Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Bully Dog Response Regarding Power Pup...


So after posting the information in a previous entry about Bully Dog releasing an update to its Power Pup flash reprogrammer that covers Altimas, Frontiers, Xterras and a host of other current Nissan vehicles there was quite a response.  Particularly on Club Frontier there was a heated discussion regarding initial results of the Power Pup on the Titan platform and how the Power Pup compares to other flash programmers (Superchips, etc.).  Well, best to go right to the source in most of these cases and Mike DeFord (better known as ApexKiller to most), Bully Dog's marketing director has always been one of the most vocal and visible members of the aftermarket community.  His response to my inquiry for more information was near immediate and quite friendly, despite occasions in the past where he and I have (as he says) "butted heads".

I simply told him that my posting of the Bully Dog Power Pup press release had generated a number of posts regarding the "lock up" of a number of Titans, that claims were being made that the Superchips product was the superior one and that I wanted to offer him a forum in which to respond.

Here is his response (edited for spelling but that is all):

The Nissan community is very vocal and share their experiences and this is good.  But in this case a lot of the early problems we had with the Titan were on Beta Test customer, who serve as product testers for our product before it is officially released to the public.  Some of those guys shared their experiences which is OK but what a lot of people then do not see is that each of those guys were rolling usually within 24 hours of the problem.
That is the first part of the answer, the second part is a little more complicated.  Our company is always developing new software updates, these are to enhance the product further or to work better with new OE Manufacturer codes.  Every time you take your truck to the dealer they plug it into their computer and will update your ECU.  As soon as there is an update from the manufacturer we go to work on it and if needed we release an update.
All of our downloaders tell you to update the product on our site for free before you install it.  This is to ensure that you have the newest and best software.  All of this is FREE of charge and only takes a few minutes.  The product comes with instructions and a USB cable to do the update, it is very easy.  All of the problems where the downloader will lock up is because the software version on the downloader does not work with what is on the vehicles ECU--basically people [try] to do the install without updating the product.  All of this updating is so that the customer has the BEST possible tunes on their truck and we are the only company that goes to these lengths.
The fact is that through our warehouse channels we know that our return rate is lower than our competitors.  We have a full tech. department staffed with guys that go through extensive training to ensure that customers are taken care of.  This staff is also specialized--We have guys that are Nissan [specific] experts, this is also the case in our engineering department.
And last but not least we are the only company with this type of product that is sold through the Nissan dealerships.  People will say that this was a business move that we paid to make it happen, but the fact is that Nissan approached us, they tested the product for a few months and we have not paid them anything.  They believe and stand behind the product.  If you go buy a new Nissan today they can install it for you and warranty it!

Mike DeFord
Marketing Director

So there you go...Don't say I never did anything for you...I hope his response cleared up some matters out there...I just wanted to make sure that Bully Dog's side was heard loud and clear.  Thanks for your time.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Team Dessoude...

Had to change the title of yesterday's post as I had mistakenly labeled the Belgium "Team Overdrive" as being the top ranked Nissan team...They're not...Team Dessoude from France is the top ranked Nissan team, is listed as team #312 and will be the 12th truck off the line in the initial stage...I made the error as on the entry list it shows Team Dessoude's vehicle as a "Proto Dessoude 05" and not Nissan...Not sure why this is but this vehicle is definately a Nissan, likely a Frontier/Navarra that is heavily modified.  Engine is listed as a VQ40 is the reason I am betting on the Frontier/Navarra likelyhood...Just as an fyi, Andre Dessoude (for whom the team is named and who is the patriarch of the team) has been building and fielding Nissan rally teams since 1982...

Christian Lavielle is the driver of record for Dessoude's primary team and has an excellent record including wins at the Pharaons Rally (Egypt) and the Transiberico Rally (Spain and Portugal) in '08.  They as well should have a strong showing...http://www.teamdessoude.com/specific/formats/index.jsp

Sunday, December 28, 2008

2nd Ranked Nissan Team For Dakar...


