superchip impressions
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
superchip impressions
I am very happy with the Superchip and the service of performance products (Mike T’s company). Mike is a great guy who does business the right way.
Now about the chip. The transmission behavior is “fixed”. I realize soft drawn out upshifts and a 1– 2 second delay on forced (pedal down) downshifts is up for interpretation as a “real” problem. The drivetrain was calibrated that way. But IMHO it is “fixed”. It doesn’t shift hard, it just shifts quickly and “normally” in my eyes. I don’t get that momentary sinking feeling in my gut as a pull out for a pass and wonder if forward acceleration will return after the trans decides to shift. The truck doesn’t sound like a low RPM snowmobile anymore on the light throttle 1-2 and 2-3 shifts either.
I seem to have a detectable addition of power, even in the 87 octane mode. I’m going to try a tank of 93 with the chip flipped next week. Oddly enough with real addition of power seems to be about 2200 RPM for me. The new 5000 RPM shift point is nice too. It may not really be any faster because of it, but it feels like the truck is doing more for you when things have gotten ugly. Some times the butt dyno can be deceiving though.
Another thing that is strange, and maybe its just me. I just traded in a 5 speed stick F150. I used compression braking often to slow the truck in traffic transitions. For good or bad I just got in the habit of leaving it in gear and letting up on the go pedal to scrub off some speed. Well, I had to adapt my driving habits a bit when I got the auto, because I was on the brakes more than I needed to be, and the truck would “coast” more with the throttle off. With the superchip the downshifts at 0 throttle seem to come sooner, increasing compression braking. I can still do the cost thing (to save gas, engine wear, ect…) by staying on the throttle a few %, but I appreciate the additional deceleration I have now when I am off the pedal.
Now about the chip. The transmission behavior is “fixed”. I realize soft drawn out upshifts and a 1– 2 second delay on forced (pedal down) downshifts is up for interpretation as a “real” problem. The drivetrain was calibrated that way. But IMHO it is “fixed”. It doesn’t shift hard, it just shifts quickly and “normally” in my eyes. I don’t get that momentary sinking feeling in my gut as a pull out for a pass and wonder if forward acceleration will return after the trans decides to shift. The truck doesn’t sound like a low RPM snowmobile anymore on the light throttle 1-2 and 2-3 shifts either.
I seem to have a detectable addition of power, even in the 87 octane mode. I’m going to try a tank of 93 with the chip flipped next week. Oddly enough with real addition of power seems to be about 2200 RPM for me. The new 5000 RPM shift point is nice too. It may not really be any faster because of it, but it feels like the truck is doing more for you when things have gotten ugly. Some times the butt dyno can be deceiving though.
Another thing that is strange, and maybe its just me. I just traded in a 5 speed stick F150. I used compression braking often to slow the truck in traffic transitions. For good or bad I just got in the habit of leaving it in gear and letting up on the go pedal to scrub off some speed. Well, I had to adapt my driving habits a bit when I got the auto, because I was on the brakes more than I needed to be, and the truck would “coast” more with the throttle off. With the superchip the downshifts at 0 throttle seem to come sooner, increasing compression braking. I can still do the cost thing (to save gas, engine wear, ect…) by staying on the throttle a few %, but I appreciate the additional deceleration I have now when I am off the pedal.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi adaycj,
Nice post!
The comment we hear most often about the change to the automatic transmission shift characteristisc and power gains, etc. people say "that's the way it should have come from the factory."
Glad you are enjoying your Superchip, have fun!
Nice post!
The comment we hear most often about the change to the automatic transmission shift characteristisc and power gains, etc. people say "that's the way it should have come from the factory."
Glad you are enjoying your Superchip, have fun!