Just installed my Superchip. I had a few problems, but it seems like re-cleaning the board and re-installing solved the problem. I will keep the posts going as I evaluate the product. 1st impressions are that it definitely is noticeable and the shifts are real crisp. Now I am going to see if it can improve my gas mileage, stay tuned.
1999 Superduty 250 supercab w/8ft bed
Laramie option, Amber w/sandstone bottom
V10 4x4 /auto 3:73 axle

[This message has been edited by L L Raymond (edited 11-01-1999).]

 

I installed a Superchip in my 99F250 SD V10 about 4 months ago. I am quite pleased with the outcome. I had absolutely no problems with install either. As far as mileage goes? Not sure if there was really much of a gain. I usually get 13 - 14mpg on the highway and 11-12 in town, however I am also running 35" tires. In a week or so I will be putting my stock tires/rims back on for the winter. I will check the milieage at that point.

As far as performance goes, I can definately say it helped. in fact, a buddy of mine bought a 2000 SD V10 (310hp version) which is identical to mine. We happened to be next to each other at a stoplight the other day, so we raced from a stop. At 60 mph I was 1/2 truck length ahead of him. We repeated this at the next light with the same result!



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99 F250SD SC, V10, Superchip, 2"Superlift,
35x12.50 BFG MTs

 

Please keep us posted on the results.I am leaning towards adding the chip myself. Does the crisper shifts feel like it is shifting too hard? I am not too happy with the shifting on my truck now, so this is an area I would like to discuss maybe through email.

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike
The shifts are firm, but not unpleasant. They get more aggressive according to the amount of throttle that you are applying. I can hardly notice them when driving with a light throttle, which I do a lot of in order to achieve reasonable gas mileage.

 

mjs,

You beat him because of the better shifts! His tranny is a slow shifter compared to your!

 

Well! Its looking like about 5% increase in gas mileage, I'll take it, but I was looking for more like 10%. My last tank (pre-superchip) gave me 11.8 and this tank gave me 12.3. The test miles and route were almost identical, I'll keep updating. My conclusion so far is to get the chip for performance, cause it really works! I am anxious to try it in a pulling mode, but I have to wait till spring to go camping with the 5th wheel, I can't wait.

 

LRaymond,

I have a 2000 SD V-10 and am very unhappy with the shifts and performance.

When I tromp it, the delay is a killer. The trucks seems to dissengage the converter, down shift, then rev the engine up now several seconds (seems like)and finaly starts slowly engaging the converter to take off.

If I ever had to do this in a panic to get out of the way of an accident, I'd never make it. What a joke of a shift program.

I didn't realize the Superchip also corrected the tranny shift problem. I'm looking to correct it with a tranny only ship (liuke the Banks Trans Command).

I like you would like more like 10% MPG increase to help off set the 15+% in fuel cost for the higher octance gas.

Any other advice insight?


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Thanks,
Will

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2000 F-250 SD Crew Cab, Short Bed, Lariat, 4X2, V-10, Auto, 3.73LS




[This message has been edited by wawii (edited 11-07-1999).]

 

wawii,

I hate the shifting also. Its terrible. Especially the 1-2 shift. And I hate when it doesnt downshift and it feels like it has NO power.

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Fast46Triton ®

1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter

 

Will
If you don't like the shifting on the stock set-up, then the chip is for you. That was probably the most noticeable change I felt. The acceleration was also improved, but I have no way of comparing it to the pre-chip, just 'seat of the pants'. I also noticed that the shift points were higher and that the redline had increased by about 400 rpm's.
As I said in my earlier posts, I will continue to check my mileage and report it in these posts. One anomalie that I did not factor in was the fact that the test week for the newly installed chip was considerably colder than the prior week (pre-chip)so this could have had an adverse effect on the mileage, we'll see.
L Raymond

 

wawii,
I have a 1999 F250SD, V10, 4.30 and LOVE the power, but like you, wished for a crisper, tire barking shift. I did some research and bought Banks Trans Command (with tranny temp guage) and now enjoy rip-snortin' shifts at partial-full throttle. I debated, Ok so maybe still debating, about a performance chip for the engine as well, but I still can't bring myself to always need to purchase premium fuel. So for now, I'll try to stay off the throttle most of the time as tire costs add up too on those POSITIVE shifts. Good luck and let us know what you do!
see 'ya
Greg

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Looks like the next tankful is about the same, so I have to conclude that 5% increase is about it, too bad, I was really hoping to pay for the difference in regular (87) to premium (91)about 15 cents per gallon. Oh well! it's faster and the shifts are neat.

 

F250nut,

Is your truck a 4x4? If it is, there is a little slop (chain slack) in the trans case. I doubt the tran case chain will take too much hammering until it's in pieces. Just wondering.....

