ok, here's what i know as of right now.... if i buy a chip, then i will get better performance out of my truck. but to access this power, i need to put 93 octane gas in it. (thus buying more expensive gas)....anyway. if i dont buy this 93 gas, then i can surely have a good chance to ruin my engine. here is the question.......... lets say i get a chip, start buying 93 gas (since it's sooo low $$ now), but then the $$ starts to rise again. i take the chip out and run 87 regular gas in it. then the $$ start to fall back down, so i put it back in again......will this taking it out, and putting it back in ruin the whole chip setup or my engine at all???? help!
thanx
JP

 

From what I have heard, it does not hurt to remove or reinstall the chip. I belive you must drain the electrical system to reset the computer or drive ~300-350 miles to clear everything.

I would not remove or reinstall the chip to often as the engin may not like that.

Now another option is the flip-chip. I considered this but it was more money and now that I am used to the performance increase I don't think I will ever go back regardless of gas price (to a point).

The flip chip has 2 programs on it by default one side has the high octane program and the other side has the standard 87 octane program. You still get the improved shifting with both sides though.

Now if you talk to Mike you should be able to get a custom programed chip that will always run on the 87 and just improves the shifting? If your that concerned about the gas price.

I'm sure Mike will have more info for you though.

 

In my opinion.....

I don't think it would hurt the truck to remove and reinstall the chip. We are advised to do so when going in for service. The one problem I can see possibly happening is eventuall wearing out the contacts on the chip or the board. I think one would have to remove and reinstall the chip very often for this to happen. I think the flip chip is a good solition.

I don't think the changes the chip makes are drastic enough for there to be a problem at the mechanical componants that recieve the information from the computer. When we remove the chip we are just going back to the default program.

Ford programs the vehicles for 87 octane because it is less expensive. They can't utalize the potential of the engine, so this default program is for cost. A chip changes the program for performance. It will utalize more of the engines potential by making a few changes. In short, there is a difference in the quality of 87 and 93 octane gas. In order to have the chip program function the higher quality gas must be used. Many sports type vehicles use a 93 octane program from the factory.

Silverspeed_02, I don't think you would have any problem. Why not get more of the engines potential power.
This is only MY opinion. Check out what others have to say. I think you will be able to decide easier that way.

Tom

 

It would be quite a PITA to pop it in and out but it won't hurt anything, except like what wittom said, wearing the contacts out but that ouwld proabably take a whole lot of in and out.

If you're worried about gas prices, get a flip chip. Then you just flip the switch. You don't loose the benefits of the tranny shift points etc. like you would with pulling the chip.

Either way, get one, you'll be amazed!

 

HI SS02 Happy turkey day to all!

You got some good feed back here....

I use the superchip flipchip 87/92oct... stock programs..

I decided to spend extra $ for the 2 programs. Wanted to always keep the better AT shifts..small increase in mpg....its been said very small gains useing 87oct (i cant tell) but on 91/92oct.

Didnt want to pull chip out...Like Family Ride said...flip the switch!

You do have choices...figure out whats right for you....

The first time i flipped to (#1) 87 from (#2) 92oct didnt like it..so.. For some reason now im paying more for gas...another case of the dreaded "SuperBug"

Good luck....OT

 

Hi Silver,

No, it's not going to hurt anything to remove & install the Superchip 100 times, and it would take far more to begin to wear on the contacts if they're cleaned correctly, as they have a protective tin coating that's pretty durable with regards to R&R'ing the Superchip.

As I said to you in email, Silver, one of the most basic tenants when you're looking for more performance has always been using good quality fuel, as putting a better tune on the motor is the best bang-for-the-buck change you can make in these vehicles. If you're not willing to use good quality premium gasoline all the time, then just go with the 2-program Flip Chip as many others have done, as that way you'll have better performance all the time, no matter what grade of fuel you run it on. Then when you want maximum power, fill it up with premium, flip the switch and enjoy.

To give you an idea of what the actual costs to operate the single-program Superchip on premium gas all the time, it's about $100 per 10,000 miles, a drop in the proverbial performance bucket compared to how much more enjoyable the vehicle is. This assumes the vehicle is not being driven like a race car too often, of course.

 

Just what are the customization limits of the ECU? My friend who drives '91 Mitsu Galant VR-4 recently installed an ECU that incorporates a security feature. Under security mode, he must perform a rather elaborate sequence (tapping the break, gas, etc) before starting the car, or the car's rev will be limited to 1K. Which is good enough for a valet to guide the car to a parking spot, but hardly fast enough for a thief to drive away. Could we program in something like that to these chips? Obviously, I don't want to do a little tap dance on the pedals every time I start the car, but if I'm parking it for some length of time (overnight or at a restaurant), it should give some additional peace of mind.

 

Hi chaean,

That must be an amusing tap-dance sequence to watch.

Nothing like that is required to effect a valet mode in these vehicles, we can do a valet mode in a 2-program chip very easily to accomplish what you want. It will have a 2-position toggle switch to select which program you're running on, and you mount the switch where you want.

Just give us a shout & we'll get you all the details, our contact info is just below.