SuperChip and Transmission/Engine Stress
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: South of the Red River
SuperChip and Transmission/Engine Stress
For those who know a whole lot more about these subjects than I do, please provide some help. My new F-150 has to last me at least 10 years (and then it may go to the kids). With the changes in line pressures, firmness of shifts, etc., do the SuperChips have any known or projected long term effects on the health of my truck? I don't want to pay for the performance improvements now with significant maintenance headaches, preliminary wearout, etc. Any help?
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2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
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2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Y2kXLYSport,
In short, no. These automatic transmissions tend to last *longer* as a result of the Superchip, because the actual changes made are a longevity aid as well as a performance modification. Ford uses a shift delay to elongate and soften the upshift, and that induces a bit of slippage. (They do this as part of their "soft-shift strategy", to accommodate the female buyer) The Superchip removes that, thus reducing slippage. The Superchip does also increase line pressure, but it's a very small increase, only 20%. Just to give you an idea, most of these transmissions aren't making as much as 100 PSI of line pressure; my 4R70W made exactly 96 PSI stock. So the amount of line pressure used is far less than what automatic transmissions used to use for many years, and will not contribute to shortening the life of your transmission. The increased line pressure serves to reduce slippage, so it tends to let them live a bit longer.
As a loose general rule, the harder an automatic transmission hits the gears, the longer it will live, from reduced slippage. The automatic transmission uses a fluid coupling to the engine, via the torque converter. Slippage causes immediate heat increase, and it is *heat* that is the number one enemy of the automatic transmission. Transmission fluid temperature significantly above 200 degrees start to deteriorate seals, and in Ford automatics also affects the shift solenoids. For best transmission life, reduce slippage, use an auxilliary transmission oil cooler, & change your fluid every 30,000 miles.
The Superchip will not shorten the service life of your vehicle. What matters far more is how your vehicle is operated and maintained, rather than what it's potential peak power output is when you use it. So as long as you properly maintain that vehicle, you'll be just fine.
Please feel free to give us a call if you'd like to go over all this and exactly what the Superchip actually does to your vehicle in greater detail.
Good luck with your new truck!
------------------
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
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 02-19-2000).]
In short, no. These automatic transmissions tend to last *longer* as a result of the Superchip, because the actual changes made are a longevity aid as well as a performance modification. Ford uses a shift delay to elongate and soften the upshift, and that induces a bit of slippage. (They do this as part of their "soft-shift strategy", to accommodate the female buyer) The Superchip removes that, thus reducing slippage. The Superchip does also increase line pressure, but it's a very small increase, only 20%. Just to give you an idea, most of these transmissions aren't making as much as 100 PSI of line pressure; my 4R70W made exactly 96 PSI stock. So the amount of line pressure used is far less than what automatic transmissions used to use for many years, and will not contribute to shortening the life of your transmission. The increased line pressure serves to reduce slippage, so it tends to let them live a bit longer.
As a loose general rule, the harder an automatic transmission hits the gears, the longer it will live, from reduced slippage. The automatic transmission uses a fluid coupling to the engine, via the torque converter. Slippage causes immediate heat increase, and it is *heat* that is the number one enemy of the automatic transmission. Transmission fluid temperature significantly above 200 degrees start to deteriorate seals, and in Ford automatics also affects the shift solenoids. For best transmission life, reduce slippage, use an auxilliary transmission oil cooler, & change your fluid every 30,000 miles.
The Superchip will not shorten the service life of your vehicle. What matters far more is how your vehicle is operated and maintained, rather than what it's potential peak power output is when you use it. So as long as you properly maintain that vehicle, you'll be just fine.
Please feel free to give us a call if you'd like to go over all this and exactly what the Superchip actually does to your vehicle in greater detail.
Good luck with your new truck!
------------------
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
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 02-19-2000).]
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: South of the Red River
I just read elsewhere on this site that you need to remove the computer to install the chip the first time! What exactly is involved in installing the chip? How long does it take? Does the new program immediately override the stock program or is there a learning period?
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2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
------------------
2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
The removal of the computer takes 20 minute max.It is released with one 10mm bolt and one plastic clip.The computer is located on the p.side firewall behind the battery.The ONLY reason for removal the first time is to thoroughly clean the contacts of the computer board.Once cleaned the chip can be unplugged from the computer at any time in a matter of seconds by reaching under the dash and popping it off.A really easy cool set-up.Once you do the install you will think that Ford made it too easy!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Y2kXLTSport,
Lightningquick is right on the money, so I'll just add a bit to what he has posted to you.
