Chip Question
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Twp, Michigan
Chip Question
I have read many posts on chips, but I am still a little confused. I just got a 2001 Lightning about a week ago. From what I understand, the chip can be taken out to do warranty work, and that it is not traceable? Also, if all 8 cylinders are used while shifting from 1st to 2nd, than would the transmission not last as long? Is there anything relatively inexpensive that could be done to help the tranny?
thanx for any input
Justin
thanx for any input
Justin
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi CrazyFoo,
Good questions!
I too, own a 2001 Lightning, and am using the Superchip of course. The power cut is an engagement of the 4-cyl. overheat mode, as part of Ford's soft-shift strategy. Removing it, along with other changes that are made, actually reduces the amount of slippage and thus helps the friction materials, the brands & clutches, etc., to last longer due to less heat being produced.
When the Superchip is removed and the ECU cleared, the dealership cannot tell from any diagnostic scan etc. that the Superchip was present.
I would suggest giving us a call when you get a chance, and we'll be happy to go over this with you in detail, we can go over all of these issues & more, & you can give all that some thought & take your time in deciding what you want to do. There are all kinds of thigns you can do to improve how the transmission shifts, from shift kits to the line mod valve to the Superchip, etc. The Superhcip is the most effective method, as it gives you a nice power gain as well as the transmission shift improvements, that is up to you of course. Just give us a shout if you'd like to go over the various options in detail.
Congratulations on your 2001 Lightning by the way! A nice added benefit that we 2001 SVT vehicle owners get is a free loaner vehicle anytime your 2001 SVT vehicle is in the service department for just about anything more than an oil change. In fact, it actually says that in the 2001 owner's manual Lightning supplement. By the way, in your original owner's manual, the Lightning supplement you got was for the 2000 model. Just give SVT a call directly at the number listed in that Lightning owers manual supplement, and they will mail you the 2001 supplement right away, they're already been printed & I got mine a couple weeks ago. In that 2001 supplement, it has the correct 380 horsepower spec, the correct 3.73 gear ratio spec, and details about the free loaner during service.
Enjoy your Lightning,
Good questions!
I too, own a 2001 Lightning, and am using the Superchip of course. The power cut is an engagement of the 4-cyl. overheat mode, as part of Ford's soft-shift strategy. Removing it, along with other changes that are made, actually reduces the amount of slippage and thus helps the friction materials, the brands & clutches, etc., to last longer due to less heat being produced.
When the Superchip is removed and the ECU cleared, the dealership cannot tell from any diagnostic scan etc. that the Superchip was present.
I would suggest giving us a call when you get a chance, and we'll be happy to go over this with you in detail, we can go over all of these issues & more, & you can give all that some thought & take your time in deciding what you want to do. There are all kinds of thigns you can do to improve how the transmission shifts, from shift kits to the line mod valve to the Superchip, etc. The Superhcip is the most effective method, as it gives you a nice power gain as well as the transmission shift improvements, that is up to you of course. Just give us a shout if you'd like to go over the various options in detail.
Congratulations on your 2001 Lightning by the way! A nice added benefit that we 2001 SVT vehicle owners get is a free loaner vehicle anytime your 2001 SVT vehicle is in the service department for just about anything more than an oil change. In fact, it actually says that in the 2001 owner's manual Lightning supplement. By the way, in your original owner's manual, the Lightning supplement you got was for the 2000 model. Just give SVT a call directly at the number listed in that Lightning owers manual supplement, and they will mail you the 2001 supplement right away, they're already been printed & I got mine a couple weeks ago. In that 2001 supplement, it has the correct 380 horsepower spec, the correct 3.73 gear ratio spec, and details about the free loaner during service.
Enjoy your Lightning,
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Geeky,
Oh gosh no, we wouldn't want to do that! We don't want to defeat anything so basic and important to the health of that engine should you experience a coolant leak, never!
Your 4-cylinder overheat mode will still be perfectly functional should you lose coolant and/or overheat, we've just stopped the power loss that it causes when engaged during the upshift, that's all.
Unless a customer specifically requests it (usually only in a racing application for example), we *never* remove things like basic protection modes, like that overheat mode, or a rev limiter, etc., we want your engine to have those basic protections, of course!
Oh gosh no, we wouldn't want to do that! We don't want to defeat anything so basic and important to the health of that engine should you experience a coolant leak, never!
Your 4-cylinder overheat mode will still be perfectly functional should you lose coolant and/or overheat, we've just stopped the power loss that it causes when engaged during the upshift, that's all.
Unless a customer specifically requests it (usually only in a racing application for example), we *never* remove things like basic protection modes, like that overheat mode, or a rev limiter, etc., we want your engine to have those basic protections, of course!