Engineering Test Report
Filed by: P. Treydte
Date: 03-01-07
Subject: LBZ Acceleration Competitive Testing
Objective: Compare Banks Six-Gun to stock and competitive products under acceleration test conditions
Overview Summary: In order to determine the operating characteristics of the Banks Six-Gun Diesel Tuner as compared to other available products, acceleration testing was conducted at the Auto Club Raceway at the Pomona Fairplex, home of the NHRA Winternationals. Because the purpose of this test was accurate product comparison, efforts were made to eliminate as many variables as possible between runs. Efforts were NOT made to optimize the results. Therefore, the ¼ mile elapsed times may not seem to correspond to the best times possible with a similar test vehicle.
Test Vehicle: A 2006 LBZ 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed, single rear wheel with Allison 6-speed automatic transmission was used as the test vehicle. A data acquisition system was used for timing via GPS, along with the accumulation of multiple temperature and pressure channels. Two occupants were in the vehicle, one to drive and the other to operate the data acquisition. The total vehicle weight with both occupants and a full tank of fuel was 7360 lbs. Tests were run in 2WD. The vehicle was equipped with drag slicks to remove the variable of tire slip. The slicks were approximately 2” taller than the stock tire. Because the altered tire size affects the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), MPH data is taken from the GPS rather than the VSS.
Test Conditions: Ambient temperatures ranged from 58 to 63 from the beginning of the test sequence to the end. Barometric pressure was 29.65 and relative humidity was 24%. A headwind of about 10 MPH was observed during the entire test sequence.
Test Method: The right lane of the drag strip was used for all runs. A minimum of three runs for each product was performed to ensure repeatability. The vehicle was launched from a standing start without torque braking the vehicle, in the interest of minimizing variables. A quick burnout was performed before each run to ensure a clean surface on the tires. Data was analyzed and the ¼ mile elapsed times were evaluated in the method that NHRA would use which includes a 1 foot rollout at the start. Elapsed time is then observed at the 1319 foot mark and the average speed over the last 60 feet is taken. The best run of three is taken for comparison. The gear selector was in “D” (no manual influence on the transmission). Shift points generally occur around 3200 RPM and the vehicle is in 5th gear when it completes the ¼ mile.
Data Acquisition: Along with multiple engine related temperature and pressure data, GPS information was gathered and used to evaluate accurate ¼ mile information. An opacity meter was mounted to the tailpipe to evaluate the exhaust soot.
Results- NHRA 1/4 Mile
Stock- 16.40 sec @ 86.18 mph
SuperChips FlashPaq- 15.37 sec @ 92.80 mph (-1.03 sec, 6.3% imp)
Edge Juice- 15.35 sec @ 91.36 mph (-1.05 sec, 6.4% imp)
Edge Juice w/ Attitude and Hot File- 15.33 sec @ 91.88 mph (-1.07 sec, 6.5% imp)
Bullydog Power Pup- 15.33 sec @ 93.93 mph (-1.07 sec, 6.5% imp)
Hypertech HyperPAC- 15.19 sec @ 92.26 mph (-1.21 sec, 7.4%)
PPE Hot +2 Xcelerator- 15.07 sec @ 96.47 mph (-1.33 sec, 8.1%)
Banks Six-Gun- 14.96 sec @ 94.07 mph (-1.44 sec, 8.8%)
Edge Juice w/ Attitude- 14.82 sec @ 95.85 mph (-1.58 sec, 9.6%)
Banks Six-Gun w/ Speed-Loader or PowerPDA- 14.75 sec @ 97.51 mph (-1.65 sec, 10.1%)
Stock: The first runs of the day were with a stock configuration. The best ¼ mile E.T. was 16.40 sec at a trap speed of 86.18 mph. Upshift points occur between 3150 and 3200 RPM, and the torque converter clutch locks while in 2nd gear. No smoke was observed nor measured on the opacity meter.
