Chips to eliminate pinging
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From: Wylie, Texas
Chips to eliminate pinging
Just wanted to know if any of yall with chips had ever expierenced pinging before installing your chip, and if so if the chip had any effect on your issue with pinging. I am aware of a few who have eliminated there problem by having a chip programmed to correct this issue, and instructed the chip maker to specifically program the chip for the sole purpose of correcting there problem with pinging. Anyone else had any luck with this? Also, has anyone had a problem with pinging before getting a chip and the chip had little or no effect on your problem with pinging? TIA guys...
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From: Virginia
Hi STX,
The first thing to note about this is it is not the design purpose of any off-the-shelf performance chip to cure any and all detonation, nor can a performance chip fix any mechanical problems.
With that said, sure, we can and have quelled detonation many times in these & other vehicles via custom tuning, we can do that via tuning anytime the detonation is due to a *tuning* issue.
However, many times detonation is not caused by a tuning issue (meaning basics like timing & A/F's), but instead is an EGR or other problem, making it a mechanical repair issue.
There is what we here at Performance call the "classic FOU1 detonation" that we see in probably 5% or a bit more of the 1998 4.6 automatic F-150's with the PCM code of FOU1. And those we can cure. These trucks having an inherent tendency to ping (detonate, spark knock) on 87 octane on the factory program is something seen in more of the 1998 model year F-150's than any other model year in our experience, with 1997 running a distant 2nd. And in those situations where it's a tuning problem, whether it's an FOU1 code or any other, we can take care of that by tuning the engine properly. That is *custom* tuning, and is not going to be something that any off-the-shelf performance chip is going to do. (You may well be aware of that & other matters already, some of this is for others who may come along to read this later who don't know..............)
The bottom line on this is very simple: If it's detonation caused by a tuning issue, then it can be taken care of via tuning (custom chip), we can quell the detonation in the chip.
If the detonation is caused by anything other than a tuning issue, then tuning isn't going to fix it.
There will be a "Yes" answer and a "No" answer to every one of your questions depending on who answers & what their situation is/was, because detonation has several forms and *many* causes. So you'll get the full range including both Yes and No answers to every one of your questions. You're aware that some people have had their detonation taken care of via custom tuning, so you already know that can be done. But *only* if the detonation is caused by improper tuning, no chip can be expected to cure detonation caused by other problems.
It can also take more than 1 program change to quell detonation that is from tuning, it can sometimes take several program adjustments to take care of the detonation; don't expect things to be perfect the first time out when custom tuning, that isn't realistic. You may be lucky and have the first program change nail it, that does sometimes happen but don't count on it, as we're talking about *custom* tuning.
It's all a matter of whether your detonation is in fact caused by a tuning issue and not a marginal O2 sensor, or an EGR problem, another sensor problem, or any of many other causes that can result in the symptom of detonation.
I hope that helps a little bit STX/98, & please feel free to call us if you want to go over this in more detail, or go over whatever your situation may be, etc.
Good luck!
The first thing to note about this is it is not the design purpose of any off-the-shelf performance chip to cure any and all detonation, nor can a performance chip fix any mechanical problems.
With that said, sure, we can and have quelled detonation many times in these & other vehicles via custom tuning, we can do that via tuning anytime the detonation is due to a *tuning* issue.
However, many times detonation is not caused by a tuning issue (meaning basics like timing & A/F's), but instead is an EGR or other problem, making it a mechanical repair issue.
There is what we here at Performance call the "classic FOU1 detonation" that we see in probably 5% or a bit more of the 1998 4.6 automatic F-150's with the PCM code of FOU1. And those we can cure. These trucks having an inherent tendency to ping (detonate, spark knock) on 87 octane on the factory program is something seen in more of the 1998 model year F-150's than any other model year in our experience, with 1997 running a distant 2nd. And in those situations where it's a tuning problem, whether it's an FOU1 code or any other, we can take care of that by tuning the engine properly. That is *custom* tuning, and is not going to be something that any off-the-shelf performance chip is going to do. (You may well be aware of that & other matters already, some of this is for others who may come along to read this later who don't know..............)
The bottom line on this is very simple: If it's detonation caused by a tuning issue, then it can be taken care of via tuning (custom chip), we can quell the detonation in the chip.
