I would like to get a superchip for the transmission gains alone, but I don't want to have to buy premium gasoline, as I put way too many miles (600+ a week) on it for that to be affordable. At another $.20 a gallon, the extra 1.5 MPG doesn't make up for that. Will there be any adverse effects running regular unleaded? The truck is a 99 4.6 ORP Flareside, all stock so far. Thanks.

Barrett

 

Barrett,

With out the premium you will gain about 15 hp and 25ft/lb according to Superchips. You will still have the tranny gains, speed limit removed and the high rev-limiter.

------------------
Ryan Marselis
Owner
Superliner...and more!
Your SuperDuty parts source.

480-633-2624

My Truck...http://www.fly-n-hi.com/trucknats/ryan.html

 

I need to point out some tings here on this topic, which has been covered many times here before in the past, this topic of using regular gasoline with the Superchip in these FOrds.

You *cannot* safely run the standard Superchip on regular gasoline, period, and Superchips will very quickly tell anyone that. Also, there will *not* be any 15 hp gain on regular gasoline in that vehicle with the Superchip, that will not happen either.

The knock sensor systems in these vehicles vary quite a bit, to the point that about half these vehicles will run all the way down to regular (87) octane with the Superchip without detonation, but you still don't get the power gain, and you're working the knock sensor system to death. The fact that you don't hear detonation in some of these vehicles does *not* mean that you are gaining power! The knock sensor picks up the detonation, and signals the ECU to back off the spark advance until detonation is no longer detected, and there goes your power gain.

The other half of these vehicles will ping with anything less than a high quality 92 octane gasoline in the tank using the Superchip, as their knock sensor systems don't have as much adjustment capability.

You do *not* ever want to run a Superchip on regular gasoline for any extended period of time, even if you're not getting detonation. You don't want to be running off the knock sensor all the time, as well as the other issues.

Another important point is that the fuel curves are re-written for the different burn rate of high octane gasoline in the Superchip! You can pick up a driveability problem by using regular with the Superchip in some of these vehicles.

For any number of reasons, you do not want to run the Superhcip with regular gasoline. It is designed to be run with premium gasoline, and for anyone who doesn't want to do that, they should either not run the Superchip, or have one made specifically for the use of regular gasoline, with the proper fuel curves for that burn rate, proper spark curves so you're not working the knock sensor system to death, etc.

If somebody wants Superchips to make a Superchip specifically for regular gasoline, that can be done, and it is extra cost, as it is a custom program. The program has to be written specifcally for the burn rates of that octane level of fuel, and other issues as well. The transmission tuning and top speed limiter functions can of course still be done, that isn't a problem, but as far as actually getting any real power gain from regular gasoline, you won't see 5 hp from it. We've been with Superchips for as long as they've been in this country, and know all the engineers, product designers, etc. personally. We've been there in person with vehicles on the Superchips dyno, and know their operations and products inside and out. For a number of years, I personally wrote and re-wrote a lot of their spec sheets and marketing materials, so there are very few people on the face of this planet who know this product as we do. I don't mean any offense by this, it's just a statement of fact, that is how close our relationship is to the manufacturer. You cannot run a standard Superchip on regular gasoline in these Fords safely, or get any appreciable power gain from doing so.

There are certain older GM vehicles that can use regular gasoline and get a power gain from it because their programming is so concervative, but not these Fords. And you still have the fuel curves & differing burn rates of differeng octane levels of fuel that have to be specifically programmed for.

If anyone has any questions regarding this, they can contact either myself at 540-862-9515, or Mike Short, who is the General Manager of Superchips Inc., at 888-227-2447.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

I guess different all the techs at Superchips do not know the same things.... I spoke with superchips and was relaying the info that was given me.....I did not think you would get any hp gains but though I would check from the source. I have since called back and spoke with Ken and was told that the tech I spoke with was wrong! You will still get the tranny, speedlimiter removed, and the revs up but NO extra hp. Sorry about the mix up. There is also NO extra charge for the chip form Superchip.

------------------
Ryan Marselis
Owner
Superliner...and more!
Your SuperDuty parts source.