Banks Six-Gun: The first product tested was the Banks Six-Gun. The first calibration level tested was the Six-Gun’s highest setting, the Speed-Loader level. The default setting were left alone with the exception of removal of the 5th gear derate (the default value reduces added fuel delivery by 40%). This modification to the calibration is done with the PowerPDA. All remaining default values for the Six-Gun tuning were left alone. EGT limit for the Speed-Loader level is set at 1500 degrees. A puff of smoke is visible immediately after launch, and another small one during the 3-4 shift. Shifting is smooth due to the Six-Gun’s protective calibration during shifts.
The next runs were with the Six-Gun set to level 6. This is the configuration that is available if the Six-Gun is purchased without a Speed-Loader or PowerPDA. In this configuration, the default values are all intact, including the 5th gear derate (reduces added fueling by 40%). There was no temperature limiting feature active. A puff of smoke is visible immediately after launch. Shifting is smooth due to the Six-Gun’s protective calibration during shifts.
SuperChips Flashpaq: This product was the slowest in the comparison. It is a programmer-style product that has three available levels; TOW, PERF/TOW and PERFORMANCE. The Performance level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was also set to “Raised” to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. No smoke was observed. Results were up to 4.8% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Bullydog Power Pup: This is a programmer-style product that has three available levels; TOW/ECON, PERFORM, and EXTREME. The Extreme level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. A moderate level of smoke was observed during the entire run. Results were up to 3.9% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Hypertech HyperPAC: This is a programmer-style product with a display that has three available levels. The highest level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. All shifting variables were left at their default values. The HyperPAC does have an interface for a thermocouple that allows for monitoring of EGT, but there is no means for controlling fuel delivery based on that information. It can only warn the operator of the temperature. A small puff of smoke was visible during the 1-2 shift. Performance results were up to 5.4% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Edge Juice: This is a tuner-style product. The first configuration that was tested was the Juice alone. In this configuration there are three selectable levels, 30 HP, 40 HP, and 50 HP. The 50 HP setting was selected for testing. There are no adjustable parameters in this configuration. There is no temperature limiting control in this configuration. A small amount of smoke was observed during the entire run. Performance results were up to 6.3% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Next the Attitude display was added to the Edge Juice. This adds two more levels of power, 60 HP and 80 HP. The 80 HP level was selected for testing. Temperature limiting is also an available feature with the Attitude. The maximum allowable EGT value was set to 1500 degrees. All other parameters were left at their default values. A large amount of smoke was observed throughout the run. During forth gear, opacity was over 75% and reached as high as 90%. This is an indication of excessive fuel delivery resulting in unburnt fuel during the combustion cycle. Shift Characteristics were sporadic. Although the E.T. was comparable to the Banks Six-Gun, the speed at the end of the quarter mile was 1.66 mph less than the Six-Gun, indicating a lack of high rpm performance.
Edge allows for one additional power level (100 HP) by selling an unlock code for a Hot File. The charge for this is reported to be $100. The last test with the Edge Juice was utilizing the Hot File. In this configuration, the truck was actually slower than all previously tested product except for the Edge Juice set to the 50 HP setting and the SuperChips Flashpaq. During the run, the Check Engine Light (MIL) was illuminated indicating an ECU error for low fuel rail pressure, which forces the truck into a low power (limp) mode. This condition repeated in each test run. Excessive smoke was observed throughout the run, with opacity approaching 100% (pitch black) during the second half. As with the 80 HP level, shift characteristics were sporadic. Performance results were up to 5.8% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator: This is a programmer-style product that has 6 available levels; ECONOMY (40 HP), TOW (90 HP), HIGH (160 HP), RACE (225 HP), HOT (300 HP) and HOT+2 (350 HP). The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. All other tuning parameters were left at their default values. Initially the highest level (350 HP was selected). The first test run on this level was aborted due to turbine inlet temperature exceeding 1800 degrees F about midway through the run. The next level down (300 HP) was then selected. With this level turbine inlet temperature would exceed 1800 toward the end of the ¼ mile. This product is calibrated with a reduction in fueling during each shift. This creates a harsh dynamic that has a net result of causing an abrupt shift pattern. Heavy smoke was observed throughout the run, with opacity exceeding 85% at times. Performance results were up to 2.2% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Re-Baseline: At the end of the test sequence, the vehicle was returned to its stock condition to compare to the initial data. E.T.’s were not comparable to the original runs. Upon further observation of the data, it was noted that transmission slip may have started to occur during the PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator testing.
