After putting my re-flashed chip into my new 2000 Expy, the family and I took a Thanksgiving trip from Dallas to Phoenix to see the grandparents. During that trip I was very pleased with the fuel economy I received. My overall average for the nearly 2400 miles I drove (on the highway) was 20.1 mpg. I had a wide variety of numbers, but as the trip wore on it became more consistent. I had two especially good tankfuls (admittedly with a tailwind) of 23.4 and 26.1. I was amazed. I also had a tank with a headwind (severe) of 16.1 (keep in mind I'm running a 4.6L 2WD Expy with a K&N).

Since being back in the Dallas area I've been watching the around-town milage and it seems to have improved a bit (from 15 to 16 mpg). I attribute these numbers to the learning curve of the chip and break-in of the engine (when we left it had only 1750 miles on it).

Mike,
A question -- I used the screwdriver method to clean the contacts before installing the chip, but never saw copper (like I did when I cleaned it for install in my 99 F150). When I intalled it, it started right up. I assume that I'm making contact or it wouldn't have started -- or is it possible to install it and have it start because the contact is so poor it won't even read?

I assume it's working -- the fuel milage seems to bear that out and the engine is getting stronger over time. I think the battery disconnect (headlights on for 5 minutes) is helpful, but your comments about the EEC learning over time are accurate since the chip seems to reap the greater benefit after a couple thousand miles (power and mileage).

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2000 Expedition XLT
4.6L AT
K&N Filter
Superchip
Body Color Grill
5-Spoke Alloy Wheels (F150)

 

Hi embinns,

WOW! Those are some tremendous mileage numbers, even for highway mileage in a 2WD Expy, excellent!

Of course since it was all highway driving, you saw the absolute best mileage you're probably ever going to get, especially with those tailwinds, over 26 mpg is just amazing, bet you'll never see that again!

To come up with an average trip figure of 20.1 is nothing sort of excellent for that vehicle, congratulations.

As long as the vehicle starts properly, then the Superchip is fine. Ideally, you don't want any of the copper to show thru, but even we here at Performance occasionally encounter a vehicle where we'll have a little bit of copper showing on one or more contacts, especially if the coating is particularly thick. You do not have to have copper showing thru to have all the conformal coating off, though it will happen on occasion. It sounds to me like you've done everything just fine.

Thanks for posting your results!

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

 

embinns,

Just curious, do you have a K&N replacment or FIPK? How much difference has the mods made?

Also, what rear do you have.

Mine's a little different (5.4ltr and 3:55 LS rear) but I'm looking for data. If I could get 17 mpg hwy I'd be thrilled. If I could break 20, I'd pass out!!!

I get around 14 and 16 city and hwy. Of course city is mostly communting on 635 so that's a toss up from day to day.....

 

embinns,

Just curious, do you have a K&N replacment or FIPK? How much difference has the mods made?

Also, what rear do you have.

Mine's a little different (5.4ltr and 3:55 LS rear) but I'm looking for data. If I could get 17 mpg hwy I'd be thrilled. If I could break 20, I'd pass out!!!

I get around 14 and 16 city and hwy. Of course city is mostly communting on 635 so that's a toss up from day to day.....

------------------
2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer
5.4 ltr
3:55 LS rear
Tow Package
Moonroof

 

I just have the drop-in filter and the chip. No other mods. I've also got the 3.31 rear end.

I was very surprised. Like I said, I did have a tailwind during my 20+ segments. I knew I was doing well when I got 180 miles out of it before the fuel gauge hit the 3/4 full mark. I was traveling at about 75 mph most of the time and my miles were completely highway miles.

Since I've been back, I'm back to about 15-16 mpg around town.

[This message has been edited by embinns (edited 12-11-2000).]

 

Hi embinns,

Getting 15-16 mpg in the city with an Expedition is pretty darned good, they usually tend to get about 11-12 mpg or so in the city for most people.

Then again, your Expy is a 2WD, where most of our Expy customers are usually 4WD, so that accounts for some of that too, obviously. Still, even a 2WD Expy isn't light by any means, so it sounds like it's doing very well mileage-wise for the vehicle type, both stock and with the Superchip.

------------------
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 12-13-2000).]

 

Hi Embinns,

Are you sure that's a 3.31 ratio? I thought there was the 3.08, 3.55, and then the 3.73 on some models.

Just curious, no big deal.....maybe it's because you have a 2WD model?

------------------
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 12-14-2000).]

 

Ya, I'm sure. I think it's on the window sticker. It's actually the stock ratio with 2WD models.

I also wanted to say that my 15-16 "around town" includes a good bit of backroad "highways" to and from town. We live about 8 miles outside of town and about half of that is 50-60 mph. It is was strictly in town (and I've had some of that when there was construction on the "highways" my milage was around 14.5-15.

 

Hi Embinns,

OK, thanks for cluing me in, I'm so used to the 4WD models that I hadn't even noticed there was a 3.31 ratio available! Shows you what I know, eh?

Merry Christmas!

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

 

Ya I know, it's an old post. Until 2001, the 3:31 was standard on the 2x4 with the 5.4. To get a 3:55 and LS was special, and pretty hard at least here in North Texas. I was thrilled that I got one, then 2001 came around and it's now standard.



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2000 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Anti-Sway Bar Bushings
• Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

-->Follow Me...<--

 

Mike,
I have seen a few 3.31 rear diffs but only in the 2wd Expeditions and mostly with a 4.6.
that will help a lot with the fuel economy, oddly enough the 98 expe I worked on last week with a 4.6, 2WD and a 3.31 rear diff had better off line accell than a lot of newer 5.4l 4x4's I drive with a 3.55 gear ratio. The 2WD really helps there with less rotating mass and lower weight.
Dave

 

Hi Dave,

You're absolutely right, as ultimately, the power-to-weight ratio is the single most important factor regarding performance in terms of rate of acceleration, you bet!

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