The Dakar (South American style) is only 8 days away...Team Overdrive, based in Belgium is the 2nd seeded (based on prior Dakar finishing order) Nissan team.  Though based in Belgium, its driver is Polish.  Their website unfortunately for me is virtually all in French with an English option but no info in English.  Sweet pics though and the team has been VERY active in '08 running numerous rallies around Europe, Africa and Russia so they should be well prepared and experienced...http://www.overdriveracing.be/common.home.php

Bully Dog Expands Nissan Power Pup Applications...

Bully Dog recently released a new software update for its Power Pup engine management tool.  Initially released for only the Titan, the new software update now includes engine management upgrades for the Altima, 350Z, Frontier,  Xterra, Pathfinder, Maxima and G35 engines in both the 4cyl. and 6cyl versions...As a highly reputable company with a large customer base, I have little doubt that the Power Pup is the real deal for simple, plug in engine improvement...http://www.bullydog.com/product/index/product_detail/185

The Nissan Power Pup was designed for Nissan and Infinity owners looking for more power and better fuel economy.  The Nissan Power Pup offers the user two different engine tunes above Stock to accommodate various driving conditions: Regular Tune (for use with regular fuel) and Premium Tune (use with high-octane fuel).  It also give the user the capabilities to adjust rev and speed limiters, as well as read and erase diagnostic trouble codes.  The engine tuning options below describe what tunes are available throughout the Power Pup and their recommended use.

*Stock: Choosing the Stock engine tune will result in no change to engine horsepower output.  All other downloader features can still be accessed of the Stock engine tune is chosen.

*Regular: This engine tune is recommended for use with 85 or 87 octane gasoline.  This tune can be used for everyday driving and towing.  Dynamometer testing results have shown a 10-12hp increase in rear wheel horsepower.

*Premium: This engine tune is recommended for use with 91 or 93 octane gasoline.  This tune can be used for everyday driving, towing and racing.  Dynamometer testing results have shown up to 22 horsepower and 24 ft.-lbs torque increase on the premium tune to the rear wheels.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Suzuki Equator (Nissan Frontier) Wins 4x4 of the Year...


from Petersen's 4Wheel & OffRoad magazine...How it wins 4x4 of the year and you don't mention that it is a Nissan product and that the Nissan Frontier actually starts at a slightly LOWER price than the Suzuki Equator (albeit with a shorter warranty) is beyond me...but there it is...Not separated into trucks/SUVs and just lumping them all together into one 4x4 class, the Equator came away the winner...http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/featuredvehicles/131_0902_2009_4x4_of_the_year_winner_suzuki_equator/index.html

Monday, December 22, 2008

Nissan 7S Hardbody 4Sale...


If only I had a spare $5K lying around...I'd buy this truck in a heartbeat...what a fun toy it could be for race or play...a super simple, easy to run, easy to prep vehicle with lots of cheap parts available for it...http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=5&md=second&id=1139

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

No Posts For a Few More Days...

Yup, am back at home but....now a pipe burst in my living room, destroying the first floor of my house....House never froze...Oil company tech overpressurized my forced hot water system to get air out of the pipes and broke a hot water pipe...so my life is a disaster at the moment...lovely...but I'll be back...can knock me down, but not out...

Sunday, December 14, 2008

NO POSTS FOR A FEW DAYS...

Sorry for the lack of posts...Due to the ice storm we have had here in NH I have not had power at my home for more than 60 hours now and am now visiting my in-laws 3 hours from my home in order to take a shower and brush my teeth for the first time in three days...I will be back to posting Nissan and other related news as soon as I get power at home/work, pump the water out of my basement and saw up the numerous trees down in my yard...thanks!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Laszlo Palik--One of Nissan's Best for the Dakar...

Meet the 46 year old Laszlo Palik. Driving a new ('08) South African built Navara, Palik has racked up a number of impressive finishes as of late and ran very well at the '08 "Central Europe Rally" outside of a roll over on the very first day. Look for a real solid performance at next months South American Dakar. Again...as I will always say in posts like this---Why can't we get Nissan teams like this out there competing in offroad races???? For more info, pics and some really sweet video--http://www.palikracingteam.com/en/

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Four South African Built Navarra's Heading...


to the '09 Andean Dakar. Now why can't we in the U.S. get some racing Frontiers going?? Nissan of South Africa has consistently built some top notch offroad racing vehicles and exported them around the world. A number of the drivers mentioned have top 20 Dakar finishes under their belts and should, with these vehicles, perform quite well at this years Dakar. Also notice the American parts (King shocks) and sponsorship (Columbia Sportswear) on the trucks as well...if only an American team would use and get support from Nissan....http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fSetId=381&fArticleId=4753461

Frontier Fiberglass Fenders...