Subjective Observations
The SuperChips, Bullydog and Hypertech products are relatively low powered, even on their highest settings. Results from those products were unimpressive.
The Edge Juice in its basic configuration was the second slowest product in the field. The Hot File is clearly not worth the additional money that it costs because it simply cannot be used without setting a code, putting the vehicle into a limp condition. The two highest settings with the Edge resulted in the highest opacity readings during the test sequence. Excessive black smoke is an indication of poor tuning.
The PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator has the highest advertised power numbers. The highest level that we could test has an advertised rating of 300 additional flywheel horsepower, yet it was slower in the quarter mile than the Six-Gun on level 6 which has an advertised rating of 100 additional rear-wheel horsepower. This is a clear indication that their advertising claims are inflated. In addition to having bogus advertising numbers, the highest levels of their product are clearly unusable under most conditions due to high exhaust temperatures.
The Bullydog Power Pup had the second highest turbine inlet temperature after the PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator at 1791 degrees F. High EGTs are another indication of poor tuning capabilities. Because this product is a programmer, it does not offer the protection of an EGT limiting feature, therefore it is a very dangerous product to use.
Both the Edge product and the PPE produced unacceptable shifting characteristics.
Peter Treydte
Test Group Manager
Banks Power
Filed by: P. Treydte
Date: 03-01-07
Subject: LBZ Acceleration Competitive Testing
Objective: Compare Banks Six-Gun to stock and competitive products under acceleration test conditions
Overview Summary: In order to determine the operating characteristics of the Banks Six-Gun Diesel Tuner as compared to other available products, acceleration testing was conducted at the Auto Club Raceway at the Pomona Fairplex, home of the NHRA Winternationals. Because the purpose of this test was accurate product comparison, efforts were made to eliminate as many variables as possible between runs. Efforts were NOT made to optimize the results. Therefore, the ¼ mile elapsed times may not seem to correspond to the best times possible with a similar test vehicle.
Test Vehicle: A 2006 LBZ 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed, single rear wheel with Allison 6-speed automatic transmission was used as the test vehicle. A data acquisition system was used for timing via GPS, along with the accumulation of multiple temperature and pressure channels. Two occupants were in the vehicle, one to drive and the other to operate the data acquisition. The total vehicle weight with both occupants and a full tank of fuel was 7360 lbs. Tests were run in 2WD. The vehicle was equipped with drag slicks to remove the variable of tire slip. The slicks were approximately 2” taller than the stock tire. Because the altered tire size affects the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), MPH data is taken from the GPS rather than the VSS.
Test Conditions: Ambient temperatures ranged from 58 to 63 from the beginning of the test sequence to the end. Barometric pressure was 29.65 and relative humidity was 24%. A headwind of about 10 MPH was observed during the entire test sequence.
Test Method: The right lane of the drag strip was used for all runs. A minimum of three runs for each product was performed to ensure repeatability. The vehicle was launched from a standing start without torque braking the vehicle, in the interest of minimizing variables. A quick burnout was performed before each run to ensure a clean surface on the tires. Data was analyzed and the ¼ mile elapsed times were evaluated in the method that NHRA would use which includes a 1 foot rollout at the start. Elapsed time is then observed at the 1319 foot mark and the average speed over the last 60 feet is taken. The best run of three is taken for comparison. The gear selector was in “D” (no manual influence on the transmission). Shift points generally occur around 3200 RPM and the vehicle is in 5th gear when it completes the ¼ mile.
