HEY SUPERCHIP!!!!
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 17
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From: roseau, mn usa
HEY SUPERCHIP!!!!
I see it looks like the superchip cops patrol this area pretty hard, that's good because I have a question for you. Looks to me like the Superchip is the chip of choice around here, that much I know. What I don't know is what do I need for my truck? Do you make em for the 97's (forgive my ignorance, I'm old school) I've got a 97 supercab 4x4 with the 5.4, auto with OD, 3.55 gears. I plan on running 285/75R-16's and also a true dual exhaust system. I plan on splitting the Y right after the last sensor on the pass side pipe & running 2 1/4" pipes from there out the back (under the bumper straight back) through some good ole fashioned el-cheepo glass packs. Is there a chip for me? Your expertise is appreciated and I hope I can take advantage of your knowledge to improve on what is already the best truck I have ever had.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi dl_shaw,
I've been called a lot of things, but "Superchips Cop" is, I think, a first!
Of course we're happy to answer your questions, & thanks for your post.
Yes, we make Superchips for your vehicle, and for most other Fords & GM's & many other vehicles as well.
By the way, I particularly liked your planned true-dual exhaust setup, using 2.25" diameter tubing, as that will get you nice gains without slowing down the velocity of the spent exhaust gases traveling thru the exhaust system to the point where you lose the scavenging effect that helps to pull the spent gasses out of the cylinder head. Using anything larger than 2.25" tubing **in a true dual setup**, will cause a loss of torque on part-throttle at lower rpms, due to the opened flow actually slowing down the velocity of the spent exhaust gases traveling thru the system, even while still giving nice horsepower gains at heavier throttle opening at higher rpms. So it sounds like you've got an excellent plan for your exhaust tubing changes.
With the modifications you've listed, you don't need any kind of custom programming to compensate. Each Superchip is programmed specifically for the exact software revision that was loaded into your vehicle's computer from the factory, so you'll be getting a program that was made for *your* truck. We generally only need to do true custom programming compensations for modifications when you do "major" mods, like superchargers, nitrous oxide, ported cylidner heads, or if you change the mass airflow meter/sensor. And, the Superchip is a flash design, so it can always be updated should you ever decide to do any of those types of changes at a later point in time.
To supply you with the correct Superchip, we will need to know your vehicle's computer code, and that is easy to find. Simply open the passenger door, and then look on the front part of the door frame, in between the door hinges, and there you should find a sticker that has 3 letters and 1 number on it, and that is your computer code. If you look and that sticker is missing, just let us know & we can give you other locations to find the code.
For all the details, please contact us either by calling us at our number listed below, or just shoot us an email.
We also have an online ordering system right here, and you can access it just by clicking on the link that is just below, in our signature line.
Good luck with your truck, & we hope you'll hang out with us here on F-150 Online when you have the time!
------------------
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've been called a lot of things, but "Superchips Cop" is, I think, a first!
Of course we're happy to answer your questions, & thanks for your post.
Yes, we make Superchips for your vehicle, and for most other Fords & GM's & many other vehicles as well.
By the way, I particularly liked your planned true-dual exhaust setup, using 2.25" diameter tubing, as that will get you nice gains without slowing down the velocity of the spent exhaust gases traveling thru the exhaust system to the point where you lose the scavenging effect that helps to pull the spent gasses out of the cylinder head. Using anything larger than 2.25" tubing **in a true dual setup**, will cause a loss of torque on part-throttle at lower rpms, due to the opened flow actually slowing down the velocity of the spent exhaust gases traveling thru the system, even while still giving nice horsepower gains at heavier throttle opening at higher rpms. So it sounds like you've got an excellent plan for your exhaust tubing changes.
With the modifications you've listed, you don't need any kind of custom programming to compensate. Each Superchip is programmed specifically for the exact software revision that was loaded into your vehicle's computer from the factory, so you'll be getting a program that was made for *your* truck. We generally only need to do true custom programming compensations for modifications when you do "major" mods, like superchargers, nitrous oxide, ported cylidner heads, or if you change the mass airflow meter/sensor. And, the Superchip is a flash design, so it can always be updated should you ever decide to do any of those types of changes at a later point in time.
