Down side to chips
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 189
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From: Eugene, OR, USA
Down side to chips
I'm thinking about getting a super chip, and I'm just wondering what the downside is? I know that you have to use premium unless you get a flip chip, but other than that what is there? It seems to good to be true, and you know what that means. I would think that Ford would just use the program in their vehicles if it does everything that is advertised. So what's the real deal?
Jason
Jason
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 3
From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Ford uses the lame program for the average buyer,the type that have never floored a vehicle in there lives,lol. This makes them shift and accelerate as smoothly as they possibly can....As long as I've had one,I've had no trouble with it,other than the occasional ping when I don't have my pick of decent fuels.
Using the higher priced gas is the only real drawback I've noticed,and everytime I hit the pedal I forget all about the price difference
,,,,98
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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!!!
Had to take the picture out,it was way too out of date
,,,,98
Using the higher priced gas is the only real drawback I've noticed,and everytime I hit the pedal I forget all about the price difference
,,,,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!!!
Had to take the picture out,it was way too out of date
,,,,98
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Georgia
I'm with 98SCREAMER..the benefits greatly outweigh the extra $4-5 per tank to run Premium. I really have not found anything negative about the Superchip yet.
I am assuming FORD does not max out the performance because most people do not want the extra cost to run Premium fuel...as it does add up quick. Ford put the top end limiter in there for a reason..and softened the shifts to satisfy a larger buying market. The "stock" configuration is more than adequate..but some of us want a bit more out of our trucks.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000
I am assuming FORD does not max out the performance because most people do not want the extra cost to run Premium fuel...as it does add up quick. Ford put the top end limiter in there for a reason..and softened the shifts to satisfy a larger buying market. The "stock" configuration is more than adequate..but some of us want a bit more out of our trucks.
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 0
There is no downside; with computer controlled vehicles, tuning the computer is the way to go. It's very cheap HP per $$. For premium performance, running premium gas is not a problem for me.
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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.
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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.
Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw, Tx
i mentioned this in another topic but i am going to mention it again here. The use of premium fuel is not a downside at all for me. although i havent got my chip yet (been ordered, jsut not here yet) i have something to say about the fuel. In my truck i get better fuel mileage using the premium stuff than the cheap stuff. It obviously costs me more while i am standing at the pump but over a 1000 mile period i save one dollar. big deal but hey its a dollar. I actually spend less for the premium because i get an extra mile or two out of a gallon. Just something to think about, maybe your truck is the same way.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, VA USA
I thought the same thing before I bought mine. The superchip(as far as I can tell) is optimized to take advantage of premium gas, and cleans up the shift points on your transmission. It's a pretty straightforward but very effective improvement.
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2001 Lariat SC 5.4 4x4 LS ORP Class III 17in wheels Captains seats
Sony ES CDX-M650 Polk EX572a(2 pr.) Dynamats
Westin nerf bar, ARE Z series cap, Yakima rack, Bedrug
Superchip
PIAA 520 driving lights behind grill
PIAA 1400 fogs in bumper intakes
Air Force 1 on the way!
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2001 Lariat SC 5.4 4x4 LS ORP Class III 17in wheels Captains seats
Sony ES CDX-M650 Polk EX572a(2 pr.) Dynamats
Westin nerf bar, ARE Z series cap, Yakima rack, Bedrug
Superchip
PIAA 520 driving lights behind grill
PIAA 1400 fogs in bumper intakes
Air Force 1 on the way!
The only downside that i know of is what I like to call cronic cinder block syndrome, or in other words having a very heavy right foot. This problem causes excessive tickets and races. Although that is the effect on me.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,444
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From: DFW, Texas
A lot of posts saying the same thing so what do you think?
Ford tunes it for the majority of the audience that is the vehicles intended buyer.
Why do you think Mercedes and other high end auto's require premium? Their buyers expect premium performance and are generally responsible enough to run the appropriate fuel. I know, I'm one of them. Ok, my wife drives them, I won't let her drive my Expy...
Oh wait, there is a down side. Once you do it, you'll find excuses to do one more thing, then another and another....soon you'll be pricing Blowers....
Chip it man!!!
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<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/Expy.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2</A>
[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 02-11-2001).]
Ford tunes it for the majority of the audience that is the vehicles intended buyer.
