Has anybody taken a "stock" SuperChip and had it re-programmed to be more aggressive for a stock late model F-150 4.6L? In other words, I know it has to be re-programmed if you add certain types of modifications, but I am concerned about re-programming a SuperChip for maximum performance to increase low end torque as well as mid level and top end for a stock F-150? Has anyone done this? Did you have better results than with a "stock" superchip? and How much did it cost?

 

Hi Iron Horse,

Performance programming in a stock or lightly modified pickup truck is not an endless supply of power that can be increased ever more just for the asking, or be applied wherever and whenever you want it. We are still subject to basic laws of physics when tuning, and I'll explain a bit..........

You cannot get more than roughly about a 10% peak power gain in these engines (meaning a stock non-Lightning F-150) from this process (powertrain programming for premium gasoline), as the limiting factor is the fuel the vehicle is being run on, the octane & energy content. If you were to run it on ultra-high octane racing gas, say, 100 octane or more, then sure, we could gain even more power than what we already gain in our "normal" performance programs.

Because 99.9% of us have to be able to run on pump gas, that is the general limiting factor in terms of how much power can be gained.

However, if you want all the performance you can possibly get from the Superchip, we can easily set you up with a 2-program combination in a Flip Chip so that you will have a drag-race or street race type of program on one side, and then a more "normal" performance program that would still allow you to do all the things that truck was designed to be able to do on the other side. You don't want to run on a drag race type of program all the time on the street, but you could have that on tap for use when you want every bit of acceleration you can get.

This is far too involved to get into here properly, if you'd like to go over this in detail so you'll really know just what can and cannot be done for your vehicle, please give us a call & we'll be more than happy to go over all of this thoroughly with you.

 

Thank you Mike. When I have some more money saved I will give you a call to order something.

Too bad you don't have combo highperformance packages for sale. For example, 30 extra hp/tq for $ x amount or 50 hp/tq for $ x amount etc. Too bad you don't have a web site with combo deals like that.

Thanks again.

 

Hi Iron Horse,

Funny you should mention that, as I couldn't agree more, and we do indeed have performance packages from mild to wild, from Stage 1, 2 & 3 to Stage Ultimate!

We are also working on our web site, slowly but surely. We have always marketed here on F-150 Online, and have always wanted to spend our time here, so we have dragged our feet a bit in launching our own site. That is being worked on right now, and it won't be long before it's up so you can see all of that.

In the meantime, please feel free to call us if you have questions about putting together a package or a combination of parts to take your vehicle wherever you want it, or if you'd just like to go over things in general, we don't pressure you to place an order when you call. We're happy to help with pre-sales questions, advice & support as well as actually supply any products needed, when the time comes. The point being, please don't feel that you can't call us to just ask us questions, etc. even if you're not ready to place an order at that time. We're happy to help, so don't hesitate to call if you want to.

Enjoy your Easter weekend,

 

Mike T.,

You mean instead of writing volumes on these boards, I could have just called you to plan out the best mods. for my truck and my high performance needs? And just ordered mods. as I could afford to? All right!!!

That would take the guess work out of this process which makes us money by saving us money by getting it right the first time! I can already tell, that we as F-150 owners would benefit many times over from your organization's research of the best products for our specific vehicles. In other words, I know now, that if you recommend something, I can feel confident that it is going to produce the best results possible.

I have another business trip next week ( and I am driving my Harley to New Mexico and back=1200 miles), but I will give you a call the week after to set up my "Performance Action Plan" and start ordering!

I know we will go over details at that time but....I need as much low end torque (I think) as possible on my limited budget for my 99' F-150 XLT Supercab, 4.6L, auto. trans. with overdrive and 3.55 rearend. I don't tow anything, but you know, I just need to.........white smoke my tires!!!!!! ha!

I almost forgot. Do you sell a SuperChip for Harley Davidson Motorcycles? I always put superunleaded in it anyway (to keep less deposits, varnish, etc. out of carb), so I thought, that it might give my stock 1993 Heritage Softail Classic an extra boost as well. Anyway, I will ask you about it in a week or so.


Thanks again.

 

Hi Iron Horse,

Sounds like a great bike trip, I hope that goes well & you can enjoy your time in the wind!

We don't make chips for motorcycles per se, though we do offer a device called the BIKON that is an ignition timing computer that can be used on most coil or TTL engines, which will allow you to remap timing on the fly. It doesn't do the complete job of air/fuel, etc. like the Superchip does for 4-wheelers, but for those who want or need control over timing at all rpms for maximum detonation-free power, that type of device is available.

By all means, please feel free to write on these boards as you have been, we're delighted you're enjoying your time here & F-150 Online can always use enthusiastic participants like yourself. I just wanted to be sure you knew that you can call us to go over anything performance-related for pre-sales advice, suggestions, etc. if you want to, you don't have to place an order to call us for pre-sales info. We feel very strongly that people need to be able to call & get help going over various issues, parts, etc. Whether you want to do a package or do things one at a time (as many of us, myself included, have to do from a budget standpoint), we're happy to help if we can.

My wife & I both love Harleys, if my back wasn't bad we'd probably have at least 1 in the family, a nice loaded turbocharged fat cruiser, maybe with sidecar. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Enjoy your Easter weeeknd & your upcoming trip!

 

Mike T.,

As of today, (Saturday) I have had about 410 miles of SuperChip use. I think I was in error when I said that the Superchip did not help nor hurt my low end torque. It appears that the Superchip has helped my low end torque as well as my mid range and top end.

Today, I noticed that with varibles remaining constant (i.e. same gas, same chip, same homemade throttle cable spacer, same road surface, etc.) I could actually spin my tires better! I do not have to "stomp" the accelerator as before or after the mods..
Today, I only had to "press" down very fast on the accelerator pedal to spin the tires.

I do think that the silencer does increase air velocity which appears to help torque. I was looking at the shape, texture, graduated diameter-large intake area to smaller exit to throttle body area, etc., of the silencer. I think I am going to try to make, or find a tube that is shaped like the silencer (it looks like a curved horn). I think all the current aftermarket airfilter tubes are the same diameter from begining to end for the most part.

Also, have you seen the latest kit that is being sold on Ebay? It is some type of EGR valve "block off" kit. The seller said that, if the EGR valve is blocked off, you have access to "full power" that is normaly only available during wide open throttle?

As far as Harleys go, again, you are right on target. With your key phrase being "detonation free power".

 

Hi Iron Horse,

Thanks for your response!

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Superchip, and noticing it's increased power throughout the power band as you drive it more.

You hit the nail on the head, that silencer in the factory intake tube does indeed have an effect on flow velocity, and thus torque, at lower rpms especially. Removing it will add a few more ponies when the rpms are up but reduce low end torque a bit.

I haven't seen the it on Ebay, but I'm not in favor of eliminating EGR, nor is that legal to do. EGR is used only during closed-loop operation, and it's used specifically to keep NOx emissions down. It does that by replacing burnable mixture with spent gases, but that is used in direct correlation to amount of throttle opening, the more throttle you give it, the less EGR is used. Eliminating EGR may also cause a need for some tuning changes, in addition to it increasing emissions output well beyond legal standards. EGR has been debated for years & years, and yes, it does have a certain amount of power-reducing penalty to it at lighter throttle, but the payback is well worth it. I would look elsewhere to gain power, forget messing with EGR, the gains aren't a lot & you'll be polluting the air for everyone else. No, I'm not an emissions-****, it's just that we can have excellent power and driveability without disabling emissions controls.