Hey, guys...
just a curiousity thing here, but I'm thinking about spending a little money, and I haven't really decided if I want to buy a Music Keg or a SuperChip and new blasting cabinet. My question is, would it be safe to say that if I add a SuperChip to my 4.6L that my truck would perform very much the same as it would with the same setup and a stock 5.4L? Just curious... I've searched, but haven't seen anyone ask this specific question, but there's so much info to digest I'm sorry if I overlooked something...

thanks...

 

I also think my next upgrade will be the micro tuner. Just trying to see if I can free up the cash. After the Factory Tech valve body install I sure wouldn't mind some extra power under the hood.

-Brian

 

TO simply answer your question, no. Theres no true way to justify saying that. First of all the 5.4 works more off of low rpms, than the 4.6 does. And the torque the 5.4 puts out is pretty substantial too, once again at low rpms. The 4.6 u have is a 220 horse i beleive, and the 5.4 is a 260 horse, the torque is 295 on the 4.6 and somewhere around 350 on the 5.4 ( not sure on the torque for the 5.4, i seem to be having a brain fart). Ant way the chip is supposed to boost ur hp 26 ponies and give u around 40 pounds of torque, So with ur 4.6 and the chip u would be running about 246 at the flywheel (at best) and ur torque would be around 335. So in a matter of fact No, the 4.6 would still be less powerful than the stock 5.4, but there is one more factor to evaluate, the change in shifts gives u an edge on someone with the stock 5.4. So it would put u alot closer to ur goal, but not quite. But if u ask me, the chip or tuner is well worth the $$. Your torque u gain is really apparent, i feel i really go the 26 hp and the 40 pounds of torque that superchips promised. How often does that happen??? I would definetely do a chip b4 anything else. Its a better hp for the $$. Well goodluck, and happy truckin.

By the way, that pic is friggin cool.

 

Thank for the post Silver&Blue

My 2002 4.6L from the factory is rated at 231hp 293tq. So the horsepower rating is a tad higher than you posted. I think the chip will put us pretty close to a stock 5.4 with all other things being equal such as weight, etc.. I already have my shifts taken care of via the FT valve body, but the other chip benefits would be ideal. But you make a good point it's pretty darn hard to make up the difference in the displacement and torque of the 5.4!

-Brian

 

I have the 4.6 and a buddy at work has the 5.4. We both have identical Screws, otherwise (2003).

I have the MicroTuner installed and he is stock. To really make this short, let's just say that he ate my dust from a standing start.

The improved shifting is well worth the bucks. My MPG also increased 2mpg city, and 3 mpg highway. That pays for the extra money for premium fuel.

Just for fun, after having the SuperTuner installed for 2 months, I restored the programming to factory and tried it. Man, what a difference. I put the MicroTuner setting back in after just driving to work.

 

Sounds like I'll be going with the chip...

thanks guys...

 

Hi C9

Dont forget...s/c gains are not rear wheel gains.

That mod. alone will not turn your 4.6L into a hot rod..but you'll feel the improvement. Just be aware. Also mpg are not guaranteed. Some get better mpg/some dont.

Lots of good info. here.

Good luck...OT

btw...tough choices eh!

 

Hi closer9,

You've already gotten some excellent & informative responses, & you can probably see by now that optimizing your powertrain programming is generally the single best bang for the buck performance enhancement you can make, as nothing else for the same or less cost will reduce acceleration times more.

I agree with some of the other responses in that the 4.6 will always be at somewhat of a disadvantage in the low-rpm torque department. The *much* longer stroke of the 5.4 limits it's rpm potential, but also gives it more torque, and it develops it's peak torque at lower rpms than does the 4.6.

Now Ford's claim of the 5.4's torque peak being at just 2500 rpm really isn't born out in our dyno testing, we normally see torque peaking closer to the 2900 rpm range, though there is always clearly more torque from a stock 5.4 over a stock 4.6 at *any* rpm.

You've seen the result posted from Thumpernator, who did *exactly* what you're talking about, he took an otherwise stock 4.6 and used the Micro Tuner to beat an otherwise identical & stock 5.4 in the same SuperCrew configuration. That's about as direct a comparison as it gets. Now, will *you* be able to duplicate his results, and beat a stock 5.4? It *is* possible, because we have to look further than just the raw peak power numbers.

For example, there are transitional delays & retards that really hurt full-throttle performance especially, and just optimizing those, with no increase in power, will generally knock a coupla-few tenths off your 0-60 & 1/4 mile times.

In general, yes, if you line up 2 identical F-150's, both bone-stock and the only difference is one is a 4.6 and the other a 5.4, installing the Micro Tuner will generally allow the 4.6 to either tie or beat the 5.4 truck (driven equally), that certainly *is* very possible, as we can see from Thumpernator's results, and numerous other customers of ours have been able to do the same thing.