If the detonation is caused by anything other than a tuning issue, then tuning isn't going to fix it.
There will be a "Yes" answer and a "No" answer to every one of your questions depending on who answers & what their situation is/was, because detonation has several forms and *many* causes. So you'll get the full range including both Yes and No answers to every one of your questions. You're aware that some people have had their detonation taken care of via custom tuning, so you already know that can be done. But *only* if the detonation is caused by improper tuning, no chip can be expected to cure detonation caused by other problems.
It can also take more than 1 program change to quell detonation that is from tuning, it can sometimes take several program adjustments to take care of the detonation; don't expect things to be perfect the first time out when custom tuning, that isn't realistic. You may be lucky and have the first program change nail it, that does sometimes happen but don't count on it, as we're talking about *custom* tuning.
It's all a matter of whether your detonation is in fact caused by a tuning issue and not a marginal O2 sensor, or an EGR problem, another sensor problem, or any of many other causes that can result in the symptom of detonation.
I hope that helps a little bit STX/98, & please feel free to call us if you want to go over this in more detail, or go over whatever your situation may be, etc.
Good luck!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Oct 15, 2002 at 11:32 AM.
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From: Roanoke, Va
my 2000 pings like a ***** you know what, i am so pissed about this. i thought a chip might slove my troubles, was getting ready to order one, how do you diagnose what is causing the ping? is it trial and error? stop when the last things works? sounds as though that might be expensive, but not as expensive as replacing my engine due to detonation......what to do what to do, Mike whats up with the Y2K 4.6's any help here?
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From: Wylie, Texas
Originally posted by Superchips_Distributor
There is what we here at Performance call the "classic FOU1 detonation" that we see in probably 5% or a bit more of the 1998 4.6 automatic F-150's with the PCM code of FOU1. And those we can cure. These trucks having an inherent tendency to ping (detonate, spark knock) on 87 octane on the factory program is something seen in more of the 1998 model year F-150's than any other model year in our experience, with 1997 running a distant 2nd. And in those situations where it's a tuning problem, whether it's an FOU1 code or any other, we can take care of that by tuning the engine properly. That is *custom* tuning, and is not going to be something that any off-the-shelf performance chip is going to do. (You may well be aware of that & other matters already, some of this is for others who may come along to read this later who don't know..............)
There is what we here at Performance call the "classic FOU1 detonation" that we see in probably 5% or a bit more of the 1998 4.6 automatic F-150's with the PCM code of FOU1. And those we can cure. These trucks having an inherent tendency to ping (detonate, spark knock) on 87 octane on the factory program is something seen in more of the 1998 model year F-150's than any other model year in our experience, with 1997 running a distant 2nd. And in those situations where it's a tuning problem, whether it's an FOU1 code or any other, we can take care of that by tuning the engine properly. That is *custom* tuning, and is not going to be something that any off-the-shelf performance chip is going to do. (You may well be aware of that & other matters already, some of this is for others who may come along to read this later who don't know..............)
I do have the '98 FOU1 program and feel pretty confident that my issue is indeed tuning related after exhausting just about every other possibility. I've had some degree of pinging in the colder temperatures since my truck had less than 30,000 miles (now at 90,000.) As far as custom tuning goes, would I have a better chance of correcting my problem with pinging for a 'custom chip' setup for 87 octane or 92/93 octane? Are there any other 'variables' I should consider and try to get figured out before calling and getting a custom chip burned to help correct the problem, or is custom tuning more of a hit or miss type of thing that just takes time to get more and more specific to correct the problem? Also, I know you can't get into prices, but if 'custom tuning' cost more than the regular chip prices on the website, could I get you to drop me an email at chris@downspin.com and give me an idea what it would cost, aswell as what it will cost to have it reburned if we are not able to get the problem nailed the first time.
As always, thanks for all your help Mike...
