Hi this question is probably for Mike.

If ford puts the same engines in the F150 ( 4.6L, 5.4L and 4.2L, Why is there not just 3 different comp codes? I would think all 5.4L should have the same comp code. But it appears there are many codes Why? and do the different codes make the engine do anything different.

Thanks
Darren

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97' F150 Lariet s/c long bed 4x4 4.6L auto...Super Chip on the way. More mods as $$ allow

 

HI Darren,

Great question! The answer is, the automakers are constantly doing "running updates" throughout the model year, usually based on feedback from Ford service departments on things such as driveability issues, and anything having to do with powertrain operation. So the exact same identical vehicle can have a dozen or more different software revisions during the same model year, as the manufacturer makes these changes. They do not affect power output, but are usually to solve some particular driveability or emissions issue, so there is no benefit in going to your dealer just to get the latest software version for your vehicle, it's not going to be an automatic improvement like it usually is in PC software upgrades, for example.

Another reason is that vehicles equipped with California emissions packages (which are now being used by other states too) all use different software revisions, different from other 49-state vehicles.

So it can best be answered as the automakers attempts to constantly improve their product, based on their priorities as an automaker, along with the differences for the California-spec emissions package. As long as you are not having a particular problem with your powertrain, there is no need to even consider getting a software update from your dealership. And if you are using a Superchip and your dealer reflashed your computer to a different softeware revision, your Superchip will need to be updated too, as it will stop working as soon as the dealer reprograms the computer to a different software revision. Superchips always does this type of update free of charge, so nobody loses out on the use of their Superchip just because they had to have their dealer reflash their computer for some issue.

I hope this helps your understanding of this issue of all these different software of computer codes.

Bests,

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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 09-21-1999).]

 

Thanks Mike and Darren. Very good question and much simpler answer than I would have expected.
Jeff

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1999 F150 Lariat
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield, VentVisors, Class III hitch, Ford molded mud guards, soft tonneau, factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty), tinted windows

Menasha, WI

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...ton54home.html

 

Dear Jeff,

Talk about a vehicle that has a lot of different software codes, the 5.0 Mustangs I think have the record! There are close to 50 different codes for the 87-93 5.0's. Interestingly, they will all work (transmission type differences notwithstanding) with the A3M or the A9L calibration, and this is why there have been a number of "generic" performance chips available for the 5.0 Mustang that don't require a matched computer code. Superchips even made one for about a year or so, for the 5.0 Mustang, that had 2 dip switches built into it. You set the switches based on if your Mustang was speed-density or mass-air, and the the other for whether you had an automatic or manual, and that was it.

One of the most important aspects of all these different codes is that they usually have certain functions in different locations, such as top speed limiters, rev limiters, automnatic transmission upshift mph settings, etc., so all in all, being "code-specific" is the only way to go for best gains & driveability.

All the best,

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