Abysmal acceleration from a standing start...will the chip help?
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 65
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From: Nashville, TN
Abysmal acceleration from a standing start...will the chip help?
My new SuperCrew is a towing machine but accleration from a standing start is terrible! It took me forever to pull away from a Dodge Caravan last night...I thought I was going to have to back off before the two lanes merged into one. If that had happened, I never could have gone through that intersection again!
I realize I've got two and a half tons of inertial mass to get rolling, but this is ridiculous. Push the throttle to the floor and it seems like forever while this machine collects itself and decides what it's gonna do next. I'm not lookin' to spin the tires or anything, but...a Dodge Caravan?
Mike T, will the chip help in this area, or am I doomed to pretend like I don't care who's first through the light?
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JK_TN
2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew
Black/Lariat/5.4/4x4/3.55LS/Towing Pkg.
Pendaliner SR; DTA Ultra-Boards; Quantum ATB Tool Box by Better Built; TAP BrakeMaster Electronic Trailer Brake Control; SolarGard HP 32 tinted window film.
"Often wrong; never in doubt."
I realize I've got two and a half tons of inertial mass to get rolling, but this is ridiculous. Push the throttle to the floor and it seems like forever while this machine collects itself and decides what it's gonna do next. I'm not lookin' to spin the tires or anything, but...a Dodge Caravan?
Mike T, will the chip help in this area, or am I doomed to pretend like I don't care who's first through the light?
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JK_TN
2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew
Black/Lariat/5.4/4x4/3.55LS/Towing Pkg.
Pendaliner SR; DTA Ultra-Boards; Quantum ATB Tool Box by Better Built; TAP BrakeMaster Electronic Trailer Brake Control; SolarGard HP 32 tinted window film.
"Often wrong; never in doubt."
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
You have basically the same truck that I am getting.
The problem is the 3.55 gears coupled with the taller 17" wheel/tire package. You need to change the gearing. 3.73 gears would be just about perfect with this combo, but Ford doesn't offer it (AARGH!).
I'm having my dealer install 4.10 gears in mine before I take delivery. That should solve most of the problem. If I still want more after that, It's back to headers, exhaust, intake, and chip... But the gearing is the big problem...
The problem is the 3.55 gears coupled with the taller 17" wheel/tire package. You need to change the gearing. 3.73 gears would be just about perfect with this combo, but Ford doesn't offer it (AARGH!).
I'm having my dealer install 4.10 gears in mine before I take delivery. That should solve most of the problem. If I still want more after that, It's back to headers, exhaust, intake, and chip... But the gearing is the big problem...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
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From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
That Caravan was probably 30% less than your truck in both weight and HP -- and nowadays, those Caravans are downright peppy!
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Y2K™
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
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Y2K™
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Pa
JK_TN
I haven't encountered many passenger type vehicles that will beat our trucks across an intersection. I assume it's the rear gearing & you have the same as me. They catch up pretty quick though. If your truck is that sluggish, I'd have it checked. Still under warrenty, aren't you? + you got the 5.4 & it outta be quicker than my 4.6.
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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF
I haven't encountered many passenger type vehicles that will beat our trucks across an intersection. I assume it's the rear gearing & you have the same as me. They catch up pretty quick though. If your truck is that sluggish, I'd have it checked. Still under warrenty, aren't you? + you got the 5.4 & it outta be quicker than my 4.6.
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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi JK_TN, (and others)
The problem with this vehicle is it's weight. You have one of the heaviest F-150 configurations available, and it weighs more than 2.5 tons, it's 3 tons, and if you also had the Offroad package, about 6500-6700 lbs. Since you don't list the Offroad package, subtract 500-600 lbs from that.
Going lighter, and saying you're "only" 6000 lbs. with fuel, fluids & driver on board, then you have a power-to-weight ratio of a little over 23 lbs. for each horsepower.
Adding the Superchip will help, as it adds about 10%-12% more peak horsepower, but more importantly, another 46 lbs.ft/ of peak torque. (28 hp 46 lbs./ft. is what the Superchip adds on the 5.4 motor in that body)
Changing gear ratios will certainly help; it won't add any more power to the motor at all, but changing gear ratios will give you more torque multiplication. However, whether it's going to be worth the $1200-$1500 to change gears in front & rear plus whatever it costs to recalibrate your speedometer etc., (which nobody can really do on the 2001's yet) on your 4X4 is another question that only you will be able to answer once you've done it.
If it were me, I would first start out with some simple and inexpensive bolt-ons, and see if that gives you the performance you need. If not, then you can always do the gear ratio changes and then enjoy your mods even more.
