About 3 weeks a go I purchased a Jett performance chip for my '97 4.6L. When it arrived, I installed it the same day. I ended up returning it and getting a Superchip from performanceford.com. This is how the two matched up. The first difference you'll notice is when you order the chip. All Jett needs is the year, engine size, and transmission type. Superchip goes a step further and requests your computer code number. That's the first hmmmmmm. The next thing you notice is the instructions for the chips. The Jett instructions are one very small page in a generic book and say pop off black cover on back of computer, clean off terminals, install module, secure with type (aside from the obligitory disconnect your ground and your computer is here). That is not at all an exaggeration of those instructions. The Superchip instructions have large black and white pictures of nearly every step, they tell you to actually remove the computer and undo the casing so you can clean the terminals thoroughly, and they even supply with a sponge/brillo to clean them with. They really stressed the importance of cleaning the terminals. The Jett instructions said nothing about removing the computer; I tried installing the chip, per the instructions, w/o removing the computer and had to call customer service who then told me about taking out the computer out cleaning the terminals really good. Why can't they put that in the instructions!? Then comes the performance; it wasn't even remotely close. All I noticed w/ the Jett chip is the shift points were about 200-300 rpm higher, if that. The governor was still on and I felt no increase in power and the trans. still shifted too soft. When I installed the Superchip, I noticed additional power right away. And when I stomped the gas, I saw it down shift much, much firmer and take the rpms up a good bit. Also, there is no more governor. The Superchip is well worth the money. And, cosidering the additional fact that they are the same price, I hope no one gets stuck with the Jett chip.

 

I too had tried the jet chip prior to reading this site and knowing about the superchip. I like the superchip much better also. Good luck

------------------
1999 F-150 Lariat SC 2 WD, White/Silver, 5.4L, 3.55LS, K & N FIPK, Superchip, underdrive pulley set, Flowmaster dual chamber one in and duels out, six disc CD changer, towing package and captain chairs

 

Thanks, elmo!

I've been reading all the posts trying to tell the difference between the sales bs and the true story about the Superchip. Since I'm still trying to decide, your post helped. Has anyone compared HyperTech and SuperChip? I had a HyperTech on my 97 GMC Yukon, and loved it.

------------------
2001 S/Crew, Roush Stage 1 package (3" drop, 295x45x18 Comp/TA ZR on 9.5" chrome, Roush leather seats, and front airdam.)

 

Hi gmeater,

Just to give you an idea of some of the operational differences between the Superchip and Jet & Hypertech............

1.) Both Jet and Hypertech change engine tuning only on full-throttle. The Superchip tunes the engine and adds power all the time, at any throttle position, improving not only all-out full- throttle power, but also improved towing ability, etc., thanks to the increase torque on part-throttle.

2.) Jet & Hypertech make only one program that is compromised to run on all similar vehicles, I.E., one program for all GM 2000 5.3 automatics for example. The Superchip is programmed for the exact software revision that was loaded into each individual vehicle's computer from the factory, so where Jet & Hypertech have one program, we'll have 75 for example, a different one for each different factory program in these vehicles. This is critically important, as there are anywhere from 50-80 and even more different factory programs for these F-150's each model year alone, with different functions in different locations, so in order to properly optimize powertrain programming, you have to program for the unique aspects of each different factory program, which we do. This is true of GM's as well, where the exact same identical vehicle can have dozens of different factory programs each model year. What the Superchip does is referred to as "code-specific" programming. What Jet, Hypertech, and most of the rest do is referred to as "generic" programming.


Just to give you a very brief bit of background, Superchips is the company that invented this entire industry (aftermarket performance programming), and Superchips is the only company of it's kind to be hired directly by the automakers, giving them unique knowledge and experience that many other firms don't have.

The reason that other chipmakers don't tune on part-throttle like we do is because of the expense; the way the emissions laws are structured, there aren't any emissions standards that have to be met during WOT (wide-open throttle) operation. So if a chipmaker only tunes at WOT, or a particular aftermarket part only functions at WOT, they are spared the expense of independant emissions testing & certification, etc., and that drastically cuts R&D costs. Unfortunately, in the case of aftermarket powertrain programming, it also yields an incomplete optimization of the powertrain's program. Superchips primary concern is driveability, and part-throttle tuning is a real art & science to them. The automakers generally leave more room for improvement on part-throttle than they do on full-throttle, making it even more important to tune at all throttle positions, as Superchips does, for real improvements in overall driveability in addition to power.

This isn't to say that there aren't happy Jet or happy Hypertech customers, there are plenty, I'm sure, and as long as they're happy, we're happy for them! But when you get a chance to talk to someone who has used both the Superchip and either the Jet or the Hypertech on the same vehicle, they virtually always prefer the Superchip.

I know you're trying to wade thru the "sales bs" etc., I just thought I'd give you a little practical information on the operational differences between "them and us", so to speak. I hope this is helpful to you in some small way.

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

 

I have 2 JET chips for a 97 f150 auto that are for sale cheap. Yeh, I thought the first one wasn't working & got another. then I found this forum & have had a superchip in the truck since. That's almost $500 worth of jet chips for $20.

------------------
97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF