I need any feedback from people who have used the superchips 1715 on a f150 4.6 L. I was thinking of getting one for towing a travel trailer with my 97 f150 4.6. Is it really worth the money? Where I work we have a 04 gmc that has a tow button. When pushed it changes the shift firmness and shift points. It really makes towing alot better. If the 1715 can do the same for my f150 it would be great. All comments would be appreciated. Thanks

Budman

 

Ttt

 

^^^

 

Other than custom tuning, they are suppose to the best. I don’t have one so I can’t say first hand but trolling this forum for the past year, that’s what I’ve read about them.

Here’s a link that you can check out some facts about it at
Superchips "MAX" Micro Tuner for 1997-2003 Ford Trucks

 

Hello Budman,

The first thing you'll want to do is to learn to make use the excellent SEARCH feature that is provided her for that exact purpose - so that anyone can retrieve & read any of the tons of info that is already here. For example, there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of posts already here on that exact topic for you to to read - just retrieve & read them!

Just FYI so you'll know - once people post their results, they do not tend to come back and post them all over again each time someone else asks the exact same question here - and that same basic question ("what's the best?") gets asked here literally every day at this busy web site, as you can probably imagine - that is what people come to this section for, so there's already all the info you could possibly want to know about it already posted here previously, and available via using the SEARCH feature - just FYI so you'll know.

Second - the 1715 works fine for a "standard" off-the-shelf type of device - it is indeed the best of it's kind.

But if you want the best results for your truck, then that is had with our Troyer Performance *custom* tuning, delivered in the XCalibrator 2 (9400).

We are Superchip's oldest WD in America, so we handle both product lines, and have had a hand in the development of a lot of the programs for the F-150 inside that 1715 unit over the years - so we know them very well indeed.

Decide if you want "cheap" or you want the "best" - if you want "cheap," then call us for the 1715 - if you want the best, then call us for the XCalibrator 2, as not only will you get significantly better performance gains than with the 1715 unit, but you will also get many more features, etc - and of course, it's a more expensive unit, naturally.

Either way, as a registered member here you get a special discount on all of our tuning products, so just give us a call at our number listed below & we'll be happy to go over all the details with you, so you can decide what you feel will be best for your needs, OK?

Thanks for dropping by, & best of luck whatever you decide!

 

I have a 98 4.6l & bought the 1715 specifically to help my truck while towing my 21' TT.. Dont expect a monster gains out of it, but if your realistic about the improvement it seems to be a good tune. I certainly do better towing with then before without it.. All in all I'd say it's worth it, but you might wana look into a custom tune, suppose to provide even better power...

 

I agree entirely, that last post really says it very well (thanks, unthias) - yes, the 1715 will most certainly help, you bet - and as we cna see, there are still a lot of people using them.

Then for those who want the best results, going with our custom tuning is the trick.

 

Good morning, Mike.

Let me ask a more specific question wrt to the 1715 and the Xcal. What are the tuning differences between the two when applied to a completely stock '03 5.4? It would appear to the novice that the 87 tune, 91+ towing, and the 91+ performance would be equal. What would make the Xcal custom better?

Thank you.

Joey

 

Hi. First off, I don't mean to speak out of turn or as a substitutue for Mike's responses ( I wish!)....

In a way - you already answered this - it's CUSTOM.

The 1715 contains what might be considered 'canned' tunes ( albeit the best of their kind), that optimize some, but not all, of the various powertrain operations. It's good, 'safe' generic tuning, but not comprehensive - what Mike refers to as 'in-depth'.

The custom flash devices ( 9100, 9300, 9400, et al) are a whole 'nother ball game in terms of their ability to deliver the custom tuning firmware specifically and *painstakingly* created for your specific vehicle PCM code, mods and preferences. It's both safe AND superior.

You would be receiving all the years of experience, expertise and raw talent only a professional custom tuning expert can provide.

Do some Searching here and you'll find actual numbers posted on gains, as well as numerous testimonials from very happy customers - some who have taken the time ( bless them) to document the differences in real terms.

Long story short - no comparison. I've had both - I know.

When Mike gets back from his working vacation - he can fill you in - or give them a call.