Data Acquisition: Along with multiple engine related temperature and pressure data, GPS information was gathered and used to evaluate accurate ¼ mile information. An opacity meter was mounted to the tailpipe to evaluate the exhaust soot.
Results- NHRA 1/4 Mile
Stock- 16.40 sec @ 86.18 mph
SuperChips FlashPaq- 15.37 sec @ 92.80 mph (-1.03 sec, 6.3% imp)
Edge Juice- 15.35 sec @ 91.36 mph (-1.05 sec, 6.4% imp)
Edge Juice w/ Attitude and Hot File- 15.33 sec @ 91.88 mph (-1.07 sec, 6.5% imp)
Bullydog Power Pup- 15.33 sec @ 93.93 mph (-1.07 sec, 6.5% imp)
Hypertech HyperPAC- 15.19 sec @ 92.26 mph (-1.21 sec, 7.4%)
PPE Hot +2 Xcelerator- 15.07 sec @ 96.47 mph (-1.33 sec, 8.1%)
Banks Six-Gun- 14.96 sec @ 94.07 mph (-1.44 sec, 8.8%)
Edge Juice w/ Attitude- 14.82 sec @ 95.85 mph (-1.58 sec, 9.6%)
Banks Six-Gun w/ Speed-Loader or PowerPDA- 14.75 sec @ 97.51 mph (-1.65 sec, 10.1%)
Stock: The first runs of the day were with a stock configuration. The best ¼ mile E.T. was 16.40 sec at a trap speed of 86.18 mph. Upshift points occur between 3150 and 3200 RPM, and the torque converter clutch locks while in 2nd gear. No smoke was observed nor measured on the opacity meter.
Banks Six-Gun: The first product tested was the Banks Six-Gun. The first calibration level tested was the Six-Gun’s highest setting, the Speed-Loader level. The default setting were left alone with the exception of removal of the 5th gear derate (the default value reduces added fuel delivery by 40%). This modification to the calibration is done with the PowerPDA. All remaining default values for the Six-Gun tuning were left alone. EGT limit for the Speed-Loader level is set at 1500 degrees. A puff of smoke is visible immediately after launch, and another small one during the 3-4 shift. Shifting is smooth due to the Six-Gun’s protective calibration during shifts.
The next runs were with the Six-Gun set to level 6. This is the configuration that is available if the Six-Gun is purchased without a Speed-Loader or PowerPDA. In this configuration, the default values are all intact, including the 5th gear derate (reduces added fueling by 40%). There was no temperature limiting feature active. A puff of smoke is visible immediately after launch. Shifting is smooth due to the Six-Gun’s protective calibration during shifts.
SuperChips Flashpaq: This product was the slowest in the comparison. It is a programmer-style product that has three available levels; TOW, PERF/TOW and PERFORMANCE. The Performance level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was also set to “Raised” to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. No smoke was observed. Results were up to 4.8% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Bullydog Power Pup: This is a programmer-style product that has three available levels; TOW/ECON, PERFORM, and EXTREME. The Extreme level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. A moderate level of smoke was observed during the entire run. Results were up to 3.9% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Hypertech HyperPAC: This is a programmer-style product with a display that has three available levels. The highest level was selected for the test. The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. All shifting variables were left at their default values. The HyperPAC does have an interface for a thermocouple that allows for monitoring of EGT, but there is no means for controlling fuel delivery based on that information. It can only warn the operator of the temperature. A small puff of smoke was visible during the 1-2 shift. Performance results were up to 5.4% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Edge Juice: This is a tuner-style product. The first configuration that was tested was the Juice alone. In this configuration there are three selectable levels, 30 HP, 40 HP, and 50 HP. The 50 HP setting was selected for testing. There are no adjustable parameters in this configuration. There is no temperature limiting control in this configuration. A small amount of smoke was observed during the entire run. Performance results were up to 6.3% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Next the Attitude display was added to the Edge Juice. This adds two more levels of power, 60 HP and 80 HP. The 80 HP level was selected for testing. Temperature limiting is also an available feature with the Attitude. The maximum allowable EGT value was set to 1500 degrees. All other parameters were left at their default values. A large amount of smoke was observed throughout the run. During forth gear, opacity was over 75% and reached as high as 90%. This is an indication of excessive fuel delivery resulting in unburnt fuel during the combustion cycle. Shift Characteristics were sporadic. Although the E.T. was comparable to the Banks Six-Gun, the speed at the end of the quarter mile was 1.66 mph less than the Six-Gun, indicating a lack of high rpm performance.