The *total* reduction in acceleration times from the Superchips tuning comes not only from the raw power gain, but also from the optimization of other areas, such as transitional delays & retards. Heck, during a full-throttle upshift you can lose 40-50+ HP for 1.25-1.5 seconds, and even after that it still takes a few seconds to get back up to full 100% power after a full-throttle upshift once it's in the next gear, with the factory tuning.

You can read all about the various Superchips products for your truck at our web site, over at: www.TroyerPerformance.com - once there, click on "Shop," then you'll see the Superchips section. There you can click on "List by Vehicle Type," so you only get the FoMoCo vehicle applications, and then you can read all the details about them.

Please feel free to call us if you'd like to go over any of this in more detail, or to place your order, etc.

And by the way, full props to you on that picture, I'm assuming that's a picture you took of your truck. Very nice, excellent background & the wet pavement is always a nice trick to get the "echo" from all that neon happening in the foreground, that's a too cool pic & a great looking truck! If you'd like to have it in rotation over at our web site, shoot us a copy via email (not bigger than 800x600 & zipped, please!) & we'll get it in rotation for you!

Good luck with your truck,

 

Hey, Mike thanks for the info... Everyone else too.

I understand exactly what you're saying, and I've been reading up on the chips. I was just curious. I don't expect miracles from this mod. I was just trying to get a decent idea of what it might be like. I'm not looking for break-neck performance, just a little more power, and I definately like the idea of the shift improvements. But my truck is a truck, and will stay a truck. It will never see a track unless it is visiting or possibly towing... So, I'm not looking to "beat" a 5.4, just using that as a comparison.

Thumpernator, thanks. That's just what I was looking for.

Mike, thanks for the compliments on the picture. Yes, I took that, and yes it is my truck. I took that the night I bought her, so the only mods were the two done at the dealership - FX4 wheels, and "Sport" sticker removal. And yes, I would love for you to post it on your site. I'm out of town right now, but will email it to you, just as soon as I get home.

Thanks guys... This is the reason you GOTTA love this site!

 

Hi Closer9,

Ahh, so you have the Sport model, eh? Excellent! Neal has one of those (F-150 Online's "Neal the HP Freak"), and they usually get the 9.75" rear end instead of the 8.8 and a couple other differences. They usually come with some heavier duty parts like the rear end, front brakes, etc. Very cool configuration, and an excellent platform for either performance or "typical" truck uses. And the FX4 wheels set it off nicely, that's really a cooking photo you snapped there.

Sounds like you've done some good homework & have realistic expectations for the Superchips tuning. The way to look at it is, in round numbers, about a 10% power gainer.

Good luck on your trip, & we look forward to getting a copy of your photo to put into rotation over on our site whenever you have time, that's very kind of you!

Have fun,

 

just a quick question regarding the use of the chip, if i`m planning on running mostly regular unleaded "87 octane" it would probably be better for myself to get the "flip chip" i know the power gains are better with 91 octane but gas prices are sky high right now and i just would like to know if the flip chip is as good as a regular one?thanks, bob

 

Hi C9 Good info eh!

Hi SC03...I used the sc flip/chip, stock 2 program for 87/91+oct. I think both single/flip are same w/91+oct. Maybe you'll get tech. reply? Got mine from MT @ PP, for me was right choice.

If yours has a/t..you'll get better shifting regardless of which oct. used w/flipchip. May even idle smoother, run cleaner? mine did. I understand what your saying. For me in the beginning..i did flip..used 91+ only for towing...but unfortunately i got bit by schip bug...caused me to use 91+ full time Been some gas costs done here..try "search"..results may surprise you.

Good luck to all....OT

 

Hi supercruzer03,

The 2-program Superchip Flip Chip is basically a 2-program version of the traditional single-program Superchip, so yes, it's every bit "as good" as the original Superchip and better actually, since you get 2 programs.

Yes, if you want to have a dual octane configuration, the Flip Chip is the way to do that, you'll have performance programs for both 87 octane and for premium gas, available at the flip of it's attached toggle switch.

In our dual octane Flip Chip, the power gain will be less on 87 octane, but you'll still have all the other benefits, such as improved shifting, delays & retards optimized, etc., so even on 87 octane the vehicle will accelerate quicker than stock.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, feel free to give us a call (our number is lsited below), or you can drop by our web site at www.TroyerPerformance.com - click on "Shop" once the home page loads, and then you'll see the Superchips section. Click on "List by Vehicle Type" and then click on FoMoCo Vehicles I think it is, so you don't have to scroll thru all the GM & Mopar applications. There you'll see the detailed description of our dual octane Flip Chip.