To supply you with the correct Superchip, we will need to know your vehicle's computer code, and that is easy to find. Simply open the passenger door, and then look on the front part of the door frame, in between the door hinges, and there you should find a sticker that has 3 letters and 1 number on it, and that is your computer code. If you look and that sticker is missing, just let us know & we can give you other locations to find the code.
For all the details, please contact us either by calling us at our number listed below, or just shoot us an email.
We also have an online ordering system right here, and you can access it just by clicking on the link that is just below, in our signature line.
Good luck with your truck, & we hope you'll hang out with us here on F-150 Online when you have the time!
------------------
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
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: roseau, mn usa
Hey that's good stuff Mike, thanks a bunch. I really appreciate the reassurance about my true duals plan I had worries about losing too much back pressure and even possibly flowing too freely for my sensors to pick up the readings the manufacturer had set them up for. In a nut shell I was worried about the sensors running too cool & compensating by running my fuel mixture richer & there goes my gas mileage. I've always envisioned dual exhaust & better gas mileage going hand & hand but a guy at a local shop told me of his theories on possibly screwing things up by going too "free" with the exhaust. I currently get over 16 mpg hwy with my 5.4 and I kind of like that. Anything I could gain would be even cooler. I hear all of these guys who are more familiar with the chips talking about having to run higher octane fuel with the chips. Is that what the chips are programmed for? 92 oct? You have been very helpful with your first reply & I really appreciate it. I assume you have been helping people out on this sight for quite some time. Hate to push my luck here & get off topic but here goes. My 97 5.4 has 104,000 on it and it's pretty new to me, I've had nothing but cold mornings lately so I couldn't help but notice I have been cursed with the cold engine nock or cold engine piston slap. No idea how long the 5.4 has had it but wow, the poor thing sounds like a diesel until it warms up. Looks like the last oil change was with 5W-30 and looks like the filter is a regular Fram. I've heard about guys going to 5W-20 and also making sure they use a filter with the anti bleed back valve. Any experience with this subject? Again I know I'm going off topic & throwing a lot out there but any good info or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Dave
Dave
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Dave,
Yes, any performance chip that actually increases power is going to require the use of premium gas. Power cannot be increased via powertrain programming without increasing the octane level the engine is tuned for, so that is why all performance chips that actually add power require the use of premium gas.
We also have a 2-program Superchip Flip Chip that we can set up with 1 program for 87 octane, and the other being our normal program for 92 octane, and that way you can have ultimate flexibiity at the flip of the switch. For details on all of this, just give us a call.
With regards to your exhaust, it's not that your engine needs backpressure, backpressure has nothing to do with whether or not you lose torque when opening up the flow capacity of the exhaust system, though everything else you said is correct.
If you open up the flow to the point where the actual *velocity*, or the speed at which the spent exhaust gases actually travel thru the system, then you can lose the scavenging effect that helps to pull those spent gases out of the cylinder head, and *that* is what causes a loss of low-end torque on part-throttle even though you still get nice horsepower gains at higher rpms & heavier throttle positions. So that is why it is important to keep the flow *rate*, or the *velocity* at which those gases travel through the system high, for best scavenging, and you've done just that, congratulations! Had you gone with 2.5" diameter, your torque would have suffered, but you did it right!
------------------
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
Yes, any performance chip that actually increases power is going to require the use of premium gas. Power cannot be increased via powertrain programming without increasing the octane level the engine is tuned for, so that is why all performance chips that actually add power require the use of premium gas.
We also have a 2-program Superchip Flip Chip that we can set up with 1 program for 87 octane, and the other being our normal program for 92 octane, and that way you can have ultimate flexibiity at the flip of the switch. For details on all of this, just give us a call.
With regards to your exhaust, it's not that your engine needs backpressure, backpressure has nothing to do with whether or not you lose torque when opening up the flow capacity of the exhaust system, though everything else you said is correct.
If you open up the flow to the point where the actual *velocity*, or the speed at which the spent exhaust gases actually travel thru the system, then you can lose the scavenging effect that helps to pull those spent gases out of the cylinder head, and *that* is what causes a loss of low-end torque on part-throttle even though you still get nice horsepower gains at higher rpms & heavier throttle positions. So that is why it is important to keep the flow *rate*, or the *velocity* at which those gases travel through the system high, for best scavenging, and you've done just that, congratulations! Had you gone with 2.5" diameter, your torque would have suffered, but you did it right!
------------------
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