Edge allows for one additional power level (100 HP) by selling an unlock code for a Hot File. The charge for this is reported to be $100. The last test with the Edge Juice was utilizing the Hot File. In this configuration, the truck was actually slower than all previously tested product except for the Edge Juice set to the 50 HP setting and the SuperChips Flashpaq. During the run, the Check Engine Light (MIL) was illuminated indicating an ECU error for low fuel rail pressure, which forces the truck into a low power (limp) mode. This condition repeated in each test run. Excessive smoke was observed throughout the run, with opacity approaching 100% (pitch black) during the second half. As with the 80 HP level, shift characteristics were sporadic. Performance results were up to 5.8% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator: This is a programmer-style product that has 6 available levels; ECONOMY (40 HP), TOW (90 HP), HIGH (160 HP), RACE (225 HP), HOT (300 HP) and HOT+2 (350 HP). The vehicle speed limiter was raised to 100 MPH to ensure that it would not influence the test results. Because it is a programmer style product, there is no provision for temperature limiting control. All other tuning parameters were left at their default values. Initially the highest level (350 HP was selected). The first test run on this level was aborted due to turbine inlet temperature exceeding 1800 degrees F about midway through the run. The next level down (300 HP) was then selected. With this level turbine inlet temperature would exceed 1800 toward the end of the ¼ mile. This product is calibrated with a reduction in fueling during each shift. This creates a harsh dynamic that has a net result of causing an abrupt shift pattern. Heavy smoke was observed throughout the run, with opacity exceeding 85% at times. Performance results were up to 2.2% worse than the Banks Six-Gun.
Re-Baseline: At the end of the test sequence, the vehicle was returned to its stock condition to compare to the initial data. E.T.’s were not comparable to the original runs. Upon further observation of the data, it was noted that transmission slip may have started to occur during the PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator testing.
Subjective Observations
The SuperChips, Bullydog and Hypertech products are relatively low powered, even on their highest settings. Results from those products were unimpressive.
The Edge Juice in its basic configuration was the second slowest product in the field. The Hot File is clearly not worth the additional money that it costs because it simply cannot be used without setting a code, putting the vehicle into a limp condition. The two highest settings with the Edge resulted in the highest opacity readings during the test sequence. Excessive black smoke is an indication of poor tuning.
The PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator has the highest advertised power numbers. The highest level that we could test has an advertised rating of 300 additional flywheel horsepower, yet it was slower in the quarter mile than the Six-Gun on level 6 which has an advertised rating of 100 additional rear-wheel horsepower. This is a clear indication that their advertising claims are inflated. In addition to having bogus advertising numbers, the highest levels of their product are clearly unusable under most conditions due to high exhaust temperatures.
The Bullydog Power Pup had the second highest turbine inlet temperature after the PPE Hot+2 Xcelerator at 1791 degrees F. High EGTs are another indication of poor tuning capabilities. Because this product is a programmer, it does not offer the protection of an EGT limiting feature, therefore it is a very dangerous product to use.
Both the Edge product and the PPE produced unacceptable shifting characteristics.
Peter Treydte
Test Group Manager
Banks Power
