Thanks for replying promptly Mike. You sound like an individual who is totally behind the products that he sells...thats good...real good. Not many people would make themselves available for questioning once a new product comes out. That tells me allot about you and superchips. Sincerely Jeff

 

Hey Mike. Just for statistical reference, the times I ran int the 4.2L F150 were at 49 feet above sea level. Almost no correction is needed.

 

I raced in Joliet. Third place finisher, Pro Street Lightning. I talked at great length with the gentleman running the SuperChips prototype (Red '99.5 with the SuperChips logo on the front fenders). As a matter of fact, I spoke to him just before the quarterfinals of the Pro class (not sure which round it was for the Street class) while they removed the chip because it had slowed the truck down. I do not know if improving changes were made AFTER that, but at that point the individual driving that truck was not overwhelmed.

I think it would be appropriate to post the exact changes in ET, all times and numbers for the baseline passes (there were more than one, correct?), all times and numbers for the modified pass, so that we can see the changes.

BTW, I run the Lightning-L email list and am very involved in the National Lightning Owners' Club.

------------------
Later!
Jeff S.
'95 SVT Lightning
12.03@113.2

 

We really need the MPH and 60FT times to get a good Idea of what the chip did.There where a couple of 99.5Lightnings running up there I beleave they where running about the same.Did you all test one or both trucks.Where you at the track yourself Mike.

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95Lightning(9psi boost)
NLOC MEMBER
Marcus Harrison

 

Dear FMOS, (I hope I got that name right, I can't scroll down and read the posts on the same screen you post on anymore, (Software change on the message boards?), so it's hard to remember all the salient points in each post that I need to respond to sometimes!)

Yes, You are *exactly* correct! They worked with several Lightning owners there, and at least one of the changes they tried did make the truck run slower, I do remember Mike Short saying something to that effect! That's completely normal in this type of process, as they will usually try anything and everything, and what works works, and what doesn't, doesn't, when you're doing initial development at the track instead of in the dyno cell. Your only frame of reference is what happens when the truck makes a run, in other words, instead of showing up *knowing* what's going to happen because you've already gotten the dyno work done.

The format for the 3 runs back-to-back was: 1.) Stock 14.8 2.) With Superchip 14.0 3.) Stock again, 14.8 And unfortunately for *all* of us, that's the only track time data I have been given, aside from Mike telling me that there were at least 2 13.8 runs with the Superchip, but they were not back-to-back. There was also one run of 14.2 with the Superchip, when the truck lost traction. I agree completely that we need all the numbers, the short times, the mph at 1/8 and thru the lights, etc., to really get a feel for what occurred that day.

I thought I had been clear that I was not there in person, in saying that all this has been relayed to me by Mike Short and other staffers @ Superchips, but perhaps not. I wish I *had* been there, being the data hound kinda guy I am, trust me, we *would* have had all numbers & MPH's of every run, no matter what, etc. Believe me, I wish I had it *at least* as bad as everyone else does, Grrr! Given the circumstances at hand, I.E. the Superchips guys were busy doing their work, and not able to be on top of who was running exactly what every time, etc., and having to get that feedback from the drivers, they basically only cared about the back-to-back quick numbers. And that's a guess too, but probably close to accurate. I wish it were different, but it just ain't.

Thanks for your post, your points are indeed valid!

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

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 07-27-1999).]

 

Dear Joel,

It was good to speak with you again today! (I love it when people call, it's that much less I have to type)

The vast majority of what the Superchip program is going to do, it's going to do right away. We're really talking that last few percent, basically. It can have an effect, that's true, and we see more of this type of effect in vehicles that are driven conservatively. Most guys buying chips tend to check them out pretty thoroughly in the first days and weeks, so the vehicle gets good dose of WOT operation, so it adjusts pretty quickly.

My own vehicle is somewhat of a stinker on the WOT 1-2 upshifts, because I generally drive it very conservatively 98% of the time, so it doesn't see repeated WOT operation. Consequently, and this may also be due in some part to some transmission problems I had in the past, my vehicle won't bark the tires on the WOT 1-2 upshift unless I do that a couple times in a row. After the 3rd time, it will lay a few feet of rubber on that gearchange. (The 2-3 upshift is not affected by this at all, which makes me think I could have some glazed clutches.) I finally got my new plug wires on, and gave it a good tune up with a fresh set of Bosch Platinum +4's, and on the way back from the dealership, I got a real surprise on the WOT 2-3 upshift, which happens in my car at 90 mph. It barked the tires *hard*, and I almost lost it, as I was in a curve at that point. The 2-3 has always been nice, quick, & firm at WOT, but *never* laying rubber.

At any rate, in doing back-to-back 1/4 mile runs, the effect is minimal, so I really don't consider it to be much of a factor.

Bests,

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

 

Dear Nascar Bill,

Hey, thanks for letting us know that your altitude is only 49 ft. above, that helps a bunch!

By the way guys, this is the gentleman that got the .97 seconds and 4 mph improvement in his 4.2 V-6 automatic F-150 that I mentioned before.

Thanks!

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

 

Dear Marcus,

I couldn't agree with you and everyone else more, about needing the short times & mph's, etc. You can't have too many numbers to work with, and I'm sorry to say that I just don't have the data. I wish I had been there, if I had been, we would *know* all that data. That being said, we don't have it, and nothing will change that fact. What will shed some light are the Lightning owners who have ordered the chip and will be going to their local tracks, perhaps as soon as this weekend.

I think an excellent point was made earlier, when someone pointed out that it's one thing to take a 14.8 vehicle down to 14.0, and that doesn't mean it will take a 14.0 vehicle down to 13.2, I don't think that's going to happen, not by a long shot.

My understanding from talking to Mike Short was that they worked with 3 different Lightnings, and as someone else pointed out, at least one the the program changes they tried slowed the vehicle down, something I don't find surprising in the least. Perfectly normal when you're doing initial development work at the track instead of on the dyno. They're going to keep going in the same direction until the vehicle slows down, then back up, is another way to put it.

Thanks for your comments, Marcus.

By the way, what kind of supercharger are you using on your 1st generation Lightning?

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

 

Ok Illlay off now hehe,but would like to see all the data sometime.The Lightning guys will get the chips installed and they will let everyone know what they think.I added a powerdyne to my truck couldnt have the new Lightnings outrun me you know.Good luck and thanks for your response.


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95Lightning(9psi boost)
NLOC MEMBER
Marcus Harrison

 

Hi Marcus,

Well, don't worry about "laying off", a little scepticism is a good thing, as I have recently been reminded right here! MRBBQMAN just posted his impressions in a new thread he started, you might want to read his post too. It's just like you said, we'll be seeing a lot of feedback right here from the new Lightning owners installing them this week and next. And there is a flood of new Lightning owners just waiting to hear the results of others, so they can order too, once they know that it works well.

I have no doubt that we'll be seeing some good data here pretty quick on times & trap speeds, I know a few ownres who are going to the track this weekend.

Sounds like you've got a wickedly fast 1st gen. Lightning yourself!

All the best,

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

 

 

Uh, memories?
This was actually pre-TampaSVT, or something....

 

I remember this one. Back when everyone was worried about over-spinning the SC. Seems like 100 years ago now.

 

Indeed. The fond memories of what was; and to think of what is to come.

 

Back when 375 RWHP was the bomb, or something...