Superchip vs. hypertech
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Superchip vs. hypertech, mike?
I have noticed that everyone is running Superchip or Diablo. On our old 550 deisel, we ran the hypertech power programer III. As for now,hypertech doesn't make one for the 99 4.6. I was wandering what the defferences on the two are (superchip vs. hypertech) I do know that the Hypertech plugs into the slot under the steering wheel and has to be programed and taken out. Which one offers better performance and options, such as wheel size, speed limit, and such?
Last edited by PhillipSVT; Dec 9, 2001 at 06:51 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 42
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From: Tampa, FL
Good Question
I would like to know the answer myself. I too, have been looking at both. I would like to ajust the shift points and firmness on my transmission. I don't race and have plenty of horsepower for my present needs. Although extra horsepower would be nice, I don't want or need it bad enough to pay for premium octane gas at every fill up (been there, done that).
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Advantage to Superchip-
Firmer Shifts
More hp
ALOT more torque
Allows for bigger/smaller tires and different gears
Disadvantages to Superchip-
Must put in Premium Gas ($$$)
Advantages to Hypertech-
Firmer Shifts
Use Regular Unleaded
Allows for bigger/smaller tires and different gears
Disadvantages to Hypertech-
No real hp/torque gain
Everyone has different wants and needs. I like putting Premium gas in my tank anyways, and like the extra torque (torque is the REAL power). That is why I chose Superchip. If you don't want to put in premium, or just want to change tire size or something minor like that, then go with hypertech.
Firmer Shifts
More hp
ALOT more torque
Allows for bigger/smaller tires and different gears
Disadvantages to Superchip-
Must put in Premium Gas ($$$)
Advantages to Hypertech-
Firmer Shifts
Use Regular Unleaded
Allows for bigger/smaller tires and different gears
Disadvantages to Hypertech-
No real hp/torque gain
Everyone has different wants and needs. I like putting Premium gas in my tank anyways, and like the extra torque (torque is the REAL power). That is why I chose Superchip. If you don't want to put in premium, or just want to change tire size or something minor like that, then go with hypertech.
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hello everyone,
The reason that Hypertech, Jet, and most other chipmakers make little to no real power gain is very simple:
1.) Hypertech products are completely "generic", meaning there is only 1 program made for all similar vehicles. These F-150's, as the world's most popular vhielce, have more different factory software revisions than any other vehicle ever made, hundreds of different programs each model year alone! No "generic' approach can properly optimize the powertrain program, it has to be done code by code, program by program, as we do it.
2.) They only tune the engine during open-loop operation, which is basically at full-throttle, or very close to it. The rest of the time they don't do a *thing* to alter engine tuning, nothing at all! This is done because of 2 basic reasons: most chipmakers don't actually know how to tune at all throttle positions while still maintaining strict 50-state smissions certification, in fact, Superchips is the only company in the world that does. It's also far cheaper to do it like Hypertech & Jet do, it requires far less R&D time, money, talent & effort tuning to only tune the engine during open loop operation, where there are no emissions standards that have to be met whatsoever, something most people are not aware of.
The Superchip is quite different by comparison: it actually adds much more power than anything from Hypertech or Jet, etc. for these vehicles, and it works all the time, adding torque & horsepower *regardless* of throttle position or engine rpm. That is why they help in towing, city traffic, racing, in *any* situation, you always have more horsepower and more torque on tap, unlike Hypertech.
The Superchip is also made for each individual vehicle, programmed for each individual vehicle's computer code. We don't take the "1 size fits all" approach, as it just doesn't work. that causes heavy compromises to have to be made so that the program will allow many different vehicles to run, and treats each and every one of them the same.
We tune each vehicle according to the exact software revision it has from the factory, as that is the only way to properly & fully optimize the powertrain programming of each and every vehicle.
All in all, it adds up to all the difference in the world, and the Superchip doing a far better job, as many people who have used both products in the *same* vehicle have reported here over the years.
To answer PhillipSVT, The Hypertech does nothing that the Superchip can't do. If you need changes for tire size, gear ratio, etc. we can handle that in all but a few of the newest vehicles, and in a much wider range than Hypertech actually can. One of the problems with doing that a set generic program as they do is that you cannot get real accuracy with all tire sizes, as the exact same size tire from 2 different tire companies does *not* have the same tire height (though they're technically supposed to, they don't), that all has to be done individually to do it correctly.