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1999 F250 SD CC, LWB, 5.4L, Auto, 3.73, 4x4, Power TT mirrors w/ marker lights, White, Full Tint, PendaPro SR, FlowmasterDelta 40 series, K&N filtercharger, Superchip(Airbox removed for a second try, maybe in the winter it will be advantagous?)

www.angelfire.com/pa3/spaceace/index.html

 

spaceace,
no, got 4x2 and while I never make a habit out of driving my rigs hard, it's just nice to know I've got a good shift especially when I tow a 10.4K lb trailer.
see ya'

[This message has been edited by F250NUT (edited 11-17-1999).]

 

Crazy thing happened. I usually fill up with 'Citgo' 91 octane. I could not get to my usual station, so I filled up with 'Exxon' 93 octane, result= my mileage dropped by 1 full mpg. Go figure! I did notice one other thing that disturbed me a little, I made a full throttle run and I noticed that the shifts were very late and really allowed the engine to wind exessively (more than I like)it was uncomforting. I had made a full throttle run on my other tankfulls and did not notice this. Hey Mike Troyer! if you are reading this, can you give an explanation.

[This message has been edited by LRaymond (edited 11-24-1999).]

 

Dear LRaymond,

Yes, I sure can! Exxon is my number one gasoline to stay away from, and here's why: it has about the lowest energy content you can get (BTU's per gallon), as they are using a "reformulated" (read: oxygenated) blend year-round now, and they're advertising how much cleaner for the environment their gas is. In reality, its simply a low-energy gasoline that I wouldn't use if you paid me, quite literally! You can usually count on seeing 8%-10% worse gas mileage with Exxon, regardless of grade, as all grades are reformulated year-round all over the US.

I recommend using either Texaco, Amoco, or Citgo, as they all have accurate octane ratings, very good detergent additives, and excellent energy content. I recommend avoiding Exxon, Chevron, BP, and any no-names, as they tend to have low energy content, and in the case of BP, that has to be the dirtiest gasoline I have ever seen in *this* country.

BTU (energy) content is critical to gas mileage.

One thing to remember with the Superchip is this: it does a fantastic job for it's price, better than any other product on the market by far. But it can only do so much. The gas mileage improvement is merely a by-product of the increased spark advance used on part-throttle, so the *potential* for better mileage is certainly there, but you will also still continue to be affected by all the other factors that affect gas mileage. Getting more power and *any* improvement in gas mileage at the same time for the cost of the Superchip is nothing short of amazing in these big heavy vehicles.

A couple other things to think about for gas mileage, and you may well have already covered this so forgive me if I'm being redundant, are: tire pressure!! 3 PSI low can cost almost a full mile per gallon! Next, switch to all synthetic fluids. I also recommend replacing spark plugs at 30K miles, and use the newer Bosch Platinum+4 plugs. They're $2 apiece cheaper than the factory plugs, and are *much* better. Due to their design they are automatically indexed in the cylinder head.

From there, if you haven't already, do something to reduce restriction on both the intake and the exhaust side. I recommend using the Airaid kit that eliminates the factory airbox, and it is available right here at the F150online store at a great price. Then, go with a cat-back exhaust system, and I recommend using Jardine (www.jardineproducts.com) over anyone else, with Gibson my #2 choice.

One last thing to think about.....if you drive average miles each year with the Superchip, and don't get *any* improvement in gas mileage, then your additional fuel costs are less than $150 yearly with a cost delta of 15 cents for premium over regular, so it's a miniscule price to pay for the improvement in towing ability, shift characteristics, (which feel so much better than the Banks unit costing as much as the Superchip, as it doesn't spoil the smooth ride at lighter throttle positions with stiff upshifts, no wiring, etc.) and power at any throttle position. Remember, this is a performance chip, and is not a "gas mileage" chip; there is really nothing more you can do to improve mileage via programming over what is already done with the Superchip. Any improvements in gas mileage are icing on the cake, even though most vehicles do see some improvement!

Basically, when someone comes to us and says they care most about gas mileage, I will tell them that while the Superchip *may*, can, and has improved gas mileage, I wouldn't buy the Superchip for gas mileage *alone*. It's a performance chip, designed to get the very best performance and driveability possible using pump premium gas.

If you want more power, better overall driveability, removing the shift delay, removing the power-robbing spark retards in multiple locations, and increasing line pressure to firm up the shifts, removal of the top speed limiter and maybe a little bit better gas mileage, then the Superchip is worth considering. But I wouldn't say that everyone can expect to have it completely offset the cost of using premium. For our vehicles here it does, as I'm getting a couple more mpg, and we only pay 12 cents more per gallon for premium over regular, but not everyone's prices and circumstances will allow them to see that kind of result.

I hope this information helps a bit, and have a great Thanksgiving!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com