Mike, can you please explain how a Flip Chip works and who would benefit from it's use. I see a few folks decussing them and was wondering if it is something I should look into.

Thanks
Don

 

Also, please explain the difference between a flip chip and a regular super chip for a 5.4L Super crew 4x4 and whether or not you can run regular 87 octane with these chips? Thanks

 

The flip chip allows you to run two different programs on one chip. In my case, as well as most I believe, one program is set to run on 87 and the other is set to run on 91. It is a very good choice for an add-on. I installed it in less then an hour and swear it appeared to be a factory option. With the access cover on the computer and the predrilled tab under the glove box it was amazingly easy. The regualr chip runs one program that is set for high octane, this is where you get the best performance.
I spent alittle time going back thru threads and found more info then you could imagine. I hope this at least as helped a little.

 

Hi dnaber & cajunscrew,

Sure!

The Flip Chip is simply a 2-program version of the Superchip, and it's used primarily by those who need custom programming, or by those who, like Locoscrew, want to have more flexibility in what octane of fuel they can use, and have one program for 87 octane, and then the other program is our normal program for premium gas.

The thing to remember is that the power gain on 87 octane is going to be very small, 3-5 horsepower, no more. This is why we don't make single-program performance chips for use on 87 octane. However, between the small power gain, and all the other changes we make to remove full-power onset delays, and in the automatic models all of the various retards & delays, the vehicle will still accelerate a bit quicker, and the powertrain will be more responsive. Then when you want maximum power, just fill it up with premium and flip the attached switch.

Just to give you an idea, most of our customers still use the single-program Superchip. The Flip Chip gets more popular every time gas prices go up, as you might imagine.

The people using the Flip Chip are those who either want the added flexibility of having an optimized program both for 87 and for 91+ octane, or those who require custom programming for major modifications like gear ratio changes, superchargers, extra-firm shifting, etc.

The Flip Chip doesn't care which 2 programs it gets loaded with, so your only limitation in that regard is the type of vehicle and it's modifications, to determine if any custom programming is required or could be beneficial.

You do not need custom programming for things like airbox kits, K&N air filters, cat-back exhaust systems, etc. Custom programming is required in these vehicles if you use an aftermarket MAF (mass airflow meter), or if you bolt on a supercharger, nitrous oxide, ported cylinder heads, gear ratio changes in '99 & '00 models, etc. In other words, primarily in the event of major modifications.

Also, both the single-program Superchip and the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip are flash designs, so either of them can always be updated in the future should you make any mods that require custom programming at some point down the road.

To answer cajunscrew's question regarding the use of 87 octane with a Superchip, that can only be done in the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip, we don't make the standard single-program Superchip with programs for anythig less than 91 or higher octane.

I hope that answers your questions, if not please feel free to give us a shout by phone or email.

Good luck with your trucks!

 

On this flip chip, is there a switch or something that you have to switch to run different octane gas? Also is this switch immediate. I read somewhere that you can take off your superchip (for dealer servicing so you don't get hassled) but it was recommended to disconnect the battery to reset the computer and drive another 200-300 miles to relearn the computer. Does this have to be done to the flip chip as well if I wanted to switch from high to low octane? I'm just trying to understand all I can about this chip. Also I saw that there are some chips for offroading that added 80+ hp. Is that correct? Could this work for me? All I want is for some more speed when you punch it from a stop. My brother-in-law has a chevy 1500 x-tended cab and I know he could take me from a stand still and I have the 5.4L, but still don't loose no top end because I do a lot of interstate driving as well 70-85 mph. I don't do much towing, just a very light boat (aluminum all weld flat bottom boat). Also just a question to see if anyone can break these big 17" goodyears loose on dry pavement. I only have 300 miles on my truck so far and I only can spin both rear tires in the rain. Is this normal? Sorry this is so long but I'm on a bit of a budget and I'm trying to decide on what to buy first, chip, exhaust w/t y pipe, or intake kit. Not only what to buy first but which brands to buy? If you have any suggestions I would sure appreciate it. OK I'll stop now. Thanks in advance.

 

Hey Canjunscrew

Will be glad to help you out, but didnt you see in the previous post (reply) about the flip-chip switch?

Your question on that was answered. Also its no big trick to spin tires, you dont need mods or chip, just a heavy foot & quick hand.

Good luck. OT

 

Hi Cajunscrew,

The Flip Chip has an attached 2-position switch that you simply flip to change programs. How quickly that change takes place depends on the differences between the 2 programs, but it's never anything like hundreds of miles, it happens pretty quickly, and with some programs immediately. You do not have to disconnect the battery to change programs, you just flip the switch. The only time you would disconnect the battery is upon initial installation or if you remove the Superchip, or if you're going to do formal testing, like at the drag strip on a chassis dyno. Otherwise, you just flip the switch and drive away.

