I just got a new issue of the performance products catalog today. In it, they advertise the new Power Programmer for the Ford. It lists its features as being a hand-held vehicle computer reprogrammer. It goes on to claim more power,performance and fuel economy. Other features include adjustable top speed limiter, optimized transmission shift points,increased RPM limiter, corrects the speedometer and odometer, and shift points for oversize tires. This is the type of product I am looking for but with effects working all time, not just at WOT. I want something like this but with superchips performance. Mike help us!
My main objective is to correct the speedometer,odometer,shift points, and add the increase in horsepower and torque. Are they correct in saying that this thing can correct the speedometer because Mike told me this was not controlled by the computer like it is in the GM product?

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99 F250SD Black Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, 4inch Procomp lift, 35x15.50 Swampers, 16.5x9.75 Weld Scorpios, Full Billet grill, LIne-X liner, Procomp and Rancho shocks, 40 Series Flowmaster

[This message has been edited by 4x4 (edited 06-30-1999).]

 

4X4:

I too have battled the same battle grounds for about 2 months now. I have a 99 model Chevy so I dont have a choice but to get either the Superchips MicroTuner or the Hypertech. I dont believe the MicroTuner has the capability of setting the variable shift points and firmness, etc. If I am correct, it is the same as a Superchip in that it is a one program deal, either use it as is or go back to original code. Now Superchips I would assume can still code that one program to suit your needs, but I dont believe that you will have a choice about the particular settings after the code is burned into the programmer. The Hypertech has all the other toys you mention to play with, but does nothing as far as any useful power increase for daily driving.

Its a tough decision. Unfortunately I too want the best of both worlds, but right now my gut feeling is to go with the Superchips Microtuner. Here is the REAL bummer for me.....The MicroTuner is not yet available for my truck and I will have to wait yet another 4-6 weeks for it to be released.

Huuummm....its just killing me!!!

Good luck.

 

First, For Basscat's edification, the Superchips Micro Tuner *does* adjust pretty much everything the Hypertech Power Programer will, shift points, firmness, etc. The Power Programmer III has been advertised by almost every one of Hypertech's big distributors for over 6 months now, and they have yet to ship the first one. It does not exist yet! It's VAPORWARE, until it ships. When they first introduced the Power Programmer for the first LT1 GM's, which finally shipped in mid-to-late 1994, they advertised for over a year before the product was actually available and ready to ship! And even then, for the first 6 months, there was no power gain from the unit, 3hp at best, despite the fact that they claimed a solid 25 horsepower increase. It wasn't until the PP+ unit came out that they actually started adding any real power, and then it was only 10-12hp. As I mentioned in a very long post just a few days ago about Hypertech and their PPIII unit, Hypertech, and their largest distributors, advance advertise for anywhere from 6 to 18 months, to gauge the potential market for such a device. Then if they feel the response merits, they will attempt to design and bring such a product to market. The distributors do this simply for the co-op ad funds. Now, *WILL* there by a Power Programmer III for the Fords? You bet, it's just a matter of time. And we're just waiting!

With regards to the calibration of the speedometer, GM was far ahead of Ford in putting this into the ECU. Ford has just recently started using a separate computer cluster pack behind the speedometer, and that will be a part of the Superchips Ford Micro Tuner's capabilities, when it's released. Just like shift firmness, etc.

Just like anything that's brand new, it takes awhile for the aftermarket to respond, and soon you'll be able to adjust it with the Micro Tuner.

And yes, the Superchips Ford Micro Tuner will have the very same performance advantages over Hypertech that they've always had, in that it will work *all* the time, not just at full-throttle.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 06-30-1999).]

 

Just to clarify, if I was to call performance products and try to order the power programmer 3, would they tell me that it is on backorder or just plain not available? From the looks of the ad, they are saying it available for everything right now except for the powerstroke. Is that correct or is this the testing the waters false advertising? Just wondering because I still want to wait for the micro tuner.

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99 F250SD Black Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, 4inch Procomp lift, 35x15.50 Swampers, 16.5x9.75 Weld Scorpios, Full Billet grill, LIne-X liner, Procomp and Rancho shocks, 40 Series Flowmaster

 

Mike T:

Thanks for setting me straight on what the MicroTuner will program. I guess I should have found out for sure before guessing. I did get confirmation of this info from one of the Superchips guys before seeing your post here tonight.

Sorry.

 

Dear 4X4,

They can't ship what doesn't exist. The lead times for those catalogs are very long, months in fact. Once Hypertech actually starts shipping, then the catalogs advertising the unit will be able to actually fill orders. It wouldn't surprise me if they were taking advance orders, that's what Hypertech has done in the past. Look in Jeg's catalogs or in Summit Racing's catalogs starting with the Christmas issues many months ago, they've been advertising them since last November, and still haven't shipped the first PPIII unit yet. It could become available tomorrow, or it could be months more down the road, nobody knows but Hypertech themselves, and they ain't telling.


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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com