performance on Ranger pickup

[08 ranger]

Does anyone really put a chip in for better performance and mileage, or is that just a money grab? thanks...

[McCormack]

Although a chip can gain you a bit of power via advanced timing and what-not (you'll have to run premium then), for the most part a chip is most beneficial when combined with other mods such as a cam, porting, headers, and the like.

[08 ranger]

Thank you. I'll think about doing something more basic. I like the clean stock lines of the truck, and gets good mileage too, but wouldn't mind getting a little more power and mileage. If I had to choose, it'd be mileage. For yrs. I was playing music on weekends while others were playing in the garage, so if you have suggestions they'd be appreciated.

[rocket 5979]

Originally Posted by 08 ranger

Thank you. I'll think about doing something more basic. I like the clean stock lines of the truck, and gets good mileage too, but wouldn't mind getting a little more power and mileage. If I had to choose, it'd be mileage. For yrs. I was playing music on weekends while others were playing in the garage, so if you have suggestions they'd be appreciated.

A custom tune via a chip or a flash tuning device, such as what Henson Performance (a vendor here) offers, will gain both gas mileage and power. If you want both and do not want to spend allot of money or dig into the engine then I suggest you start with just a CAI and a tune to complement it. That will gain you gas mileage and power, along with a little bit of growl under the hood due to the open conical filter element. He can also send you multiple tunes so that if you want the most power and don't care about running premium fuel then you load the power tune. If you want to run the cheap stuff then you can load the slightly less aggressive tune that will still give you power but still allow you to run 87 octane fuel too. The best of all worlds because you have multiple choice you can pick from depending on your mood. Total install time for you would literally be maybe 20-30 minutes with the most basic of hand tools.

[Red FX4]

Chips are notorious for the contacts oxidizing and creating problems. A tuner that flashes the computer with a custom tune is the best way to go. You can still go back to stock or any other tune loaded into the tuner if you want to. Tunes for 87 octane to provide slightly more power and slightly improve gas mileage if you can keep you foot out of the gas pedal. The higher octane tunes will provide slightly more power with even slightly better improved gas mileage.

Don't expect 30 hp or more out of tune but 5 to 10 hp is not an unreasonable expectation. A little more can be had with improved intake flow and exhaust. Although, that is only going to be attained at high rpm.

[rocket 5979]

Originally Posted by Red FX4

Chips are notorious for the contacts oxidizing and creating problems.

To prevent this just clean the contacts real well and dab on a little dielectric grease. This will eliminate the possibility of the contacts on the rear J3 port getting corroded, let alone to the point where loss of communication between chip and PCM would occur.

I am not 100% when it comes to Ranger PCM's. I know the Explorer computers by heart but don't know what PCM the 08's have. I thought they retained the EEC-V for MUCH longer than the Explorers did. The X's gave the V up after model year 2001 with the 4 door trim.

[08 ranger]

Thanks guys. I'll do some thinking on it plus some more research, and probably do something this spring.