2000 Expy XLT 5.4L
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
2000 Expy XLT 5.4L
I just purchased my 2000 Expedition XLT 5.4L Triton V8 4x4 in January and haven't changed a thing on it (as yet). Engine Code:ZUT2 I love this vehicle! It is an upgrade from my 1997 Explorer XLT 4x2.
Being a computer geek by trade, I am constantly searching for feedback about my vehicle via the Internet. This morning, I found f150online.com. What a great site! I wanted to say thanks to Mike Troyer, and everyone else, for the "SuperChip" education.
I was hoping you could help me out with my potential SuperChip purchase. My questions are:
1) I understand the chip for ZUT2 is a "new" release. Are there any outstanding issues with this chip?
3) Do it yourself, or have it done? I handle everyday maintenance pretty well.
4) Cost of the chip?
5) Do I remove the chip prior to having the vehicle serviced at my Ford dealer (brand new warranty)? Is it easily removed?
6) Does it impact\void my warranty?
Mike, just wanted to follow-up my email with a post to this board. Any and all information is greatly appreciated.
Jeff
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2000 Metallic Blue Expy 5.4L
Being a computer geek by trade, I am constantly searching for feedback about my vehicle via the Internet. This morning, I found f150online.com. What a great site! I wanted to say thanks to Mike Troyer, and everyone else, for the "SuperChip" education.
I was hoping you could help me out with my potential SuperChip purchase. My questions are:
1) I understand the chip for ZUT2 is a "new" release. Are there any outstanding issues with this chip?
3) Do it yourself, or have it done? I handle everyday maintenance pretty well.
4) Cost of the chip?
5) Do I remove the chip prior to having the vehicle serviced at my Ford dealer (brand new warranty)? Is it easily removed?
6) Does it impact\void my warranty?
Mike, just wanted to follow-up my email with a post to this board. Any and all information is greatly appreciated.
Jeff
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2000 Metallic Blue Expy 5.4L
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear jmartinb,
No, there are no "issues" with the ZUT2 code, it's had the benefit of complete R&D and is a fully finished product with a lot of 2000 Expy owners already using it!
Installation is maybe a 30 minute job, perhaps a little bit longer if you go very slow. Over 99% of the people here on F150online install it themselves, it's a very easy procedure.
Yes, we do advise you to remove it prior to service at your dealership, but not because of warranty impact issues. The Superchip does *not* affect your new vehicle or extended warranties, and you are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This legislation was enacted in 1983, and makes it *illegal* for your dealer or the automaker to void your warranty or deny a warranty claim just because you have aftermarket parts installed.
The reason we advise you to remove the Superchip prior to service, whether it's under warranty or not, is simply because with the Superchip attached, when they connect your vehicle to their SBDS diagnostic machine, the technician will be given a false error code, telling him/her that the computer's internal eprom is not functioning, and to replace the computer. The factory eprom is a surface mount and therefore not serviceable, there is nothing that is serviceable inside the computer. This is not actually a problem, the eprom has not failed, this is how Ford designed it to work anytime you connect to the external data path, which is the edge connector at the back of the EEC-IV & EEC-V computer. Connecting to this connector causes the computer to turn off it's internal eprom, and to seek it's instructions externally. Removing the Superchip instantly turns the eprom back on, and restores the computer to running on the original factory program. Most people do not have the technical knowledge required to tell a technician what to do in this case, so it's best to simply remove the Superchip prior to service, so you don't have to deal with the issue at all.
By the way, welcome to F150online! We hope you'll stick around and hang out with us here when you hae the time.
------------------
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
No, there are no "issues" with the ZUT2 code, it's had the benefit of complete R&D and is a fully finished product with a lot of 2000 Expy owners already using it!
Installation is maybe a 30 minute job, perhaps a little bit longer if you go very slow. Over 99% of the people here on F150online install it themselves, it's a very easy procedure.
Yes, we do advise you to remove it prior to service at your dealership, but not because of warranty impact issues. The Superchip does *not* affect your new vehicle or extended warranties, and you are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This legislation was enacted in 1983, and makes it *illegal* for your dealer or the automaker to void your warranty or deny a warranty claim just because you have aftermarket parts installed.
The reason we advise you to remove the Superchip prior to service, whether it's under warranty or not, is simply because with the Superchip attached, when they connect your vehicle to their SBDS diagnostic machine, the technician will be given a false error code, telling him/her that the computer's internal eprom is not functioning, and to replace the computer. The factory eprom is a surface mount and therefore not serviceable, there is nothing that is serviceable inside the computer. This is not actually a problem, the eprom has not failed, this is how Ford designed it to work anytime you connect to the external data path, which is the edge connector at the back of the EEC-IV & EEC-V computer. Connecting to this connector causes the computer to turn off it's internal eprom, and to seek it's instructions externally. Removing the Superchip instantly turns the eprom back on, and restores the computer to running on the original factory program. Most people do not have the technical knowledge required to tell a technician what to do in this case, so it's best to simply remove the Superchip prior to service, so you don't have to deal with the issue at all.