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
I think I may be the only member of the boards with the FOU1 code and no persistant pinging. Mine only seems to do it when there has been a quick outdoor temperature change since the last time I started the truck. It will rattle pretty bad for the first few accelerations after starting, then go away. Of course I ran 92 and up octane since I bought the truck with 24,000 miles. I also have a chip, and it still needs to be reburned for dual exhausts. Sorry Mike, my fault. I've been lazy lately, and I hate to even take the chip out to tell you the truth. I will be home in January for a while, and I will ship it out then. I'll be talking to you in the next month or two
.,,,,98
.,,,,98
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From: Virginia
Hi Screamer,
Actually, only about 5% of the FOU1's have that issue of pinging on the stock program, using 87 octane gas, so roughly 95 out of 100 of them will be like yours, not exhibiting any detonation.
It's just that here on F-150 Online, quite naturally we see more posts from those who are having problems, so it tends to skew the perception of those actual numbers a bit from all those posts, but overall, the vast majority of FOU1's have no such problem.
Actually, only about 5% of the FOU1's have that issue of pinging on the stock program, using 87 octane gas, so roughly 95 out of 100 of them will be like yours, not exhibiting any detonation.
It's just that here on F-150 Online, quite naturally we see more posts from those who are having problems, so it tends to skew the perception of those actual numbers a bit from all those posts, but overall, the vast majority of FOU1's have no such problem.
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From: Wylie, Texas
one more time
Hi Mike..
I do have the '98 FOU1 program and feel pretty confident that my issue is indeed tuning related after exhausting just about every other possibility. I've had some degree of pinging in the colder temperatures since my truck had less than 30,000 miles (now at 90,000.) As far as custom tuning goes, would I have a better chance of correcting my problem with pinging for a 'custom chip' setup for 87 octane or 92/93 octane? Are there any other 'variables' I should consider and try to get figured out before calling and getting a custom chip burned to help correct the problem, or is custom tuning more of a hit or miss type of thing that just takes time to get more and more specific to correct the problem? Also, I know you can't get into prices, but if 'custom tuning' cost more than the regular chip prices on the website, could I get you to drop me an email at chris@downspin.com and give me an idea what it would cost, aswell as what it will cost to have it reburned if we are not able to get the problem nailed the first time.
As always, thanks for all your help Mike...
I do have the '98 FOU1 program and feel pretty confident that my issue is indeed tuning related after exhausting just about every other possibility. I've had some degree of pinging in the colder temperatures since my truck had less than 30,000 miles (now at 90,000.) As far as custom tuning goes, would I have a better chance of correcting my problem with pinging for a 'custom chip' setup for 87 octane or 92/93 octane? Are there any other 'variables' I should consider and try to get figured out before calling and getting a custom chip burned to help correct the problem, or is custom tuning more of a hit or miss type of thing that just takes time to get more and more specific to correct the problem? Also, I know you can't get into prices, but if 'custom tuning' cost more than the regular chip prices on the website, could I get you to drop me an email at chris@downspin.com and give me an idea what it would cost, aswell as what it will cost to have it reburned if we are not able to get the problem nailed the first time.
As always, thanks for all your help Mike...
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From: Virginia
Hi pgh_medic,
The best thing to do in a situation like that is to give us a call so we can go over this with you in detail in order to determine whether your detonation is a tuning issue we can help with in the Superchip, or whether it's due to something else. In many cases we can usually determine that over the phone, or worst-case scenario, have you do a coupla-few simple things to try that will give us that answer.
If it's a tuning issue, we can help with that, so the easiest thing to do is to just give us a call when you can & we can go over your situation in detail to see just what's going on there with your vehicle.
Hang in there!
The best thing to do in a situation like that is to give us a call so we can go over this with you in detail in order to determine whether your detonation is a tuning issue we can help with in the Superchip, or whether it's due to something else. In many cases we can usually determine that over the phone, or worst-case scenario, have you do a coupla-few simple things to try that will give us that answer.
If it's a tuning issue, we can help with that, so the easiest thing to do is to just give us a call when you can & we can go over your situation in detail to see just what's going on there with your vehicle.
Hang in there!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Oct 15, 2002 at 04:04 PM.
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From: Virginia
Hi STX/98,
Since you have the FOU1, I feel pretty sure we can help you, and we can usually determine that over the phone, whether your detonation issue is one that can be addressed in the tuning. If yours is what we call "the classic FOU1 detonaiton" (which we maybe should call the "classic" 1998 4.6 detonation), then you won't have any custom program fees to worry about, either.
