I have followed this section for a couple of days now and want to inquire about a SuperChip. I am not trying to be a smart ***, but I am looking for some feedback on how the Expy responds with a SuperChip. Not sales propaganda. Actual results!

I have a new 99 EB Expy with a 5.4 and 3.55 gears. My personal requirements are:

1. Looking for more power (Expy is a pig at 5700 lbs.).

2. Clean up the crappy shifts in the transmission.

Are the majority of you satisfied with the shifts in your vehicles? Can you have the shifts set even firmer than the standard programming? How much more $.

Thanks for all of you help and feedback.

 

I put a K&N FIPK kit and a Dynomax 3" cat-back exhaust on my Bronco and got great results, she feels like a different truck. I will call Mike and order the chip next week. While Expys and Broncos arent the same, these three mods will be on all my trucks from now on. (once the superchip has proven itself.)
http://www.knfilters.com/injectkt.htm


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1995 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer. 351 V-8, 4 inch Pro-Comp suspension lift, K&N Filtercharger® FIPK, Dynomax, 32x11.50 Dunlops, Manik front/rear brush guards.

 

Dear FordBigFoot,

At the risk of sounding like sales propaganda, I thought I would respond to a couple of points you mentioned, just for purposes of your information.

First, the shifts do feel sloppy stock, and that is with all these vehicles, whether it's an F-150, an Explorer, Expedition, F-350 Powerstroke diesel, etc. Ford programs their shift characteristics for that type of feel, you see. They use shift delays, spark retards, and reduce line pressure, all to implement what they call their "soft shift strategy". The end result is that you don't get a nice quick crisp upshift anymore, and it actually feels like the transmission is slipping on heavy throttle upshifts, because it is. (We own and drive FoMoCo vehicles here too!) So just to respond to you on a strictly factual basis, the Superchip removes the shift delay, the power-robbing spark retard that happens during and right after a heavy-throttle upshift, and increases line pressure, to cure these sloppy-feeling shift characteristics. I know you're looking for direct feedback from people using them, and I'm sure you'll get that. I just wanted you to know exactly what the Superchip *does* with regards to the sloppy shift characteristics.

With regards to the power gains, the 5.4 in the Expedition gains a bit less power than when it's in the F-150, due to differences in intake & exhaust configuration. The raw numbers are 23 more horsepower and 32 more lbs./ft. of torque. In terms of what should that actually *feel* like, the Superchip is, in round numbers, about a 10% power gain in terms of peak horsepower gained. This is generally how most normally aspirated gasoline engines respond to the Superchip, by gaining anywhere from 8%-12% more peak horsepower, on average, so in rounds numbers, expect a 10% power boost. The way it achieves this is actually a conversion, for lack of a better term. The Superchip converts your engine's tuning from being tuned for regular gas, to being tuned specifically for the use of premium gas. Thanks to the increased spark advance that can be used due to premium gasoline's increased anti-knock properties, most drivers see a small improvement in gas mileage as well. Other side benefits are things like the top speed limiter being removed. Also, if you find that you still need even firmer upshifts than what the Superchip program for your Expedition normally offers, it can always be updated for you. The vast majority, and I mean over 99.99%, are happy with what the Superchip does for the shift characteristics, without sending it back in for a custom program, but that option is always available. It can also be updated for any major change you might make in the future, such as a supercharger, for example. (You never know around here!)

At any rate, those are just some of the basics of the product and it's capabilities. Though I know you want to hear from owners, I thought you might appreciate having this info to consider.

Our bests to all,

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

 

Hey fordbigfoot

Good to see another X on this form! I have a 1999 X EB with the 3.55 and I do tow a 7000# trailer. That's how the quest started to get this big thing to move. First about the chip get in touch with:
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

Now I changed the gears to 4.10 and put in a Vortech SC and a Borla cat back. The truck came back fast but it seemed things were not working well together and I still have an issue with the speedo not reporting the right speed. So I called mike and ordered the chip. After all I did dollar for dollar the chip is the best thing. Mike brings a new meeting to the term "customer support" Well the truck moves well now. I don’t know what budget you have but the 355 with the 17” wheels are a big performance hit. Pulling 6000# truck when the engine is turning 1800 @ 65 does not cut it. I think you should look into one of the airboxes kits as well if you don’t want to SC. The one thing that blew my mind is I picked up about 2.5 MPG. The truck with the chip seems more eager to move. Well Goodluck and let me know if I could be of any other help

Steph@goes.com



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1999 EB X 5.9 4.1 gears, Borla catback, Vortech supercharger,super chip

 

rdsii,

I was wondering why you opted for the Vortech SC? I am purchasing a Kenne Belle SC for my '98 Expy next spring and was wondering what your reasoning was for that choice. I had a Vortech installed on my '94 Z28 so I am familiar with them.

