Towing with a chipped 2.7
01-17-2006, 12:01 PM
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Towing with a chipped 2.7
I'm looking at a chipped 2001 (turbo and tip) 2.7 to replace my volvo XC, and wondering whether it would be a bad idea to do some towing with a chipped car. Seems like the combination of additional stress on the turbos from the chip, and stress from the towing might be a bad idea. I'll be towing a boat/trailer with total weight around 2700lbs. If it wasn't for the towing I'd look for the 6-speed. Alternative is to empty the wallet and spring for a used 4.2. Any opinions?
01-17-2006, 12:49 PM
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Re: What's the reason NOT to tow with the 6 speed?
Fear of ending up under water at the boat ramp? I've read in various places that autos are better all-around for towing, but I've never tried towing with a manual, so I have nothing else to base this on. I don't have problems on hills with a stick, but it does seem like pulling out of a steep boat ramp with 2700lbs of boat might be a little more of a challenge with a manual.
01-17-2006, 01:09 PM
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Re: What's the reason NOT to tow with the 6 speed?
I see -- in the lake would not be good. My concern towing with an Automatic is over heating the transmission fluid. Pulling race trailers with Suburbans with Automatics, the fluid temp. gage was always high. As far as the chip. Be sure to have an exhaust gas pyrometer and back the throttle off accordingly.
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01-17-2006, 08:32 PM
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1st is geared pretty low; I don't think a 6 speed would be much of an issue
You could control rollback with the handbrake.
If going with the auto, I'd suggest the 4.2 for the better transmission (higher rated ZF auto) for towing. I would also venture to guess the 4.2 is a little cooler under the hood, given the turbos and such on the 2.7T.
I've used both my former 2.7T tip and current 4.2 tip to tow up to Lake Tahoe (6500 ft) with steep inclines, pulling close to max weight (or maybe a little over). Didn't have a problem with either one. I did tend to go easier on the 2.7T as the temp increased significantly more than my 4.2 when climbing. Just took it easy.
As far as performance at altitude (at 6500 ft), they're both about even in stock form at that altitude. Biggest difference, when pulling weight, is that the V8 has more power at throttle tip in off the line. My 2.7T had a pretty noticeable lag at altitude when pulling 3000+ pounds. Once you hit 2500 rpm plus, it is a wash (at around 6000 ft).
If going with the auto, I'd suggest the 4.2 for the better transmission (higher rated ZF auto) for towing. I would also venture to guess the 4.2 is a little cooler under the hood, given the turbos and such on the 2.7T.
I've used both my former 2.7T tip and current 4.2 tip to tow up to Lake Tahoe (6500 ft) with steep inclines, pulling close to max weight (or maybe a little over). Didn't have a problem with either one. I did tend to go easier on the 2.7T as the temp increased significantly more than my 4.2 when climbing. Just took it easy.
As far as performance at altitude (at 6500 ft), they're both about even in stock form at that altitude. Biggest difference, when pulling weight, is that the V8 has more power at throttle tip in off the line. My 2.7T had a pretty noticeable lag at altitude when pulling 3000+ pounds. Once you hit 2500 rpm plus, it is a wash (at around 6000 ft).
01-18-2006, 06:34 AM
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Thanks, I might give the 6 speed a shot
Thanks for the help. All things being equal, I'd much rather drive a stick, and I really only tow a couple of times a year, so I'll probably keep an eye out for a 6 in the mid-atlantic. I'd love to get a 4.2, but probably can't justify the $$$ with my CFO/wife. I'll just have to practice my hill technique a little before going for the first dip this Spring.