Mike, questions on what to do
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From: Lexington, ky
Mike, questions on what to do
I posted a similar question a few days ago, then it hit me (after finally receiving a reply from someone) that no one was replying because I was in the wrong message board!
(2000 5.4L F-150 4x4 supercab)
I have decided to finally get new wheels and tires. I will be running a 16x8 with 305/70/16 tires. I now have the stock wheels with 235/70/16 (TINY) tires.
I was researching a device to reprogram my speedo and ran across this:
http://www.performancecenter.com/veh...&sortorder=ADA
I have since read many posts praising the Micro Tuner by Superchips. However, there is about a $200 difference in the two. I am planning on owning the truck until it falls apart (maybe longer), and want to start things off right.
I eventually am planning on installing an intake kit, cat-back exhaust, and new plug wires, and WAY down the line headers and possibly an ignition upgrade.
Which way should I go? I am pretty un-educated in this area, and don't want to go wrong. Mike, (or anyone for that matter), steer me in the right direction!
Thanks
Scott
pingletonsb@yahoo.com
(2000 5.4L F-150 4x4 supercab)
I have decided to finally get new wheels and tires. I will be running a 16x8 with 305/70/16 tires. I now have the stock wheels with 235/70/16 (TINY) tires.
I was researching a device to reprogram my speedo and ran across this:
http://www.performancecenter.com/veh...&sortorder=ADA
I have since read many posts praising the Micro Tuner by Superchips. However, there is about a $200 difference in the two. I am planning on owning the truck until it falls apart (maybe longer), and want to start things off right.
I eventually am planning on installing an intake kit, cat-back exhaust, and new plug wires, and WAY down the line headers and possibly an ignition upgrade.
Which way should I go? I am pretty un-educated in this area, and don't want to go wrong. Mike, (or anyone for that matter), steer me in the right direction!
Thanks
Scott
pingletonsb@yahoo.com
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 494
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From: Louisville, KY, USA
Plug Wires
Scott,
The 5.4's do not have plug wires. They use a coil on pack ignition system where there is an idividual coil in each plug.
Sounds like a good starting plan and I'm sure others will have opinions and advice. I think the Microtuner is the way to go, it'll give you the most bang for the buck so to speak.
John
The 5.4's do not have plug wires. They use a coil on pack ignition system where there is an idividual coil in each plug.
Sounds like a good starting plan and I'm sure others will have opinions and advice. I think the Microtuner is the way to go, it'll give you the most bang for the buck so to speak.
John
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 494
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From: Louisville, KY, USA
Wires
The 4.6 up until sometime in 99 have traditional plug wires that route to two coil packs on the front of the engine. The 5.4's have always had COP Ignitions. Look in the Lightning Forum at the post entitled "Plasma Booster and Accufab" it shows pictorial proof 
John
John
Last edited by JBRIII; Jan 20, 2003 at 03:47 PM.
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From: Lexington, ky
well.......
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From: Massachusetts
Re: well.......
[QUOTE]Originally posted by spingleton
thanks for the info, but that still doesn't answer my question.
ANYONE?
Scott,
I think JBR answered you question, when he wrote:
I think the Microtuner is the way to go, it'll give you the most bang for the buck so to speak.
Call Mike at Performance and when you hang up, you will be very imformed. He won't push you into buying anything either, just give you the info.
thanks for the info, but that still doesn't answer my question.
ANYONE?
Scott,
I think JBR answered you question, when he wrote:
I think the Microtuner is the way to go, it'll give you the most bang for the buck so to speak.
Call Mike at Performance and when you hang up, you will be very imformed. He won't push you into buying anything either, just give you the info.
Last edited by S'CrewLoose; Jan 21, 2003 at 07:39 AM.
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From: Lexington, ky
thanks
I guess I will try to call Mike once I get the wheels and tires here and I am ready to buy.
I am looking for pros and cons of each, not just "that is the way to go".
I do a small amount of towing my show truck (maybe 5 times a year, not over 200 miles each time), and have no problems with towing, so I don't see the need in a performance upgrade at this time. I think i could pull my boat with my bike if I had to ('96 Sea Doo Speedster), so that isn't a problem either. I am not into lead foot driving because I am too cheap.
