Hi All,

Sorry I've been away for so long. I've been on the West Coast for several months, on business.

I have been reading all the stories on chips, and was wondering if anyone has purchased the Hypertech Power Programmer III, that has the Dual Fuel Mode?

Just wondering, if you have any bad or good comments on this product.

87 Octane vs. 93 Octane ???

Thanks, R1968

 

Hi Ranchero,

At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I'll give you a few pointers about the difference between Hypertech and the Superchip, just so you'll be able to make your decision from a more informed standpoint..........

Actually, you'll get a much better product using the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip in our dual-octane configuration. You'll have an easier way to switch back and forth between the 87 octane program and the premium gas program, as instead of having to completely reprogram the ECU each time to effect the program change like you do with the Hypertech unit, with the Superchip Flip Chip all you have to do is to flip the 2-position toggle switch and you're all set, taking maybe 5 seconds.

The Superchip works much better than Hypertech, or Jet, etc. as well; the Superchip is programmed for each individual vehicle's exact software revision, so you get a program made specifically for your individual vehicle, and it also tunes the engine to add power all the time, at any rpm or throttle position.

With Hypertech, you get a completely "generic" program that is heavily compromised to be able to run on all similar vehicles, and a program that only adds power to the engine during open-loop operation, which is basically only at wide-open throttle. The rest of the time it does nothing to add power to the engine, only during open-loop operation, where you spend maybe 2% of your driving time. In fact, Hypertech still tells people that it's illegal to tune the engine anywhere except full-throttle, something that is patently false. The Superchip tunes the engine to add power all the time, at any rpm or throttle position, and is still 50-state emissions certified, and it's the only product of it's kind in the world that has all of that.

We wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide, and if you'd like to go over this in detail, please feel free to give us a call, we'll be happy to go over all of this with you in detail, so you can take your time, consider teh options and make your decision based on what you feel is best for you.

 

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.

A few questions for you??? The Hypertech programmer allows you to add options when programming, if needed. IE. Exhaust and intake upgrades.
Willl the Flip Chip allow for upgrades, and take them into consideration? Or, would I need to add these upgrades prior to installing the Flip Chip?
What I am asking, would I need to add these upgrades prior to installing the Flip Chip, and then have the Flip Chip tuned for these upgrades?

I plan on adding a Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust, a Holley Filter, with a WMS Velocity tube.

About what price range would I be looking at, and do you have any HP/TRQ specs for a stock 2001 5.4L, AOD trans?


Thanks, R1968

 

Hi Ranchero,

Excellent questions!

With the Superchip tuning, partly because it is vehicle-specific in each case, you do not need to have the programming changed for modifications like K&N air filters, airbox elimination kits like the Air Force One for example, or the Holly filter & Velocity Tube you mentioned, or cat-back exhaust systems, those types of modifications you're all set to add with no changes needed. The vast majority of Superchip owners in these F-150's do exactly that, open up both the intake and the exhaust, and we have already taken that into consideration with regard to the air/fuel ratios. You can use the Superchip either with or without those modifications; with them, you'll make a few more horsepower from the Superchip than you would without them.

You only need custom programming changes made to the Superchip if you do generally what are considered to be "major" modifications, things like supercharging, nitrous oxide, ported cylinder heads, camshaft changes, etc., or if you change the MAF (mass airflow meter). Should you do any of those kinds of major mods in the future, your Superchip can easily be updated for a small custom programming fee.

The Dynomax Super Turbo cat-back exhaust is an inexpensive cat-back system and will work OK on this vehicle. Relatively quiet, it will give a small torque loss just as virtually all cat-back systems in the $200 - $300 price range will, but will give you about 10-12 more horsepower at 4900-5000 rpm. It's a good choice if you're looking for a cat-back system on a budget, for example. There are other cat-back systems that will give much better results, allowing you to gain as much as 22-23 horsepower and gain torque instead of lose it, though of course, it will cost more than the Dynomax system will, to be candid. It's all a question of what each individual feels they want and are able to spend wihtout breaking the budget to get a certain level of performance, and the Dynomax will serve you well in it's price range.

Your basic plan is sound, as you are bascially looking at optimizing your powertrain programming, opening up the intake air tract, and opening up the exhaust; those are the Top 3 best bang-for-the-buck areas to modify to get started. Within those 3 basic areas, there are all kinds of products, and we've taken the time to be aware of which will make the most power. If you'd like to review some of that as well, we're always happy to go over that with you in detail if you'd like to call sometime.

WIth regard to HP & TQ specs on the 2001 5.4, they are 260 hp stock, and I believe 350 lbs./ft. of torque, if that is what you are asking. Those are of course factory stock numbers. If you'd like to go over exactly what you're going to gain from various modifications, again, just give us a quick call sometime & we'll go over that with you to give you an idea of what you should make in your area. We'll be back in the shop on January 2nd at 10am Eastern, as usual, we're taking New Year's Eve & New Year's Day off this year.

Happy New Year!