The Ford computer has always been different from any other computer like GM, the Bosch units used in most Euro vehicles, etc. They do use a relatively standard eprom chip to store the factory program, but it's always been a surface mount, and therefore non-replaceable. Ford designed in an external data path to allow quick & easy software changes during vehicle development. They put a male edge connector on the back of the circuit board in their computer, and that is where the Superchip attaches, on the rear of the computer, on the outside, in a "piggyback" fashion. The Superchip is actually a sealed module, with a female data slot on the back of it, much like an expansion slot on your PC's mainboard, only it's shorter. That female slot simply mates to the male edge connector on the back of the Ford computer for a very neat & easy installation process. this also makes it very easy to remove and replace many times, and you don't have to remove the computer anymore, just the first time for cleaning the connector.
The reason the computer has to be removed from the vehicle for thr first-time installation of the Superchip is simply so that you can clean that edge connector. From the factory, there is sometimes a dab of grease (almost all 98 & earlier Fords have the grease, on 99's & later fewer of them have the grease) on the connector, and we use dry Q-tips to remove all visible grease. Then we will take a couple of Q-tips dipped in a little rubbing alcohol to remove all traces of grease. That is the first step in the cleaning process. The second step, and for those vehicles that don't have any grease on the connector this is the only step, you have to remove the conformal coating from the contacts on this connector. The Superchip includes a piece of green Scotch-Brite pad to buff the contacts with, but I have always preferred to use a very small straight-blade screwdriver to manually scrape this coating off of the contacts. I do this for 2 reasons: first, by using a very small screwdriver, I have enough room to work and do not ever have to remove the covers for the computer, and second, this conformal coating is clear in color, so it can sometimes be a bit tricky determining if you have enough of it removed from the contacts to have a proper connection. By scraping it with my tiny screwdriver blade, I can sort of "shave" this coating off, and have a better feel for when I have enough of it removed. You can do this in any number of ways, that is just how I do it.
Figure on a 25-30 minute installation time for somebody who has never done one of these before, and taking your time. Once you've done one, you could do a second one in about half the time, like most things in life.
If you disconnect your battery, you will force the computer to immediately start it's relearn cycle, and that allows you to feel the effects of the Superchip sooner. This relearn period can vary from a few hundred to as much as 800-1000 miles on some Fords, but most of this is transparent to the driver. The idle speed & idle quality are usually the only things you may notice during the first few miles, if you even notice that at all, and will clear up very quickly. What we do is to go out and immediately drive the vehicle for about 20 miles of varied driving; some lower speed cruising, some higher speed cruising, and 2-3 good full-throttle bursts, just to throw a lot of difference conditions at the computer in as short a time as possible, to help speed this relearn cycle. If you do not disconnect your battery, it will simply take longer to feel the effects of the Superchip, that's all, so disconnecting the battery is not mandatory, but we do recommend doing it.
When you install the Superchip, the computer is *immediately* running on it's programming, but it will take some relearn time to fully adapt to the new program, so that is why we recommend disconnecting the battery. It's simply a technique to speed the relearn process, in other words. It's a "tuner's trick" to always disconnect the battery anytime you install a new go-fast part.
I hope this gives you a better "feel" for the installation process,
------------------
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
Lightningquick is right on the money, so I'll just add a bit to what he has posted to you.
The Ford computer has always been different from any other computer like GM, the Bosch units used in most Euro vehicles, etc. They do use a relatively standard eprom chip to store the factory program, but it's always been a surface mount, and therefore non-replaceable. Ford designed in an external data path to allow quick & easy software changes during vehicle development. They put a male edge connector on the back of the circuit board in their computer, and that is where the Superchip attaches, on the rear of the computer, on the outside, in a "piggyback" fashion. The Superchip is actually a sealed module, with a female data slot on the back of it, much like an expansion slot on your PC's mainboard, only it's shorter. That female slot simply mates to the male edge connector on the back of the Ford computer for a very neat & easy installation process. this also makes it very easy to remove and replace many times, and you don't have to remove the computer anymore, just the first time for cleaning the connector.