I am not going to let $200 either way make my decision for me when I pay that big monthly payment for the truck, but if the $150 programmer will do what I need to do, and I will have no use for the Micro Tuner, then there really isn't any need in me going that route, is there.
Someone convince me either way what to do, that's whay I am looking for.
Thanks guys!
Scott
pingletonsb@yahoo.com
I am looking for pros and cons of each, not just "that is the way to go".
I do a small amount of towing my show truck (maybe 5 times a year, not over 200 miles each time), and have no problems with towing, so I don't see the need in a performance upgrade at this time. I think i could pull my boat with my bike if I had to ('96 Sea Doo Speedster), so that isn't a problem either. I am not into lead foot driving because I am too cheap.
I am not going to let $200 either way make my decision for me when I pay that big monthly payment for the truck, but if the $150 programmer will do what I need to do, and I will have no use for the Micro Tuner, then there really isn't any need in me going that route, is there.
Someone convince me either way what to do, that's whay I am looking for.
Thanks guys!
Scott
pingletonsb@yahoo.com
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Louisville, KY, USA
No Expert
I'm no expert by any means but here's what I've gathered the benefits of the Microtuner are over the converter you're talking about.
1.) the Microtuner will give you an average of 26HP and 31FP of gain across the rpm range. Your converter will give you nothing in that area
2.) The MT will allow you to set shift firmness, and shift points, which will clean up the sloppy shift charecteristics of our vehicles. The converter will not.
3.) The MT can also be used as an OBDII scan tool. This can save you costs in the long run to see what your check engine light means. The converter will not.
4.) The MT will allow you to correct for gear changes and tire size changes. So will the converter.
This are the ones I know of and I'm sure there are others as well.
John
1.) the Microtuner will give you an average of 26HP and 31FP of gain across the rpm range. Your converter will give you nothing in that area
2.) The MT will allow you to set shift firmness, and shift points, which will clean up the sloppy shift charecteristics of our vehicles. The converter will not.
3.) The MT can also be used as an OBDII scan tool. This can save you costs in the long run to see what your check engine light means. The converter will not.
4.) The MT will allow you to correct for gear changes and tire size changes. So will the converter.
This are the ones I know of and I'm sure there are others as well.
John
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From: Alamogordo, NM
Bottom line...what do you want for your money?
spingleton...bottom line, what do you want for your money?
I went with the Superchip MT. Why? Because, I've decided that I wanted the most bang for the buck spent! If I were going to pay $150 for a device that just corrected the speedo, then why not add another $150 to that and get the benifits of +26HP; ability to improve shift points and transmission shift pressure; correct speedo for tire and gear changes; PLUS have a OBDII code reader.
So the question is: WHAT DO YOU WANT...I know what I would choose, because I did. Give Mike T a call and make an informed descision! You'll be glad you did, either way you choose!
Good luck!
Tim
I went with the Superchip MT. Why? Because, I've decided that I wanted the most bang for the buck spent! If I were going to pay $150 for a device that just corrected the speedo, then why not add another $150 to that and get the benifits of +26HP; ability to improve shift points and transmission shift pressure; correct speedo for tire and gear changes; PLUS have a OBDII code reader.
So the question is: WHAT DO YOU WANT...I know what I would choose, because I did. Give Mike T a call and make an informed descision! You'll be glad you did, either way you choose!
Good luck!
Tim
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi Spingleton,
The device you mentioned, from Jet, is only for calibraiton of the speedometer, it does nothing else. It offers nothing else that the Micro Tuner does, such as it's power gains, performance improvements, the built in OBD-II code scanner, improved shifting, and on and on. In other words, you're comparing apples to Yugo wheelie bars.
The ability to correct your speedometer is just *one* of the Micro Tuner's *many* functions, so it would be silly to give up all that, unless you do not want more performance.
Speaking of which, in your first post you go on about doing *numerous* modifications to add more performance, and then you do a 180 in your later post saying just the opposite, that you don't need any more performance. I'd suggest the *first* thing to do is actually decide what you want, you either want more performance and are willing to pay for it or you don't, that's cut & dried. If you don't care about more performance, then by all means, go try that devide you found and enjoy it, you are the only one that has to be happy with what you decide.