480-633-2624

My Truck...http://www.fly-n-hi.com/trucknats/ryan.html

 

I have been running a "Mexico/87 Octane" Superchip programed for 87 octane in my '97 4.6 for 2 years now. I purchased the chip before Mike became such a regular on this forum. I have been pleased with the results. I don't get much more than a 1/2 MPG gain in town, but believe that I get 2 MPG better out on the road. The tranny mods are worth the cost of the chip. I didn't really see a great improvement in performance until I modified the MAF. I know that some, including Mike, do not believe that this should help. But I sure like the way my truck accelerates with the chip, modified MAF, and modified air box w/K&N. I do get some ping from time to time with '87 octane. But I have to agree with Mike that it is due to the quality/brand of gas that I can get in north KY. I can easily keep up with 5.4L vehicles that do not have a chip due to the tranny changes. Right now 91 octane gas costs 20 cents more than 87 octane, so I would have to get 8% better MPG to justify premium. I'm happy with the "Mexico/87 Octane" program.

------------------
'97 F150 XLT SC, 4x2, 4.6, 3.55 LS, 16" cast Al, auto trans, superchip(reg. gas), air box mod, MAF mod, ARE topper, Northern Kentucky

 

I am currently running 90 Octane with a Superchips chip. So far it doesn't ping at any time. Just out of curiosity I called Superchip. They were not as cut and dry as to state 15hp gain with lower octane. They confirmed what Mike T said in that no two trucks are the same. Not even two identical trucks with the same code. Further more I was told that in certain situations using 87 could net less than stock gains.

With my 97 4.6 I would run 87 for a few tanks and then it would ping at WOT under stress. Switching to 89 would cure it. When I would play in the Dunes I would fill up with 92+. I have heard from others that had ping with lower octane. Heck even some of the stock trucks ping on 87.

BTW can anyone say if Superchips tested lower Octane to get the actual if any gain.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Disclaimer: If you do not understand what I mean ask me and if I can remember I will tell you.

------------------
00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube,
Superchips

 

Mike, Im glad you're on this site, because your a great person to have here. Whenever I need help, I know who I can count on to help me out. You are a *very* intellectual man.

 

I burn only 93 octane and all I hear is tire squeals and an awesome, very very loud, v6 growl inside the cab. I have never heard any ping and would not drive it if I did. I'd pull over until I figured out what the problem is. Pings are not supposed to be an ongoing occurence and if you have it get it fixed.

------------------
98 SC/XL/4.2/5 speed/3.08/MoonLight Blue Metalic/Mobil One Synthetic/235.70S.16 Michelin XC LT4/AR-136 Wheels/Chrome Nerf Bars/Bug Shield/Aluminum Tool Box/K&N/Superchip/NOS maybe.

DAMN FLEXING DOOR CRACK!

Ford Engineering, reinforce the curve in the door! The cracks will stop.

 

I posted a question in the Ask a Vendor section concerning cost of custom programing. Inputs would be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

------------------
Paul...
99 F-150 XLT SC Sport, 4.6L, Auto, Captain Chairs, Class III Towing Package, 3.55 LS, Sliding Rear Window, White, 4X2, CD, Soft Factory Tonneau Cover, K&N Filter, WMS Velocity Tube, Line-X Spray on Bed Liner, Gibson Side Swept Cat Back System, F150online Decal...
More to come!

ptarnuzzer@megsinet.net

 

OK Guys & gals...........

The bottom line is, and this applies to almost all performance chips in general, the whole idea of how power is increased is based on tuning specifically for the increased anti-knock properties of premium gasoline. *That* is how raw engine power is actually increased. This is the most basic of performance chip principles, and everybody who knows this business knows that. The vast majority of F150online participants know that, if for no other reason because of the information that we have been making available here for well over a year now.

This is a hot topic that will keep coming up time and time again as new people come onto the message boards, and it is *critically* important that they be given *only* accurate information. Let just one person order a Superchip because they were told they could use it with regular gasoline, and have engine damage from detonation as a result, and we have a nasty legal situation on our hands, and everybody involved, including the innocent manufacturer, gets a black eye. I just this minute got off the phone with Mike Short, who runs Superchips US operations, about this situation.