By the way, welcome to F150online! We hope you'll stick around and hang out with us here when you hae the time.
------------------
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
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
Mike-
Many thanx for your reply and the time over the phone today. You have answered all my questions and then some. I have ordered the SuperChip AND Airaid for my 2000 Expy. I'll be sure to post the installation results and ongoing effects.
Side note, if anyone is looking for a cargo liner for an 200 Expy with a 3rd seat, I've got a recommendation.
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
Many thanx for your reply and the time over the phone today. You have answered all my questions and then some. I have ordered the SuperChip AND Airaid for my 2000 Expy. I'll be sure to post the installation results and ongoing effects.
Side note, if anyone is looking for a cargo liner for an 200 Expy with a 3rd seat, I've got a recommendation.
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
Thanx again, Mike. I think I'll complete the trio of mods by looking into a cat-back exhaust system. I'd like to install a split rear dual exhaust. It appears that Flowmaster and Jardine both handle that particular setup. Still getting information together is this mod, and will wait until a)the Superchip, and b)the Airaid are installed. I'd like to gauge each mod for its set of improvements.
Maybe others with 2K Expys can use this thread for their vehicles...can't wait to start on mine! :-)
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
Maybe others with 2K Expys can use this thread for their vehicles...can't wait to start on mine! :-)
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear jmartinb,
Those 2 modifications will make a fine addition to your 2000 Expy. As a matter of fact, those are the 2 most cost-effective mods to do to these vehicles, in terms of actual power gainer per dollar spent. The 3rd most cost-effective mod is a good cat-back exhaust system, as they will usually add maybe 2 hp less than the Airaid kit.
And that is also where most people stop of these very expensive new vehicles under warranty. Doing the chip, the intake, & the exhaust gets most people what they need & want from their vehicles. Sometimes people will want to keep the factory exhaust system at least for awhile, to get some use out of the money they paid for it, and that makes perfect sense, too! No need to replace a perfectly functioning part, unless you just have to have that additional power and sound.
You're going to have a very nice Expy, as if it wasn't already!
Have fun,
------------------
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
Those 2 modifications will make a fine addition to your 2000 Expy. As a matter of fact, those are the 2 most cost-effective mods to do to these vehicles, in terms of actual power gainer per dollar spent. The 3rd most cost-effective mod is a good cat-back exhaust system, as they will usually add maybe 2 hp less than the Airaid kit.
And that is also where most people stop of these very expensive new vehicles under warranty. Doing the chip, the intake, & the exhaust gets most people what they need & want from their vehicles. Sometimes people will want to keep the factory exhaust system at least for awhile, to get some use out of the money they paid for it, and that makes perfect sense, too! No need to replace a perfectly functioning part, unless you just have to have that additional power and sound.
You're going to have a very nice Expy, as if it wasn't already!
Have fun,
------------------
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
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
I think it's always the best way to go, installing only one performance part at a time, just so you can know for sure just exactly what each part did for the vehicle's performance.
Then again, some of us can't wait, and do it all at once, like on my wife's vehicle.
------------------
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
Then again, some of us can't wait, and do it all at once, like on my wife's vehicle.
------------------
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
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Mike-
Got the chip installed and what a difference! (see "Chip installed thread")
But, I have n interesting development on the SuperChip front...
After my 1st test run of 20-30 miles, the truck sat for about 45 minutes. Then, I went to pick up my wife from the gym, about 4 miles away. I waited about 15 minutes for her, letting the truck idle the entire time. To leave, I put the truck into "Drive" and the truck stalled. Back in park, and restarted it. Same thing happened again. A third time, and I was able to go about a mile down the road; to the on-ramp to I95. Going 50mph, the truck quit on me. I pulled it onto the shoulder, disconnected the battery (had my tools with me jut in case), and waited about 10 minutes. Reconnected the battery (which set off my alarm --ouch!) and everything was fine. I've been driving around for the last couple of hours without issue.
Mike, any ideas on this one? Has anyone every experience the same thing? Aside from this, the chip is a great upgrade and I am VERY pleased with the results.
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
Got the chip installed and what a difference! (see "Chip installed thread")
But, I have n interesting development on the SuperChip front...
