Why the difference in HP/gain for 4.6L?

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Old Feb 18, 2003 | 06:43 PM
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Question Why the difference in HP/gain for 4.6L?

What are the real numbers on HP/torque gain for a 98 F150 4.6L engine. At https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html the numbers show gains of +26 HP and +40ft/lb of torgue. Now when I click on the product link on this board and then go to the performance/tuning link to eventually the superchip distributor, their chart for Ford F150 4.6L at https://www.f150online.com/cgi-bin/f...uperchips.com/ shows performance gains of only +18 HP and +26 ft/lb of torque.

What's the difference? Is there more than one manufactor out there using the name super chip? I know there's a difference in my factory HP/torque readings as compared to the 2000+ models. What's the real deal and what can I expect on my '98 F150 4.6L? Is it worth it?
 

Last edited by crain; Feb 18, 2003 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Feb 18, 2003 | 09:10 PM
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I have no idea why the differences, but I would recommend that you call Mike Troyer aka Superchips_distributer and ask him. His reputation here on the forums is flawless and I am sure he can steer you in the right direction.

Ed
 
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Old Feb 19, 2003 | 12:11 AM
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"I know there's a difference in my factory HP/torque readings as compared to the 2000+ models. "
I think you answered your own question.
The chip causes the 4.6 to have a certain HP rating. This would be a larger increase in the older 4.6 since it was lower to start with than the newer 4.6 which starts at a higher HP. Just my thoughts but it makes sense so I'm going to believe it.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2003 | 12:25 AM
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Cool

HI!... As far as I know both the older and newer 4.6's get the same increase in H.P/TQ with the standard SUPERCHIP. I think it's just a typo myself. I'm sure MIKE T will be in here tomorrow to clear things up.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2003 | 07:35 AM
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I know that the 26 hp claimed by the chip is Flywheel hp so maybe the other number is real-wheel hp.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2003 | 07:43 PM
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Hi Crain & everyone,

That's been gone over a number times here in the past, in fact, Neal was teh very first one to call me on that, I thin he called the day those numbers changed on the manufacturer's web site. As Neal can tell you from his own experience, the numbers we use are the correct numbers, stated SAE Net at the flywheel just like the stock factory ratings are, and are the exact same numbers that the manufacturer originally published for the 220 HP version of the 4.6 in the F-150. However, they changed who takes care of their web site, and re-did much of the web site in their last update to the site, and there have been several errors there ever since, I think at least a half-dozen or so out of the hundreds of applications listed. As Neal said in his post, it's just typo's basically, as we asked them about that as soon as Neal spotted that, and I think what happened were just simple transpositional mistakes when all that was redone for the update to the web site.

We've told them about it and probably sometime around the 12th of forever they'll get that taken care of.

The maximum potential gain in the 220 hp 4.6 is 26 HP & 40 lbs./ft. of torque SAE Net at the flywheel. The exact gains in each individual vehicle will vary based on the age & condition of the drivetrain, and other factors such as altitude, fuel quality, etc.

I think the most accurate way I've ever heard to express this is to think of the Superchip, in round numbers, as roughly about a 10% power gainer in terms of the horsepower (torque comes up 13%-15%). Some will pick up as much as 12% in HP, but we look at it as basically about a 10% power gainer. And that's about how the trucks feel, like they picked up about 10% more power all the time, at any throttle position or rpm.

Now the newer 231 hp versions of the 4.6 will generally pick up maybe a couple of HP more at best, but once again, I would just look at it in round numbers, as roughly about a 10% power gainer regardless of which engine in the F-150 & Expedition, 4.2 V6, 4.6 or 5.4 V8's.

In fact, in most naturally-aspirated gasoline engines that are originally tuned for 87 octane from the factory, we normally see about a 10% power gain (again, in round numbers) from the process of re-tuning these engines specifically for the use of premium gasoline.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2003 | 11:08 PM
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Mike,

Thanks for the explanation. I will be getting a super chip soon, well by next month anyway. It is the one performance mod that the local Ford dealer here recommends. I was thinking about the FIPK but I am not sure if it is worth it...there seems to be as many cons as pros for the FIPK but all pros for the chip.

Are the instructions detailed enough that a below average wrench turner as myself can install it?
 

Last edited by crain; Feb 21, 2003 at 07:34 AM.
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Old Feb 21, 2003 | 07:32 PM
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Hi Crain

In case MikeT. dosen't see your question.

You may have already seem them...lots posted on air intakes.

If you order from MikeT. @ PP...you'll get a very good detailed info. sheet. Step by step thru the install process.

You may think...geez..gotta disconnect batt/pcm etc...maybe alittle nervous...i know i was a bit hesitant at first..never took out a pcm ...but i just followed the instrs. Prior..i read threads on installs..so it all came together..piece of cake

Just take your time. If you have to remove the battery to get at the pcm connection at firewall...just go ahead and do it. Later you'll say...wow..i did that..piece of cake.

Good luck....OT

btw...if you order from MikeT. @ PP...his word is good. Plus it helps to maintain this site.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2003 | 10:42 PM
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Crain~

Mike's instructions are great, and easy to follow. I , also, got the Traditional Superchip and was a little hesitant, but the process went flawlessly. Just make sure you read the directions, first, thoroughly. It's a great feeling when the engine turns on after the installation process!


Good luck!
 
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Old Feb 22, 2003 | 02:55 PM
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Thanks all for the vote of confidence. Based on your relies, I am sure I can install the chip. Heck, I didn't know what a spindle was but with the instructions I got from the guys on this board, I was able to do my own spindle lift. I suppose when I've installed the super chip, I will have the same feeling about it as I have had about others mods installed on my truck and that is "Man, why did I wait so long to do it."

Take care...will let you know my impressions next month of the chip.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2003 | 03:25 PM
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Hi Crain,

I think that just about anyone can install the Superchip with our additional documentation that we write here at Performance. The manufacturer's docs are fine as far as they go, we just feel that a bit more info is required for first-time installers just to increase the comfort level, etc., and to give very detailed descriptions of the technique we use to clean the connector, for example. What to look for specifically, etc., we go over everything from the easiest way to access the PCM to you name it, and with all of *that* info, we feel just about anyone can install them.

With regard to the intake kit, a K&N FIPK kit is OK, that will get you 12 HP on the 4.6 & 14 HP on the 5.4 motor. Now the *best* intake kit is the Air Force One, it will not only gain a few more horsepower, but it's also made of *much* higher quality materials, and looks like a true show piece under the hood. Made of aircraft-grade T304 stainless steel, it is then polished to a mirror finish *by hand*, and it uses the S&B air filter element instead of a K&N fitler, too. It's not often in this business (or any other) that the part that actually gains the most power also looks the best under the hood and is also made of the highest quality materials; getting all 3 of those aspects in one part happens about every 12th of never, so the AF1 intake is a real home run. The cost is extremely close to the K&N kit, so you don't have to pay more to get much better quality, either.

What you might want to do is to give us a call when you get a chance, and we can go over with you just exactly what the deal is on the various intake kits, how they make their power, what actually matters versus what doesn't, how we tested virtually every name-brand intake kit (and cat-back exhaust) on the market for these vehicles over 23 months and what we found, etc. We can also make you a nice combo package if you like to get the lowest possible cost on both mods, if you like. Some people like to take advantage of our combo deals, while others need to do things one at a time to keep the budget in line (and we *all* have budgets), we're happy to work with you in whatever way helps your needs best.

Glad to hear you were able to do that spindle lift, by the way!
 
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