OK, after my Flowmaster gets installed (someday soon, I hope -- backordered) I will start looking toward getting a Superchip. As a part of this process, I've come up with 2 questions:

1) is the performance increase with the chip as noticeable with the 1999 5.4L motors as in previous years? Ford cranked another 25 horses out of this motor from somewhere, did they do a computer program mod to get this? If this is the case, will the Superchip still be as effective a boost as in previous engines?

2) I have a slightly rough idle that won’t go away. I think it’s caused by the engine running just a bit too lean -- it idles fine when I start it up, as if the computer is acting like a "choke" and calling for a richer mixture, but it starts idling rough when warm. I’ve had it into the dealer who claimed that the MAF was bad and replaced it (still the same) and to my mechanic who looked it over and agrees with me. If I run it with 89 octane, it’s still idling rough. Anyway, my question is, will the Superchip correct this problem? If not, is there any way the Superchip could be programmed to enrich the mixture just a leeeeetle bit?

Sorry for the long post, and I think my 2 questions turned into 6 or 7…

TIA

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD 3.73LS in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, 3" Induction Tube Airbox Mod., SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, Mobil 1, Bosch +4 plugs, more to come... (Flowmaster 70 cat-back exhaust is on order, Westin side bars, electric fan, Superchip, and silver fender/wheel flares are next)

http://hometown.aol.com/jimorama/myh...ollection.html

 

Get the idle fixed BEFORE you do the exhaust mod or any other engine mods for the matter.
Some Ford dealers will be quick to "blame" the rough idle on the mods.
Also about the Ford "programming" issue, not al the ncrease did not come from reprogramming the firmware in the computer.
Remember the superchip works by modifying the program to take advantage of premium gas and improve the auto trannys shift patterns.
Good luck!

 

Dear JHerron,

Yes, the increase with the Superchip is just as noticeable, if not more so, on the 1999 5.4's. Basically, the Superchip is a 10% power gain, in round numbers, so the more you have to start with, the more you will gain in terms of the actual horsepower number, as the percentage gains stay pretty much the same. There are a *lot* of 1999 5.4's here using the Superchip.

With regards to your rough idle, this is a rather common complaint on these engines. Some of our customers have had to have their computer reflashed to a later software revision to correct these rough idle problems, so you might want to check with your dealer to see if that is an option for you. If so, I would do that first before buying the Superchip, because you will have to have the Superchip programmed according to whatever softeware is in your computer, as they are all "code-specific".

The Superchip can be programmed to do anything it can control, but Superchips does not make adjustments to idle characteristics, as a general rule.

I wouldn't say that the Superchip can fix this problem for you, I think that's a stretch. You might want to go to another dealership, and talk to their service manager to see if they can reflash your computer to a later code for that vehicle, as others are having that done, and it's helping the idle quality of a lot of them. If it were me, that is the first thing I would do, and *then* take a look at our Superchip. Don't get me wrong, we'd love to sell you a Superchip, but I don't want you to think that it can "fix" something it really can't. I think exploring the possibility of having a dealer reflash your computer to a later (and hopefully better) calibration code should be the first step. And if you do have that done, remember that your dealer is required by Fedferal law to place a "Notice of Modification" sticker under the hood, with the complete 8-digit new calibration code properly identified, so we'll know what program you would then have in your computer, so we'll know what progrsm to make your Superchip with.

If you really are too lean at idle, only a reprogramming will fix it. The very best thing I did for my idle quality was to install a set of Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs, and they'll help just about any engine's idle quality. (You're truck is too new to need new spark plugs, of course, but we always recommend them.)

Please feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this in greater detail.

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

 

Thanks for the replies and for the info. I recently moved to a new city, so I'll check with this Ford dealer about the rough idle and "push" for the computer code change.

I did install the +4's recently in an attempt to get the idle to smooth out, but no luck there (does feel a little quicker tho...) I looked at my "old" plugs (12k miles) and they looked very clean -- too clean, as in too lean -- even for only having 12,000 miles.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll keep trying to get the idle fixed, and when I do I'll give you a call, Mike.

thanks again

Jim

 

You might want to check out the Drivetrain\Engines\FYI: 5.4L Owners thread
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000676.html

for some interesting information.

 

Dear JHerron,

We'll be happy to help you anytime. Make sure and check out that link that DHFerguson posted in his response to you, to see if this may be part of your problem!

Best of luck, and do let us know what you find!

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

 

Yeah DH, I was all excited when I read that post and ran right out to my truck to check it out. My condensor is wrapped in black foam and the wire bundle is wrapped as well. I went ahead and moved it anyway -- no significant improvement in performance and no change in the idle

I'll try the computer code flush/flash and hopefully that will solve it.

Thanks again for the responses and if you can think of anything else, please let me know...

Jim