With regard to using regular gas with a performance chip, that defeats the purpose, as you cannot get a significant power gain on 87 octane gas via powertrain programming, it simply cannot be done. Hypertech usses that as a marketing gimmick, claiming in their ads that the tuning for 87 octane makes almsot as much owioer as their tuning for premuim gas. Well, with *Hypertech* that is true, but then, that's only becuse they aren't adding much, if any pwoer to begin with in these gasolien engines.
We offer the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip in a dual -octane configuration for anyone who wants to be able to use cheap low octane gas in their vehicle. The power gain is small, about 5 hp, but we do make that availalbe for those who want to have that ultimate flexibility on tap, and it's much easier than with the Hypertech, too! All you have to do is to flip the switch with the Superchip, whereas with the Hypertech, you have to unprogram the ECU, and then reprogram it again to change octane levels.
Simply put, the best product you can use on that F-150, or just about any other vehicle, is the Superchip, hands down. It's very simple: if Hypertech was doing a better job, we'd be selling them instead.
If you or anyone else would like to go over any of this in detail, please feel free to give us a call.
The reason that Hypertech, Jet, and most other chipmakers make little to no real power gain is very simple:
1.) Hypertech products are completely "generic", meaning there is only 1 program made for all similar vehicles. These F-150's, as the world's most popular vhielce, have more different factory software revisions than any other vehicle ever made, hundreds of different programs each model year alone! No "generic' approach can properly optimize the powertrain program, it has to be done code by code, program by program, as we do it.
2.) They only tune the engine during open-loop operation, which is basically at full-throttle, or very close to it. The rest of the time they don't do a *thing* to alter engine tuning, nothing at all! This is done because of 2 basic reasons: most chipmakers don't actually know how to tune at all throttle positions while still maintaining strict 50-state smissions certification, in fact, Superchips is the only company in the world that does. It's also far cheaper to do it like Hypertech & Jet do, it requires far less R&D time, money, talent & effort tuning to only tune the engine during open loop operation, where there are no emissions standards that have to be met whatsoever, something most people are not aware of.
The Superchip is quite different by comparison: it actually adds much more power than anything from Hypertech or Jet, etc. for these vehicles, and it works all the time, adding torque & horsepower *regardless* of throttle position or engine rpm. That is why they help in towing, city traffic, racing, in *any* situation, you always have more horsepower and more torque on tap, unlike Hypertech.
The Superchip is also made for each individual vehicle, programmed for each individual vehicle's computer code. We don't take the "1 size fits all" approach, as it just doesn't work. that causes heavy compromises to have to be made so that the program will allow many different vehicles to run, and treats each and every one of them the same.
We tune each vehicle according to the exact software revision it has from the factory, as that is the only way to properly & fully optimize the powertrain programming of each and every vehicle.
All in all, it adds up to all the difference in the world, and the Superchip doing a far better job, as many people who have used both products in the *same* vehicle have reported here over the years.
To answer PhillipSVT, The Hypertech does nothing that the Superchip can't do. If you need changes for tire size, gear ratio, etc. we can handle that in all but a few of the newest vehicles, and in a much wider range than Hypertech actually can. One of the problems with doing that a set generic program as they do is that you cannot get real accuracy with all tire sizes, as the exact same size tire from 2 different tire companies does *not* have the same tire height (though they're technically supposed to, they don't), that all has to be done individually to do it correctly.
With regard to using regular gas with a performance chip, that defeats the purpose, as you cannot get a significant power gain on 87 octane gas via powertrain programming, it simply cannot be done. Hypertech usses that as a marketing gimmick, claiming in their ads that the tuning for 87 octane makes almsot as much owioer as their tuning for premuim gas. Well, with *Hypertech* that is true, but then, that's only becuse they aren't adding much, if any pwoer to begin with in these gasolien engines.
We offer the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip in a dual -octane configuration for anyone who wants to be able to use cheap low octane gas in their vehicle. The power gain is small, about 5 hp, but we do make that availalbe for those who want to have that ultimate flexibility on tap, and it's much easier than with the Hypertech, too! All you have to do is to flip the switch with the Superchip, whereas with the Hypertech, you have to unprogram the ECU, and then reprogram it again to change octane levels.
Simply put, the best product you can use on that F-150, or just about any other vehicle, is the Superchip, hands down. It's very simple: if Hypertech was doing a better job, we'd be selling them instead.
If you or anyone else would like to go over any of this in detail, please feel free to give us a call.
