Hello All,

What is the difference between a chip and a programmer, aside from their physical differences?

I know that a programmer can be used to change the computers program for specific results and it can be taken back to stock wuickly.

Which is better the programmer or the chip?

A friend of mine has a programmer for his 2000 Chevy Silverado and he swears by it. I'm trying to decide which is best for my 2001 5.4 Supercrew.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Wing

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2001 Bright Red Supercrew
4X4
5.4 V8

Mods:
BFGoodrich TA KO 285/75/16
Airforce One intake kit
Ravin 55 (Planned)
Rhino Liner (Planned)
Husky liners

Go Buckeyes!

 

Hi Wingnut,

There is no programmer available for the 2001 Fords, so you're only choice is the chip.

If you'd like to go over the details, feel free to give us a shout & we'll be happy to go over all the info with you, so you can give it some thought.

Congratulations on your new truck, by the way!

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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 Event Organizer

 

The Programmer for the GM computers hooks up and allows changes to be made and also retains the stock program.

Ford's computers do not operate that way.
Plug in the Superchip for a new program. If you want the stock program pull the chip and reset the computer.
Probably best. Can you imagine how many of us could mess up the timing and or fuel delivery if we could play with the program without understanding all of it.

Order a Superchip and be happy.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

Hi T. Ellenberger,

Good to see you back around again!

GM made that change to its computers for all of them by the 1996 model year, though as early as 1994 they had already gone to flash-style computers in the Corvettes & F-bodies.

And of course, we do offer the Micro Tuner 2001, which is our hand-held programmer for those 1996 & up GM applications.

Work is also being done on the Superchips Micro Tuner hand-held programmer for the Fords as well, but because it's quite naturally a more expensive device, it won't be released for some time yet. As long as Ford still has the connector on the back of their computer as they always have had, it will always be considerably cheaper to do a "module" type of device for it. Time will tell what they do in the future of course.

I hope all is going well for you, T!

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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 Event Organizer

 

Howdy Mike

I saw a Superchips rep on Crank & Chrome do a programming of a Superchip for a 2000 Mustang and then he used the programmer to install a new program in a Chevy pickup.

Very interesting.



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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

Hi T.,

Yes, that was Steve Madole, the Chief Engineer for Superchips Inc. I saw that show too, and though that Crank & Chrome could have done a better job of putting that segment together, but that was the very first episode of that new show, though it was shown after a later episode had previously aired in most markets I think, so I guess they're still getting a feel for their format or whatever.

A *lot* of people watch those weekend automotive shows on TNN, myself included. My absolute favorite is Sam & Dave's Shadetree Mechanic, they have the best expertise & thoroughness of any show like that I've seen. I like Horsepower TV, but I wish they were more accurate in some of what they talk about sometimes. They did a show recently where they said that a change in tire height of 1 inch was equivalent to a 0.1 difference in gear ratio (IE, changing a 3.30 to a 3.40), which was dead-wrong. But they do a lot of good work there too, like their long-term projects, they show some really nice expertise & experience on, so I continue to watch them if I have the time.

Uh-oh, we're watching TNN, does that make us "rednecks"?

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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 Event Organizer

 

Shade Tree Mechanic and Crank & Chrome are the same guys. Crank & Chrome is supposed to be the more high tech, high performance end of working on vehicles. Both shows, Horsepower TV and Trucks are a good way to get some good information withoug getting your hands dirty.



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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

Hi T.,

Yeah, I'm aware that Sam & Dave are doing Crank & Chrome, but it sure isn't up to a par yet with their first show. I'm hoping it will mature & develop to be just that, something that gets more into the technology of late-model vehicles. I have to confes that I don't watch every episode, I suppose just because that first show put me off so much compared to what it really should have been, but I also freely admit I'm being a bit harsh. They spoiled me with Shadetree Mechanic. No matter what project they do there, whether it's rebuilding Dave's dad's lawn mower, or doing their more normal things, they are very thorough, and highly qualified & experienced, and it's always nice to see people who know what they're doing do things professionally, thoroughly, and in a manner that everyone else watching can understand appreciate and learn from.

I hope Crank & Chrome lives up to what it's vision is supposed to be, if Sam & Dave do their normal excellent job, hopefully that show will come along quickly.

I also agree that Horsepwoer TV and Trucks or whatever that other show is *are* excellent ways to learn a lot without getting your hands dirty, my only gripe is some of their info isn't the most accurate, but they sure do a great job of hands-on work in a number of serious projects. Chopping the top on the vehicle they're doing now was an *excellent* example of what they can do well.

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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 Event Organizer