Just thinking about one of these for my truck. I like being able to run 87 Octane, but I would like a little better MPG and performance. Would this even be worth my time & money?

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--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Silver;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; GSP black Safari Grille Guard; GTS TailBlazerII Slotted taillight covers; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round; Cranked torsion bars; Removed lower striping; Replaced factory ORP decals w/ silver; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm
Pending
2001 Lightning taillights; White/black gauges; Replacing factory gold/maroon Lariat decals & upper stripes with silver & black
Warranty Paint Work
Entire bed possibly being repainted due to primer showing; also painting roof and passenger door due to factory defects; Changing all silver 2-tone to black
Wish list:
More lights; Flowmaster 40 Series SI/DO exhaust; Optima red top battery; Remote starter & Prox. sensor; In-dash TV/CD/DVD/AM/FM head unit; BedRug & Soft Tonneau cover or Roll bar (not sure yet); Aluminum dash kit; Build house w/ huge garage.


Please Visit My Web Site (Updated Daily)

 

Lariat4wd,

I just installed my flip chip in a 99 supercab 4x4. I would definately go for it! If all it did was firm up the transmission, it would be worth it, but you get more hp and torque to boot!!!!!

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MY TRUCK:

99 F-150 4x4, 5.4 Triton, 3.55 gears, Amazon Green-Harvest Gold two-tone.

MY MODIFICATIONS:

Lund bug shield

Window vent visors

17" Chrome ORP wheels

Clarion Pro-Audio in-dash CD

Connex 3300HP CB radio, K-40 antenna

Husky floor liners

Custom dual exhaust w/Flowmster muffler and dual 3" chrome tips

Hidden hitch

K&N Filter

SUPERCHIP FLIP CHIP...installed 2/27/01

Extang tonneu cover

Rancho RSX Shocks

 

If you like to run 87 octane and the factory performance it works fine stock. If you want to pep up your performance on a computer controlled vehicle, it's the number one way to do it HP vs. $$. I didn't do it for mileage (good thing), I only occasionally get 1mpg more.

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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.

 

If you like quick, firm shifts, it's worth the price alone! If you like downshifting without having to mash the pedal into the floor for 5 seconds, it's worth it! If you have to use very dangerous freeway on-ramps (like I do every day), spend the money.

As far as I'm concerned, the extra horsepower is just a bonus on top of all this!

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'00 F150 SC XLT, 4.6L, 4R70W auto, 3.55 axle, Superchip, Chestnut/Gold two-tone, captain's chairs, tonneau cover, CD player, nerf bars, and more to come!

 

I would say get it...the extra power and better shifting can only help!

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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

 

lariat4wd,

I just installed one in my 2000 XLT Supercab 4x4 (5.4L). I can assure you that it is worth the money if better performance and better overall drivability (through improved shifting) is important to you. I cannot say it has improved my gas mileage though and, in fact, that is not the primary goal of the chip -- it is first and foremost a Performance Chip. I have posted some preliminary (and crude) performance results from the install in the following link if you are insterested.

Good luck with your decision. My recommendation: go for it!

https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/001569.html

 

I wouldn't get it for the gas mileage, but it sure makes the truck more fun to drive

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2001 Lariat SC 5.4 4x4 LS ORP Class III 17in wheels Captains seats Oxford White
-Sony ES CDX-M650 Polk EX572a(2 pr.) Dynamats
-Westin nerf bar, ARE Z series cap, Yakima rack, Bedrug
-Superchip
-Air Force 1 FIPK

-PIAA 520 driving lights behind grill
-PIAA 1400 fogs in bumper intakes

 

Ok, so, the verdict..

Firmer shifts - yes
More ***** - yes
More fun - yes
Better MPG - no

I think the chip will win this one. Will have to save up now. Anyone got one for sale for a 2000 5.4L auto, 4x4???

 

Hi lariat4WD,

I tried to respond to you here yesterday, but the site was running so slow that we couldn't, my apologies!

Just so you'll know, the Superchip isn't made "generically" like other chips, it must be programmed to match the exact computer code in your particular truck, so you can't just use one for another 2000 5.4 F-150, the computer code has to match exactly. We don't do any "generic" programming, because that's a poor way to optimize the powertrain program, so we program each Superchip for the exact software revision that was loaded into your vehicle's computer from the factory.

With regards to seeing an improvement in gas mileage, that will depend on how the vehicle is driven & it's load, and then the energy content of the fuel being used. There is the potential for a small improvement, usually when cruising on the highway, and that averages about 1.5-2.0 mpg, all else being equal. It's basically either/or, meaning, if you use the additional power, you won't see better mileage usually, but if you drive it conservatively, then you could see a small improvement.

There is also another option you might want to consider, which is our 2-program Superchip Flip Chip. We can set that up with one program for use with regular gas, and the other would be the normal performance program for premium gas, so you can use regular when you want, and then when you want maximum power, use premium gas and flip the switch over to the premium gas program in the Flip Chip. Keep in mind that when running one the regular gas program, you'll still get the other benefits like better automatic transmission shifting, etc., you just won't have much of a power gain, maybe 3-5 hp or so. Then when you run on the premium gas program, you get the normal power gains from the Superchip, about 10%-12%.

If you'd like to go over this in detail, please feel free to give us a shout, our contact info is just below.

Good luck with your truck,

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

 

Great, tx Mike.

Flip chip sounds like a good idea.

One question..actually 2.

1.) Flip Chip??? - To switch back and forth between normal and performance mode, does the chip need to be physically removed and "flipped" then reset the computer by draining the battery, or can it be done on the fly?

2.) Price - The biggie. How much for one for my truck? How long does it take to get to me? Do you need my VIN for the programming process or what?

#2 was sort of a combo-question...

Thanks all for your help.

And to think, I almost bought a chip from the classifieds for my truck that was used.

[This message has been edited by lariat4wd (edited 03-01-2001).]

 

Hi lariat4wd,

1.) The Flip Chip has a 2-3 foot long lead that exits the Superchip and has a 2-position toggle switch on the other end, so you don't have to do any wiring, and you don't have to remove the chip or anythig, you just flip the switch to change programs, very easy.

2.) For that kind of info, please contact us privately off the message boards here, as the Webmaster has a policy asking us to keep issues that are basically between Vendor & customer in nature off the boards, to keep themk "clean", and thanks for understanding. You can just shoot us a quick email, or give us a call, or you can also click on the link below to our online ordering system, and you can see those numbers there.

3.) Buyed a used Superchip in the Classifieds can be a good bargain sometimes, you just have to make sure that the computer code of that used Superchip matches that of your vehicle exactly, otherwise it won't work, and you'll have to have it reprogrammed for your vehicle.

Have a great weekend,

------------------
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 03-03-2001).]