Oh yeah, had to change my sig

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2001 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat 5.4/4-spd auto, 3.55 l/s, elec xfer case, Skids, Class III tow, Stock 17"s, Oxford White/Med Graphite leather capts chairs, Rhinolined, SUPERCHIPS equipped
Planned: K&N FIPK (When they get the CARB # for 2001's)

 

Dear 1stSuperCrew,

Nicely detailed post! From your description, it sounds like the Superchip, as usual, is doing exactly what it's supposed to do; increase power and improve shifting in the automatics. The 2001 (I love how the automakers have taken to accelerating their model-year designations)Super Crew has the same powertrain as the rest of the F-150's, so it gains the same power & other benefits as all the other F-150's do. However, the Super Crew is of course a heavier vehicle, so it takes even more power to make it move quicker and faster.

You're right in that it's not reasonable to expect a sudden "extreme" difference, a 10%-12% power gain cannot do that, of course, as you quite correctly pointed out. It would take a supercharger or nitrous oxide to do that.

The Superchip is deceptively smooth in it's power delivery, and the comment we hear most often is "This is how is should have come from the factory".

It is common during the first miles to see the idle speed be a bit higher, and this very quickly settles back down, this is simply what happens anytime you interrupt power to the computer, and it begins it's "re-learn cycle". Most of what is referred to as the "re-learn cycle" is actually transparent to the driver, so all the driver usually notices is some idle speed difference, and the coast-down as you mentioned. These quickly clear up in the first 50-200 miles of mixed driving.

One of the things that we do when installing is to try and allow enough time to immediately go out and do about 20 miles of mixed driving; some low-speed cruising, some higher-speed cruising, and then at least 2-3 full-throttle bursts. Just long enough to see the WOT 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts, and I generally like to do this 3 times if time allows, but at least twice in the first 20 miles. What this does is to throw a number of different conditions at the computer in a short period of time, we use it simply as a technique to speed some aspects of the computer's adaptation to it's new program.

Glad to hear it's going well, and of course this is what is supposed to happen with the Superchip.

Have fun!

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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

 

Mike,
Can you explain in layman terms how a computer can "learn"? Why can't the initial settings be "correct"? Why does it need to "learn" them? Does it learn different things depending upon driver's style during the learning period?
BTW, I have a G-Tech pro. After the chip is installed, do you have any suggestions on how or when to take comparative readings during the "learning" period; and after other mods are installed? Do you have an opinion on what sequence mods (such as the chip, cat-back exhaust, FIPK etc.) should be installed?
Thanks in advance.

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2001 SuperCrew, 4x4 Lariat, Blue/silver, 5.4L Captains Chairs, 3.55LS, Moon Roof, Bed Extender, everything but the AV system & skid plates.(Ordered: 2/11/00, Build Date: Week of 4/10, Shipped via Rail 4/12, ETA date: April 28)

Planned Mods: Sprayed-On Bedliner-(LineX); Hard Tonneau or Retrax Rolltop cover, Fiberglass Cab steps (Ford) or SS nerf bars; Gibson SS Dual Sport Cat-back system; SuperChip; K&N Air intake kit; Clear back-painted bug-deflector; (& Maybe: SVT Lighting wheels and Michelin Pilot LTX 285.60/HR18 tires.)

 

Dear Super Crew,

I'll try.

The computer doesn't actually "learn" per se, that's a bit of a misnomer, though even Ford internally refers to this process loosely as the "re-learn cycle". It's simply anytime that power is suddenly interrupted to the computer, or when you change it's programming with the Superchip (which involves interrupting the power as well), certain parameters that are variable need to be finely adjusted, and this happens in the background, transparent to the driver mostly. Technically, there are a couple of fuel trim curves, or tables, that will adapt to how the vehicle is operated in a very limited sense. When you interrupt power to the computer, it has to "re-learn" it's idle characteristics and other aspects that affect driveability. Those parameters are set in the lookup tables, however, right after a reset (power interruption to the computer) it takes awhile for the computer to fine-tune the fuel curves based on the gas you're using, to a very limited extent, and other factors, such as how the vehicle is operated most of the time, etc. Ford mentions in some owners manuals that you may experience idle speed & quality fluctuations for up to the first 1000 miles and 4 weeks after a reset, but it usually clears up much, much quicker.

The adaptation the computer does to the programming from the Superchip is also mostly transparent. You may notice that as you accumulate the first 500-1000 miles, the vehcle feels like it's getting a bit stronger. It can also take as much as 1500-2000 miles before you see the absolute best gas mileage results from the Superchip as well, as the fuel trim tables complete their adaptation to the new tuning.

Ford's "adaptive strategy" is where the computer on an ongoing basis attempts to optimize it's parameters based on how the vehicle is being operated. FOr example, if you take 2 identical F-150's, one that has been towing heavy loads, and the other has not, then put identical loads behind them, the truck that has been towing will have 1%-2% more power under that circumstance. So as you can see from that example, it's a very minute amount of adjustment with regards to it's affect on power with the factory programming.

SO it's perhaps more accurately described as an adaptation process, but it's commonly referred to as the re-learn cycle. It overlaps into Ford's adaptive strategy; the "re-learn cycle" is short, not more than 1000 miles and usually much less, whereas adaptive strategy is ongoing for the life of the vehicle. Generally speaking, when you change the computer's programming, the more you alter the fuel trim tables, the longer it takes for it to fine-tune itself. This is why when we do a custom program for a supercharged vehicle, for example, it can take longer to dial all this in than when you install the regular Superchip for that particular computer code. It's not a big difference in terms of time or miles, but some.

