What chip to get???
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Rangerboy,
The Superchip will get you the most power gain for your vehicle, and it's the only one that adds power *all* the time at any throttle position, the rest only add power when you are at WOT (wide-open throttle).
The top 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods for these vehicles, and most computer-controlled vehicles in general are:
1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip. On the 4.6 motor the maximum power gain from the Superchip is 26 horsepower and 40 lbs./ft. of torque. It will also remove the top speed limiter and firm up the automatic transmission shift characteristics. For more details, etc. about the Superchip for your vehicle, just contact us at our number listed below or shoot an email to us.
2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using one of the airbox elimination kits such as the K&N FIPK kit, the Airaid brand, or even the newer Air Force One kit. These kits will add about 12 horsepower on the 4.6 motor, and they are available here in the F-150 Online Store, which you can access just by clicking on the link on the left side of your screen here that says "Online Store".
3.) Reduce restriction on the exhaust side, using an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system. They generally add about 10-12 horsepower on the 4.6 F-150, and they too are available in the F-150 Online Store.
These 3 mods work very well together, and you can do them in any order you like, I've just listed them in the order of biggest power gain per dollar spent. Doing all 3 will get you a very nice and noticeable improvement in performance and driveability all the time, and you might even pick up a little bit better gas mileage in the proces, if you can keep your foot out of the throttle, that is.
If you'd like to go over any of this in greater detail, feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help, our number is just below.
------------------
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 Superchip will get you the most power gain for your vehicle, and it's the only one that adds power *all* the time at any throttle position, the rest only add power when you are at WOT (wide-open throttle).
The top 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods for these vehicles, and most computer-controlled vehicles in general are:
1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip. On the 4.6 motor the maximum power gain from the Superchip is 26 horsepower and 40 lbs./ft. of torque. It will also remove the top speed limiter and firm up the automatic transmission shift characteristics. For more details, etc. about the Superchip for your vehicle, just contact us at our number listed below or shoot an email to us.
2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using one of the airbox elimination kits such as the K&N FIPK kit, the Airaid brand, or even the newer Air Force One kit. These kits will add about 12 horsepower on the 4.6 motor, and they are available here in the F-150 Online Store, which you can access just by clicking on the link on the left side of your screen here that says "Online Store".
3.) Reduce restriction on the exhaust side, using an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system. They generally add about 10-12 horsepower on the 4.6 F-150, and they too are available in the F-150 Online Store.
These 3 mods work very well together, and you can do them in any order you like, I've just listed them in the order of biggest power gain per dollar spent. Doing all 3 will get you a very nice and noticeable improvement in performance and driveability all the time, and you might even pick up a little bit better gas mileage in the proces, if you can keep your foot out of the throttle, that is.
If you'd like to go over any of this in greater detail, feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help, our number is just below.
------------------
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
Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Rangerboy,
I have a 99 5.4L that I dyno test (eddy current) before and after every modification. Although I did not purchase my Superchip from Mike, I got no Hp or torque gains at any rpm between 2600 and 4800. I don't know why Mike's CD for programming the chips would be any different. I do believe that older chips work. Maybe some newer calibrations work ok. But donot expect to gain 26Hp/40ft#. I also Superchipped a 93 Mark8. It did gain 6-8 wheel Hp (26Hp crank claimed). I sent the truck chip back. Don't expect much from the cat back either, other than a better sound.
The list that follows is wheel Hp gains from memory. None ever lost torque at any rpm. In reverse chronological order:
Superchip NO GAINS $220
ASP Pulleys 5-7 HP $170
93 octane 6-8Hp
Gibson sweptside 3Hp $369 SS
K&N filter 4Hp $40
Silencer replaced
into fenderwell 1.5Hp $9
ported throttle body ?? $3
The 93 octane was the biggest surprise. My stock '99 computer learned to adjust the timing for the premium fuel-no chip needed. I drove the truck for 10 days with premium before testing.
