I recently purchased a Fuego tuner for my '03 GT, and while pleased with what it does I have some significant issues with what it was advertised to do and apparently doesn't. I have attempted for a couple of days to send the following message to feedback@granatellimotorsports.com (rejected, "account is temporarily over the storage quota"), postmaster@granatellimotorsports.com (rejected, over quota), and via their website (Frontpage error)--since they do seem to frequent this site I thought I'd try here...

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Gentlemen:

I have just recently purchased (from Cool Blue Performance) your model F996517 Fuego Flash Tuner device for my '03 Mustang GT. While quite pleased with the "standard" tune, and ability to tweak same, I find that many of the capabilities touted on your website (and in the 2006 video) do not seem to exist. My decision to purchase your unit (instead of the {Predator) was based in great part upon these advertised capabilities.

To wit:

Data Logging (website & video): The unit does not seem to do this, it provides real time monitoring of some mostly inconsequential parameters, and freeze frame for same, however I find no indication that any logging is taking place (or accessible if it is taking place);

USB Download of tunes and logs (video): Unless I am missing something this capability does not exist;

"Once it knows who you are it assigns a name..." (video): NOT--as far as I can tell;

"Custom tunes and updates are available through the internet" (website): Where? I find no links or additional information in this regard on your site;

Fuel table tuning (2k to 4k and 4k to 7k-website): No such animal on my unit, it lets me change fuel at WOT and that's all (I realise that this may be vehicle specific, you should qualify the statement if so).

Now with all this said, I happen to be an instrument systems programmer (mostly oscilloscopes, frequency analyzers, and high-end data acquisition devices) and would be delighted to assist in developing the data logging and USB download capabilities--I feel there's a lot of potential in this unit, however right now it looks like there's a lot of false advertising...

Thank you,

-cliff knight-
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I am beginning to develop one of those uneasy feelings in my gut...

 

Stupid question: why do we live in the internet age that people don't just pick up the phone to call?

My NUMBER 1 rule regarding purchasing items on the internet is that if there is no phone number to call to get information, I just won't buy it from that seller. The reason for this is two-fold: I want to know that there is a human being that is processing my order (ie-the business is "legitimate", or at least more legitimate than a computer), and I want to know that there is an active number in case an issue comes up.

With that said, why don't you just call them tomorrow? I would think that your issue would more easily solved on the phone anyway.

NOTE: I don't mean to come off sounding harsh. I'm just saying that why not try calling? I hate trying to write emails to people, hoping that they receive them, and then hoping that they return them. Plus, talking on the phone is two-sided, whereas email is one-sided

 

Yes they can be reached by phone.
Funny,I guess I am showing my age. I thought to e-mail them.
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P.S. it is now 4:30 in California maybe they are still there.

 

Maybe because calling them from Florida to talk about their mis-represented product costs me money, maybe becaise they provide a support email address (account over quota) and a web-based (broken) contact system?

 

Not to sound harsh, so I will try saying it politely: That is just not smart. If you're response was: "I can't call them because I am at work during those hours, and don't have time." then that would be understood.

If you go to Granatelli's website, there is a "Contact Us" or "Tech Support" section, and the first thing on there is a phone number.

You feel that they have a mis-represented item. Do you really think that they are going to go into detail with you on a one-sided conversation via email. I would think that they would want to have a two-sided conversation so that they could get input, suggestions, issues, etc.

Moreover, as you have pointed out, they have an email system that is overfull/down. So, instead of calling them, you are going to post a message on a public forum to see if they respond? Do you think that Granatelli is going to post an indepth response to this issue. I'm betting his response will be: "Please call us so we can talk about this".

You are honestly in the wrong hobby if you don't plan on calling anyone for information if it's long distance. Many sellers don't have toll-free numbers for ordering, let alone tech-help.

There's a saying in the car hobby world: "You gotta pay to play." Calling around for help and support is just part of the cost

 

You can try contacting them directly through the forum.... Granatelli

 

I am not sure what is wrong with the email addresses you are asking about - they seem to be working at this moment for me


Data Logging The DATA LOGGING feature requires uploading the Fuego live data link which for some reason got corrupted – we are working on a solution now


USB Download Fuego is so new there are no new downloads – you have the lastest tunes we offer at this time – as updates come down to line we WILL make them available

"Once it knows who you are it assigns a name..." this goes back to the Fuego Live Link

"Custom tunes and updates are available through the internet" Ditto Fuego Live Link

Fuel table tuning I agree this feature should be supported – I will need to look into this

 

This doesn't sound good for GMS...I smell some false advertising...

 

I did send JR a private message as suggested by Scothew, and he has contacted me. We will be discussing how I might be able to assist them in in testing/fixing up the software.

As I said in my rant I am quite impressed by the tune it applied to my '03 GT, from both a butt-dyno and fuel economy perspective. I used the out of the can "Premium" fuel (91/93 octane, we can get 93 year-round here) tune, and added a tiny bit of low-end spark advance--the low-end grunt and pull up through redline is greatly improved and I'm getting 1.5 to 2.0 MPG better mileage (from around 21.5 to 23.3 or so).

This last bit is particularly interesting as it represents just about the same percentage difference (8.4%) as the current price of 93 vs. 87 fuel in these parts...

Re telephoning: I'm an IT guy (worse, embedded systems programming) and we live by email/Sharepoint/and SourceSafe. The telephone is a nuisance. I don't even answer mine (that's what voice mail is for) as it interrupts our train of thought and generally represents a problem that has to be dealt with now (which is what help desks are for). eMail also provides a nice, automatic, hardcopy trail of all discussions.

Nonetheless, I apologise for not being part of the headset "Borg" generation--however the fact is that the telephone is the last place I or many of my colleagues would turn for having any meaningful technical communications. I will try to be a better Mustang enthusiast in the future...

I am looking forward to working with GMS to make the Fuego all it can be.