Thanks!

------------------
'98 5.4 EB Expy
Gibson catback
IPD Rear swaybar
Bilstein Shocks
Hood Guard


"Its so big... It's gotta be blown!"

 

Everyone,

Thanks for the info on the chip. I am very seriously considering one. Maybe Santa will bring me one. Only if I'm a good boy

Mike,

Can Santa order one through you??

 

way2big

I wanted to go with the Eaton like on the lightning but my installer called a couple of performance Ford dealers and they said the lower end would not stand-up to the constant boost. So after thinking about it I also like the ideal of the only time the car would be under boost is when you are driving it hard. So the choice was ether Paxton and Vortech and the people I spoke to said Vortech was made better and offered good customer support. I also like the ideal if the dealer gives me a hard time about warrantee it would not be a big issue to take the unit off. It’s too bad we can’t go somewhere and drive different cars with different products to see what one feels good to drive.
I think the 5.4 as well as a lot of the newer V8 lack that old big time torque like in my vette or 5.9 Jeep. The super charger does not address the torque until 2k after that the engine comes to life like you can not believe. Will the KB or Eaton do it faster I would guess yes. I would also guess if they are addressing best boost at low RPM, Hi RPM would suffer or you boost would exceed 8 psi. Is the response worth the risk of engine damage in my case I said no. You will have to decide in your case what is right.
I am happy with the setup after mike helped me out with a superchip. Before I did the upgrades I was expecting performance of my 5.9 Jeep or my vette so my expectations were set to high but I do feel it would beet the jeep but not off the line. I was trying to drive and time my 0 to 60 with my TAG chronograph wristwatch. Very scientific!!!! But I would guess 0 to 60 is well under 7 sec. That’s not bad when it all boils down to physics and look at the weight of the X and the amount of power THAT would be necessary to get this beast rolling.
In getting back to basics after all I did the check engine lights does not come on and day to day driving is normal. Temp gage sits in the same position. So what else could you ask for? Any one who drive in can not believe how fast it is. Let me know what you going to do!
BTW did the sway bar help? Where did you get it? The X likes to shake it tail too much!!



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1999 EB X 5.9 4.1 gears, Borla catback, Vortech supercharger,superchip

 

Dear FordBigFoot,

Yes, Santa sure can order Superchips thru us for delivery by Christmas, no problem! Just have Santa drop us a line in email or call us, our contact info is below.

Or, he can use our online ordering form that is in a banner ad at the top of the message board pages, which is available 24 hrs. a day!



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

 

rdsii,

Thanks for the info! One thing, what lower end are you speaking of? Engine or tranny?

I got the Bilsteins and Sway bar from Kenny Brown Performance in Indy. They also installed them for me. I believe the sway bars are IPD. As for sway bars helping, yes they did. It took alot of the lean out of it. On the other hand, the bilsteins, I have mixed emotions about them. They "float" alot on the highway, sometimes to the point where they feel like they are going bad. But on the city they take the street irregularities good. Just my 2 cents. I definitly would recommend the sway bar upgrade for you.

One more thing, why didn't/haven't you installed headers on the X? I want to get one installed but Kenny Brown told me that for the minimal gain they were not worth it unless I had installed a SC system. I plan on getting them also when I get a SC installed next year sometime.

Oh yeah, any pics of the Expy?

Thanks!

------------------
'98 5.4 EB Expy
Gibson catback
IPD Rear swaybar
Bilstein Shocks
Hood Guard


"Its so big... It's gotta be blown!"

 

Way2Big

The engine lower end. But you and I have different transmissions. My understanding the 99 X has the heavy duty one. This may be another issue. I also was not adware of so many trans issues. I always thought GM was the king of under designed transes.
Some say not big gains for the headers. I also remember when I was younger and the header problems exhaust leaks etc. Also this project has went WAY OVER BUDGET!! I started the project when the truck had only 3k on it "I must be nuts". But I am open for input. But my current feelings are I need to improve the handling. Because when you WOT, it is so cool you don’t realize you are in hauling a!! speed very fast


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1999 EB X 5.9 4.1 gears, Borla catback, Vortech supercharger,superchip

 

rdsii,

Which tranny do you have? And what problems have you heard about?

 

On topic:
Get the chip. You'll like it.

Off topic:
All the Expeditions with 5.4L engines have the "heavy duty" transmission. I think '97-'99 had the E4OD and the '00 has the 4R100- which is just the next generation of the E4OD.

The 4.6L engine is mated to the 4R70W. But there are even various "strengths" of that tranny. F150s, however, get the 4R70W with both engines. The Expy is "special". I haven't heard of any excessive problems with any of the trannys.

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player. Just added Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars!!

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.

2000"other"
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Way2Big

The 5.4 1999 have 4r100. I have 2 friends with 1997 but had new transes.