I need another mod to expand horse power and help in the MPG. I hear alot about these superchips.
My question is are they worth the money?
Which should I go with?(obv subjective)
How much should it cost?
And how hard is the install and what not?

Just curious and I know there are alot of people here that know their stuff.
Also I have an iceman intake and a flowmaster cat back set up, if that matters at all for gains.

thanks
Jim

 

Installing a Superchip should be a requirement for ownership in my opinion.
With the other two modifications you already have, you are going to gain the optimum performance from your vehicle.
Not only have I had Mike T. provide a Superchip for my Lightning, and now my Cobra, but I have also installed one in my Supercrew, along with an aftermarket intake, and Magna flow dual exhaust. I have had these mods on the SCrew for the past 55,000 out of the 72,000 miles that I now have on the truck.
The truck gets excellent gas mileage, ( 19-21 highway, 16-18 mixed) has plenty of power, not that you will want to run yours at the track, but mine will run 15.50's at 88 mph in the 1/4.
I have an '01 Supercrew, 5.4, 3:55 LS, with a trailer towing package and hard bed cover.
So with this in mind, I strongly advise you to call Mike and have him set you up with a chip.
Installation is simple, and the cost of the chip is not excessive.
Marc

 

My questions are they worth the money?
Yes

Which should I go with?
Your choice - I like the support from Mike Troyer

How much should it cost?
I have forgotten - I put mine on spring of 99

And how hard is the install and what not?
Don't sit down with a 6-pack to do the install. On the 99 the most difficult part was cleaning the contacts for the chip to fit on the access point. If you can change a tire and brush your teeth you can have the skills to do the install on a chip.

I haven't researched the latest technologies in computer upgrades but I believe there are a few model the plug into the OBDC II connector that are getting great results. Do a little reading of the various threads and contact Mike for additional information. His contact info is:

Mike Troyer
www.TroyerPerformance.com
(540) 862-9515
Email: Sales@TroyerPerformance.com

Good Luck and enjoy your truck.

 

If you can change a tire and brush your teeth you can have the skills to do the install on a chip.

Well, I brush my teeth twice a day and have changed a few tires as well, however, I wouldn't recommend the chip option for anyone after the debacle I went through with mine. I lost confidence after the 3rd time my vehicle stalled on the highway in heavy traffic. In addition, I didn't appreciate being lied to by SuperChips tech support on why it was happening (i.e. inherent problem with ecu bracket dislodging the chip from the ecu). By the way, I did keep my emails from SuperChips where they plead ignorance on this issue. I found out from my distributor it did happen occasionally, even though a chip is installed correctly, and SuperChips was very aware of it. The obvious solution is to spend a few more bucks and go with the MicroTuner 1715. Might save this guy ALOT of aggravation down the road.

------------------------------------------
2003 F-150 Lariat Supercab 4X2 (loaded! )
Moonroof
AirForce One air intake
Flowmaster 3" exhaust
APC Headlights
Carbon Alteeza Taillights
Sirius SIRPNP2 Shuttle Satellite Radio

 

if mpg is a main concern then this might not be the best way to go. some see improvement and some dont and considering the cost, it would take a long time to get your money back.
I think the people that are thrilled with the chip are looking for more performance and if they get better mpg then that is icing on the cake.

 

HI!... The SUPERCHIP is definately worth every penny. My truck bone stock went 16.01E.T. After I installed my SUPERCHIP from MIKE T, it went 15.38E.T. That was worth it to me. By the way I also get 23.2MPG on the highway with around 340H.P and 4.10 gears. So my chip has paid for it'self many time over in the last 4 years I've had mine.

 

YES.
Troyer 4 support.
Nuff said.
Lonster

 

Do you need a chip to use the micro tuner or is it totally independent?
I like the idea that you can return the vehicle to stock.
Also is this anyway hazardous to the vehicles longevity?
Is it bad for the engine or comp system?
What are the bennies of the tuner vs. the chip?


thanks again you guys rock

 

Neck,

If you do a quick search of the these forums, you can get alot of good information on the differences of the Micro Tuner and the chips. In short, you won't need both the Micro Tuner and a chip. The Micro Tuner plugs into your diag port under your steering wheel and "flashes" your computer whereas, with a chip, you have to remove your ecu (it's under the dash on the passenger's side and is kind of a pain to get to) and affix the chip to the ecu itself.

I have no clue as to long term effects but I'm guessing it wouldn't do anything detrimental or SuperChips would have been sued into extinction long ago. But again, there's alot more good, detailed information in the forums that Troyer and some of the other knowledgeable folks in here have posted. Good luck!

P.S. - Sweet ride!

 

Neal are you sure that 15.35 was bone stock except for a chip? I know you had 4.10 gears but i thought you had a few other mods.

 

Just another thing to consider...

I've had my Superchip "chip" for a couple months now, and I definately like it! But I can't say that the power/torque increase is phenomenal. I can feel a difference, but it's not going to put me up there with a Lightning. My biggest applaud on the chip is the change in shifting. It used to drop power, s l o w l y shift, then sorta power back up. It was like waiting for grandma to answer the door. Now it's just much crisper. I wouldn't compare it to a new valve body or shift kit, but definately an improvement. and the quicker shift should actually be benificial by decreasing friction/temperatures in the tranny...

The only time I can "really" know it's got more power is when the cruise is on. It doesn't downshift at every little hill anymore...

I've not got intake, exhaust, chip and pulleys. I would love to drive a stock version of my truck, just to see what the difference is. One of these days when Dad gets his Dyno hooked up, I'll have some numbers... though, no stock numbers to compare too...

 

HI!... BROTHERDAVE : Yes it was *BONE* stock. I then added 4.10 gears, JBA shorty headers, ASP pulleys, TRANSGO shift kit, and DERALE twin 16" electric fans and went 14.52E.T with a ton of tire spin.

 

Tsquared: is the microtuner worth it? In my opinion...every penny. Easy install, directions good, performance increases noted...yes.
I have an '03 Screw 4x4 w/3.77 gears. After I added Centerline 16x10 Vector wheels and P295/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers I had an "expected" power drain. The addition of the 91 octane/towing safe program downloaded on my factory chip made all the difference. Power is definitely improved over stock even with the bigger wheels/tires and the shift point tuning makes all the difference in the world. Gas mileage is a little better than before with stock program/larger tires. All in all, the money is well spent, not to mention the microtuner can be used as a code reader as well! GO FOR IT!

 

Neal, looking thru some old post it looks like you:

never ran your truck *BONE* stock.

ran the 15.3 with 4.10's gears, dual exhaust with flowmasters, different intake with a k&n, shift kit, a custom chip and some other small things, i dont know if that was with or without the swaybar, spare tire, jack or any other weight savings

not giving you a hard time but i hate to see someone go out and buy a chip thinking they are going to get 7/10 ths out of it.

I know its been a while back.

 

Yeah Neal, do you really think you know your own truck better than we do? Come on!

-Don