Superchip Vs Micro Tuner
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 142
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From: Naperville, IL
Superchip Vs Micro Tuner
This is all new to me so please forgive my ignorance. I have been reading with interest a number of the threads in this forum. I guess I don't understand much about replacing the stock chip or using a micro tuner. I can see the benefits of replacing the stock chip after reading many of the treads. I didn't see anything on how hard or how you replace the chip. Also, I am confused on what the micro tuner does exactly. Is it need if you get a superchips (obviously more money to convert then) or is it for reprograming the stock chip, or what. Any help would be appreciated. Again, please forgive my ignorance. This is my first truck (03 Screw).
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Rogone,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
First, you cannot physically "replace" the stock chip in these Ford PCM's, as they have never had a socketed eprom or eeprom - now don't worry, you certainly can in effect do the same thing, it's just a different hardware design on the Ford EEC-IV & EEC-V PCM's. So instead of actually removing & replacing the original factory chip, they use an override data path to connect to an external data source (a Superchip), which attaches very neatly to the J3 connector on the back of the PCM. This does an override of the stock internal factory program with performance tuning via the Superchip module. Then when you remove the Superchip module, that circuit disengages and turns back on the internal chip with it's stock factory program so you can go back to stock at anytime, and as many times as you want.
The Superchips Micro Tuner is a plug & play hand-held programmer that gets you the same basic tuning in an easier to install format, where you simply plug it into your vehicle's OBD-II port & in 8-10 minutes, upload the new performance tuning. This is what we recommend for anyone who is not doing major modifications like a supercharger, nitrous oxide, ported heads, aftermarket MAF, larger injectors, etc. This tuning works fine with most of the common bolt-on mods like intake kits, cat-back exhaust systems, larger throttle bodies, electric fans, underdrive pulleys, etc. You also get 3 different performance programs in the Micro Tuner, one for 87 octane that is tow-safe, another for premium gas that is tow-safe, and then the premium gas "max" performance tune, that you cannot tow with - and you can change back and forth between these programs as needed with the Micro Tuner.
You can read up on this in detail at our web site, over at www.TroyerPerformance.com - click on the following link to take you directly to the FoMoCo Superchips applications:
http://www.troyerperformance.com/cgi...chips%3BFoMoCo
Once you're there, read up on these three part#'s: 1100, 1300 & 1715 - those are the 3 different Superchips products your vehicle can use: the single program Superchip (#1100), the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip (#1300), and the Micro Tuner (#1715), respectively.
For almost everyone, we recommend using the Micro Tuner as it's features are very appealing - a very easy installation, and you get 3 different performance programs. You also get a built-in OBD-II code scanner, the ability to recalibrate your own speedometer if you ever change gear ratios or tire sizes, and control over the shift points & firmness levels on the automatics. Again, all these details are listed on our site.
One very important thing we need to point out is that on our web site only, we have recently raised pricing on all Superchips products so as to be in line with the manufacturer's MAP (minimum advertised price) guidelines - but we actually sell those products for much less when you call us by phone.
Please feel free to give us a call at our number listed below, & we'll be more than happy to go over all of this with you in detail: the exact differences, benefits & features versus cost of each Superchips product, as well as go over the details of your vehicle, it's configuration, how you're using it & what kind of performance gains you want to get from it, etc., so you select the best Superchips product for your needs - again, for most people it will be the Micro Tuner, but we'll go over all of that with you to make sure no mistakes are made.
Congratulations on your new 2003 F-150, you've got a very nice truck that you'll enjoy for years - thanks for dropping by too, you'll enjoy hanging out here in your spare time, & don't hesitate to give us a call to go over this in proper detail.
Have fun,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
First, you cannot physically "replace" the stock chip in these Ford PCM's, as they have never had a socketed eprom or eeprom - now don't worry, you certainly can in effect do the same thing, it's just a different hardware design on the Ford EEC-IV & EEC-V PCM's. So instead of actually removing & replacing the original factory chip, they use an override data path to connect to an external data source (a Superchip), which attaches very neatly to the J3 connector on the back of the PCM. This does an override of the stock internal factory program with performance tuning via the Superchip module. Then when you remove the Superchip module, that circuit disengages and turns back on the internal chip with it's stock factory program so you can go back to stock at anytime, and as many times as you want.
The Superchips Micro Tuner is a plug & play hand-held programmer that gets you the same basic tuning in an easier to install format, where you simply plug it into your vehicle's OBD-II port & in 8-10 minutes, upload the new performance tuning. This is what we recommend for anyone who is not doing major modifications like a supercharger, nitrous oxide, ported heads, aftermarket MAF, larger injectors, etc. This tuning works fine with most of the common bolt-on mods like intake kits, cat-back exhaust systems, larger throttle bodies, electric fans, underdrive pulleys, etc. You also get 3 different performance programs in the Micro Tuner, one for 87 octane that is tow-safe, another for premium gas that is tow-safe, and then the premium gas "max" performance tune, that you cannot tow with - and you can change back and forth between these programs as needed with the Micro Tuner.
You can read up on this in detail at our web site, over at www.TroyerPerformance.com - click on the following link to take you directly to the FoMoCo Superchips applications:
http://www.troyerperformance.com/cgi...chips%3BFoMoCo
Once you're there, read up on these three part#'s: 1100, 1300 & 1715 - those are the 3 different Superchips products your vehicle can use: the single program Superchip (#1100), the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip (#1300), and the Micro Tuner (#1715), respectively.
