discussed here, and what is the simplest, lowest cost solution for someone who only wants to improve their fuel economy? Also, what are the warranty implications?

 

Normally the term "chip" is used very loosely. Technically it means a plug-in type box such as a Quadzilla Xzilliraider, Edge Juice, Diablo Sport Power Puck, etc. The other type of power adder is a programmer such as the Smarty, Diablo Sport Predator, Bully Dog Triple Dog, PPE Xcellerator, etc.

I have always noticed a greater mileage improvement with a plug-in module. The most gains have always been from Edge products.

If you are concerned about warranty, the programmer is generally avoided because it leaves some red flags; at least with most of them. The Smarty is supposed to be completely undetectable. Some say it can be found, but no one has ever proved that. So as it stands, it is not traceable by the dealer.

Quite simply and realistically, unless you can refrain from using the extra umph in power you will most likely not see any improvement in fuel mileage. However, if you can stay out of the throttle you will see some gains. In all honesty though, it would take a long time to justify the cost of a chip or programmer if you are only concerned with fuel mileage.

In case you are wondering, my favorites are the Edge Juice/Attitude or the Smarty Jr. That's just what I like the most. This is just my opinion though; it's probably wrong. I have been known to be wrong before.