I don't know much about the computer chip mods.....are they difficult to install, what does it involve and where is the controller mounted, inside the cabin? Under the hood? Help please. Thanks.

 

they are not difficult to install. If you get an actual chip, it plugs into your engine computer, which is usually behind the passenger side kickpanel. If you get a programmer that flashes your computer, you just plug it into a plug under your dash and answer the questions on it. It will flash the new programming to your computer. They're all pretty easy.

 

If your talkng about your new 2005 then the tuner you will use will plug into the OBD II port located under the drivers side dash. You will only plug it in when you need to transfer the tune into your PCM. Then it will be removed until the next time you want to change the tuning.

There is NO chip for your PCM. It is programmed by way of a tuner. You can get a preset tuner that will give you some standard tunning like the Superchips 1714. But a better unit is the SCT Xcalibrator. It is used to place up to three distinct tunes into your PCM that are created by someone who will sell you the Xcalibrator. That person must be highly familiar with tuning your new 2005 F-150.

Other manufacturers like Hypertech and Diablo also make tuners. But remember the tuner is just the tool to get a set of instructions into your PCM. Its the people who build the tuning that count. Its who you trust. I personally trust Mike Troyer of Troyer Performance and there is no one around who has as much experience as he does in this department. He can build you the tuning to fit your needs and use the Xcalibrator to get that tuning into your PCM. Go ahead and search this forum for more information or go to www.troyerperformance.com for the answers to your questions.

 

Thank you guys, that is exactly what I was looking for.

One more question, I am saving up for some mods on my '05, do you know which tuner comes with the "Stage 1" package from Troyer's? I know the Magnaflow SI/SO comes with it, and I'm assuming the Air Force One intake is also included as that seems to be the only intake they sell. If I'm wrong, please let me know. I also believe that the Magnaflow has not been released yet for the '05, true? Thanks again.

 

I believe the stage I is a 1714 tuner. But I think you might be able to get the Xcalibrator too, you'll have to talk to Mike about that. Your air intake will be an Airaid. And your exhaust is the Magnaflow SISO. Not sure if its the same as my 04.

This is the package I got when it first came out. Then there was not tuner ready so I had to send my PCM in to get the tune installed.

The Airaid is the only one Mike has tested that gives an apprecable gain in HP.

Good Luck

By the way, the PCM is mounted in the engine compartment on the firewall on the passenger side. It has three (3) BIG cables plugged into it. Can't miss it.

 

Thanks for the info Ham, much appreciated!

 

Hi Copenhagen,

Our Stage 1 kit normally includes the 1714 Superchips Micro Tuner for the 2004 new body style F-150 - the 1714 has not yet been updated for the 2005's, though it will be shortly. However, for the 2005's we are already offering the custom tuning, so a 2005 owner can order a custom tune or a Stage 1 kit right now - it's just that because Superchip has not yet done *their* 2005 F-150 application, 2005 owners will have to go with our custom tuning, which always gets a better result anyway, because it's custom.

The truth is, we just haven't had time to type up a custom-tuned version of the Stage 1 kit and enter that into our e-commerce system. But any of our Stage kits that do not already include custom tuning can have that substitution made, no problem.

So we can certainly provide you with a custom-tuned version of our Stage 1 kit, no problem at all - in fact, most people who know about the additional benefits of our custom tuning will go that route.

For the 2004 & up new body style F-150's, the custom tuning is delivered in our Part# 9300, called the Xcalibrator - it's a hand-held flash tuner that has room for 3 different custom programs that we set up for each individual vehicle owners needs, location, types of vehicle uses & local fuel quality, etc. That's simpler than it sounds, you don't have to know anything about that, we simply do a phone consultation with you to go over how you use your vehicle, and then we'll go over with you the various types of programs we recommend having us do for you. Generally speaking, you want a setup where you have a tune for both regular & premium gas, as well as for both towing & performance applications - that's the beauty of the multi-program setups, we can fully optimize the tuning of each program for what the customer needs. That way you don't have what the automakers have to provide, which is one program for ALL purposes, that naturally that has to be compromised in so many ways for the "average" vehicle owner - which in these newer trucks especially, causes lower power, very sluggish throttle response, slow powertrain response times, slow & mushy shifting in the automatic transmissions, 99 mph top speed limiters, etc., etc.

In the new body style 2004 & up F-150, the computer itself is located under the hood, at the top of the firewall, to the left of center - it's easy to spot, it has three rectangular-shaped wiring harness connectors attached on the front of it, you can't miss it. However, you won't even have to touch that - to tune it, the unit we send you is a very simply plug-n-play tuner, and all you do is connect it to the OBD II port under your dash inside the cabin (it's the oblong-shaped kinda-sorta rectangular connector just to the right of the driver's right knee, under the very front of the dash). thats' the same port used for diagnostics, etc. It's a simple 10-15 minute install, all you do is plug it in, select which program to upload, then press the "program" button and turn the ignition on - everything else happens automatically, so you don't' have to touch the computer or even get your hands dirty, it's very simple to install, or to change programs, or to return back to stock tuning at any time.

If you'd like to go over any of this in more detail, please feel free to give us a call & we'll be happy to - most people in your situation (thinking about modifying their vehicle for better overall performance) like to call us to go over all of this so they can give it some thought before making their purchases with us - just a suggestion.