Why do you think Mercedes and other high end auto's require premium? Their buyers expect premium performance and are generally responsible enough to run the appropriate fuel. I know, I'm one of them. Ok, my wife drives them, I won't let her drive my Expy...
Oh wait, there is a down side. Once you do it, you'll find excuses to do one more thing, then another and another....soon you'll be pricing Blowers....
Chip it man!!!
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<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/Expy.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2</A>
- Estate Green
- 5.4 ltr
- 3:55 LS rear
- Superchip!<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/Airaidfr.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
- Airaid FIPK</A><A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/GibExitFr1.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
- Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust</A>
- Tow Package
- Rear Load Leveling
- Moonroof<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/CenturyChildSeat.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
- Century Child Seat!</A>
[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 02-11-2001).]
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Washington,GA,USA
I agree with everyone the Supership is awesome you can not believe the difference it makes in throttle response and overall performance, not just WOT but throughout the whole power band! Get the chip you will not regret it! But like FamilyRide said it is an addiction, once you get the chip you need the catback once you get that you need the FIPK and then Pulleys and Ignition Upgrades and then a Blower!! Well get the Superchip and get ready for more mods!!
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98 STX
4.2 V6 5SPD
3:55 Gears
Black Clearcoat
Mods(So Far)
Superchip
K&N Filter
BugflectorII
Window Ventshades
Pendaliner
Pioneer 12 Disk Changer W/Wireless Remote
Things I Want
FIPK (Airaid,K&N)
Gibson Side Swept Catback
Ignition Upgrade(MSD,Jacobs)
Underdriven Pulleys
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98 STX
4.2 V6 5SPD
3:55 Gears
Black Clearcoat
Mods(So Far)
Superchip
K&N Filter
BugflectorII
Window Ventshades
Pendaliner
Pioneer 12 Disk Changer W/Wireless Remote
Things I Want
FIPK (Airaid,K&N)
Gibson Side Swept Catback
Ignition Upgrade(MSD,Jacobs)
Underdriven Pulleys
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 189
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From: Eugene, OR, USA
Thanks for the reply's everyone.
Mike, I have a question for you. I will be using my truck mainly for towing. That's it. I'm not interested in making it feel more "sporty". In my opinion that is a waste of time, there is no way to make a 5000# truck handle well. I have sports cars for that. It comes down to the analogy of using the right tule for the right job. So here is my question. How is the transmission going to respond under load when pulling a boat up hill? I don't want it to be too abrubt. As long as it isn't overly jerky I think it would be fine. I am very interested in the power gains (for obvious reasons) but as long as they aren't a downside for my particular application. In your opinion, how "crisp" are the shifts with the upgraded code? Thanks for all the help, it shows how great your product is.
Jason
Mike, I have a question for you. I will be using my truck mainly for towing. That's it. I'm not interested in making it feel more "sporty". In my opinion that is a waste of time, there is no way to make a 5000# truck handle well. I have sports cars for that. It comes down to the analogy of using the right tule for the right job. So here is my question. How is the transmission going to respond under load when pulling a boat up hill? I don't want it to be too abrubt. As long as it isn't overly jerky I think it would be fine. I am very interested in the power gains (for obvious reasons) but as long as they aren't a downside for my particular application. In your opinion, how "crisp" are the shifts with the upgraded code? Thanks for all the help, it shows how great your product is.
Jason
Suspended For Violation of Vendor Rules
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,377
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From: Humble, Texas
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by skicrave:
there is no way to make a 5000# truck handle well</font>
there is no way to make a 5000# truck handle well</font>
Evidently you've NEVER driven a Lightning then have you???
They handle identical to a mustang STOCK!!!
Go drive a Lightning before you make remarks like that!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR, USA
Tallywacker- Thanks for the input. I wasn't really comparing the truck to a Mustang as Mustangs don't really have the handling prowess that a high end sports car has. Although I'm sure that SVT did an amazing job of tuning the suspension on the L, there is just no way to get around the laws of physics. A truck has a lot more interia than a car, and the weight distribution even at 57/43 is less than ideal.
Jason
Jason
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi skicrave,
You can see the obvious responses here, basically no downside per se, just use the required premium gas.