Good deal for 1st generation Frontiers if they are in as good condition as the seller says, only $250.
http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=1529

Monday, December 8, 2008

Makita 5007FK 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw...

Ahhhh.....my new favorite tool...I love tools...I can never have enough and though my collection of tools thus far is quite limited, I have a fondness for them that I can't quite explain.

I love tough tools. I love simple tools. I love tools that do what you want over and over and can be left on the ground, kicked and covered and in dirt and yet fire right up and keep working like they were brand new...

This Makita circular saw is just such a tool. Having recently moved into a new (to me) house with a 2 car detached garage, one of my first projects is of course to remodel the garage (pics and updates to be provided in this blog soon) to provide a good home to my Nissan Xterra and other potential projects. Well, not wanting to use an axe or a chainsaw to hack up the crummy 2+ inch thick shelving/benches that one of the prior owners had installed, I figured it was time to get a good circular saw. This type of saw will also come in handy when I need to do the walls in the garage and numerous other projects around the house in the near future.

For only $99 (at Home Depot, Amazon or damn near anywhere else) this saw can't be beat. It is powerful (using the stock blade it came with), tearing through the two inch think boardwork with the ease and precision of a lazer. As some have noted, this circular saw does not have a "brake" to stop the blade from spinning once you let go of the trigger but not having had one with a brake before I don't miss it and I feel at the moment, it makes me more concious of what I am doing with the saw at all times. The LED feature is a neat little addition to the saw but I have not used it yet and doubt that I will.

The saw adjusts its blade level up and down and at angles very easily and though not one of the new fangled "magnesium" circular saws, this one does not feel heavy in my hand and produces little to no fatigue. All in all it has been great so far and couldn't reccomend it more highly if you are in the market for either your first or 50th circular saw.

Nissan Titan engine and transmission 4Sale...

only 1500 miles on them per the post...selling them seperately or as a package...supposedly came out of a SEMA truck so they should be in good condition....http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=1370

Nissan Titan Total Chaos Arms...

Looks like someone is selling a very new set of upper arms from Total Chaos for a Titan or and Xterra or Frontier or Equator if you are doing the Titan arm swap...http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=1319

Friday, December 5, 2008

Jim Baldwin to step down...

from the CEO position in CORR, elevating Cissy Baldwin to the lead position...Press release just came out...One of many big steps/news to come in the following weeks I believe...http://www.corracing.com/blog.asp?bid=1&pid=232

Thursday, December 4, 2008

At its Michigan technical design center today, Nissan showed off its upcoming commercial van in its NV2500 concept form. Though I doubt the final version will have the wood panel flooring or some of the other details seen here, I would imagine the external features should remain very similar. The oddest thing I find with this is that it will be based off of a slightly modified Titan platform (the F-Alpha frame) even though the Titan in its F-Alpha form will go away. Additionally the cargo van will have a diesel engine available to it as well. As a people mover and contractor's wet dream this should grab some decent market share and keep the Canton, MS plant humming along...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/nissan-unveils-nv2500-light-commercial-vehicle-concept/

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

NISMO Xmas gifts...




Pretty sweet hoodie and long sleeve Tees available--though I would reccomend staying away from the NISMO coffee mug. I had one thrown in when my wife purchased her Altima recently and it always leaked through the inner shell and held coffee/water/soap in between the inner and outer layers and was quickly thrown out...http://www.nissanshiftgear.com/default.cfm?fuse=matrix&browse_by=productType&brand=all&product_type=NISMO


Nissan Hardbody Prerunner...


for sale in SoCal...King shocks, Deaver leafs...Looks like maybe Total Chaos arms in front...