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AFM Disabler Review! V8 to V4 Disable.

carnau

By carnau
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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carnau Enthusiast

carnau

Posted
Posted

Hey everyone.

Range Technology was kind enough to let me use one of their AFM Disablers to review. Since we have a lot of people starting new topics and asking questions regarding how to disable the system, I thought I would create a post with my honest review of the product here along with the video I made reviewing it.

 

Just a little bit about the product. They claim the product will stop the shuddering as your engine cycles between running on half or all cylinders, Improve power at light throttle with all cylinders firing which can actually result in improved fuel economy depending on your driving habits, and keep GM's troublesome valve lifters from no longer be tasked with activating and deactivating constantly, saving you money on costly future repairs by keeping your vehicle in V8 mode all the time.

 

It's Plug and play so there is no tools needed to install. This also enables it to be taken from vehicle to vehicle. This also makes it safe and reversible, as you can remove it if you no longer need or want it.

 

Now, For my honest review. I really enjoyed having the product. It worked great on my 2016 GMC Sierra. I used it ( a little too long for making the video actually. I have had the produce for about 2 moths now and had a few issues trying to get the video completed. But it is FINALLY done!) without any failures, or any warning lights what so ever. I also tested it on multiple vehicles, including my friends new Chevrolet that had less than 1000 miles on it. I even have computer data to back this up in the video.

 

Yes, it does keep the vehicle in 8 cylinder mode all the time.

Yes, It did keep my vehicle from shuddering or feeling anything because the vehicle no longer went from V8 to V4 and vice versa.

No, I didn't notice very much if any fuel mileage decrease. But I don't do a lot of highway driving because I live in the country.

And my FAVORITE part. 

The Throttle response is AMAZING!!!

 

One thing I have always complained about with GM's newer vehicles is at slow starts and light throttle you feel as if the vehicle doesn't want to accelerate and then it just blasts off. This totally took that away and made it like I had power on demand. You push the pedal and it goes. If for nothing else, that's worth the cost 100%

 

As far as the lifter failures. Everything is man made so of course you could always have a lifter failure. But, It will not be from switching from V8 to V4 because as I mentioned. It keeps the AFM system inactive.

 

Below is my review video on the product. I am sorry for the motion in the video. A lot of the video was taken with me driving and videoing at the same time. Don't worry!!! I buckled up!! 

www.rangetechnology.com is their website if you are interested in more information.

Range AFM Disabler - https://amzn.to/2X5arXD

 

 

xSHIFTxNASTYx Enthusiast

xSHIFTxNASTYx

Posted
Posted

I wish some of these statements would be true for everybody. The device does nothing for me for throttle response because accelerating from a stop will be in 8 cylinder mode anyways regardless of whether you use this device or not.....at least in my experience. I have never seen my truck take off from a stop in V4 mode (yes, the device was unplugged). Throttle response problems for me are two things; 1) that stupid gas pedal flex, which I cured with a paint stick mod, and 2) the throttle response is crap in K2's from the factory and have only see improvements made by use of tune or an aftermarket programmer like a Pedal Commander. Neither of those two items are solved with Range's AFM disabler.

 

And I believe the vehicle shuddering is due to other issues not related to whether you are in V4 or V8. I have some shuddering and it clearly happens during V8 with this device plugged in and never anything to do with going back and forth between V4 and V8 (yes, unplugged again).....at least in my experience.

 

Point of my post is anyone that uses this will be a YMMV situation based on driving habits, truck condition, and how well the truck is maintained. Do I recommend it? Yes. I'm much happier being in V8 100% of the time and have more stable fuel economy as I have done studies myself taking notes on fuel usage with it plugged in and not plugged in. I fluctuate in gas mileage more without it than I do with it plugged in but averages aside it is about the same +/- 1 or 2 MPG - still relies 100% on driving habits. Me driving 80 MPH on the highway vs. someone driving 70 MPH on the highway Range plugged in or not is drastically different.

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