To answer your question directly, why doesn't Ford do this from the factory, it's simple. These vehicles are sold in great numbers to fleets, construction companies, deliveries, etc., and Ford will not tune them to require premium gas from the factory, as that would reduce sales of these vehiclse. And in the case of the F-150, we're talking about the world's biggest selling vehicle for the past 17-18 years now, building 750,000 of them every year, numbers are everything. Tuning them for premium gas would make them unattractive to many types of buyers. That explains the engine tuning from the factory, but not the automatic transmission calibrations....
Ford uses, as do virtually all automakers these days, what they refer to as a "soft-shift" strategy, and this is done to accommodate their idea of what the female buyer wants, as women buy over half of all new vehicles sold in this country. So they do things like use shift delays to elongate & soften upshifts, reduce engine power during and after upshifts and downshifts, reduced line pressure and other things, all of which combine to give a very smooth but rather unsatisfying shift characteristic that leaves the powertrain much less responsive than it can be.
What we do with the Superchip's tuning is to give the vehicle a more sporting calibration, and return the vehicle's powertrain to a character having more power and improved driveability with noticeably better response. The powertrain feels more directly connected to your right foot. Think of it as simply a software upgrade, as that is basically what it is.
The bottom line is that there is significant room for improvement in these areas due to the compromises that the automaker makes to sell them in the numbers they do. Thankfully for those of us "enthusiasts", for lack of a better term, we have a rather simple solution for those who want more power and a more responsive powertrain, without top speed limiters, etc. Once again, it's the aftermarket giving an answer to those who prefer something other than the bsic package as it comes from the factory. So the automakers can do what they feel they need to do, and we the owners of each individual vehicle can configure them to better suit our wants, needs & purposes.
------------------
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
You can see the obvious responses here, basically no downside per se, just use the required premium gas.
To answer your question directly, why doesn't Ford do this from the factory, it's simple. These vehicles are sold in great numbers to fleets, construction companies, deliveries, etc., and Ford will not tune them to require premium gas from the factory, as that would reduce sales of these vehiclse. And in the case of the F-150, we're talking about the world's biggest selling vehicle for the past 17-18 years now, building 750,000 of them every year, numbers are everything. Tuning them for premium gas would make them unattractive to many types of buyers. That explains the engine tuning from the factory, but not the automatic transmission calibrations....
Ford uses, as do virtually all automakers these days, what they refer to as a "soft-shift" strategy, and this is done to accommodate their idea of what the female buyer wants, as women buy over half of all new vehicles sold in this country. So they do things like use shift delays to elongate & soften upshifts, reduce engine power during and after upshifts and downshifts, reduced line pressure and other things, all of which combine to give a very smooth but rather unsatisfying shift characteristic that leaves the powertrain much less responsive than it can be.
What we do with the Superchip's tuning is to give the vehicle a more sporting calibration, and return the vehicle's powertrain to a character having more power and improved driveability with noticeably better response. The powertrain feels more directly connected to your right foot. Think of it as simply a software upgrade, as that is basically what it is.
The bottom line is that there is significant room for improvement in these areas due to the compromises that the automaker makes to sell them in the numbers they do. Thankfully for those of us "enthusiasts", for lack of a better term, we have a rather simple solution for those who want more power and a more responsive powertrain, without top speed limiters, etc. Once again, it's the aftermarket giving an answer to those who prefer something other than the bsic package as it comes from the factory. So the automakers can do what they feel they need to do, and we the owners of each individual vehicle can configure them to better suit our wants, needs & purposes.
------------------
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
Suspended For Violation of Vendor Rules
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 0
From: Humble, Texas
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by skicrave:
Tallywacker- Thanks for the input. I wasn't really comparing the truck to a Mustang as Mustangs don't really have the handling prowess that a high end sports car has. Although I'm sure that SVT did an amazing job of tuning the suspension on the L, there is just no way to get around the laws of physics. A truck has a lot more interia than a car, and the weight distribution even at 57/43 is less than ideal.
Jason</font>
Tallywacker- Thanks for the input. I wasn't really comparing the truck to a Mustang as Mustangs don't really have the handling prowess that a high end sports car has. Although I'm sure that SVT did an amazing job of tuning the suspension on the L, there is just no way to get around the laws of physics. A truck has a lot more interia than a car, and the weight distribution even at 57/43 is less than ideal.
Jason</font>
Have you ever driven a 99' or up Lightning????!!!