The reason the computer has to be removed from the vehicle for thr first-time installation of the Superchip is simply so that you can clean that edge connector. From the factory, there is sometimes a dab of grease (almost all 98 & earlier Fords have the grease, on 99's & later fewer of them have the grease) on the connector, and we use dry Q-tips to remove all visible grease. Then we will take a couple of Q-tips dipped in a little rubbing alcohol to remove all traces of grease. That is the first step in the cleaning process. The second step, and for those vehicles that don't have any grease on the connector this is the only step, you have to remove the conformal coating from the contacts on this connector. The Superchip includes a piece of green Scotch-Brite pad to buff the contacts with, but I have always preferred to use a very small straight-blade screwdriver to manually scrape this coating off of the contacts. I do this for 2 reasons: first, by using a very small screwdriver, I have enough room to work and do not ever have to remove the covers for the computer, and second, this conformal coating is clear in color, so it can sometimes be a bit tricky determining if you have enough of it removed from the contacts to have a proper connection. By scraping it with my tiny screwdriver blade, I can sort of "shave" this coating off, and have a better feel for when I have enough of it removed. You can do this in any number of ways, that is just how I do it.
Figure on a 25-30 minute installation time for somebody who has never done one of these before, and taking your time. Once you've done one, you could do a second one in about half the time, like most things in life.
If you disconnect your battery, you will force the computer to immediately start it's relearn cycle, and that allows you to feel the effects of the Superchip sooner. This relearn period can vary from a few hundred to as much as 800-1000 miles on some Fords, but most of this is transparent to the driver. The idle speed & idle quality are usually the only things you may notice during the first few miles, if you even notice that at all, and will clear up very quickly. What we do is to go out and immediately drive the vehicle for about 20 miles of varied driving; some lower speed cruising, some higher speed cruising, and 2-3 good full-throttle bursts, just to throw a lot of difference conditions at the computer in as short a time as possible, to help speed this relearn cycle. If you do not disconnect your battery, it will simply take longer to feel the effects of the Superchip, that's all, so disconnecting the battery is not mandatory, but we do recommend doing it.
When you install the Superchip, the computer is *immediately* running on it's programming, but it will take some relearn time to fully adapt to the new program, so that is why we recommend disconnecting the battery. It's simply a technique to speed the relearn process, in other words. It's a "tuner's trick" to always disconnect the battery anytime you install a new go-fast part.
I hope this gives you a better "feel" for the installation process,
------------------
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
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: California
Hey Y2kXLTSport, there's a great site "Duke" has a How-to-install a Superchip. It has pictures and step by step instructions. Just link onto the address and it will take you there! http://bloodog.com/superchip.asp
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2000 F-150 Lariat 4x2 SB,SC,Styleside,Amazon Green/Clearcoat Metallic,5.4 Liter V8, Class III Tow-Package,3.55 Limited Slip Rear,Bug Deflector,Duraliner Bedliner,Superchip,K&N Filter.
[This message has been edited by Lariat Ryder (edited 02-22-2000).]
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2000 F-150 Lariat 4x2 SB,SC,Styleside,Amazon Green/Clearcoat Metallic,5.4 Liter V8, Class III Tow-Package,3.55 Limited Slip Rear,Bug Deflector,Duraliner Bedliner,Superchip,K&N Filter.
[This message has been edited by Lariat Ryder (edited 02-22-2000).]
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: South of the Red River
Thanks for the explanations and information. Now all I have to do is come up with the money.... not a small amount
------------------
2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
------------------
2000 F-150 XLT Sport
Silver
4 door Supercab, Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires
4.6l V8, Auto Transmission (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player
Hopes and Dreams:
Spray-in Bedliner
K&N Filter
WMS Velocity Tube
FlowMaster Exhaust
Nerf Bars
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Hey Mike, by removing the superchip, does this mean the ford service department would not know that a chip was being used?
Can you e-mail me the price of the superchip and flip chip.
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2000 f150 4x4 XLT Island Blue Supercab, 5.4, 3.55 Limited Slip
Class III Towing Package& Trans Cooler; Backcountry Stainless Step Bars;
Can you e-mail me the price of the superchip and flip chip.
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2000 f150 4x4 XLT Island Blue Supercab, 5.4, 3.55 Limited Slip
Class III Towing Package& Trans Cooler; Backcountry Stainless Step Bars;
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Manila, Philippines
I live abroad so I can't offer an opinion on available gasoline in the U.S. However, I would like to point out maybe the specific gasoline station storage facilities Mike got his gas from are contaminated, hence Mike's opinion on the bad quality.Also, I would like to point out FordyFord's use of bad language and physical threats are uncalled for. Fordy, let's be professional about this. We're all mature professionals in our own rights, sharing a common interest, building camaraderie through this web site, so let's not go around calling someone as nice as Mike an a$$hole, because your foul language doesn't speak highly of you. I never met Mike Troyer before and I don't think I'll ever get the chance to do so. I have only communicated with Mike through email and I have a very high respect for him. Mike, in MY opinion, is professional, unbiased,and knowledgeable in his chosen field (hat's off to you, Mike)and he was just expressing his opinions on that gas metter which may benefit the other usersnof this site. Fordy, you have two choices with Mike's opinions: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. I hope you can understand this. It's quite simple if you take the time to think it over and I strongly recommend you apologise to Mike for behaving inappropriately.
