Just installed my Superchip on my '99 Expy. It's the best mod I've done so far! Thanks Mike Troyer for your help with the order and for shipping it 2-Day UPS Blue. It arrived yesterday afternoon during a torrential downpour in NY.

Here's my advice for Expy 4.6 owners who are tired of the sluggish feel of this truck: K&N or AirAid Performance Injection Kit, Gibson Cat-Back single exhaust and last, but MOST important, Superchip! BIG Difference.

Great site! The best for Expedition owners that I've come accross.

JC

 

Glad to hear you like your chip. I just installed a Superchip on my '00 5.4 Expy and it is working well. Shifts are much better than the sloppy stock stuff, although I still may put a mild shift kit in it. It definitely has more punch, too.

I'm just about finished with my "Thunder" conversion. Not really going to go bonkers with the powertrain, so I'm not planning a blower or anything like that for this vehicle.

But, I did just get the Lightning front bumper and grill painted and installed, as well as having the rear bumper painted to match. Along with the '99-00 L wheels, it looks M-E-A-N. It's my wife's vehicle and she's usually into "utility" more than anything, but even she said it looked awesome. Score 1 for me.


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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

Wa 2 Fst,

Hi..have you got any pics of your Expy w/ the Lightning conv.? I'm really curious as to how it looks. Who know, I may start drooling and want to try it, hehe!

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'98 EB Expy
5.4L 3.73 LS
Gibson catback
IPD Rear swaybar
Bilstein Shocks
Hood Guard
Manik Grill and Rear Tail Guards
PIAA Foglights
Stull Billet Grill and Bumper Inserts

Have, but not installed...

75mm Edelbrock TB
JBA Jet Black Ceramic Headers

Coming Soon...

Magnason/Eaton Supercharger
Pro M 77mm MAF
Boost & Fuel pressure guage/pod

"Its Sooo Big...Shes Gotta to be Blown!"

 

Took some pics with a friends digital camera, but cannot download them to my computer right now. Once he sends me the pics, I'll post them on my webpage and I'll be sure to drop the link here.

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

Can I get some more feedback on this chip? My EXP is about out of factory warranty and I would like to know in addtion to performance if it helps out on the gas mileage? Thanks

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No idea on the gas mileage yet. Haven't really had it in there long enough. I don't see it making a big difference in that, to be honest.

Seems to make a bit more power, but the shift quality is significantly better than stock...although I'm planning to put a shift kit in the thing also.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

Hey JJSEXP,

The hands-down authority on Superchips is Mike Troyer of a company called Performance Products. He sold me my Superchip and was extremely helpful. If you go to the "Computer Chips" topic on this message board you'll find alot of helpful information on the Superchip. Also, Mike checks this topic frequently and replies to postings on the Superchip in great detail.

From what I read, the Superchip will provide 1.5 - 2 more MPG. However, the savings will be offset by running premium fuel (92 octane minimum) which is required once you install the Superchip.

As you know, the main thing is performance. The '97 or '98 Expy XLT has a 4.6L V8 with 215HP which is totally inadequete for this vehicle. The best way to improve performance is: 1) Superchip, 2) K&N FIPK and
3) Performance exhaust. These three upgrades combined will yield approx. 45 - 50 more HP and 50 - 60 more lbs of torque which is a MAJOR difference in this truck.

JC

 

Dear BlackExpy,

You sure summed it up pretty well, people are going to think we're *paying* you!

All kidding aside, those 3 areas, optimnizing the programming, reducing restriction on the intake and on the exhaust, give the best bang-for-the-buck results on these vehicles.

I did want to expand just a bit on the issue of gas mileage with the Superchip... most people tend to see anywhere from 1.5 to 2.0 more mpg, primarily when cruising on the highway. It's merely a by-product of the increased spark advance used on part-throttle with the Superchip, so your results will depend on how you drive the vehicle, and just how heavy your particular vehicle is, none of them are light.

Best case scenario, the Superchip in some areas can just about make the added cost of premium gas a wash. Given optimal conditions, and a very low cost delta beteween regular and premium, you can actually save a few pennies, but that is absolute best-case, and happens very rarely. Here where we are in Virginia, we pay only 10-12 cetns more per gallon for premium over regular, and so we are actually saving a few pennies on gas costs, but that is a rare result, and skewed by our low price difference. Most places pay closer to 15-20 cetns a gallon more for premium over regular gas.

However, even if you got *no* improvement in gas mileage, and drive 15,000 miles a year, your increased gasoline costs won't be more than maybe $150 a year at most, which is a very small amount, maybe $3-4 a tankful. Since most people in fact do get some improvement in gas mileage, those numbers get even smaller.