For almost everyone, we recommend using the Micro Tuner as it's features are very appealing - a very easy installation, and you get 3 different performance programs. You also get a built-in OBD-II code scanner, the ability to recalibrate your own speedometer if you ever change gear ratios or tire sizes, and control over the shift points & firmness levels on the automatics. Again, all these details are listed on our site.
One very important thing we need to point out is that on our web site only, we have recently raised pricing on all Superchips products so as to be in line with the manufacturer's MAP (minimum advertised price) guidelines - but we actually sell those products for much less when you call us by phone.
Please feel free to give us a call at our number listed below, & we'll be more than happy to go over all of this with you in detail: the exact differences, benefits & features versus cost of each Superchips product, as well as go over the details of your vehicle, it's configuration, how you're using it & what kind of performance gains you want to get from it, etc., so you select the best Superchips product for your needs - again, for most people it will be the Micro Tuner, but we'll go over all of that with you to make sure no mistakes are made.
Congratulations on your new 2003 F-150, you've got a very nice truck that you'll enjoy for years - thanks for dropping by too, you'll enjoy hanging out here in your spare time, & don't hesitate to give us a call to go over this in proper detail.
Have fun,
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi rogone,
That is perhaps the single most often-asked question regarding aftermarket parts in general, and the answer is no - the Superchips tuning, like many aftermarket parts, does not automatically void your new vehicle warranty. In fact, that is illegal, thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. You can read up on that in detail over at the www.sema.org web site, of which F-150 Online is a member.
Basically, you have the right to use aftermarket parts (and this applies to all types of parts) on your vehicle and not lose your warranty **as long as the parts you use do not actually damage the vehicle.**
So it all boils down to just exactly what you do - simple bolts ons like the Micro Tuner, an intake kit, a cat-back exhaust system, underdrive pulleys, etc. don't void the warranty, as they don't cause damage to the vehicle. But bolt on a blower or a nitrous setup, and that's a different story.
Now you *can* run into differences of opinion with regard to actual interpretation, which is why it's a good idea to arm yourself with knowledge, so you know the law and what your rights actually are - there are some dealerships that will tell you almost anything voids your warranty to get out of doing warranty work, due to the fact that warranty work pays them much less for their labor as compared to what you & I have to pay out of our pockets for doing the exact same work. Most dealerships are OK, and will take good care of someone they feel is making an effort to take good care of their vehicle.
For example, bolt on a supercharger or nitrous oxide, and you can probably kiss your powertrain warranty goodbye - those are obvious major mods that have the potential, depending on how they are configured, installed and used, to damage the vehicle. Actually, for some years now there are even supercharger kits available for these vehicles that you can bolt on and still get a normal 150K+ mile service life - but just for an example, a blower (supercharger) is one kind of mod you wouldn't want to do if you want to keep your powertrain warranty intact.
Dealerships can't just void your entire new vehicle warranty except under something extremely blatant - such as professional racing, for example. Another example was a couple who lived on the beach and didn't do any maintenance to their vehicle - well, sand got in the brakes, wheel bearings, etc., and Ford voided it's entire warranty due to the abuse it underwent in that environment along with not doing the required maintenance.
Take some time to read up on this over at the www.sema.org web site if you like, & good luck!
That is perhaps the single most often-asked question regarding aftermarket parts in general, and the answer is no - the Superchips tuning, like many aftermarket parts, does not automatically void your new vehicle warranty. In fact, that is illegal, thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. You can read up on that in detail over at the www.sema.org web site, of which F-150 Online is a member.
Basically, you have the right to use aftermarket parts (and this applies to all types of parts) on your vehicle and not lose your warranty **as long as the parts you use do not actually damage the vehicle.**
So it all boils down to just exactly what you do - simple bolts ons like the Micro Tuner, an intake kit, a cat-back exhaust system, underdrive pulleys, etc. don't void the warranty, as they don't cause damage to the vehicle. But bolt on a blower or a nitrous setup, and that's a different story.
Now you *can* run into differences of opinion with regard to actual interpretation, which is why it's a good idea to arm yourself with knowledge, so you know the law and what your rights actually are - there are some dealerships that will tell you almost anything voids your warranty to get out of doing warranty work, due to the fact that warranty work pays them much less for their labor as compared to what you & I have to pay out of our pockets for doing the exact same work. Most dealerships are OK, and will take good care of someone they feel is making an effort to take good care of their vehicle.
For example, bolt on a supercharger or nitrous oxide, and you can probably kiss your powertrain warranty goodbye - those are obvious major mods that have the potential, depending on how they are configured, installed and used, to damage the vehicle. Actually, for some years now there are even supercharger kits available for these vehicles that you can bolt on and still get a normal 150K+ mile service life - but just for an example, a blower (supercharger) is one kind of mod you wouldn't want to do if you want to keep your powertrain warranty intact.
Dealerships can't just void your entire new vehicle warranty except under something extremely blatant - such as professional racing, for example. Another example was a couple who lived on the beach and didn't do any maintenance to their vehicle - well, sand got in the brakes, wheel bearings, etc., and Ford voided it's entire warranty due to the abuse it underwent in that environment along with not doing the required maintenance.
Take some time to read up on this over at the www.sema.org web site if you like, & good luck!