Nobody can justify to you why you should spend money to improve your performance versus spending less to just fix your speedometer, that's strictly *your* business, as it's your vehicle; you either want more performance or you don't, & whatever pleases you is all that matters.
If you decide you do want more performance, please feel free to give us a call & we'll be more than happy to go over with you exactly what you can get, what your results will be and what it will cost, etc., to get you the most cost effective bang for the buck solutions, that's what we do here at Performance as F-150 performance specialists.
Best of luck whatever you decide!
The device you mentioned, from Jet, is only for calibraiton of the speedometer, it does nothing else. It offers nothing else that the Micro Tuner does, such as it's power gains, performance improvements, the built in OBD-II code scanner, improved shifting, and on and on. In other words, you're comparing apples to Yugo wheelie bars.
The ability to correct your speedometer is just *one* of the Micro Tuner's *many* functions, so it would be silly to give up all that, unless you do not want more performance.
Speaking of which, in your first post you go on about doing *numerous* modifications to add more performance, and then you do a 180 in your later post saying just the opposite, that you don't need any more performance. I'd suggest the *first* thing to do is actually decide what you want, you either want more performance and are willing to pay for it or you don't, that's cut & dried. If you don't care about more performance, then by all means, go try that devide you found and enjoy it, you are the only one that has to be happy with what you decide.
Nobody can justify to you why you should spend money to improve your performance versus spending less to just fix your speedometer, that's strictly *your* business, as it's your vehicle; you either want more performance or you don't, & whatever pleases you is all that matters.
If you decide you do want more performance, please feel free to give us a call & we'll be more than happy to go over with you exactly what you can get, what your results will be and what it will cost, etc., to get you the most cost effective bang for the buck solutions, that's what we do here at Performance as F-150 performance specialists.
Best of luck whatever you decide!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Jan 22, 2003 at 06:44 PM.
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From: Lexington, ky
many thanks
Thanks for all of the advice guys.
I guess I DO need to decide what I want to do before I make that step (although already I am leaning towards the Micro Tuner). As I said, I will not let $200 or so make my decision, that is why I wanted pros and cons of each (which I got). For the money that I will end up paying for this truck (after the financing is complete), I don't think $200 is going to matter that much in the scheme of things.
I guess the Mirco Tuner is the way to go, whether I decide to upgrade performance wise or not. If I do, I will have the ability to "fine tune" further, and if I don't, then I will at least have the ability to change my wheel/tire size at will AND get my computer codes translated into terms that I can understand without having to shell out an arm and a leg at the dealership.
Once again, thanks for all of the help. Once the wheels and tires arrive, I will give Mike a call and figure out exactly what I need.
THANKS!
I guess I DO need to decide what I want to do before I make that step (although already I am leaning towards the Micro Tuner). As I said, I will not let $200 or so make my decision, that is why I wanted pros and cons of each (which I got). For the money that I will end up paying for this truck (after the financing is complete), I don't think $200 is going to matter that much in the scheme of things.
I guess the Mirco Tuner is the way to go, whether I decide to upgrade performance wise or not. If I do, I will have the ability to "fine tune" further, and if I don't, then I will at least have the ability to change my wheel/tire size at will AND get my computer codes translated into terms that I can understand without having to shell out an arm and a leg at the dealership.
Once again, thanks for all of the help. Once the wheels and tires arrive, I will give Mike a call and figure out exactly what I need.
THANKS!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Scott,
Glad the forum could be of help, it's a friendly & very helpful bunch of enthusiasts around here!
By the way, when you get the new wheels & tires, if you feel like sharing that with us, snap a pic & upload to your signature line here. People here always like to see another wheel & tire combo with so many options to choose from. Just a thought........
Have fun,
Glad the forum could be of help, it's a friendly & very helpful bunch of enthusiasts around here!
By the way, when you get the new wheels & tires, if you feel like sharing that with us, snap a pic & upload to your signature line here. People here always like to see another wheel & tire combo with so many options to choose from. Just a thought........
