I want some more power for towing my 5th wheeler camper and I was wondering if I got the superchip if it would help. I have a 99 with 4.6 with an automatic trans. computer code YBQ3. Thanks.

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99 black f150 ext. cab sport w/4.6 V8. external mods. include:
k&n air filter, headlight/taillight covers, wiper schroud, shadeblade, ventshade, bug deflector, bed liner, tonno cover, and custom exhaust.
internal mods. include:
Pioneer indash cdplayer, 2 12" subs in custom built boxs, 400 watt amp, remote start, and aftermarket alarm

 

I came close to not replying to this, but I think you are pulling a little too much for what's under your hood. Not knowing the size and weight of you fifth wheel, kind of makes it hard to say that but most fifth wheels I have seen are fairly large, and I know I wouldn't even try to use my 4.6 to pull one. A little too much for this particular engine in my opinion. Now if you have done this with little or no problem then OK. but if this is a first shot then I would recommend not even trying it. the risk is just not worth it. I'm not even sure your truck is rated for pulling something like that.

 

Christrucker: yes, the chip will really wake up that 4.6!! I put one on my last truck (4.6 5speed SC) and it really helped. I did a little bit of towing w/it and the engine did just fine. I've now got a diesel to do my towing and the same loads that the 4.6 managed to pull are like "nothing" for this monster. Couple of things I'd recomend would be to install an electric trailer brake if you don't already have one (didn't see one in your sig) and to also check out the new section here on towing. It's just starting up so we could use any of your experiences you'd like to share.

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)

 

I've pulled the trailer before, I was just wondering if it would make that much difference with the superchip, it is pretty doggish when I am pulling. I do have electric brakes and everything, I just want more power!!! But then again who doesn't?!? Also is there any other things that might give me some added power for towing. Right now I have a straight pipe exhaust (no muffler) would an exhaust system like flowmaster give me some more low end torque? Any suggestions?

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99 black f150 ext. cab sport w/4.6 V8. external mods. include:
k&n air filter, headlight/taillight covers, wiper schroud, shadeblade, ventshade, bug deflector, bed liner, tonno cover, and custom exhaust.
internal mods. include:
Pioneer indash cdplayer, 2 12" subs in custom built boxs, 400 watt amp, remote start, and aftermarket alarm

 

Dear Christrucker,

Yes, the Superchip will help, by adding 26 horsepower and 40 lbs./ft. of torque to the 4.6 engine. And, it does work at all throttle positions, so it helps with towing, which requires more torque on part-throttle in the low to mid rpm ranges.

It's not going to make 6000 lbs. feel like 3500 lbs. by any means, of course, but it will help by increasing engine power. The best way to think of what to expect from the Superchip is to say that you will have about 10%-12% more horsepower, and 15%-18% more torque available with which to pull that heavy load. Will it make a night and day kind of difference? Of course not. Is it worth it? Absolutely, but then, people expect *me* to say that, of course.

I would also do 2 other things after the Superchip....first, get those straight pipes off of there, they are reducing your low-end torque. We recommend using a good quality cat-back exhaust system that is properly flow-engineered to *increase* torque on the low end, and in fact throughout the entire rpm range. The other thing I would do is to use an airbox elimination kit, either K&N's FIPK kit, or the Airaid brand. They are worth a solid 12 hp on that engine, whereas the K&N air filter by itself gets you about 5 hp.

These 3 areas, programming, intake, and exhaust, in that order(and specifically I mean the airbox elimination kit when I say "intake"), are the top 3 bang-for-the-buck mods you can do to these vehicles. They work very well together and compliment each other very nicely.

I personally feel these F-150 tow ratings are a bit optimistic, but that is a personal observation & opinion, not based on anything scientific of course.

However, you have to work with what you have available of course, we all do, so you might want to think about making those 3 changes. We suggest doing one thing at a time, so you know exactly what each change did for your vehicle.

Please feel free to give us a call if you like, and we'll be happy to go over this in detail with you, so you can give it some thought.

Best of luck with your truck,

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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

 

Super-Mike:

How much hp does your chip add at 2500 RPM?

How much torque at the same rpm?

Tks,

Jim

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 AW-Disc, 3.73LS, Skid, 7700# HD Towing, Chrome LT-245, Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, keyless, Toreador Red, called "Nick"

 

You might want to think about swaping your gears to 3.73 or 4.10.

 

Y2K 7700 4X4,

I sent you an email in response to your questions & your email.

All the best,

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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