After my 1st test run of 20-30 miles, the truck sat for about 45 minutes. Then, I went to pick up my wife from the gym, about 4 miles away. I waited about 15 minutes for her, letting the truck idle the entire time. To leave, I put the truck into "Drive" and the truck stalled. Back in park, and restarted it. Same thing happened again. A third time, and I was able to go about a mile down the road; to the on-ramp to I95. Going 50mph, the truck quit on me. I pulled it onto the shoulder, disconnected the battery (had my tools with me jut in case), and waited about 10 minutes. Reconnected the battery (which set off my alarm --ouch!) and everything was fine. I've been driving around for the last couple of hours without issue.
Mike, any ideas on this one? Has anyone every experience the same thing? Aside from this, the chip is a great upgrade and I am VERY pleased with the results.
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L with 535 Towing package, beige leather, captain's chairs, comfort\convenience group
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Former Sponsor
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From: Virginia
Dear jmartinb,
Yes, check a couple of things....
First, make sure that your mounting bracket for your computer doesn't have a "lip" on it that tends to push the Superchip module back off from the computer. Some F-150's have a mounting bracket like that, and you have to push that "lip" I call it away a bit, so that it can't interfere.
Second, make sure that you do have it taped in place, so that it can't slowly back off over time from going over railroad tracks, etc. as over time vibration in pickup trucks, some SUV's, & 4X4's. I just take some clear Scotch tape (the instructions say to use duct tape) and run from the top of the computer over the module and to the bottom of the computer.
Check to make sure that the Superchip itself has a good connection on your edge connector; please remember that over 98% of all problems are connection-related. If there is even just a little bit of that conformal coating left on any of the contacts, it can cause these same symptoms with thermal expansion and contraction. .
Last, take a look at just how firmly the slot on the Superchip module grabs the male edge connector. These connections in autos are never anywhere near as tight as they are in the computer field, so you have to be aware of that up front. However, there have been some 1999 FoMoCo vehicles (a few dozen or so) that have had a thinner edge connector than the specification for that thickness, and that can cause eratic operation. This is one of the, if not *the* last thing, to check for, as it's pretty rare. If it's thinner than normal, you'll notice this right away in that the Superchip will "wobble" on the connector, even when it's pushed all the way up onto the connector. (Note: I'm not talking about any gap between the back of the Superchip module and the back of the computer, as there can be up to a 1/4" or so gap at the top.) And if that happens, we can have Superchips build those contacts up on that connector so that it will be thick enough for your Superchip to get proper contact.
Please double-check those first few things and let me know what you find. Chances are it's connection-related.
------------------
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
Yes, check a couple of things....
First, make sure that your mounting bracket for your computer doesn't have a "lip" on it that tends to push the Superchip module back off from the computer. Some F-150's have a mounting bracket like that, and you have to push that "lip" I call it away a bit, so that it can't interfere.
Second, make sure that you do have it taped in place, so that it can't slowly back off over time from going over railroad tracks, etc. as over time vibration in pickup trucks, some SUV's, & 4X4's. I just take some clear Scotch tape (the instructions say to use duct tape) and run from the top of the computer over the module and to the bottom of the computer.
Check to make sure that the Superchip itself has a good connection on your edge connector; please remember that over 98% of all problems are connection-related. If there is even just a little bit of that conformal coating left on any of the contacts, it can cause these same symptoms with thermal expansion and contraction. .
Last, take a look at just how firmly the slot on the Superchip module grabs the male edge connector. These connections in autos are never anywhere near as tight as they are in the computer field, so you have to be aware of that up front. However, there have been some 1999 FoMoCo vehicles (a few dozen or so) that have had a thinner edge connector than the specification for that thickness, and that can cause eratic operation. This is one of the, if not *the* last thing, to check for, as it's pretty rare. If it's thinner than normal, you'll notice this right away in that the Superchip will "wobble" on the connector, even when it's pushed all the way up onto the connector. (Note: I'm not talking about any gap between the back of the Superchip module and the back of the computer, as there can be up to a 1/4" or so gap at the top.) And if that happens, we can have Superchips build those contacts up on that connector so that it will be thick enough for your Superchip to get proper contact.
Please double-check those first few things and let me know what you find. Chances are it's connection-related.
------------------
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
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
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From: Baltimore, MD
Mike-
Before I got things restarted on the on-ramp (while waiting for the system to discharge), I did push on the Superchip and the back on the computer. Not sure if it was coincidental.
As for the plastic clip, I do have a lip on mine. Also, I installed the clip over the computer, but not over the SuperChip. I couldn't get it to go over, so I re-installed it below it. Do I need to change this?
I do have two strips of duct tape over the chip.