Have fun,
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From: Lexington, ky
I agree Mike,
I first stumbled onto this site many years ago, when I first started "drooling" over the F-150 body style that I just had to have one day! By the time my wife and I were FINALLY able to purchase our own, I was equiped with enough knowledge to make an informed decision on exactly what I wanted.
Although I don't post that many messages (until lately) on this site, I (along with others I am sure) have gained SO much information from those that have owned these wonderful machines for a while that are helpful enough to post tips, pointers, opinions, etc. to us that are just getting behind the wheel for the first time.
MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU GUYS!
As for new wheels and tires on my truck, my wife and I are in the middle of selling our current house and upgrading to one twice as large, so I have to cut some corners. I have decided to hold out on new wheels at this time (mostly because of money, but also because I just CAN'T decide on a 8" or 10" wide wheel), and just go with a larger tire on my stock 16" wheels (285/75/16). In another few years (once the newness of "HELLA-BIGGER" tires wears off), when we are in a new house and have the monthly bills under control, I will upgrade the wheels. Maybe by that time I will be able to decide on what size, as well as how high of a lift I want.
In the meantime, I will be calling you MIKE (in a few weeks I hope) to order a Micro Tuner, and by summer I hope to have the tires. When I get them, I will gladly post some pictures of before and after (I currently am running the VERY TINY 235/70/16 tires, so it will be a good change.
How do I post pictures in my messages? I will gladly do it!
I can't thank you guys enough for your advice, experiences, opinions in helping me make my decision on the Micro Tuner. I am sure I won't be let down!
Although I don't post that many messages (until lately) on this site, I (along with others I am sure) have gained SO much information from those that have owned these wonderful machines for a while that are helpful enough to post tips, pointers, opinions, etc. to us that are just getting behind the wheel for the first time.
MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU GUYS!
As for new wheels and tires on my truck, my wife and I are in the middle of selling our current house and upgrading to one twice as large, so I have to cut some corners. I have decided to hold out on new wheels at this time (mostly because of money, but also because I just CAN'T decide on a 8" or 10" wide wheel), and just go with a larger tire on my stock 16" wheels (285/75/16). In another few years (once the newness of "HELLA-BIGGER" tires wears off), when we are in a new house and have the monthly bills under control, I will upgrade the wheels. Maybe by that time I will be able to decide on what size, as well as how high of a lift I want.
In the meantime, I will be calling you MIKE (in a few weeks I hope) to order a Micro Tuner, and by summer I hope to have the tires. When I get them, I will gladly post some pictures of before and after (I currently am running the VERY TINY 235/70/16 tires, so it will be a good change.
How do I post pictures in my messages? I will gladly do it!
I can't thank you guys enough for your advice, experiences, opinions in helping me make my decision on the Micro Tuner. I am sure I won't be let down!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Scott,
Last things first.........I'm the absolute worst person to ask how to post the pics here in the signature line, as I've never bothered to learn how because I don't personally do that. So I guess it sounds funny for me to suggest anyone else doing that, eh?
Seriously, check the VB instructions that you can access when you go to make a post, on that screen there is a link for that, & it will take you to pages with those instructions on the image tag, etc., that's the best advice I can give you on that. Plenty of others here know that backwards & forwards and thus can help you with that far better than I ever could!
Good luck with the new house, etc., you gotta have priorities, that's for sure. Life isn't quite as simple as Cartman & his gang in South Park would have us think!
Have fun & talk to you soon,
Last things first.........I'm the absolute worst person to ask how to post the pics here in the signature line, as I've never bothered to learn how because I don't personally do that. So I guess it sounds funny for me to suggest anyone else doing that, eh?
Seriously, check the VB instructions that you can access when you go to make a post, on that screen there is a link for that, & it will take you to pages with those instructions on the image tag, etc., that's the best advice I can give you on that. Plenty of others here know that backwards & forwards and thus can help you with that far better than I ever could!
Good luck with the new house, etc., you gotta have priorities, that's for sure. Life isn't quite as simple as Cartman & his gang in South Park would have us think!
Have fun & talk to you soon,