To get the full benefit from the Superchip, you'll want to have us tune it for the use of good quality premium gas like everyone else is using, otherwise you won't get the power gain like everyone else does. We can tune it for use on 87 octane, but you won't see the power gain everyone else does, though you will see the transmission changes, TS limiter gone, etc., and perhaps a small power gain, depending on just how bad your current detonation is. Best case scenario on 87 octane you might gain 5 hp, probably less since you are now detonating. I'd say just have us tune it for premium so you get the raw power everyone else does from the Superchip, but that's up to you, we can discuss that when you call.
The easiest way to get to the bottom og this is to just give us a quick call when you get a chance & I can go over your situation in detail to give you all the relevant info, what's going on with your vehicle specifically, whether we can fix that or not and then exactly how we'll address it. We'll go over with you everything else to check first to rule out other causes of your detonation, etc., so you'll know what you're dealing with before you take the plunge, & I think you'll find we can take care of this for you.
Since you have the FOU1, I feel pretty sure we can help you, and we can usually determine that over the phone, whether your detonation issue is one that can be addressed in the tuning. If yours is what we call "the classic FOU1 detonaiton" (which we maybe should call the "classic" 1998 4.6 detonation), then you won't have any custom program fees to worry about, either.
To get the full benefit from the Superchip, you'll want to have us tune it for the use of good quality premium gas like everyone else is using, otherwise you won't get the power gain like everyone else does. We can tune it for use on 87 octane, but you won't see the power gain everyone else does, though you will see the transmission changes, TS limiter gone, etc., and perhaps a small power gain, depending on just how bad your current detonation is. Best case scenario on 87 octane you might gain 5 hp, probably less since you are now detonating. I'd say just have us tune it for premium so you get the raw power everyone else does from the Superchip, but that's up to you, we can discuss that when you call.
The easiest way to get to the bottom og this is to just give us a quick call when you get a chance & I can go over your situation in detail to give you all the relevant info, what's going on with your vehicle specifically, whether we can fix that or not and then exactly how we'll address it. We'll go over with you everything else to check first to rule out other causes of your detonation, etc., so you'll know what you're dealing with before you take the plunge, & I think you'll find we can take care of this for you.
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Oct 15, 2002 at 04:08 PM.
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From: Starkville Mississippi
hey
my 98 4.6 auto FOU1 pings under hard accelaration or at highway speed when youre going up a hill or just hit the gas slightly at 65mph+. I usually run 91 octane and it helps some, but i was wondering what power gains (hp and tq) i would see if i got a chip that lets me run 91+ octane and stops pinging. Any ideas?
my 98 4.6 auto FOU1 pings under hard accelaration or at highway speed when youre going up a hill or just hit the gas slightly at 65mph+. I usually run 91 octane and it helps some, but i was wondering what power gains (hp and tq) i would see if i got a chip that lets me run 91+ octane and stops pinging. Any ideas?
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From: Wylie, Texas
They claim 26 hp and 40 lbs of torque for the 4.6 over stock. I'm not sure if on a dyno your truck would actually show to have 26 more hp after you install the chip or not. In my case, if it will take care of the pinging, I couldn't careless if it add's any hp!
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From: Virginia
Hi Green_98,
In your case, since you have 91 octane instead of 93, and your truck is also detonating, there is no way to tell you exactly how much power you'll gain from our tuning, as we'll need to tune that engine properly for your local fuel quality. The normal result in a situation like yours is about 10% more horsepower, just to give you a rough idea. STX/98 posted the maximum potential gain from the Superchip for the 4.6 F-150 in his post (the 26 hp & 40 lbs./ft. he mentioned), and that is using 93 octane premium on a vehicle that is not detonating of course. So you'll gain a little bit less than the absolute maximum potential gain, but in any case these trucks wake up nicely from our tuning, so you'll get better performance and a nice power gain.
The thing to do is to give us a call so we can go over this with you properly, as we'll need to go over your detonation issue specifically and in detail. Detonation can be caused by anything from a tuning issue to poor fuel quality to mechanical problems & maintenance issues, etc., so the first thing to determine is whether or not your detonation is being caused by a tuning issue, by calling us.
