Hello to all:

I know this topic had been addressed several weeks ago, but I never saw a resulotion to the question.

Are the Lightning on-board computers pre-set from Ford at the 87 octane parameters?

Are the computers addressable, allowing a change in the octane parameters to the 93 octane, or higher, levels?

Thanks.

Wilk

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'97 F-150 4x4 Super Cab; XLT 139" Wheelbase Flairside; Silver Frost Clearcoat; 4.6L. (Romeo); 4-spd Automatic Transmission; Preferred Equipment Package 507A; 3.55 Limited Slip Axle; Electronic Shift 4x4; California Emissions; Sliding Rear Window; Trailer Towing Package; Off-Road Package; 6-Way Power Driver's Seat; Remote Keyless Entry/Anti Theft; 6-Disc CD Changer; Ford Bedliner; Ford Running Boards; Ford Nose Mask; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover.

2000 SVT F-150 LIGHTNING XLT; 120" Wheelbase; Flareside; 5.4L EFI SOHC V8 SC Engine; 4-SPD Automatic; Silver Clearcoat Metallic; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover; SVT Online Store Lightning Front End Mask (still in box).

 

try taking off your neg. battery cable for
10 mins and reinstalling it. and start over...this will erase the codes in the coumpter.

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Red 2000 Lightning, SuperChip, Excellerator X144 Muff., Airaid, Granatelli Mass Air Meter, Bed carpet, Factory Tonneau.

 

in yuour owners manual it says use 92 octane

 

The computer is set to 87 octane at the factory, because Ford doesn't want to be responsible for the boneheads who drop 35 Grand on a truck and then drop a piston when it predetonates under boost 'cause they cheaped out on the fuel. Go to the dealer, tell them that you have some knocking under load, thay can then re-burn the computer for any octane you want, set it to 93 if that's what octane is availible in your area. You can set it all the way up to 110, but don't set it higher than what you're really gonna use, cause bad things can happen. The dealer won't want to do anything unless you press, they're not supposed to alter the factory settings, but there is a provision to recalibrate it if customer has knocking.
That's what I did, made a world of difference.
GBE

 

wilywilky,
Went to my Ford dealer and told them this truck is not performing. It does not accelerate like advertised. That worked for me. When the Tech checked the codes they were all correct except octane..... Guess what.... the code was blank... yes "blank" no octane setting. Iasked him to put 92 in and he did. Then I got a chance to run the devil out it at 90 to 100 mph following a state trooper for 80 miles. The beast came alive... will spin the tires when rolling 10 to 15 MPH now. Good luck, but I do have a good Ford service department here.

 

I would assume that an after market chip takes care of this????



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* 99.5 Black Lightning
* Personal Best ¼ Mile 13.82 @ 99.98 Mph
* Ohio Plate SVT2GO
* Sal’s Chip and Filter
* Interceptor Trans
* All three Factory options for 99
* Factory CD Changer
* Class 3 Towing Hitch
* Factory Tonneau Cover
* 8" Bazooka Tubs
* Kenwood 80 watt *2 amp
* Viper 550 Alarm w/ remote start
* 97 F-150 Extended Cab 4.2L V-6 daily driver

Injection is nice, but I'd rather be blown. 99 Lightning, the best of both worlds!

 

hey factory tech what did you use to reporgram your processor? did you use WDS or SBDS or NGS ? more info on how to do this would help.

 

hey ww,search for posts for 2000 program i think the original poster on this was georgia moon.later

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00 black team swanson

 

Thank you to all who responded, you guys, and gals, are the best:

I am going to make an appointment with my Ford SVT Dealer to see what octane code the truck is set at. If it's not at 92 octane, then I will request that they "reset" that code.

By the way, here in southern New England, it's 87 octane, 89 octane or 93 octane. I have not seen a gas station with 92 octane available. The price per gallon, for 93 octane, is about $1.80.

Thanks again.

Wilk

 

this discussion only applies to 2000s. Right?

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99.5 Red Ligntning, Syn Oil, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, MT ET Streets, Bugflector, G&H Lens covers,
70 Vette LS-6 454

 

This will probably seem like a dumb question to some, but is not running 91 or greater premium gasoline octane in a vehicle programmed for 87 octane just wasting gasoline? Basically, the vehicle is running too rich?

If that is true, then that should be more than enough reason to re-program the engine control module. Right or wrong?

By the way, Factory_Tech mentioned some boneheads putting 87 octance in the Lightning that had to taken into account by Ford. Well, I found out those boneheads are the Ford Dealers who will do that instead of driving down to the local service station and putting in the correct octane. My salesman told me about that little practice.

 

had mine reprogrammed the second week i owned it so i can't tell you that it made a difference in power but i had mine set at 91 oct. (you never know if you can trust the gas stations) plus factor in winter blend and summer blends of gas. btw they can also change the stock computer to adjust for gear changes and tire sizes. for all of the people like me that has decided to wait on a chip til' after i do all that i want to do, it's a good alterative, better than sending back a chip every time you loosen a bolt or two. if you can try to go back in the shop with him, you can learn alot. (my dealer didn't charge a dime to do this either wrote it up as warranty issue)

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2000 SILVER L
2000 MOUNTAINEER V8 AWD
1995 FLAIRSIDE 4X4

 

I don't know what the thing he used to do it was called, looked like one of those scan modules they use at Kroger, but it worked well enough, also the dealer didn't charge me a dime either, just said he was glad to help, have a nice day. And to the best of my knowledge, yes this only applies to the '00 models.
GBE

 

After picking up my new Lighting I've asked the same question concerning the fuel. I'm also making an appointment to have this changed.

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2000 Silver "L"
Purchase Date 08/19/00

 

For you guys that have hadded changed how long did it take????