I recently installed my superchip-flip chip. while running it in the 87 octane mode I didn't see (or expect to see any real performance increase). I put 92 octane fuel in and switched the program and really can't see much of a difference, if any. Does it take a while before it starts to work well? I assume the truck wouldn't start if I didn't install it correctly. I disconnected the battery and turned on the lights as well. I have a 4.6L w/manual tranny. Anyone have a similar experience?

Other Mods: K&N F.I.P.K., Helix Power Tower T-Body spacer, custom dual 2 & 1/2" exhaust w/18" glass packs, bosch platinum +4 plugs. Auburn underdrive pullies are on the way.

 

Hi Dawg I dont have that motor, but generally speaking the chip is a computer program. there is no warm up or break in. it's on or off. I would wonder about your contacts and is the chip working. Hopefully somebody else will add to this, but that one point i am sure of, on or off.

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Silver '00 Lightning.
#3962/4966 6/16/00
PSP filter kit.
JL 300/4 amp, JL-XR's, VR's and 10WO, Crossfire 75.2 amp.
Ligted Logos.
Xenon bulbs X 4.
Clear corners, Altezza tails on order.

 

Firedawg,

While Reddawgy is correct in that the Superchip is essentially just a program, there is an "adaptive strategy" program in the main computer that could impact the performance you are seeing. The engineers at Ford did a great job at developing a system that adapts to your driving style over time. Therefore, it could take up to 500 miles to see the full benefit of the Chip (I really started to notice a difference after 300 miles). According to what I have read, about 80% of the benefit comes right away with the last 20% filling in over time.

Another thing to consider (relative to some of the other Superchip owners on this board) is that the shifting characteristics that you gain with the chip are somewhat lost with the manual tranny. This is not to say you wont' see any benefit, because you will (many people on this board have attested to this), however, there will probably be some disparity between the impact you feel and that coming from someone who owns an automatic.

Regarding the HP increase, however, you should certainly feel it. Keep in mind that it won't make your truck into a rocket, but it will make an impact.

Give the truck some time... I suspect you will notice a difference after you drive it for awhile. If you really want to test it, drive it for about 500 miles, then pull the Chip completely. I am sure you will notice the difference then

Good luck




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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 gears

• Premium AM/FM Radio with CD
• Smittybuilt sure step bars
• K&N Air Filter
• Ford (Duraliner) Bedliner
• Class III Tow Package
• Superchip
• Ravin Z-55 SI/SO Exhaust

 

Hi Firedawg

Hang in there, give that chip a chance to come in. I recently installed superchip-flipchip on my 99 SC 4X4 AT. 4.6L AT. with 3.73 gears. Chip for 87/92 oct.

With the auto. trans. there is a difference in the way it shifts, after chip install. Dont think youll see any with the manual, but maybe youll get more feed back from someone that has your set up.

My point, i had to burn off the 87 oct. after i installed flip-chip.(#1-87oct) The shifting was alot better, & i think i get alittle more out of 3rd gear before it goes into OD.
If there was any performance gain useing 87 oct. i dont think i could really tell?

Probably running on fumes when i finally put in some 92 oct. (HA) So flipped to #2, did battery disconnect and lights, waited abit, reconnected, then fired up.

I dont drive alot right now, but have 150 mi. useing 92 oct. NOW, there is a diffence in performance, but it is coming in gradual,
(not like a blower-HA) Last night coming home, i floored it, and this 4.6L has definitely perked up, compard to #1 - 87oct. Shifting (to me) is about same as #1.

But, it does not push me back againt the seat, and to light up the tires on this truck, well, red-line it in neutral and drop it in gear. HA However, bit more torque & pick-up was just that little bit extra i was looking for.

Sure glad i got flip chip, 92oct. .20 per gal more, Give it a chance.

Good luck OT

 

Hi firedawg,

What you want to remember is that when running on the regular gas program, you're going to see about a 3-5 hp gain, at most. So there is some small amount of gain, but nothing to write home about, a couple of percent, basically. Then when you fill it up with premium and flip the switch, it will take about 50 miles or so for the new program to come in. This happens gradually, it's not "on or off", as it's not just a software program, but the memory in the hardware that affects this as well.

Just remember that the total power gain is *not* going to be a night and day type of difference, as you're talking about a maximum power gain of 10%-12% in a 2-ton+ vehicle. That's enough to feel and measure with a stopwatch, drag strip, dyno, etc., but it's not going to make a "big" impact.

Cyclone & Old Timer both posted some good perspective & info on this. One thing to note is that while the power gain in the engine is the same whether you have a manual or an automatic, with your manual transmission more of that power gain gets to the rear wheels compared to the automatics, as manual drivelines only lose about half the power to driveline losses compared to automatics.

You will not get the best benefits by just flipping the switch and expecting it to happen instantly, that isn't going to happen. What you need to do is to run it in whatever mode you want to for awhile, not just for a tank of gas. It takes a minimum of 350 to as much as 800 miles for the basic initial adaptive strategy adjustments to occur (it's usually more like 350-500 miles), so you'll always get a better result keeping it in one mode for at least a few tanks of gas.

What I would suggest is run this tank out, and then pull the Superchip completely off, making sure to follow the procedure we described in your documentation & below to clear the computer's memory so you're back to the factory program as quickly as possible, and fill it back up with regular gas. Drive it that way for at least a full week, including the weekend. Then run it down as low as possible on gas, & fill it up with a good high-quality premium gas, like Texaco, Amoco, etc. Put the Superchip back in on Position 2, the premium gas program, and then *after* the Superchip is re-installed, once again disconnect the battery, and then turn the headlights on for 5 minutes. Turn them back off, re-connect the battery, and that will clear the computer and get you a fresh program load of the premium gas program, then just drive it. You'll feel the difference, as that procedure is designed to show you as much of the immediate difference as possible, by fully & properly clearing the ECU's memory *after* the program change. (Note: in normal driving, it is not necessary to disconnect the battery when flipping the switch on the Flip Chip) If that isn't done precisely, then the program change happens very gradually, making you think it's not gaining anything.

Some people, not many, but some, have just too high an expectation from the Superchip; they expect it to give them some incredible shove into the seat, and that isn't going to happen, only a supercharger or nitrous oxide can potentially do that. And some people will try to use the cheapest premium gas they can find when running on the premium gas program, which will cause less of a power gain as well, as fuel quality varies quite a bit. There are any number of potential reasons why you're experiencing what you're reporting here, so we're going over the most common stuff. What your regular & premium program combo Flip Chip will do in Position 2, it's premium gas program, provided you use a high-quality premium gas and don't use low-energy fuels (like Costco gas, BP, Exxon, or any no-name, stick to major brands like Texaco, Amoco, etc.) is a 10%-12% power gain over what you're making running the factory program on regular gas.

Give that a try, and if you'd like to go over this in detail, please feel free to giev us a call, ok? We'll be happy to go over this with you, so you can get maximum enjoyment from your Superchip.

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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
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[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 03-20-2001).]