Your truck may well just be suffering from what we call the "classic FOU1 detonation," a term that is a bit of a misnomer as it's really the 1998 4.6's that we see detonating more than other model years on the factory program, and that's a tuning issue we can correct.
The bottom line is, give us a call when you get a chance so we can go over this with you properly, we'll be happy to let you know exactly what we can do in your situation. Our contact info is just below for your convenience.
In your case, since you have 91 octane instead of 93, and your truck is also detonating, there is no way to tell you exactly how much power you'll gain from our tuning, as we'll need to tune that engine properly for your local fuel quality. The normal result in a situation like yours is about 10% more horsepower, just to give you a rough idea. STX/98 posted the maximum potential gain from the Superchip for the 4.6 F-150 in his post (the 26 hp & 40 lbs./ft. he mentioned), and that is using 93 octane premium on a vehicle that is not detonating of course. So you'll gain a little bit less than the absolute maximum potential gain, but in any case these trucks wake up nicely from our tuning, so you'll get better performance and a nice power gain.
The thing to do is to give us a call so we can go over this with you properly, as we'll need to go over your detonation issue specifically and in detail. Detonation can be caused by anything from a tuning issue to poor fuel quality to mechanical problems & maintenance issues, etc., so the first thing to determine is whether or not your detonation is being caused by a tuning issue, by calling us.
Your truck may well just be suffering from what we call the "classic FOU1 detonation," a term that is a bit of a misnomer as it's really the 1998 4.6's that we see detonating more than other model years on the factory program, and that's a tuning issue we can correct.
The bottom line is, give us a call when you get a chance so we can go over this with you properly, we'll be happy to let you know exactly what we can do in your situation. Our contact info is just below for your convenience.
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From: Waterford, MI, USA
Well after reading this post I went out and took a look and I also have the wonderful FOU1 on a 98 with the 4.6. I have just been alternating between running midgrade and premium and found that this is correcting it for me. I was wondering since I have the classic FOU1 detonation problem and I am already using premium what kind of power increase would I get by installing a chip? Also I am planning on doing an exhaust system upgrade to true duals with a crossover in a few months and wanted to know if this would have any effect on the program for the chip or not. I don't want to get the chip first if it's going to need to be modified to accomodate the new exhaust system. The exhaust system change will be cutting the factory pipes after the converters before the Y pipe and installing a crossover then a muffler for each pipe then straight out the back.
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From: Virginia
Hi Speedy46,
You should see a normal ~20 hp gain or so on that 4.6 from our tuning, as it sounds like your detonation issue isn't very pronounced.
When you're detonating, the PCM is already retarding spark & thus reducing power, so there are times when we'll see even larger than normal power gains in a before & after situation. For example, in certain Corvette models, we pick up a solid 20 to as much as 30 horsepower at the wheels in the 1500-4000 rpm range just from correcting some problems with the factory tuning.
We don't need to tune for a true dual exhaust in these vehicles, but if you incorporate an H-pipe or an X-pipe, there are things we can do to add a little bit more power via custom tuning, perhaps another 3-4 hp. In general, you want to use an H-pipe with tru duals to bring up low end torque, and use an X-pipe with tru duals to increase higher-rpm power and to impart a unique sound to the exhaust, just FYI..................
Give us a call to go over this any more detail, etc.
You should see a normal ~20 hp gain or so on that 4.6 from our tuning, as it sounds like your detonation issue isn't very pronounced.
When you're detonating, the PCM is already retarding spark & thus reducing power, so there are times when we'll see even larger than normal power gains in a before & after situation. For example, in certain Corvette models, we pick up a solid 20 to as much as 30 horsepower at the wheels in the 1500-4000 rpm range just from correcting some problems with the factory tuning.
We don't need to tune for a true dual exhaust in these vehicles, but if you incorporate an H-pipe or an X-pipe, there are things we can do to add a little bit more power via custom tuning, perhaps another 3-4 hp. In general, you want to use an H-pipe with tru duals to bring up low end torque, and use an X-pipe with tru duals to increase higher-rpm power and to impart a unique sound to the exhaust, just FYI..................
Give us a call to go over this any more detail, etc.