Here the kicker...I went from Baltimore to DC and to Philly in spearate trips over the weekend. Also, local driving. With no problems! Man, is it great!!!!
Do I try to replace the plastic clip over the back of the SuperChip?
Thanx for your help on this.
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2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L
535 Towing package
comfort\convenience group
beige leather
captain's chairs
6 CD Changer
Ford Bug Deflector
Superchip
Before I got things restarted on the on-ramp (while waiting for the system to discharge), I did push on the Superchip and the back on the computer. Not sure if it was coincidental.
As for the plastic clip, I do have a lip on mine. Also, I installed the clip over the computer, but not over the SuperChip. I couldn't get it to go over, so I re-installed it below it. Do I need to change this?
I do have two strips of duct tape over the chip.
Here the kicker...I went from Baltimore to DC and to Philly in spearate trips over the weekend. Also, local driving. With no problems! Man, is it great!!!!
Do I try to replace the plastic clip over the back of the SuperChip?
Thanx for your help on this.
------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L
535 Towing package
comfort\convenience group
beige leather
captain's chairs
6 CD Changer
Ford Bug Deflector
Superchip
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
During lunch, I went to look for that lip on the computer mounting bracket. The lip is in 3 sections, with 2 of them behind the SuperChip. As you and Dustoff suggested, I'll go ahead and bend those 2 sections back to get them out of the way. Also, going to recheck the duct tape. After this, if I get a reoccurence, then it's back to the scraping the connector for the remaining bit!
Thanx to you and Dustoff for the suggestions.
The SuperChip is a great thing and I highly reommended it to anyone. Even did so with one of my employees who just purchased a 2000 Integra GSR!
BTW, Airaid & Flowmaster 70 (with heat shields) are to arrive by week's end. The potential has me very excited!
I appreciate the help.
------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L
535 Towing package
comfort\convenience group
beige leather
captain's chairs
6 CD Changer
Ford Bug Deflector
Superchip
Thanx to you and Dustoff for the suggestions.
The SuperChip is a great thing and I highly reommended it to anyone. Even did so with one of my employees who just purchased a 2000 Integra GSR!
BTW, Airaid & Flowmaster 70 (with heat shields) are to arrive by week's end. The potential has me very excited!
I appreciate the help.
------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L
535 Towing package
comfort\convenience group
beige leather
captain's chairs
6 CD Changer
Ford Bug Deflector
Superchip
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear jmartinb,
You did it correctly, to reinstall the pressure clip a couple inches below it's original location, as it cannot go over the Superchip, so you're exactly right. From the factory this clip is installed right where the Sueprchip attaches, so it goes back on about 2 inches lower, and holds the computer just as it should.
I think what happened to you is that this edge, or lip, slowly pushed the module back, and when you pushed it back on, it's now running fine, until that lip pushes it back again at some point in the future. So I think it would be best to go ahead and push on that lip or edge a bit, so that it cannot do that in the future. I mentioned in the other thread that while this doesn't come up often, it has come up a couple of times, so we are going to add this point to our installation instructions addemdum sheet that we include in addition to Superchips' installation instructions for these vehicles.
Thanks for letting us know!
------------------
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
You did it correctly, to reinstall the pressure clip a couple inches below it's original location, as it cannot go over the Superchip, so you're exactly right. From the factory this clip is installed right where the Sueprchip attaches, so it goes back on about 2 inches lower, and holds the computer just as it should.
I think what happened to you is that this edge, or lip, slowly pushed the module back, and when you pushed it back on, it's now running fine, until that lip pushes it back again at some point in the future. So I think it would be best to go ahead and push on that lip or edge a bit, so that it cannot do that in the future. I mentioned in the other thread that while this doesn't come up often, it has come up a couple of times, so we are going to add this point to our installation instructions addemdum sheet that we include in addition to Superchips' installation instructions for these vehicles.
Thanks for letting us know!
------------------
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
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear jmartinb,
We just yesterday made changes to our additional instruction sheet we send to let people know about this. Since it's come up a couple of times here now, that seems appropriate.
You're going to *love* the Airaid kit & exhaust mods. The Airaid is worth 14 hp on the 5.4, and most good cat-back systems will get you another 10 or so.
Have fun with your new go-fast goodies, and thanks for your feedback!
------------------
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
We just yesterday made changes to our additional instruction sheet we send to let people know about this. Since it's come up a couple of times here now, that seems appropriate.
You're going to *love* the Airaid kit & exhaust mods. The Airaid is worth 14 hp on the 5.4, and most good cat-back systems will get you another 10 or so.
Have fun with your new go-fast goodies, and thanks for your feedback!
------------------
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