Mike: Every vehicle I've had since '95 has been a Ford with a superchip. I am sold on them. I was wondering if there is a program, or if one could be burned that would shift WOT at about 4800 instead of 5200. The reason I say this, I think I would actually floor it more and feel comfortable with the smooth acceleration and not have that slight twinge that I'm over-reving the engine. I'm not so sure that shifting at 4800 would cost me much speed either.
What say?
Winder
2001 F-150, Ex cab Flareside
3.55 LS, 5.4L, Mod. air, Gibson SS exhaust, oh and of coase a superchip.

[This message has been edited by Winder (edited 03-09-2001).]

 

Hi Winder,

Sure, we can lower the WOT (wide-open throttle) upshift point, but if we do, your full-throttle acceleration won't be as quick. The WOT upshifts are set for maximum acceleration, and hitting 5200, 5300, 5400 rpm etc. is not going to harm that motor, you're still protected by the rev limiter, and those kinds of rpms are not anywhere beyond the design limitations of that engine. We have 5.4 customers spinning them to well over 6000 rpm in modified form, with no parts breakage to date. That being said, we generally don't want them to turn much over 5400-5500 rpm stock, just because of the camshaft profiles, as peak power occurs at about 4900-5000 rpm, so taking them much beyond 5400-5500 isn't necessary for best acceleration, unless you've got ported heads, etc.

The lighter V-8 automatics have a 5250 rpm WOT upshift point from the factory, and those are generally bumped up to 5400 rpm for quickest acceleration with a K&N air filter and/or exhaust mods. There are a few of these F-150's, the very heaviest models, that will have a 5000 rpm WOT upshift point from the factory, and in those, they're bumped to just 5250 rpm, again, what it takes for quickest acceleration.

Another point is, these tachs aren't generally very accurate, we've seen them indicate low and high, and everything in between, including some that are fairly close of course. The Superchip for your computer code isn't going to stress any components beyond their design limitations, but if you want a custom program done to make those upshift points lower, that can be done, just give us a call.

------------------
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 03-12-2001).]

 

Mike: Thanks for the reply, I'm more comfortable at WOT now. However for my needs I still think I'd like to try the shift points at 4900 RPMs, it would just seem to provide a smoother acceleration for me. I think it would be tailored to the way I drive, aggressive but not frantic. No hurry, I'll think it over first.
Thanks, Winder

 

Hi Winder,

OK, I'm glad that makes you feel a bit more comfortable. Just give it some thought, and when you're ready, let us know.

By the way, we've got another F-150 Online participant here with a 4.6 manual transmission F-150, who had us give him a 6500 rpm rev limiter (yes, 6500) in his last two F-150's, so he wouldn't have to upshift while racing up sand dunes and lose velocity. No problems to date with either engine, I was a bit surprised myself to learn they'll hang together at 6500 rpm. That's too high for my tastes, but it's a heck of a statement to the durability of these mod motors!

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

 

Mike: You won't be burning me one of those anytime soon....
Thanks again, I'll call about the real deaL
Winder

 

Hi Winder,

We don't recommend using a 6500 rpm redline either, it's just interesting to note that it's been done with no parts damage, quite a testament to these motors.

Of course you're not making good power up that high, in that case it was for a specific purpose on a manual-trany truck doing dune racing, and worked for that individual. What happened was that he'd slow way down if he had to shift into 3rd going up the sand dune, with the big long shift level these F-150's get, so he wanted to have enough rpms in 2nd gear to be able to climb the dune without shifting. He's a very determined fellow.

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