Of course our point of view is biased because we sell the product, but we do try to present the facts as openly and honestly as possible.

Our bests to all,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

My wife's X has been "chipped" for over two years now. While the Superchip didn't improve the economy at all, it didn't hurt it either. With performance mods, you should hope for a break-even and be joyful if economy improves. Likewise, you can't complain if it worsens.

The performance increase is definitely worth it.


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

I have a '97 Expo, which im looking to upgrade for Towing. I want to get A supercharger, Exhaust, chip, intake. So far i've heard KB is the best blower, and superchip is the best chip, any inputs on any of these would be helpful .
I was also wondering if a lightning engine swap could be done. I figured that might be a good idea (?) since it's a factory done blower, and it has more HP/FT.LBS than any of the aftermarket superchargers....

ANY inputs are welcome.....
Thanks in advance

 

Sorry, Also wanted to ask about:
-Upgrading sus. w/air ride - posible?
-Also, Grilles&Headers..(JBA?)


Thank You In advance
(very much)

 

Dear White Expo,

While supercharging is an option, remember that it's going to cost you the better part of $4000 using one of the top line blowers like Kenne-Bell, Wynjammer, Vortech, etc. on that vehicle. I prefer the Wynjammer on Expeditions, they are based in Arizona, though I don't remember exactly where....Scottsdale, perhaps?

What you might want to think about is starting off a bit smaller. What I would suggest is to start off with the top 3 or 4 bang-for-the-buck mods, which will help performance in every aspect, whether it's towing or whatever.

1.) Optimize the programming with the Superchip. If you decide to go the supercharger route later, it can always be updated with the custom program that would be needed. 2.) Install one of the airbox elimination kits, such as K&N's FIPK kit or Airaid's brand, if they have one available for that vehicle. 3.) Install a good cat-back exhaust system. 4.) Install a set of JBA headers.

The sum total of doing those 4 modifications
is going to add well over 50 horsepower to that 5.4 engine in that vehicle, just a bit less on the 4.6, and each of those modifications is the type that work all the time, so they'll help whether you're towing or anything else. Actually, most people don't go so far as to do #4, installing the headers, as the chip, intake & exhaust mods are able to achieve pretty much what the owner needs in most cases. They are all relatively low cost, and if you decide *after* doing them that you still need the added power of a supercharger, you can still make use of them.

We generally suggest doing one modification at a time, just so you have a good feel for what each modification did for your vehicle.

The bottom line here is that it's your vehicle, and you do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

Good luck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Dear Mike,
Thank you very much! I think your right, maybe I should try with those 4 mods, and then see if I need the blower. Which Brand do you recomend for the cat-back? I know Borla and Gibson make an Exhaust for my expy, do you have a preference? Also, how much does a superchip run for a '97 5.4L 4WD Expy?

Thanks agian!

 

HI White Expo,

Sorry I haven't made it back into this section for so long!

With regards to which cat-back exhaust system to go with, that all depends on your budget, and how long you're going to keep the vehicle, and what kind of tone you want. Most of the major name brands make about the same power gains, 10-12 hp. If you're going to keep the vehicle for 8-10 years, I'd go with Borla. Very expensive, $500 or so, but you get what you pay for. They are all T-304 stainless steel, with a million mile written guarantee.

Gibson is another excellent name brand that many people are happy with.

Dynomax has been doing a great job with their Super Turbo cat-back systems, they are very quiet, cheap, and flow well. If you're only going to keep a vehicle 3-4 years, this might be worth looking into. I would touch base with Roger Lemere on ehxausts, he's the fellow who runs F-150 Online's store, the Digital Marketplace. He has access to a number of brands, and should be able to give you some good advice, I think. You can drop by the online store, and look at eth link that says alternate ordering methods, and his phone number is right there, he's in California.

With regards to the exact cost of the Superchip, please contact us privately for that info, if we haven't already "spoken", it's been a while since your post, so I don't remember if we have emailed or spoken already by now. We offer a special disoucnt to F-150 Online participants. The Webmaster here prefers that we not discuss exact discounted pricing info here on the message boards, so please feel free to give us a shout for all the details, and we'll be happy to answer any and all of your questions.

You can also access our online ordering system right here on F150online by clicking on the link that is just below in my signature line.

Have a great holiday weekend,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System

 

Hey Way2Big,

I just happened to read over this thread, and saw your post from 4/23 where you had on you list of mods to come the Magnuson supercharger.....

Congrats on the supercharger!

That vehicle is coming a long way pretty quickly, it's quite the Expy!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Info:https://www.f150online.com/rally2000/index.html