I own a 2001 F150 supercab 4X4 with a 4.6 and 42,000 miles. So far I have installed a magnaflow muffler with stock pipes. I am not looking into racing my truck but I would just like to get a little more muscle out of it. My plans are to get a cold air intake if some kind and eventually e-fans and possibly pulleys down the road. I have been reading alot of good things about the Superchip and I have been thinking of making that my next mod since I have the money for it. I dont think I would really be into the programmer for what I am wanting to do. I also plan to buy a camper next year and was wondering about the Superchips effect on towing?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Sean

 

I say go for it. You will see nothing but positive things.

What kingd of camper? A shell, or travel trailer. If it is a camper shell....no problems.

 

Hi Sean,

Well, if you look at performance mods from a bang for the buck standpoint, optimizing your vehicle's powertrain program is the single best performance enhancement, as nothing else for the cost will deliver the same or better performance gains - this is true not only of these Ford trucks & SUV's, but of virtually *any* computer-controlled vehicle.

So based on that, yes, it would be a great idea to have a Superchips performance program. It won't turn a 2-3 ton truck into a rocketship of course, it's just the single best bang for the buck.

Unless you are going to do more involved modifications than what you listed, modifications that require custom engine tuning to compensate for (like a supercharger, nitrous, ported heads, aftermarket MAF, larger injectors, etc.), you'll be better off with the Micro Tuner instead of the traditional Superchip module. This is because you get 3 different performance programs instead of 1, and that will allow you to run your truck on *any* octane of fuel from 87 to 94, and to do everything it was designed to be able to do, from towing heavy loads all the way to maximum performance at the drag strip. There are 2 different tow-safe programs, one for 87 octane and then one for premium gas, and then there's the killer "max" performance program for premium gas when you're not towing. You can switch back and forth between these programs, there is a program for every type of vehicle use. This is the kind of flexibility you get with the Micro Tuner that you can't get with the traditional Superchip module.

The Micro Tuner also has a built-in OBD-II code scanner, speedo correction and numerous other additional features that the traditional Superchip module does not have.

We can set you up with either a single program or 2-program Superchip module, so you can have 1 or 2 of those 3 different performance programs - but the Micro Tuner is a much better value. As America's oldest Superchips distributor who also specializes in these Ford trucks, I'd advise using the Micro Tuner, as what you give up by using a single program Superchip instead is significant, and not worth the $ savings, in my opinion - you may feel differently. The bottom line is, it's up to you of course, do whatever makes you happy.

You'll want to drop by our web site at www.TroyerPerformance.com and read up on those parts in detail (if you haven't already) - the single program Superchip is Part#1100, the 2-program Flip Chip is #1300, and the Micro Tuner for thee trucks is Part# 1715 - once the home page loads, click on "Shop" & then you'll see a page with all the individual sections - Intake, Exhaust, etc. - and you'll find all the Superchips product there, with the most thorough descriptions on the Internet.

Speaking of towing, the effect from the Superchips tuning is positive - it's not going to make 6000 lbs. out back feel like it's not there, but you *will* have about 13% more torque and about 10% more horsepower all the time, at any throttle position and at any rpm - and that's exactly what is needed to help towing, more part-throttle torque.

Please feel free to give us a call to go over this in more detail if you like - you'll probably want to know more about the different programs in some detail before making your decision, since you need to be able to tow.

Best of luck & talk to you soon,

 

I was hoping to hear from you Mike. I have read alot of your posts on hear and I like what you have to say. You really know your stuff. After reading your response I think I am leaning more toward the micro-tuner. It seems to make sense to me now. I plan to get in contact with you next week to most likely order the programmer. I will just have to wait an extra week since I plan to spend a little more cash. Thanks for your time and information and I plan to talk to you soon.


Sean


rbraughn, I plan to buy a travel trailer. Thanks

 

At first I thought that I didn't have any performace gains but now I noticed that my trucker is quicker off the line and has more acceleration than before. I have an F250 that weighs 6300 pounds so I would do it again. Its a good thing.

 

Getting your truck "chipped" is well worth it.

Best move I made on my truck so far.

To Quote Nike..."just do it"

 

Hi Sean,

We'll be happy to speak with you any time Sean, there's no rush - just give us a call at your convenience.

 

Sean
Last night, I installed the 1715 @ the Performance setting... Damn... by the SOMP I should've done this update first.
Look at the list of my mods to date...
This is by far the best improvement all around.
When you get on it the truck moves and the shifts are "much" tighter. When you drive normally the truck shifts slightly quicker but not noticably.... If you accelerate, from 30 mph damn....
The mph for the first tank will not be worth dividing...

Don't think about it just by the 1715 microtuner...


The next mods are pulleys/Gatorback and trans. shift kit
cause' they are sitting on the bench and are paid for....

 

Francis

I see you're going to add a shift kit. Is there a possibility that the shifts will then be too tight since the chip already makes them a bit tighter?

 

Hi Rotties150,

I can give you a detailed answer on that, if you don't mind.................

What he's going to be installing is the Factory Tech valve body, actually - the manufacturer (Gregg Evans) calls it a "shift kit" for the 4r70W, where he calls it a valve body for the 4R100 (don't ask me why), but it's actually a complete replacement valve body, not a traditional "shift kit" like say, a Transgo, or a Bauman, etc.

The characteristics after installing this valve body are generally that, if used in conjunction with a performance chip or tuner, for some people the shift pressures may need to be brought down a little bit to lighten up the lower-rpm light throttle shifts, and that is very easily accomplished with the Micro Tuner. It has the ability to adjust the shift firmness levels for each individual gear change separately - the 1-2, the 2-3 & the 3-4 can each be set to your liking.

Now if he was using say, the traditional Superchip module instead of the Micro Tuner, then to reduce the shift firmness we'd have to make changes to the program, and that too is easily done by calling us.

I understand your concern here, and the potential issue is actually the lower-rpm light-throttle upshifts - for some people, when using both the Factory Tech valve body and the Superchip, the light-throttle shifts may be a bit too firm - at heavier throttle things are generally fine for most people, it's firmer like you'd expect - it's primarily just the potential for the lighter-throttle shifts possibly being a bit too firm - like if it's the family vehicle & the wife & kids have to live with it, etc. - as so many people have to take into consideration.

Sorry to butt in, but I thought that info might help you...............

 

Thanks guys for all of your responses and info. I plan to order my tuner next week with my extra cash. That is unless something else goes wrong with the money pit I live in.

Thanks again, Sean

 

Please Mike...jump in all you want.

Thanks for taking the time to go into extra detail regarding his upcoming transmission modification.

Your posts are great to read. Always detailed and full of useful information.

Thanks again....

Scott......

 

Hi Sean,

You're welcome as always, & good luck with whatever it is you're calling your money pit!

 

Hi Scott,

OK, glad I was able to help a bit!