Chip for 93 4.9L
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 15
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From: Connecticut
Chip for 93 4.9L
I am having some problems with the truck. I am thinking it's the computer, if I need a new computer can I get a super chip? I know nothing about this stuff. I can get the computer from a dealer at the tune of $226.00, ouch that hurts. If you were me, what would you do? The truck has 160,000 on it and other then this idle/acceleration problem that just happened, it runs well.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Steve,
If your Ford dealership is telling you that your ECU (that's your powertrain computer) is bad and needs to be replaced, $226 is an *excellent* price on a new ECU. That price is so good that I'd check to make sure it's a Ford ECU and not an aftermarket unit!
We do make Superchips for most of those 4.9 I-6's, or "the Big 6" as we call it. The Superchip does not *repalce* your computer, the Superchip is an *addition* to your computer, so if your computer is bad, you'll still need to replace it even if you want to get the Superchip. In other words, buying a Superchip will not fix anything that might be wrong with your present computer, nor will buying a SUperhicp allow you to not replace your computer if sometihng is actually wrong with it
However, with 160K miles on that motor, I would not advise installing hot-rod parts on it before it gets a rebuild. In a motor with that many miles on it, you may have enough carbon buildup in the combustion chambers that using a Superchip puts you into detonation, for example. You won't know until you try it, but on an older engine with high mileage like that, it's generally not a good idea to start installing go-fast parts to raise power and increase performance until after it's had a good rebuild. You never know, you may be lucky and not have any problems at all instaling a Superchip or other performance parts, most don't have a problem, but it's not worth taking chances on an old motor, especially if it's your primary transportation.
We have no idea what might be wrong with your vehicle, that will require proper diagnosis by a trained service technician, so before doing anything else, make sure to get your current problems taken care of properly first.
Good luck!
If your Ford dealership is telling you that your ECU (that's your powertrain computer) is bad and needs to be replaced, $226 is an *excellent* price on a new ECU. That price is so good that I'd check to make sure it's a Ford ECU and not an aftermarket unit!
We do make Superchips for most of those 4.9 I-6's, or "the Big 6" as we call it. The Superchip does not *repalce* your computer, the Superchip is an *addition* to your computer, so if your computer is bad, you'll still need to replace it even if you want to get the Superchip. In other words, buying a Superchip will not fix anything that might be wrong with your present computer, nor will buying a SUperhicp allow you to not replace your computer if sometihng is actually wrong with it
However, with 160K miles on that motor, I would not advise installing hot-rod parts on it before it gets a rebuild. In a motor with that many miles on it, you may have enough carbon buildup in the combustion chambers that using a Superchip puts you into detonation, for example. You won't know until you try it, but on an older engine with high mileage like that, it's generally not a good idea to start installing go-fast parts to raise power and increase performance until after it's had a good rebuild. You never know, you may be lucky and not have any problems at all instaling a Superchip or other performance parts, most don't have a problem, but it's not worth taking chances on an old motor, especially if it's your primary transportation.
We have no idea what might be wrong with your vehicle, that will require proper diagnosis by a trained service technician, so before doing anything else, make sure to get your current problems taken care of properly first.
Good luck!