Guys,

I've been a member of this board for a couple of years. Haven't posted much lately. Have a two year old daughter who takes up most of my time and a wife who won't let me spend any more on my truck unless it's "necessary".

I've had hypertech chip installed for about two years now. I havenm't had any issues with it and it's running great. I know that when a chip is installed it overrides the factory computer settings.

My question is if I have something go bad with the engine or sensors, etc..; will the computer still signal it and light up on the dash?

Just wondered if anyone had any idea.

Thanks,

John

 

Hi John,

Yes, with that Hypertech chip installed, your PCM will still illuminate the SES light ("Service Engine Soon," or as we call it, a "check engine" light) when it should, just like normal, so you won't have any problems with that functionality being compromised by a performance chip.

So no problem, just continue to enjoy your truck as always!

 

Mike,

Thanks as always for your valuable information. You were a big help when I was trying to install my chip, even though it wasn't your product!!

I took my truck into the dealer today for a tuneup/new plugs. The OBD computer said my TPS was not receiving enough voltage or the correct voltage. I replaced the stock TB with a BBK 75mm unit about two years ago. The Tech wasn't sure if it was due to the chip overiding some computer functions or not. They did replace a sensor on the back of the TB. I forgot the name and i don't have the paperwork in fron of me, but it was cyndrilical and had an electrical connector. They also adjuste the TB settings a little. It seemed to smooth out the idle somewhat. Although the tech did say that maybe the computer was just relearning it's curves as they had to replace the battery and it'll clear itself up. I wish he would have said that before another $100 for the sensor.

It seems to idle and run much more smoothly than it did before the tuneup. Almost too smooth, you can barely hear it running, even with the Gibson Super Truck Exhaust.

I guess as with anything you grow used to what you have and it doesn't seem as powerful/fast/loud/etc..... If I change to the superchip do you think I'd notice a big improvement? It's funny as I read these threads and it's just like I'm back on the board from two years ago, same questions new members. But basically will I be able to feel it in the seat of my pants?

Thanks again,

John

 

Hi John,

Anytime you change the throttle body you always need to calibrate the TPS (throttle position sensor) voltage immediately, that's SOP. Ideally, it should be at .99v, .98 is OK, & some people prefer the exact 1.00 volts at idle. If the TPS voltage is off, that can cause any number of potential symptoms/problems, like idle quality issues, and even not getting full power @ WOT. I'm sure your tech tried recalibrating the existing TPS before replacing it, that's SOP, and if it wouldn't calibrate then it should have been replaced. Yes, when the PCM is cleared you will go back thru the basic relearn cycle and the adaptive strategy adjustments will start again from scratch. During the first 20-50 miles, and occasionally even longer, you can have idle quality and idle speed issues that will clear up on their own in more miles, that's perfectly normal. However, that TPS still should have been replaced if it wouldn't calibrate.

With regard to whether you'll notice more of an improvement to your performance from the Superchip over the Hypertech, yes, it is true that you will gain more power from the Superchip, and more of a performance improvement.

To answer your question more directly, which was, will you notice a BIG improvement with the Superchip over the Hypertech, I suppose that really depends on your idea of "big" when you get right down to it, as my idea of a "big" difference is a supercharger. But you certainly will notice the difference between the Superchip and the Hypertech. More important (in my opinion) than just the larger raw peak hp gains from the Superchip over the Hypertech in these heavy vehicles is the fact that the Superchip works *all* the time, not just at 81% throttle or more like Hypertech, Jet, & many others out there. Basically what this means is that with the Hypertech tuning they change nothing in the engine tuning at 80% throttle or less. You go into what's called "open loop" operation at anything greater than 80% throttle opening, and a little known fact here is that this is where there are no emissions standards that have to be met. And as a conseqnence of that fact, most chipmakers only tune at full throttle, because it's much cheaper and *far* easier, but that also produces a rather poor state of tune in the engine compared to what it could and should be.

