I have a '97 F-150 4x4 w/ the 4.6. I have a few questions concerning a chip for it. Can I use the chip in conjunction w/ a shift improver kit? Would it be a conflict since the chip imroves the shifting as well?? I love my truck dearly except for the lazy shifting tranny. If I were to get a chip, can it be modified later if I wanted to install a supercharger?Thanks..

 

Thanks Mike!! Those two questions were keeping me from committing to a Superchip. Now I'm sold. I'll be getting in touch in the near future. You're the bomb Mike. Who cares what those negative jerks think.Now if I could just decide what kinda lift kit to put in it.......zzzzzzzzzz :-0

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Hi Sweeteffie,

What we generally recommend is to use the Superchip for at least a month before deciding to also install a shift kit. Yes, they can co-exist, no problem, but most people are very well satisfied by what the Superchip itself does to the shift characteristics, as it's much more thorough from many aspects compared to what a shift kit does.

Shift kits are for when you need to increase the transmissions physical ability to generate more line pressure, that is their primary purpose and function. They do that very well indeed.

The transmissions in these vehicles are already capable of producing enough line pressure to give a nice positive upshift with no apparent slippage like the factory shift gives, they simply need to be programmed properly, which is where the Superchip comes in.

What the Superchip does, in addition to raising line pressure, is removing the shift delay signals used to elongate and soften the upshifts, which is part of Ford's (and other automakers) soft-shift strategy. Then it also removes the transitional spark retard used during and just after the upshift, so the vehicle doesn't "nose over" when accelerating hard on the upshift, particularly going into 2nd gear. It removes the downshift delays too.

The results of those changes in the transmissions programming give a much more satisfying shift characteristic and powertrain response in just about any situation, so most people do not go on to install a shift kit.

However, for those that do, it works very well with the Superchip. What we usually suggest for those installing the shift kit with the Superchip is to use a kit that has multiples levels of firmness, or line pressure, and at first install it on the lightest setting. If you still want more line pressure after that, you can always go back in and open things up more, but if you go too far the first time, you can't go back in and reduce the line pressure it up nearly so easily. Just give it a month or so after installing the Superchip before you decide to do the shift kit too, so you have a good feel for just how it shifts in every situation you normally run into over time, is our suggestion.

Now with regards to the question of can you have the program in the Superchip changed to accommodate the installation of a supercharger (or other major mechanical modification) at a later date? Yes, you certainly can, we do that all the time, the Superchip is a flash module design, so it can always be updated for future modifications to the vehicle.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, please feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email, we're always happy to help, our contact info is just below.

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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

 

Hi Sweeteffie,

Thanks, that's very kind of you.

With regards to your lift kit, you might want to check in the suspensions section of these message boards and post your question there, and you could also touch base with Roger Lemere, who runs the F-150 Online Store, I know Roger has done a lot of lowering, etc. on his personal show trucks (F-150 & an Expedition, both very serious $$$), but he might also be able to give you some input on methods of raising and the various merits of different methods, etc., I don't know for sure, but it would be worth a phone call perhaps. Roger's Lemree Enterprises is at 916-361-2510, out in California, I don't know what his Holiday schedule is.

Good luck!

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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