And no, you cannot gain anything like 80 horsepower from a chip in a 5.4 F-150, the only way you're ever going to gain 80 horsepower with one modification in that vehicle is with a supercharger.

We do have some Superchip applications that can gain that much power and even more, but they aren't on any gasoline engine, that is only on the turbocharged Powerstroke diesel motor, and even then that would be strictly an Offroad program designed for racing that cannot be used on the street. That is all immaterial however, as you don't have the Powerstroke diesel, you have a gas engine, the 5.4 in an F-150.

Forget spinning tires, you've got a 3 ton Super Crew truck there, not a Mustang GT or a Lightning. The only way it's ever going to be able to spin the tires on dry pavement is with bald tires going around a turn, or by doing a number of performance modifications. (I'm kidding a bit with you here) Can that be done, make this vehicle burn the tires? Sure, any vehicle can be modified to give any level of performance, it's all a question of money, or as the old saying goes, you can go just as fast as you want to spend!

Your best bet is to start off with a few simple bolt-on mods, and then evaluate where your performance is at, and how much more you're willing to spend at that point to increase it further.

You can get a good 50+ horsepower gain by doing the Superchip, an Air Force One airbox elimination kit, and a good cat-back exhaust, and then at that point, you can evaluate whether you still need more performance, and if so, continue your modifications. Many people find that after doing those 3, which are the Top 3 best bang-for-the-buck mods for these vehicles, that they're satisfied with their performance at that point. You you may or may not be, but at any reate, that is where you should start, with the best bang-for-the-buck mods.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, or get a game plan mapped out to get your performance where you want it, etc. please feel free to give us a call, we're always happy to help!

 

Thanks for the info. I was just wondering about the tire deal. No one I know owns a SCrew and everything I read on here makes it seem as though they have super fast trucks that can smoke the tires all day long and I was just wondering if something was wrong with mine? I still love it though especially since I just added my bass tube in it. One more question: I saw a picture of the air force one FIPK and it seems that the filter just stays exposed inside the engine compartment. Well what happens when you do some heavy duty offroading? Doesn't mud and water get up into the engine compartment and clog this "open" filter up? If it does get dirty, what happens then? I mean you can't exactly get out and clean your filter in the middle of a rice field 20 miles from no where. Sorry for asking so many questions but I never had a truck worth doing all these mods on and I want to understand everything about these mods so that I will have realistic expectations and know what I can and can't do with my truck with these mods. I have decided that I will take your advice and purchase the "3 most bang for the buck mods": flip chip, and airforce one FIPK, then find a local speed shop to install an exhaust. Thanks for the quick info Mike and as soon as I can persuade the wife I'll be calling and making an order.

 

Hi cajunscrew,

Sure, I understand. There's nothing like being able to talk to people who have "been there, done that" to get some perspective on things from. Don't worry, I don't think there is anything wrong with your vehicle's performance, it sounds normal to me.

I think some of what you see posted about the Super Crews could be coming from the Harley Davidson model owners, as they do run very well, better than the other Super Crews, they're lighter 2WD only models, and with just a chip and an airbox kit they can easily run 15-second 1/4 mile times and spin the tires on dry pavement. There are also other Super Crew owners who, once they do a few mods, are very happy with the increased performance and tend to be rather vocal about it, and that's always good feedback to get, too.

WIth regards to the air filter element in the Air Force One kit, where it's located you'd have to be in some very high water, high enough to cause other problems, to get up into the filter and then actually make it on up into the motor. There is a solid plate right there underneath where the air filter element goes that shields it from water splashing up from below, which you cannot see until you remove the factory airbox.

Also, it's perfect for extremely dusty offroad conditions, those type of filters are designed for that purpose, to be able to flow properly even when there is a lot of visible dust & dirt accumulating on the filter, it will still flow air long fter a paper air filter element has become fully clogged. It's also taking it's air in from the cold air inlet on the fender, don't forget. It has a specially shaped S&B filter designed to take the cold air in from the top, and you really can't see that from the picture, you have to see the unit itself. This all makes much more sense when you do the installation and can see how everything works and where it all fits up to each part, etc.

All in all, the Air Force One kit does a fine job of filtering & protecting the air filter element itself. You'd only want something different if you intended to ford 3 or 4 ft. deep streams, I think.

Don't worry about asking questions, that's the only way you find out what you need to know, & we're happy to help any way we can.

Have fun,

 

Cajun,
MY Screw from a straight on dead stop will bark the tires is about all. However if I'm turning onto a street and step into it the tires will let go and light up, quite well may I add. There may be something to the superchip giving a bigger punch mid-band then from an idle. I have also found that from a dead stop if I punch it then back off slightly then stand in it the tires are alot more likely to let loose then just standing in it from the get go. The strange things we do when we have time on are hands. I'm currently about thru the first 1/3 of a tank of 87 octance since I have installed the flip-chip. I'm going to see what speeds I hit at 5 sec. and 10 sec. on both octanes, I will let you guys know what I find out. I do agree with statements made by Mike and other members if we are doing these mods expecting the vehicle to run like a sports car, "we are badly misguided".

