i have a 98 ext. cab 4.2 liter v6 is it worth the money to buy a chip and what gains should i expect will it noticeable with my 32x10.50s??

thanks,

 

My chip rocks! I say go for it,,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam, sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!

 

The chip is well worth the money for the V6.

------------------
99 F-150 4.2L
True duals W/Magnaflows
Jacobs Ignition
K&N filtercharger
Custom programed chip
throttle body spacer
ported&polished throttle body
ported mass air flow sensor
Black Magic electric fan
Belltech rear sway bar
belltech 3/4 drop
Centerline Scorpion 17x9.5
Nitto 275/50/17 extreme 450

 

Hi macmar07,

You're in the same situation as a lot of other F-150 owners who install considerably larger tires, as it effectively changes your final drive ratio and as a result, the engine is now turning fewer rpms than before, and performance and mileage both suffer as a result. It's now operating below it's torque curve, and on the 4.2 V-6's, which are already weak below 2500 rpm, it really compounds that effect, as the engine is turning fewer rpms, and making less power, but now has considerably more load to deal with, it's kind of a "double-whammy", if you will.

You can usually get away with going up to about a 32" tire height, and make up for the performance hit with the Superchip. Anything over 32" tires you can count on needing to do a gear ratio change to make the driveability tolerable, is what we usually see most of the time, and of course some people are willing to take more trade-off for the larger tires, too, so it all depends on what the individual is looking for specifically in the way of vehicle performance.

So I think the most accurate answer is that yes, the Superchip can help, noticeably so, and many people in your position do just that after installing larger tires. We also need to remember what the Superchip can't do, which is to make up for the fact that you're now turning fewer rpms than how it was configured from the factory, putting the engine below it's basic power band. The Superchip can't change the engine rpms for a given speed, it can only add power. I know that's an obvious statement, but it bears consideration, because while the Superchip will help by adding power, it doesn't change the fact that the engine is now operating below it's inherent power band, so ultimately you will have to decide after installing it if the Superhcip does enough for your particular needs, or if you're going to need other mods in addition, just like anyone else loking to improve their truck's basic performance. In terms of what to expect the Superchip to do for your 4.2 V-6, you're going to pick up roughly about 10%-12% more power.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to go over your situation, what you're using your truck for, what you want to accomplish to satisfy your performance neds, etc.

Good luck!

------------------
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

 

finally, found the right place for my question... i just installed the k&n fipk kit this weekend and loved the difference, now i am looking into the advantages of 'the chip'. i have three questions to add here.

i do not consider myself a gear head (wish i was though). the install of the air kit was a piece of cake, is this job along the same lines(ease)??? i do not now if you guys have seen it or not, but k&n's installation doc's were outstanding (including pictures), are yours the same?

also, would i NEED to run super-fuel to see the benefits of the chip. i do not think it would be worth it to me if i had to fill my truck with super from then on out.

lastly, will my gains be noticably less do to the fact that my truck is a manual 5 speed (no help with shifting changes unless this thing shocks me every time i should change gears). i have the 4.6 v8 and will do mods that increase power, but will not detract from overall gas mileage. (barring my heavy foot at times)

mike, i hope you take a glance at this.
thanks in advance.

------------------
mr k

 

That is too funny Billy,about the chip shocking you for shift improvement I'm
still laughing as I type this........98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam, sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!

 

mike, thanks for the quick response. not to flog a dead horse, but from what i understand from your answer after the chip i would always have to run super. i wish i could still run regular as well and not suffer any ramifications.

i am hesitant to force myself into that situation. i am also currently looked into exhaust alternatives but planned on doing that after the chip.

i think now i will go with the exhaust first
and still ponder the chip at a later time. thanks for your time and explanations.


hey screamer:
i'm gonna put a hole in my t.v. set
i dont wanna grow up
open up the medicine chest
i dont wanna grow up

 

Hi billycouldride,

First, with any performance chip you must use premium gasoline, that is how the majority of the power gain is made, by re-tuning the engine specifically for the use of premium gasoline. If you can keep your foot out of the throttle, you'll see a little bit better gas mileage in most cases just as a by-product of the increased spark advance used on part-throttle, the fuel costs analyses have been done here countless times, and the findings are that for 20,000 miles a year driven or less, your increased fuel costs average about $150-$200 per year with the Superchip, a few bucks a week.

Second, is it worth it? The Superchip is the best bang-for-the-buck power & performance enhancer for these vehicles, hands down. Only you can answer that ultimately, you can see what the others in this thread are saying about theirs. It doesn't matter whether you have a manual or an automatic, you're still going to make the same power gains in the engine, the only difference is you don't see the transitory gains from removing the transitional spark retards during and just after upshifts since you have a manual transmission, that's all. You're going to be able to feel it, there won't be any question in your mind after installing the Superchip.

The bottom line is that the Superchip is the single best bang-for-the-buck performance improver you can add to that vehicle. Your airbox elimination kit is #2 (good choice!), and a good cat-back exhaust is # 3, just to give you an idea.

Installation of the Superchip is easy, and very complete documentation comes with it, written specifically to take a first-time installer thru this with no surprises. It's easy enough that over 98% of our customers install it themselves.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, please feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help.

Best of luck whatever you decide,

------------------
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

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 01-08-2001).]

 

mike, thanks for the info (here and on the phone). for those who may be interested, this chip is slightly more money but is installed with a switch that could be mounted somewhere convienent. a two position toggle switch would let you choose between settings for regular or super gas.

sounds good, now i just have to decide what to do first, this or the exhaust.

again thanks.

 

Hi billycould ride,

Sure, you have to do whatever makes you feel most comfortable, certainly!

One option you might want to consider is the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip, as we can set that up with any 2 programs, and a number of F-150 owners have had us set them up with a program in Position 1 for regular gas, along with all our normal mods, and then in Position 2, the full performance program for premium gas, that way you can have it both ways. It's a bit more expensive of course, but that is a way that a number of F-150 owners have gone so they could burn whatever gas they want to, and then have max power when they need it for towing, or what have you.

Best of luck whatever you decide,

------------------
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

 

hey Boonton NJ!! go to Johnnies? don't tell me you go there often.. I'll start cracking up here


I live in Parsippany and go there often, that's why hahaha

------------------
Green and Brown
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L 4X4
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)

MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust

What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover, Tinted Rear Window
TBS, Jacobs ignition system

 

Hi billycouldride,

Thanks for calling, I enjoyed speaking with you on the phone.

With regards to what order you do those mods in (intake, exhaust, chip), it doesn't matter, so just do whatever makes you smile the most first. Many people want to hear that V-8 throbbing thru a free-flowing first.

Have fun,

------------------
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