Factory 4.6 computer differences
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Factory 4.6 computer differences
I figured this is the best place to post this question.
But how does the '01 4.6 get 11 more HP? I am guessing in the MAF and a more agressive computer possibly.
Well like the 89-93 mustangs, it is the A9L and A9P computers that are the most aggressive. Give you the most timing and power. Does anyone know which computer, or even like a '01 computer will do the same for the 4.6 trucks?
Kind of like a cheap upgrade.
But how does the '01 4.6 get 11 more HP? I am guessing in the MAF and a more agressive computer possibly.
Well like the 89-93 mustangs, it is the A9L and A9P computers that are the most aggressive. Give you the most timing and power. Does anyone know which computer, or even like a '01 computer will do the same for the 4.6 trucks?
Kind of like a cheap upgrade.
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I was wondering the same thing. The dealer recently reprogramed my PCM in a failed attempt to improve the idle quality. They said the put in the "latest softerware release". Could that be the program for the 231 hp version.
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Hi Guys,
This has been discussed here several times over the past few years (though not recently), and you really don't see much of that to speak of in these truck & SUV ECU's, or in most other FoMoCo vehicles that are similarly tuned. Those early 5.0 Mustangs cut a lot of ground, so to speak, and they are a completely different type of vehicle, a "performance car", tuned for premium gas from the factory.
You generally don't see that kind of thing in these late-model trucks & SUV's, non-performance vehicles, as they are tuned for a completely different set of circumstances & from a completely different perspective. When they make a change to the power output, like for example, when the 1999 5.4 motor was upgraded to 260 horsepower from it's previous 235 horsepower rating, there were very little in the way of changes in the ECU's engine tuning other than what was needed for that new mechanical configuration, the new PI cylinder heads, etc.
By and large, in these vehicles, when Ford increases power, they do not do it by providing a more aggressive program in the ECU, they really can't, as these vehicles are all tuned for 87 octane from the factory, and Ford isn't going to change that, as it would affect vehicle sales of course. Without re-tuning for higher octane, they're just not going to see an appreciable power gain from a more aggressive ECU program for 87 octane.
When Ford makes a power upgrade in these "non-performance" vehicles, it's generally done primarily by virtue of mechanical changes to intake, cylinder heads, etc., as they still want them to run on 87 octane. Though there are many different ECU codes for these vehicles, it's due to them being the #1 selling vehicles, they're making 750,000 F-150's alone per model year, and there are many different mechanical configurations possible. And as we've talked about, even for the exact same identical in all aspects F-150, there can be a number of different codes in just one model year, but they do not change power output by an appreciable amount, they're usually minor running changes for driveability, etc.
This has been discussed here several times over the past few years (though not recently), and you really don't see much of that to speak of in these truck & SUV ECU's, or in most other FoMoCo vehicles that are similarly tuned. Those early 5.0 Mustangs cut a lot of ground, so to speak, and they are a completely different type of vehicle, a "performance car", tuned for premium gas from the factory.
You generally don't see that kind of thing in these late-model trucks & SUV's, non-performance vehicles, as they are tuned for a completely different set of circumstances & from a completely different perspective. When they make a change to the power output, like for example, when the 1999 5.4 motor was upgraded to 260 horsepower from it's previous 235 horsepower rating, there were very little in the way of changes in the ECU's engine tuning other than what was needed for that new mechanical configuration, the new PI cylinder heads, etc.
By and large, in these vehicles, when Ford increases power, they do not do it by providing a more aggressive program in the ECU, they really can't, as these vehicles are all tuned for 87 octane from the factory, and Ford isn't going to change that, as it would affect vehicle sales of course. Without re-tuning for higher octane, they're just not going to see an appreciable power gain from a more aggressive ECU program for 87 octane.
When Ford makes a power upgrade in these "non-performance" vehicles, it's generally done primarily by virtue of mechanical changes to intake, cylinder heads, etc., as they still want them to run on 87 octane. Though there are many different ECU codes for these vehicles, it's due to them being the #1 selling vehicles, they're making 750,000 F-150's alone per model year, and there are many different mechanical configurations possible. And as we've talked about, even for the exact same identical in all aspects F-150, there can be a number of different codes in just one model year, but they do not change power output by an appreciable amount, they're usually minor running changes for driveability, etc.
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Jul 6, 2001 at 12:02 PM.
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From: Oregon
Just an FYi, the 5L mustang runs on 87 octane. Not premium!
That as pretty cool about flashing the PCM. hrm, maybe I may venture down there and talk to my "friend" there.
Also since the 231hp, the 11hp increase for the '01 has never been figured out, my guess is the MAF and computer are the 11hp.
That as pretty cool about flashing the PCM. hrm, maybe I may venture down there and talk to my "friend" there.
Also since the 231hp, the 11hp increase for the '01 has never been figured out, my guess is the MAF and computer are the 11hp.
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From: Oregon
nope.
in 93 they changed from cast to hyperneumatic (sp?) pistons.
That is really the only change in the motor. There were slight differences in the cams -- this is very slight and does no good changing them.
You still run 87 octane in the Gts, cobras, 4.6 S & Dohc motors.
You can run more, but not needed. What happens is that people advance the timing to where they need to run the premium, much like a chip does to keep the pre-detonation away.
in 93 they changed from cast to hyperneumatic (sp?) pistons.
That is really the only change in the motor. There were slight differences in the cams -- this is very slight and does no good changing them.
You still run 87 octane in the Gts, cobras, 4.6 S & Dohc motors.
You can run more, but not needed. What happens is that people advance the timing to where they need to run the premium, much like a chip does to keep the pre-detonation away.