Now I called Ken at Superchips with this information and his response was useless - "We can bump up the timing more if you don't have detonation to get a few Hp" and "We can raise the part throttle shift points on the Mark8" which were not changed at all. Just send us $250 for the custom programming. What a bad joke. He was not interested in seeing my dyno runs, even though he conceded that my runs were probably made more meticulously those at Superchips.
So a chip is a gamble, especially on newer vehicles. The chip did give a better shift feel. If you decide to get one, go through Mike. From everything I've read, his service is excellent and he is very knowledgeable. He will certainly try to get you a good program. He does hold back a little on exactly how Superchips programs. For example, what exactly is the chip doing to change shift feel, ignition timing and/or pressure affected? Are fuel trims actually changed or is just timing advanced due to premium fuel? My stock computer already does that. He will not guarantee anything close to the gains Superchips posts, I've asked.
As far as other chips. JET is junk from what I've read. Hypertech doesn't make one for a 99 - they specialize in GM anyway. I'm going to try the Diablosport for $199. Supposedly, this company is made of former Superchip employees. So I may be tearing them up next month, or maybe not. If you just want firmer shifts, B&M makes a chip that can be turned on or off anytime for $42. I don't know how firm the shifts are with the B&M. Anybody tried one?
As far as a chip for 4.10 gears, I don't think one is needed on 99 and newer. I believe the Ford NGS scan tool can reprogram the GEM (body) module to correct the speedometer. I'll soon find out if I'm wrong or if there is any complications, like hitting the rev limiter during shifts.
I have a 99 5.4L that I dyno test (eddy current) before and after every modification. Although I did not purchase my Superchip from Mike, I got no Hp or torque gains at any rpm between 2600 and 4800. I don't know why Mike's CD for programming the chips would be any different. I do believe that older chips work. Maybe some newer calibrations work ok. But donot expect to gain 26Hp/40ft#. I also Superchipped a 93 Mark8. It did gain 6-8 wheel Hp (26Hp crank claimed). I sent the truck chip back. Don't expect much from the cat back either, other than a better sound.
The list that follows is wheel Hp gains from memory. None ever lost torque at any rpm. In reverse chronological order:
Superchip NO GAINS $220
ASP Pulleys 5-7 HP $170
93 octane 6-8Hp
Gibson sweptside 3Hp $369 SS
K&N filter 4Hp $40
Silencer replaced
into fenderwell 1.5Hp $9
ported throttle body ?? $3
The 93 octane was the biggest surprise. My stock '99 computer learned to adjust the timing for the premium fuel-no chip needed. I drove the truck for 10 days with premium before testing.
Now I called Ken at Superchips with this information and his response was useless - "We can bump up the timing more if you don't have detonation to get a few Hp" and "We can raise the part throttle shift points on the Mark8" which were not changed at all. Just send us $250 for the custom programming. What a bad joke. He was not interested in seeing my dyno runs, even though he conceded that my runs were probably made more meticulously those at Superchips.
So a chip is a gamble, especially on newer vehicles. The chip did give a better shift feel. If you decide to get one, go through Mike. From everything I've read, his service is excellent and he is very knowledgeable. He will certainly try to get you a good program. He does hold back a little on exactly how Superchips programs. For example, what exactly is the chip doing to change shift feel, ignition timing and/or pressure affected? Are fuel trims actually changed or is just timing advanced due to premium fuel? My stock computer already does that. He will not guarantee anything close to the gains Superchips posts, I've asked.
As far as other chips. JET is junk from what I've read. Hypertech doesn't make one for a 99 - they specialize in GM anyway. I'm going to try the Diablosport for $199. Supposedly, this company is made of former Superchip employees. So I may be tearing them up next month, or maybe not. If you just want firmer shifts, B&M makes a chip that can be turned on or off anytime for $42. I don't know how firm the shifts are with the B&M. Anybody tried one?
As far as a chip for 4.10 gears, I don't think one is needed on 99 and newer. I believe the Ford NGS scan tool can reprogram the GEM (body) module to correct the speedometer. I'll soon find out if I'm wrong or if there is any complications, like hitting the rev limiter during shifts.