With the Superchip you get it's power gains *all* the time at *any* throttle position, as well as at any rpm. the result is, you have about 10%-12% more raw pwoer on tap at any throttle position or rpm. The vehicle basically feels like you gained about 10% more motor under the hood, is the best way I've heard to describe it. Hypertech tells you, and correctly, that their tuning "increases power at all rpms," but what they don't tell you is that you have to be basically at full throttle or you get nothing in the way of added power. They can say that simply because you can be at full throttle at *any* rpm.

The other point is that the Hypertech tuning is generic, offering only 1 program to run all all of the different factory PCM software revisions for that model year of vehicle with that engine, so it's not a performance program that is made specifically for each individual vehicle like the Superchip is, and that alone makes a significant difference in the results.

The bottom line is, with the Superchip you get a performance program made for *your* vehicle that works all the time at any throttle position or rpm, whereas with the Hypertech you get a generic program compromised to run on all similar vehicles, that can only add power during open loop operation, which is only at extremely heavy to full throttle.

One additional small point is that with the Superchip there is no need to change to the abnormally cold thermostats that Hypertech either requires or recommends for their applications. It's not a good idea to go below 180 degrees for the t-stat temperature in the late-model F-150 anyway, stock is 192 degrees in the 1997 & up F-150/Expedition (180 for supercharged 5.4).

OK, now with the crass commerical over, here's the straight scoop: if you're happy with what you have, there's no pressing need to change it. On the other hand, if you want to get all the power & performance you really could be safely getting from your PCM, then the Superchip is definitely the way to go, and since you already have the Hypertech you're in an excellent position to do the direct comparison.

I hope that helps a little bit, & please feel free to call if you'd like to go over this more thoroughly, etc.

Have fun!

 

Mike,

Thanks as always for the info!! I'll be getting with you to order a Superchip in the near future. I'd love to feel a firmer shift as well as little increase at less than full throttle. Would the your stock chip be ok or would you suggest reprograming one for my mods?

I first have to digest the pain of replacing those two $$$ensors. Lets just say I could've had a chip n' a half at least.

Have a great day!!

John

 

John,

I noticed in your list of mods you didn't have the tailgate fan booster kit. Be sure and get Mike to explain the H.P. gains this will give you.

I would also recommend you insist that Mike programs the chip with the chirps at 40 option.

 

Hi John,

With the modifications you have, on the late-model F-150 you can still use our "standard" performance program for your vehicle's computer code (which you'll get either in the Micro Tuner or in the traditional Superchip module), you don't need custom engine tuning yet. We *could* do that for you if you like, if you want to go to a dyno and get us A/F ratios, etc., we can certainly tune it spot-on for you, but at this stage of the game I think that's overkill for what you have going on there.

By all means, take your time & recover from your recent service event, we know all too well how that goes! All vehicles need maintenance & with that comes expense, and so it goes............

 

OK Rocks,

That's enough of that!

We had just recently gotten past the spate of tailgate fan & chips @ 40 program option jokes, & now you had to go stir it up all over again..........sigh..................let's see, who do I know that can maybe reshuffle things a bit & get you later build date on that new black '03 Lightning.............hmmm.............. (just kidding!)

John, he's just kidding, too!

 

LMAO.............That's not playing fair Mike.

Maybe you could get that guy to get my Lightning off that darned line before x-mas. No wait a minute...let's not rush them, I want a PERFECT Lightning.

I just had to throw in the additional mods crack....I needed something to poke at you with.


Rocks

 

Hi Rocks,

If only I actually had that kind of clout, I'd have 'em make my Lightning way stronger than anyone else's with 4-valve heads & a bigger blower as a starting point (in my dreams)!

As soon as your new black '03 Lightning arrives, maybe I'll take a road trip to watch you install the tailgate fans & the chirps @ 40 option, and let's not forget the platinum pellets in the gas tank, they're always worth another 20 hp & 2 mpg!

All kidding aside, the way you've purchased yours, you'll be among the first to get the '03 Lightning, which has a better interior, new wheels & some suspension changes to springs & shock valving that increase the payload by 600 lbs., and should also help handling. Heck, I'm getting excited *for* you, and can't wait to get my hands on the change parts list to do some upgrades on my 2001!