Super Chip on Order
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 58
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From: NW Louisiana, USA
Super Chip on Order
I own a 1999 Lariat F-250 LD 4x4 Extended Cab that I use to pull a 30 5th wheel camper with. The truck handles this quite well but it is common knowledge that you just can't have to much power. With that in mind, I installed a flowmaster exaust and the K&N filter system that replaces the stock airbox.
When I installed the flowmaster I lost close to 2 mpg. When I installed the K&N system I got the 2 mpg back. As far as power goes, I didn't see much change except at WOT. The only thing I could figure was that it being a computer controlled engine, it just didn't know how to take advantage of these mods. I called the folks at Hypertech to get thier take on the matter. They didn't have a clue but would sell me the Hypertech reprogramer and hope for the best.
Then a friend told me about F-150.Com. I've spent about 2 months reading everyones posts about Superchip. Just about every question I could think to ask had already been asked and answered. So today I called Mike Troyer and ordered my chip. Unlike the folks at Hypertech, Mike was able to tell me why the modifications I had performed affected my truck the way they did and just what to expect with the Superchip installed. One thing I would like to point out is that after Mike had made the sale I thought of some more questions. He took alot of time answering them and answered them in great detail. He told me that even though my chip would not be in till Friday evening and that they are closed on weekends I could reach him via voice mail if I had any problems and he would help me out. Who says you can't get good service anymore?
Mike has been very professional and knowledgeable about his product. If that is any indication of what to expect from the chip itself then I have faith that I made the right choice in going with Superchip. Thanks again for all the help Mike and come on Friday!
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[This message has been edited by Conocoan (edited 05-04-2000).]
When I installed the flowmaster I lost close to 2 mpg. When I installed the K&N system I got the 2 mpg back. As far as power goes, I didn't see much change except at WOT. The only thing I could figure was that it being a computer controlled engine, it just didn't know how to take advantage of these mods. I called the folks at Hypertech to get thier take on the matter. They didn't have a clue but would sell me the Hypertech reprogramer and hope for the best.
Then a friend told me about F-150.Com. I've spent about 2 months reading everyones posts about Superchip. Just about every question I could think to ask had already been asked and answered. So today I called Mike Troyer and ordered my chip. Unlike the folks at Hypertech, Mike was able to tell me why the modifications I had performed affected my truck the way they did and just what to expect with the Superchip installed. One thing I would like to point out is that after Mike had made the sale I thought of some more questions. He took alot of time answering them and answered them in great detail. He told me that even though my chip would not be in till Friday evening and that they are closed on weekends I could reach him via voice mail if I had any problems and he would help me out. Who says you can't get good service anymore?
Mike has been very professional and knowledgeable about his product. If that is any indication of what to expect from the chip itself then I have faith that I made the right choice in going with Superchip. Thanks again for all the help Mike and come on Friday!
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[This message has been edited by Conocoan (edited 05-04-2000).]
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: CHULA VISTA, CA
Ditto,
I wish the businesses around me had the same attitude.
Joe
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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)
I wish the businesses around me had the same attitude.
Joe
------------------
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)
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Conocoan,
Welcome to F150online, we're happy you decided to register to post with us here on the message boards!
I enjoyed speaking with you at length yesterday, particularly with regards to what you experienced in gas mileage results with your other modifications. Just to elaborate a bit, if you open up the flow on the exhaust side "too much", what happens is you lose some of the scavenging effect that helps to evacuate the cylinders of the spent exhaust gasses. The actual *velocity* of the exhaust flow slows down, and so you lose scavenging effect. What that causes is a loss of torque on the low end on part-throttle especially, and so you use more throttle opening to compensate, and thus lose mileage. Many times this is done without thinking about it deliberately, so you wonder what happened to the mileage. Usually you will pick up a gain in higher-rpm horsepower, but the loss of low-end torque is just what you don't need in these rather heavy vehicles, especially when towing.
I was just a bit surprised to hear that you recovered the full 2 mpg from the installation of the airbox elimination kit, as we usually see mileage gains of not more than 1 mpg from them, but it all depends on just exactly what's happening on the other end as well.
With regards to where you feel the power gains from what we call "breathing mods", like your airbox elimination kit and the exhaust work, they do work all the time, but because it's airflow-based, you'll always feel it most on heavy throttle, and at higher rpms.
The Superchip will help in this case by virtue of the fact that it works *all* the time, and not just at WOT (wide-open throttle). The key to better towing performance is increased torque on part-throttle, in the low to mid-range rpms. Of course it cannot make that 30 foot 5th wheel feel like it's suddenly lost half it's weight, but what will happen is you will have about 10%-12% more horsepower, and 15%-18% more torque with which to get it moving down the road.
It is very true that many modifications are not exactly cumulative in their effect, however, these 3 areas, optimizing the programming, reducing restriction on the intake & on the exhaust sides do tend to compliment one another and work very well together. Those are the 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods you can do for these F-trucks, so you're on the right track.
With regards to your gas mileage with the Superchip, most people do see a bit of an improvement there; it's merely a by-product of the increased spark advance used on part-throttle in the Superchip, so your results will depend on just how much load your engine is under. If you're using a lot of heavy throttle, you won't see much of an improvement. Most people are seeing about 1.5 to as much as 2.0 more mpg when not using a lot of heavy throttle.
Good luck!
------------------
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
Welcome to F150online, we're happy you decided to register to post with us here on the message boards!
I enjoyed speaking with you at length yesterday, particularly with regards to what you experienced in gas mileage results with your other modifications. Just to elaborate a bit, if you open up the flow on the exhaust side "too much", what happens is you lose some of the scavenging effect that helps to evacuate the cylinders of the spent exhaust gasses. The actual *velocity* of the exhaust flow slows down, and so you lose scavenging effect. What that causes is a loss of torque on the low end on part-throttle especially, and so you use more throttle opening to compensate, and thus lose mileage. Many times this is done without thinking about it deliberately, so you wonder what happened to the mileage. Usually you will pick up a gain in higher-rpm horsepower, but the loss of low-end torque is just what you don't need in these rather heavy vehicles, especially when towing.
I was just a bit surprised to hear that you recovered the full 2 mpg from the installation of the airbox elimination kit, as we usually see mileage gains of not more than 1 mpg from them, but it all depends on just exactly what's happening on the other end as well.
With regards to where you feel the power gains from what we call "breathing mods", like your airbox elimination kit and the exhaust work, they do work all the time, but because it's airflow-based, you'll always feel it most on heavy throttle, and at higher rpms.
The Superchip will help in this case by virtue of the fact that it works *all* the time, and not just at WOT (wide-open throttle). The key to better towing performance is increased torque on part-throttle, in the low to mid-range rpms. Of course it cannot make that 30 foot 5th wheel feel like it's suddenly lost half it's weight, but what will happen is you will have about 10%-12% more horsepower, and 15%-18% more torque with which to get it moving down the road.
It is very true that many modifications are not exactly cumulative in their effect, however, these 3 areas, optimizing the programming, reducing restriction on the intake & on the exhaust sides do tend to compliment one another and work very well together. Those are the 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods you can do for these F-trucks, so you're on the right track.
With regards to your gas mileage with the Superchip, most people do see a bit of an improvement there; it's merely a by-product of the increased spark advance used on part-throttle in the Superchip, so your results will depend on just how much load your engine is under. If you're using a lot of heavy throttle, you won't see much of an improvement. Most people are seeing about 1.5 to as much as 2.0 more mpg when not using a lot of heavy throttle.
Good luck!
------------------
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