This should not be construed as something that is drastic in it's effects, as it isn't even noticeable for the most part. The computer has a very limited abality to do this adjustment. It is a bit of a misnomer to say the computer is actually "learning", it's more like very minor fine tuning.

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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

 

Mike,
Thank you. Any suggestions regarding the sequence of installing mods? (See profile) Should I do the chip last so it adapts to the air flow characteristics from a FIPK and changed exhaust system?
Would you expect that the G-Tech will be able to measure performance improvements over the learn cycle?

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2001 SuperCrew, 4x4 Lariat, Blue/silver, 5.4L Captains Chairs, 3.55LS, Moon Roof, Bed Extender, everything but the AV system & skid plates.(Ordered: 2/11/00, Build Date: Week of 4/10, Shipped via Rail 4/12, ETA date: April 28)

Planned Mods: Sprayed-On Bedliner-(LineX); Hard Tonneau or Retrax Rolltop cover, Fiberglass Cab steps (Ford) or SS nerf bars; Gibson SS Dual Sport Cat-back system; SuperChip; K&N Air intake kit; Clear back-painted bug-deflector; (& Maybe: SVT Lighting wheels and Michelin Pilot LTX 285.60/HR18 tires.)

 

Mike,

I received my SuperChip Tuesday (UAT2), and installed it yesterday. Took an hour, no real problems, started right up, idled and ran perfectly. I had previously made 0-60 stopwatch runs that averaged 10.6 sec. After installing the SuperChip I immediately made 5 runs to see if any improvement. I threw out the high and low runs and the rest averaged 9.6 sec. Almost a 10% improvement - is this indicative of what to expect? I have also been averaging 13.75 mpg. After installing a K&N filter I got 14.86 mpg on the only tank used before installing the SuperChip. I pay a 17% premium for 93 octane. Do you think the SuperChip will increase my mileage enough to offset this cost? Oh yes, so far I can only tell a slight difference in the shifting charactistics.

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2000 Lariat F150 4x4, S/C, 5.4L, 3.55 LS, ORG, Cab Steps, Towing, Elect 4x4,Black/Gold.

 

HI Super Crew,

With regards to exactly what order in which to add the FIPK, cat-back exhaust, and the Superchip, that is strictly up to you, you can do them in any order you like. It's a good question, the order of the mods isn't nearly as applicable in these times, thanks to the mass air systems on today's vehicles. It used to be that you did all your other mods first, and always did the chip last. However, these days that is only necessary when you're making major mechanical modifications to the engine itself, such as adding a supercharger, ported cylinder heads, that type of thing. And, if you ever do decide to do those types of mods, you can always have us update your existing Superchip with a custom program for the mods, thus protecting your investment in the Superchip.

Today you can do them in any order you like. Some guys like to hear that exhaust throbbing first. Others install the Superchip first, simply because it's the single best bang-for-the-buck mod. You do whatever makes you happiest. All 3 of those areas, the programming, the intake, & the exhaust changes, work very well together and compliment one another very nicely. The end result won't change no matter in what order you do your mods.

With regards to using the G-Tech Pro unit, sure, go right ahead! As long as you disconnect the battery for each of your modifications, you're going to get the majority of what each mod will do right away. Then the last 20% or so will come in gradually as you accumulate the first 500-1000 miles. You have to be very careful how you mount the G-Tech unit, as this will have a big impact on it's relative accuracy. They go over that in the instructions with the unit, to level it, etc. You also need to have very accurate vehicle weight figures to do all the calculations as accurately as those rather simple devices can. For the money, the G-Tech can be a nice tool to get a feel for what your mods have done for you, as long as it's always mounted exactly the same, and you follow it's setup requirements to the letter. Best case scenario, they will be within a few tenths of a second in their accuracy.

Have fun,

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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 04-27-2000).]

 

Hi Texan,

Most people see about a half-second off their 0-60 times, though there have been some that see as much as 7-9 tenths or so, so who knows, you may have been able to get an accurate enough measurement even with the stopwatch method. It's obviously quicker with the Superchip, and that's what counts.

Also, don't expect muscle-car shifts, that isn't going to happen, as we're not programming a 2.5 ton pickup truck to shift like a Corvette, we maintain the original character of the vehicle in each situation. However, the difference is definately enough to notice right away, it's noticeable in several aspects. First, for a brief fraction of a second, the power gain during the upshift is a good 40 horsepower plus, and sometimes well over 50 horsepower, but for only literally a fraction of a second, from the removal of the transitional spark retards. Between pulling out the shift delay, stopping the reduction in engine power during the upshift, and the increase in line pressure, it's very noticeable. However, it's not a muscle-car type of shift, just to give you an idea of what to really expect from the Superchip in that aspect. And perspective is sometimes a factor too, as what some people perceive as a "big" difference, others feel is a bit smaller, so it may just be perspective.

The Superchip cannot make up for 17%, that's not a reasonable expectation. Most people see 1.5 to as much as maybe 2.0 more mpg, primarily when cruising on the highway. A few people have seen gains of as much as 2.75 mpg, but that's not the norm, I would say. It's just a by-product of the increased spark advance on part-throttle, so your results will depend on how you drive the vehicle, after you've gotten over the novelty of a new go-fast part, and aren't using a lot of heavy throttle.

It can take as long as 2000 miles to see the peak increase in gas mileage from the Superchip; it will usually give about half of it's mileage gains right away, and the other half comes in slowly over the next 1500-2000 miles, to give you an idea of what to expect there. I would never expect the Superchip to actually pay for itself, that won't happen in anything other than absolute best-case scenarios.

Sounds like you're getting some very nice results so far!

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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