Hello to eveyone. I'm a new member and looking for an answer about the need to have a chip programed or can I just order a "standard" Superchip for my truck.

I have a '97 f150 with the 5.4l. The only mods I have so far are the K&N FIPK and a set of true duals using 2 1/2" and 2 three-chamber Flowmasters with 3 1/2" chrome tips.

My question stems from the fact that when I had the duals installed, I also had the catalytic converters removed. A friend, who is a service manager for a Ford dealer, used the wiring from the shop to hook-up 'air simulators' to compensate for the abscense of the convertors. The only problem I then had was the increased flow and lack of back pressure caused the mufflers to "bottom out" and sound awful as well as a bit too damn loud. The installation of 2 18" glass packs forward of the flowmasters solved this problem.
At this point, I still have the stock exhaust manifold.

So, with the modifaction of the exhaust system, would I need to order a programed chip or just the standard one?

Sorry for the length and thanks in advance for any help here.

 

Hi bamatrk,

Welcome to F-150 Online!

Since you already have an arrangement to stop the MIL (malfunction indicator light, or check engine light as it's called) due to removing the catalytic converters, you can just order the "standard" Superchip for your vehicle's computer code.

In general, the "standard" Superchip performance program for each vehicles computer code will work just fine with things like K&N or S&B air filters, airbox elimination kits (like the Air Force One, etc.), & cat-back exhaust systems.

Custom programming is required when you do things like change the MAF (mass airflow emter), or major mods like supercharging, nitrous oxide, ported cylinder heads, etc., just to give you a rough general idea of when custom programming is required in these late-model F-150's.

Please feel free to give us a call if you'd like to go over this or anythig else in more detail, & good luck with your truck!