Tuner noob
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Tuner noob
hi I'm 17 and just got my first truck an '04 stx so its the 4.6 i dont know much about tuning i tow a lawn trailer because i work for my uncles landscaping company im also getting my new eagle 187's and probably 34 inch bfg AT i want to know if the tuner is a good investment since christmas is coming up and i will surely have the money and the second question is should i wait until i have the new tires and all on my truck before installing the tuner. My last question is i was wondering if there is a manual that tells you what codes to use for each engine and to compensate for tires and all or does the place you buy it from do this for you?
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From: Sunny FL
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i have got that much and actually i was looking at buying the package intake/tuner i just want to know about setting the tuner up is their a manual or do i call superchips and they will walk me through setting it up for all my trucks variables and does anyone have the link for the '04 4.6 and af1 intake package? and also should i go ahead and get the xcalibrator if i have the money??
Last edited by shawk; Nov 16, 2004 at 11:08 PM.
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Shawk,
All of the "MAX" series of Superchips Micro Tuners (like the #1714 Micro Tuner for the 2004's, or the #1715 for the 1996-2003's) comes with an instruction manual that shows you very clearly what to do to compensate for a change to gear ratio or a change in tire size - you'll have those instructions included with your Micro Tuner.
Now if you have us do a *custom* tune, then we would set all of that up for you.
One thing you need to be aware of - whatever you do, DO NOT install 34" tires without doing a gear ratio change to compensate, otherwise you will *kill* the performance and fuel mileage of the vehicle by forcing the engine to labor below it's power band - that's what those big tires do, they reduce the # of rpms the engine runs in any gear at any speed. that hurts performance big-time.
For 34" or 35" tires, plan on going with 4.56 gears - and if it's a 4x4, you need to change the gears in both differentials - front & rear - making it an expensive proposition.
The basic rule of thumb is, yo can usually get away with the stock gearing up to about 32", for some people even up to about 33" of tire height (not me, never) - but anything more than 32'33" at most, and you need to do a gear ratio change. If you don't, the truck's performance will be reduced significantly. You can add more power by doing more performance modifications of course, but the only thing that will restore the engine back to turning the # of rpms it needs to in order to be in it's power band is a gear ratio change (or shorter tires), so keep that in mind.
Feel free to give us a call to go over this in more detail,, & best of luck with your new truck!
All of the "MAX" series of Superchips Micro Tuners (like the #1714 Micro Tuner for the 2004's, or the #1715 for the 1996-2003's) comes with an instruction manual that shows you very clearly what to do to compensate for a change to gear ratio or a change in tire size - you'll have those instructions included with your Micro Tuner.
Now if you have us do a *custom* tune, then we would set all of that up for you.
One thing you need to be aware of - whatever you do, DO NOT install 34" tires without doing a gear ratio change to compensate, otherwise you will *kill* the performance and fuel mileage of the vehicle by forcing the engine to labor below it's power band - that's what those big tires do, they reduce the # of rpms the engine runs in any gear at any speed. that hurts performance big-time.
For 34" or 35" tires, plan on going with 4.56 gears - and if it's a 4x4, you need to change the gears in both differentials - front & rear - making it an expensive proposition.
The basic rule of thumb is, yo can usually get away with the stock gearing up to about 32", for some people even up to about 33" of tire height (not me, never) - but anything more than 32'33" at most, and you need to do a gear ratio change. If you don't, the truck's performance will be reduced significantly. You can add more power by doing more performance modifications of course, but the only thing that will restore the engine back to turning the # of rpms it needs to in order to be in it's power band is a gear ratio change (or shorter tires), so keep that in mind.
Feel free to give us a call to go over this in more detail,, & best of luck with your new truck!
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thank you mike and I will give you a call probably friday. I have a new question now i do want to change the gear ratio to the 4.56 so does anyone live around the orlando area and know of a place that would do this without trying to rip me off. I know alot of the people on here have friends or work themselves in shops and i have a 4x2 so it would only be for one dif. so what should the price be that i expect to pay or could someone help me out. Also is there a certain type of gears i should use.
ps. when i call do i need to ask for you mike or no to talk about all of this? does troyer sell gears, and does the custom tune cost extra or no?
ps. when i call do i need to ask for you mike or no to talk about all of this? does troyer sell gears, and does the custom tune cost extra or no?
Last edited by shawk; Nov 17, 2004 at 09:35 PM.
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From: Virginia
Hi Shawk,
Briefly..............(because this doesn't relate to the topic of this section, Computer Chips)......................
You've got it easy since you have a 4x2, you only have 1 differential, in the rear. I would buy the gears & install kit from whoever you have do the installation work - that way you only have 1 vendor involved if you have a problem.
You might try calling Jake Lamotta Performance, I think it's called - they're in Orlando (Actually, I think it's in Longwood or perhaps Sanford - you know, that general area just outside Orlando). It's a top-shelf Mustang performance shop - now they really don't like trucks very much, so they may not want to do this for you - but it's a great shop, and Jake's a great guy who does a lot of work for Superchips customers. Anyway, give Jake's shop a call (sorry, I don't have the phone number, so look them up in the phone book) to see if he would be willing to do the gear change on your 4x2 F-150. Be prepared for them to say no, as they are a Mustang shop - but *if* he's willing to do it, you don't have to worry about getting ripped off there, and the quality of the work is generally very good.
If they won't do it at Jake's, you can just have it done at a local Ford dealership service department - that way you've got the parts & labor covered under some kind of warranty, etc.
Last - When you call us, you don't need to speak with me, anyone on our staff can help you - usually I'm doing custom tuning or doing some kind of R&D, etc.
Good luck!
Briefly..............(because this doesn't relate to the topic of this section, Computer Chips)......................
You've got it easy since you have a 4x2, you only have 1 differential, in the rear. I would buy the gears & install kit from whoever you have do the installation work - that way you only have 1 vendor involved if you have a problem.
You might try calling Jake Lamotta Performance, I think it's called - they're in Orlando (Actually, I think it's in Longwood or perhaps Sanford - you know, that general area just outside Orlando). It's a top-shelf Mustang performance shop - now they really don't like trucks very much, so they may not want to do this for you - but it's a great shop, and Jake's a great guy who does a lot of work for Superchips customers. Anyway, give Jake's shop a call (sorry, I don't have the phone number, so look them up in the phone book) to see if he would be willing to do the gear change on your 4x2 F-150. Be prepared for them to say no, as they are a Mustang shop - but *if* he's willing to do it, you don't have to worry about getting ripped off there, and the quality of the work is generally very good.
If they won't do it at Jake's, you can just have it done at a local Ford dealership service department - that way you've got the parts & labor covered under some kind of warranty, etc.
Last - When you call us, you don't need to speak with me, anyone on our staff can help you - usually I'm doing custom tuning or doing some kind of R&D, etc.
Good luck!