This is a *highly* technical product, with repercussions that can indeed affect the life and health of the owner's vehicle if not used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Used properly, it'a a great product. Used *improperly*, it can damage an engine, if detonation is allowed to continue from not using the correct fuel.

Disseminating this information accurately is something that is highly important to us, simply because, as we can see here, it is very easy for incorrect information to be spread, and it can have disastrous results. Providing this information in a timely and acccurate manner is exactly why we have been here for over a year, making absolutely certain that only accurate and correct information is given, and that, to me, is a sacred trust. People trust us to tell them exactly what they need to know, and not just what they might want to hear.

If there was any substantial power to be gained on regular gasoline, the automakers themselves would have already done it. The only exception to this have been certain older GM trucks that were programmed so very conservatively that decent power gains *could* be had on regular fuel, but that is a very rare situation, affecting only a few older GM trucks. The reason we gain such power over the factory tuning is primarily because the automakers will not tune these vehicles so that they *have* to be run on premium, as that would cause a lot of people not to want to buy these trucks. So they're not leaving any substantial power on the table with regular gasoline. You can sometimes get a few ponies if you really push the limits on regular gas, but I have yet to see one that I considered worthwhile in the past decade from a true power gain standpoint. Superchips feels the same way.

A Superchip can easily be programmed for regular gas, so that you get all the *other* benefits from it. There will always be a few people for whom it makes sense, and they're willing to spend the money for a Superchip made for regular gas, for all the other benefits, and that's fine, of course, as the only thing that really matters is customer satisfaction. If the end user is happy, mission accomplished, as in the gentleman running the Mexico program! All that matters is that he's happy.

Now, one last time, just so we are *all* clear about this, and this comes from Mike Short, the gentleman who *runs* all Superchips US operations. (Ken's boss, and everyone else's boss at Superchips!) I just got off the phone with Mike, and I described this situation to him. Mike wants it made clear, and he will discuss this with Ken to make sure he knows, that should somebody want to order a Superchip made for regular gasoline, it *is* in fact Superchips policy to charge a $125 custom programming fee. They have to completely re-write all the timing and fueling curves for regular gasoline as I explained in my earlier post, it's anti-knock properties, and it's burn rate, and that entails hours of extra work, and consequently they *DO* charge the custom programming fee for that. And because of that, Mike Short has stated flatly that he does NOT want to take those orders, and he discourages *everyone* from spending that extra money for that type of program. And he discourages it simply because of the lack of power gain. Superchips will do that work, but they don't like doing it, and it's only done to try and accomodate those very few people for whom that type of chip makes sense for their situation. (and of course I mean no offense whatever to those people who feel that it's worth it to spend the money for a custom Superchip for regular gas, that is an individual decision)

Mike Short, and consequently, Superchips as a company, feels the same way we do, that the "standard" Superchip is such a value in terms of it's performance on a "bang-for-the-buck" power-gainer basis, that they don't like to see Superchips out there that aren't making their normal power gains. They will accomodate anyone who truly wants to have this type of program made, but it *will* cost an extra $125 to do it.

And last, my sincere apologies to all for my lengthy post, please forgive me, but it is our desire, and Superchips' desire, to have only *accurate* information posted with regards to their product's requirements for safe use, power gains, and all other aspects pertaining to their products. And of course that is true of just about any company.

Our bests to all,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Thanks all. I am new to the idea of chipping.
When I finally save enough pennies to buy one
I now know how NOT to use it.

------------------

 

Ok so with all of this being said, why does the Superchips tuner come with an 87 octane tune then? Isn't this false advertising? And I was never notified of any manditory $125 update fee.

 

Did you look at the posting dates? The last post in this thread was over 10 years ago. You think things just might be a bit different now?

 

 

I beleve they were referring to the SuperChips "Chip" available for the trucks. This should have no effect on the Programmers from SuperChips. Go to the Superchips.com website for more info.