 

for those that might have been paying attention
39mph at 5sec
61mph at 10sec
this was with both octanes no noticable difference with each setting of the flip chip.

 

hey Loco, can I assume from your post that you saw no difference in you SCrew with the Superchip? Also you can bark the tires, do you have the Limited Slip 3.55 rear end with the 17" goodyears? That's what I got and I can spin all 4 on wet pavement but not on dry. Let me know about the chip because I was planning on getting the chip and airforce one next week after I buy my books for classes. I'm one of them ole timers going back to school. That's ok because football season is just a little over a week away, and with my new truck we gonna throw some real tailgate parties. GO TIGERS!

 

Cajun, there is a definent increase in performance with the chip. My last post reference the fact that from a stop with the flip chip in either setting and running that octane there was no noticable difference ( from a stop ). It seems that there is a difference higher in the band. The next tank of 87 I will try timing from 40mph to 70mph and see if there is a difference. Hey, there is nothin wrong with wanting to learn more, good for you Cajun, and there is also that coed thing.

 

Hi LocoScrew,

Interesting post, I'd like to comment if I may.........

I'm wondering if your results are perhaps being skewed by the technique you are using. I'll go over that a bit, some of this you'll already know of course, and some of it you might not be aware of.......................

When you just flip the switch, while that instantly changes which chip the instructions are pulled from inside the Flip Chip, that does not instantly change the program sitting there in the microcontroller.

Anytime you want to do any kind of "testing" with the combination of programs you have in that multi-octane Flip Chip setup, whether it's informally by hand like that or on a chassis dyno or at the drag strip, you have to do a re-set (clearing) of the ECU each time, *after* flipping the switch to the program you want to test, including draining residual current. Otherwise you won't be able to measure much, if any difference, because the programs will not be effectively isolated. It will take 50 miles or so of driving for the program change to really take effect in terms of that power change when you just flip the switch and don't clear the ECU, in this particular combination of programs. Just disconnecting the battery briefly won't fully clear the ECU most of the time, you need to do the procedure to drain residual current as well.

One way you can do a test like that is to have very little fuel in the tank, you can run the premium gas program first, and then pour in the 87 octane gas, disconnect the battery, turn the lights on for 5 minutes, shut them back off, re-connect the battery and then go make your second pass. You have to clear the ECU to fullly isolate each program, after flipping the switch to change programs, and make the ECU start from scratch each time, so you have a "level" playing field, so to speak, as well as program isolation.

If you try to do this with premium in the tank and run both programs on premium, that can't give accurate results, as each program is designed for a specific octane level in a number of ways, timing, fueling, etc.

One of my customers just did a 0-60 comparison on his 5.4 F-150, his was a heavy 4X4 with the Offroad package & towing package, etc., and he knocked off a full second from his stock 0-60 times with the same program for premium gas that you have on Side 2. When he did the back-to-back after switching fuels and doing the ECU reset as required, his 0-60 time was reduced by somewhere between 2 and 3 tenths from his stock 0-60 time on the 87 octane program. This gave him a difference between those 2 programs in the Flip Chip of 7-8 tenths of a second from 0-60 mph. He had to go thru all of what I talked about above to do as accurate a back-to-back as can be done under the circumstances, and in his case, it clearly showed a substantial difference between the 2 programs. Both programs dropped acceleration times nicely, and there was a sizeable difference between how much each program, on the required fuel for each, made.

Just some trivia basically, as some of this may have had an affect on your results there, you would know what, if anything I mentioned here, might be applicable to how you did your comparison.

Just FYI, & thanks for your post!

 

Mike I tried to take that into consideration. The way I did the test was I timed the Texaco 93 oct first and this was after about 2000 miles on the Superchip. I then ran the tank down until the low fuel light was on and then drove 30 miles home that night and filled up with my first tank of Texaco 87 oct. I flipped the switch while the engine was off and I was filling up. I then ran that tank down to 1/4 of a tank ( over 200 miles ). I then tested it on the same road with the exact same conditions and came up with roughly the same result. I did run the test twice on both octanes at the time I did it. I'm curious if I had did them with just clearing the brain if the results would not have shown a difference. However my objective was to see after the computer settles in to my driving habits and the change in octane has for sure occured would I see a difference in those speeds at those times. I'm going to try the 40 to 70 time going thru the same process. If you see where I should change something please let me know. My goal is to see if there is a noticable change after everything has settled into my driving habits. I dont want to see if the chip makes a change just initially because I believe it would. Mike please respond yeh or neh as far as input, I do appreciate and believe what you have to say.