Cheers!
Vic

 

Vic, I'm talking a "STOCK" truck, man. What is "custom" tuning on a STOCK everything truck? I'm trying to understand what programming would be different.

I've done the searches. I've read everything I can. Trying to piece mill all the info can be confusing and misleading. Different size V8s. 3V vs 2V. And lots of times there is no mention of other mods.

I can understand the Xcal being more "powerful", what with the datalog and ability to upload firmware changes via email exchange, etc... But I still don't understand what tuning changes are different between the 1715 and Xcal wrt to a STOCK vehicle. This pertains to the 87, 91 towing, and 91 performance tunes.

What would a customer ask to be different in those three tunes wrt to a completely stock 2V 5.4 '03 FX4 Supercrew. Oh, Grey in color.

All I can really be sure of, so far, is if I put a "Troyer" decal on my truck, regardless of engine, year, interior style, or color, I can get an extra 5hp off the top.

 

Hi. Roger that on the sticker - that's a given! Heck, that's why God gave us butt dynos in the first place !!!

Don't get hung up on the term 'custom' - it does not refer to the mod level ( or lack of same) on your truck - it's used in the context of 'every tune is different'... know what I mean? Does not matter what you have done/not done to your truck.

In fact, it's commonly done as a first mod since it provides 'best bang for buck' results - nothing else for the price achieves the same gains.

In addition, the 'generic' tuners cannot access every modifiable parameter in the PCM - only a subset, whereas the custom tuners can. Hence there is more potential ( depending on the skill and the will of the guru ) to extract better levels of performance and/or fix inefficiences in the factory programming

Okay - I'll give this one more shot - with a link this time. And this is for an otherwise stock non-performance comparison:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...=custom+tuning

After that - it's best if you refer your questions directly to Mike. If your questions are leaning towards the 'How'... I am SO not the right guy to ask!!!

Hope this helps.

Cheers!
Vic

 

Thanks for the info, Vic.

Yep, I've already searched and read that post.

That's why I specifically asked about the 2V '03 5.4.

See, I've read some of Mike's other responses regarding the 04+ 3V and the 03- 2V. He speaks of more gains using the Xcal tuning with 87 on the 3V. Perfomance gains are lower with the 2V and 87 and the Xcal.

I'd just like to know MORE SPECIFICS wrt to both tuners and the 2V 5.4. Particularly with 87 octane.

Thanks for the info, though.

 

Hi - yeah - I noticed that too.

Seems the 3V mills are simply more responsive to tuning mods, or the factory really boogered up the stock tuning so there was more 'low hanging fruit' to work with in the first place

The new engines also have a superior knock sensor system and are able to better compensate for ( or take advantage of ) a change in octane levels.

Not to mention, they breath better too, have variable valve timing, and a host of other advancements.

Progress is great, eh?

I guess, speaking for myself, even if the baseline comparison on a stock platform between a 1715 and a 'custom' tune/device was a wash ( and it's clearly not), I'd pick the 'custom', since it would continue to add value and be useful in accomodating any future mods I might wish to make - it's an addiction, y'know? With the 1715 - that's it. Not knocking it, but it does have limitations.

Good luck - hope you find the answers you seek.

Regards;
Vic

PS - BTW, speaking of knock sensing systems - did you know that some new Harley's (as in motocycle), sport a system that places 800vdc across the spark gap between firings to measure the level of ionization in the combustion chamber, for each individual cylinder? Much more accurate that the present acoustic method, and allows better spark advance strategies for a given octane level. Woo-hoo - can't wait for this to trickle down to us truck folks! Made by Delphi - a big name. Mike probably already knows about this stuff anyway.

Here's some links if you are interested:

http://www.delphi.com/pdf/e/ign_ion_cur.pdf

This one has a diagram and some other neat stuff for geeks (like me) as well

http://www.fs.isy.liu.se/~larer/Projects/main.html

Cheers!

 

Ok, I guess custom is the way to go. Now I have to decide which to get A 5 program flip chip or spend the extra money for the x-cal. Money is short now that I bought the travel trailer.Thanks for all the help.

Budman

 

"I'd pick the 'custom', since it would continue to add value and be useful in accomodating any future mods I might wish to make - it's an addiction, y'know?"

Now that's something I can relate to. And agree with.

Thanks for the info and links, Vic.

Joey