All-
I'm sure there is a thread that answers my question, but I can't find it. Question: Everybody talks about the incredible boost in performance from chips/tuners, but if this is true, why does Ford not program our trucks this way for optimum performance to begin with?

I have a 2010 FX4 with 33's, XD monster rims, flowmaster exhaust, and bilstein adjustable front shocks (to fit the 33's), and I would love to increase my HP and my MPG, if that's really possible, and doesn't risk ruining my truck.

Appreciate your all's help...I'm obvious a novice with this stuff.

-AJ

 

Ford has to pass emissions tests that last 50k miles I think. So, they may be a little conservative in the tune to make sure it passes the NO emissions limit. Tuners while claiming to be emissions legal, I have my doubts. they do the same thing we used to do with old cars, tune in a more agressive timing advance curve. I installed a Superchips program in my 2005 Dodge Magnum Hemi. It was rated 340hp and the Superchips program claimed a 12hp/15ftlb torque increase which my buttometer judged to be correct. I installed a Superchips program in my 02 F150 5.4L and it felt like a 20hp increase. But, for some reason the factory tune on the 02 felt slower than my previous 2000 F150 both identically equipped except the 2000 had 16" rims and the 2002 has 17" rims.

 

Just to add to what roadie said, the engineers at ford also have to account for drivers who put the lowest grade of fuel in they can find and the ones who accidentally start out in second or third gear. They have to write the tune very conservatively to keep them from blowing it up. When you hear about people who have a bad experience with a aftermarket tune, they probably were running a tune requiring 91 or 93 octane and put in 87 or started off in the wrong gear.

 

This is helpful. Although, how the hell does one start off in the wrong gear? My god.

 

I forgot to mention that the fuel economy was improved on both of my vehicles after installing the Superchips tune.

 

Actually back in the early days of EFI automatic transmissions still had full mechanical control and if you put the shifter in 2 or L2 you started off in second gear.

 

Ahh, didn't know that. Thanks for explaining.