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1999 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab Styleside 2x4
Deep Wedgewood Blue
V6 4.2 SEFI Auto
Dealer released: June 30,1999
Everything is still stock
Ford OEM Soft Tonneau Installed
Muth Signal Mirrors
Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Oil
K&N Air Filter (Thanks, Roger)
Superbright Headlamps
Borla muffler
OEM Lower Bumper and Foglamps for that Lauriat Look
Soon to follow...
Superwhite Foglamps,
Edelbrock Shocks,
Four Corner Clear Lens
Superchip
Larger Tires
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1999 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab Styleside 2x4
Deep Wedgewood Blue
V6 4.2 SEFI Auto
Dealer released: June 30,1999
Everything is still stock
Ford OEM Soft Tonneau Installed
Muth Signal Mirrors
Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Oil
K&N Air Filter (Thanks, Roger)
Superbright Headlamps
Borla muffler
OEM Lower Bumper and Foglamps for that Lauriat Look
Soon to follow...
Superwhite Foglamps,
Edelbrock Shocks,
Four Corner Clear Lens
Superchip
Larger Tires
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Michigan - sportsman's paradise
to y2kxltsport:
I see in your hopes and dreams you have a spray in bed liner listed. Go to the bed liner section here and look up a topic under herculiner...... I have a herculiner bed liner i did it myself the product is very good and cost me $89.00 I jad a rhino liner in my last truck it works as well ans so far seems as strong. It left me enough money to now get my superchip. Rhino liners are about $450 here in MI.
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*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*************************
****mods to come*********
LS for front diff
wms air tube
super chip
I see in your hopes and dreams you have a spray in bed liner listed. Go to the bed liner section here and look up a topic under herculiner...... I have a herculiner bed liner i did it myself the product is very good and cost me $89.00 I jad a rhino liner in my last truck it works as well ans so far seems as strong. It left me enough money to now get my superchip. Rhino liners are about $450 here in MI.
------------------
*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*************************
****mods to come*********
LS for front diff
wms air tube
super chip
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Lotsa???,
Great screen name, by the way!
Once the Superchip is removed, no, they don't know it's been there.
And I'll be happy to email you, but your email address is needed so I can do that. Since I don't have it, and it's not listed in your profile, you might want to just shoot me a quick email, and then I can respond to it right away.
------------------
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
Great screen name, by the way!
Once the Superchip is removed, no, they don't know it's been there.
And I'll be happy to email you, but your email address is needed so I can do that.
Since I don't have it, and it's not listed in your profile, you might want to just shoot me a quick email, and then I can respond to it right away.------------------
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
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Pinckney, MI
Superchips_Distributor
Member
Posts: 2119
From: Millboro, VA USA
2,119? my gosh Mike! your fingers must be titainium tipped tappers of...lets see where did I put that damn thesauris...
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JAMES PATRICK MCGUIGAN
98 Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's
jimmac@ismi.net
Member
Posts: 2119
From: Millboro, VA USA
2,119? my gosh Mike! your fingers must be titainium tipped tappers of...lets see where did I put that damn thesauris...
------------------
JAMES PATRICK MCGUIGAN
98 Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's
jimmac@ismi.net
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
HI Jim,
Nice to "see" you!
I think "Fast" has more posts than I do, I just happened to notice his counter was higher than mine the other day, he really gets around this place!
We do what we can.....
------------------
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
Nice to "see" you!
I think "Fast" has more posts than I do, I just happened to notice his counter was higher than mine the other day, he really gets around this place!
We do what we can.....
------------------
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
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Georgia
Yep...fast is up to 2400 + now.
Mike...I sent you an e-mail with a few questions about a chip for my 2000 5.4L.
I have been reading everything about the superchip for the past hour +. It almost sounds too good to be true!
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99
Mike...I sent you an e-mail with a few questions about a chip for my 2000 5.4L.
I have been reading everything about the superchip for the past hour +. It almost sounds too good to be true!
------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99