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Post by sall on Sept 17, 2017 9:37:08 GMT -6
Does anyone currently use the Stage 1 / Fuel Economy Tune from Northstar Performance? Please post about your experience if so.
I have no real interest in performance gains but an increase in MPG would be great. Especially since I am now going to use the '96 for a DD. Though I did message Jake about possibly doing an economy tune and a performance tune when the 'power' button is pressed. Will update about that when i hear back.
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 18, 2017 6:51:35 GMT -6
I don't know that the separate tunes on the power button press would be possible. Unless the MPG increase comes from changes in shift points. I know that the button only changes the shift points of the transmission from tests when Ion did my tune.
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Post by Toronado3800 on Sept 18, 2017 8:06:35 GMT -6
I think it is worth it for the fan fix alone.
Some questions,
Will you have a chance to test your 20 year old charging system at a lower in gear idle?
Will it hesitate off the line?
Any negative LONG TERM effects to running leaner at highway speeds? I would think with CAFE standards GM figured out the lean vs warranty claim limit. Unless the factory tune is also friendly for Denver and we can take advantage of a leaner mixture at sea level.
Let us know how it goes!
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Post by lanceslambos on Sept 19, 2017 11:47:14 GMT -6
I have a stage 3 which includes this but don't have it installed yet because I'm buying a motor from him next month. He advances the ignition timing 3 degrees. The tune is good for regular unleaded vs have to run the premium stuff.
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Post by sall on Sept 19, 2017 18:40:17 GMT -6
I don't know that the separate tunes on the power button press would be possible. Unless the MPG increase comes from changes in shift points. I know that the button only changes the shift points of the transmission from tests when Ion did my tune. Yeah it would be neat to use the button to toggle two different PCM ICUs with a relay but yeah we can only play with the shift points and firmness according to Jake as well. If I knew how to tune them I might consider trying it, but I don't so not happening. I think it is worth it for the fan fix alone. Some questions, Will you have a chance to test your 20 year old charging system at a lower in gear idle? Will it hesitate off the line? Any negative LONG TERM effects to running leaner at highway speeds? I would think with CAFE standards GM figured out the lean vs warranty claim limit. Unless the factory tune is also friendly for Denver and we can take advantage of a leaner mixture at sea level. Let us know how it goes! I run a high output alternator with an overdive pulley so likely no issues there. Everything is 1/0 or 2/0 gauge cable and less three years old. Did extensive upgrades. Jake says even with economy tune there will be a performance increase. So no negative effects mentioned. Agree on the fan speeds. I'll have to undo my current modification. I have a stage 3 which includes this but don't have it installed yet because I'm buying a motor from him next month. He advances the ignition timing 3 degrees. The tune is good for regular unleaded vs have to run the premium stuff. It is highly recommended to run premium with the stage three tune. I don't run anything but premium anyways. Stage three also enriches the AFR which is going to negatively impact gas mileage to my knowledge. Anyways, with the stage one I am going to also have the VATS removed and have him mess with the power button shift points. I probably won't order it until next week sometime. So probably looking at at least a month for any real world results. As of today I am averaging 18.7mpg on a 31.4 mile daily work commute with 25-55mph speed limits. To be honest my wheel/tire package doesn't help much weight wise. Probably a good fifteen pounds heavier than stock per. |
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Post by sall on Sept 23, 2017 12:08:28 GMT -6
Still creeping up after two weeks of closely monitoring. At 19.5mpg this morning. I also find the gallons used is pretty accurate.
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Post by sall on Sept 25, 2017 11:01:40 GMT -6
After some discussion with Jake, I decided to go with the stage three tune. The Aurora won't see the same gains listed on the NDP page as those are specd for the LD8. However, will get better fuel economy and still have performance gains at 3/4 throttle to wot.
Will be ordering on Thursday. So hopefully have it swapped out shortly after receiving.
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RCA1186
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 26, 2017 6:59:18 GMT -6
Curious to see the results!
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Post by sall on Sept 28, 2017 19:06:39 GMT -6
Curious to see the results! Me too. My average has slowly creeped up this week to 19.9mpg. If I could get 24. I would be happy. Though it will take awhile to cover the cost of the tune only fuel economy wise the other perks are worth it IMO. Jake made me a great offer and I couldn't turn it down. Just going to be hard to tell soon with the weather getting colder and a bit of idling in the morning. |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 28, 2017 21:59:47 GMT -6
...going to be hard to tell soon with the weather getting colder and a bit of idling in the morning. And winter blend fuel!  |
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Post by sall on Sept 29, 2017 11:25:43 GMT -6
...going to be hard to tell soon with the weather getting colder and a bit of idling in the morning. And winter blend fuel! You know I wonder if non-ethenol fuel is the same? I only have to places to get it but... |
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Post by sall on Sept 29, 2017 18:32:03 GMT -6
Sent payment last night. Shipped today. Should receive Monday. Talk about quick service.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 29, 2017 22:56:25 GMT -6
You know I wonder if non-ethenol fuel is the same? I only have to places to get it but... Apparently so. Read this. Or don't, it all sounds like a crock to me... We have plenty of stations selling E0 (ethanol free) here, I run it in all of my small equipment, but it's all 87 or 89 octane. Thirty miles to get E0 premium, which is only 90 octane, and 50 cents per gallon more expensive than E10 93, haha! Again, it's a crock! Anyway, good luck with the tune, keep us posted! |
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Post by sall on Sept 30, 2017 7:38:25 GMT -6
Interesting. Yeah we only have a couple of places that have it. Both are out of my way. Will do. Monday is usually a long work day, so if it arrives I don't know if I will get it installed. Possibly not even until the weekend.
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Post by sall on Oct 11, 2017 18:19:57 GMT -6
First run today with the tuned PCM. I averaged 23mpg. Will see what it does over the course of the next few weeks!
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 11, 2017 22:08:38 GMT -6
That's impressive!
Mrs. Tigger's new daily drive is about 90/10 (cty/hwy), and with her start fast/stop fast driving style, I'm averaging 15.7 mpg! Think Jake could do a LIMP MODE tune? LOL!
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Post by sall on Oct 12, 2017 16:49:55 GMT -6
Hopefully it stays in that area or better. It bested 20.1 I ended at easily. I did not drive it today though. Got in and only one headlamp fired up. Tested tonight and have a bad relay. That is the perks of a dual relay HID harness though. Doesn't take both out with it. Alas did not want to drive with one headlight this morning.
Haha I am sure that can be done!
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RCA1186
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Post by RCA1186 on Oct 13, 2017 6:12:01 GMT -6
You may have stated before but what does your drive consist of? Mostly highway? My drive is about 70% highway (although in the morning that usually still means stop and go) and according to the DIC my average MPG combined is about 20.1 mpg.
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Post by sall on Oct 13, 2017 18:35:42 GMT -6
Average speed I would guess is 35, but speed limits range from 25-55. Stop and go at beginning and end with a straight stretch in the middle.
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Post by sall on May 30, 2018 11:11:55 GMT -6
Right now avg 20.9mpg w/ an avg speed of 27mph according the dic. Rebounding a bit from the winter.
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RCA1186
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Post by RCA1186 on May 30, 2018 13:14:25 GMT -6
That seems to be close to what I have seen on mine lately (remember mine was supposedly tuned for better economy by Ion)
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