The top 3 bang-for-the-buck mods on these vehicles are first, to optimize your powertrain programming with the Superchip, 28 hp 46 lbs./ft. Second, use an airbox elimination kit, either K&N's or Airaid's, they're worth 14 hp on the 5.4, and then last, a good cat-back exhaust system, worth about 12 hp on the 5.4 motor.
You can do these mods in any order you like, we generally suggest the Superchip first simply because it gives the most gain for the money.
If you have the patience, we generally suggest waiting 30 days after each of your mods before you do the next one, just so you will have a good feel for exactly what each mod did for your vehicle in many different driving situations, but this is of course up to you and your patience level.
Please feel free to give us a call if you'd liek to go over allof this in detail, we'll be haoppy to go over all your options and your sitation, to see what will be best for you, we're happy to help.
Best of luck with your truck,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Info:https://www.f150online.com/rally2000/index.html
The problem with this vehicle is it's weight. You have one of the heaviest F-150 configurations available, and it weighs more than 2.5 tons, it's 3 tons, and if you also had the Offroad package, about 6500-6700 lbs. Since you don't list the Offroad package, subtract 500-600 lbs from that.
Going lighter, and saying you're "only" 6000 lbs. with fuel, fluids & driver on board, then you have a power-to-weight ratio of a little over 23 lbs. for each horsepower.
Adding the Superchip will help, as it adds about 10%-12% more peak horsepower, but more importantly, another 46 lbs.ft/ of peak torque. (28 hp 46 lbs./ft. is what the Superchip adds on the 5.4 motor in that body)
Changing gear ratios will certainly help; it won't add any more power to the motor at all, but changing gear ratios will give you more torque multiplication. However, whether it's going to be worth the $1200-$1500 to change gears in front & rear plus whatever it costs to recalibrate your speedometer etc., (which nobody can really do on the 2001's yet) on your 4X4 is another question that only you will be able to answer once you've done it.
If it were me, I would first start out with some simple and inexpensive bolt-ons, and see if that gives you the performance you need. If not, then you can always do the gear ratio changes and then enjoy your mods even more.
The top 3 bang-for-the-buck mods on these vehicles are first, to optimize your powertrain programming with the Superchip, 28 hp 46 lbs./ft. Second, use an airbox elimination kit, either K&N's or Airaid's, they're worth 14 hp on the 5.4, and then last, a good cat-back exhaust system, worth about 12 hp on the 5.4 motor.
You can do these mods in any order you like, we generally suggest the Superchip first simply because it gives the most gain for the money.
If you have the patience, we generally suggest waiting 30 days after each of your mods before you do the next one, just so you will have a good feel for exactly what each mod did for your vehicle in many different driving situations, but this is of course up to you and your patience level.
Please feel free to give us a call if you'd liek to go over allof this in detail, we'll be haoppy to go over all your options and your sitation, to see what will be best for you, we're happy to help.
Best of luck with your truck,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Info:https://www.f150online.com/rally2000/index.html
Certified Goat Breeder
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 19
From: the moral high ground
Gearing change sounds awfully expensive to me.
The fake nose/glasses with the caterpillar eyebrows are only $1.95.
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1999 F-150 Lariat 4x2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55LS
Dark Toreador Red/Gold
VentShades
Tow Pkg
Line-X
The fake nose/glasses with the caterpillar eyebrows are only $1.95.
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1999 F-150 Lariat 4x2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55LS
Dark Toreador Red/Gold
VentShades
Tow Pkg
Line-X
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Raoul, what a great idea! Who nose why eye didn't think of that!
Seriously, though, the gear change is out of the question, now or in the future. The truck does what I bought it for, though I will "chip it" in the near future for the obvious benefits.
Don't know what it is about that particular stretch of road that inflames my passion for WOT...two lanes merging into one and somebody's gotta give. Hell, I'm 58 years old...you'd think I'd get over it. Oh, well.
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JK_TN
2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew
Black/Lariat/5.4/4x4/3.55LS/Towing Pkg.
Pendaliner SR; DTA Ultra-Boards; Quantum ATB Tool Box by Better Built; TAP BrakeMaster Electronic Trailer Brake Control; SolarGard HP 32 tinted window film.
"Often wrong; never in doubt."
Seriously, though, the gear change is out of the question, now or in the future. The truck does what I bought it for, though I will "chip it" in the near future for the obvious benefits.
Don't know what it is about that particular stretch of road that inflames my passion for WOT...two lanes merging into one and somebody's gotta give. Hell, I'm 58 years old...you'd think I'd get over it. Oh, well.
------------------
JK_TN
2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew
Black/Lariat/5.4/4x4/3.55LS/Towing Pkg.
Pendaliner SR; DTA Ultra-Boards; Quantum ATB Tool Box by Better Built; TAP BrakeMaster Electronic Trailer Brake Control; SolarGard HP 32 tinted window film.
"Often wrong; never in doubt."