I have a stock 2001 and am thinking very seriously about a chip. I have been weary of installing one simply because of the reliability factor. I understand the transmission takes a beating but I also assume that if I drive it easy, there should be no more wear than if the stock chip was there. I am going to search the boards and read all I can about which chip to get, but I still would like some updated input from you guys on your opinion as which way to go. Any new advise? Thanks a million.

 

Since you are concerned about reliability and still want a chip, consider getting a custom program. Here is what I would ask for if I were you.

1. conservative tune, a little on the rich side (especially top end)

2. leave the Torque reduction intact. (yes, leave in the 1-2 fart)

3. leave the shift points around the stock 5250 (5400 is prob. ok)


If you find any tuner who will make a program like this, do us all a favor and report back here who it is. I think a lot of people would like to try a program like this.

 

You should not have problems with reliablity useing a standard chip from any of the 3-big tuners. Keeping your truck to a chip and filter will keep it running strong for a long long time. It's when you get into the increased boost/nitrous that the transmission and motor will suffer after alot of abbuse.

Try talking to each of the three big Lightning tuners and tell when what you want. See what they say and go with the tunner you feel comfortable with.

 

when I was deciding whether to 'chip' or not, afterall, my L would be daily driven. I feared that my all-powerful , new L matched up with a chip would make this beast almost uncontrollable on the city streets. Not true! I just returned from my daily lunch trip on the streets of Macon. Look at my sig. and you will see that this is a fairly modded L. At easy throttle settings, the truck is as docile as a pooty-cat I get 14+ mpgs too(mostly interstate miles) Get a chip and enjoy your L even more.

Dan

 

Hey jrcase,

Just remember, you gotta pay to play, don't let ANYBODY fool you.

Keep in mind an amazing thing about this board, apparently some of us don't care about tearing up/breaking things on our L's. And when it happens you won't always hear about it either. Straight up, I am just telling you how it is.

 

There is no reason to report back. ANY tuner could do this, lol. You just have to ask them to.

 

I have heard it's a lot harder than you might think. No problem if you want an off the shelf special, but ask for something a little different and all heck breaks loose.

I tell ya what ICU, call any tuner and order a chip like I suggested, install it and then tell me if it is what it is supposed to be. It is not as easy as you think, or maybe that was your point?


BTW, if you find such a program you should report back here ASAP, because you will have the first one in history!!!!!!!!!!

 

Get you a nice chip with a program of your choice and just leave the trans line pressure alone. Then you can get a shift kit later if you want. If it were me I would get a Chip and a 2 or 3 pound pulley and some nice plugs with 160 degree thermostat, Its a real nice combo and wakes up the truck without getting to radical.

 

i don;t see many people refering to this chip tuner? is there a reason ? he is listed on the f150online forum board and is the only one there = chips forum? =chip burner

 

I guess I have had the only 9 programs or so that have ever been custom?

I have used JL & PSP chips. JL did a few custom burns for me and were just what I asked for. When I got a 4-way chip from Sal, he set it up exactly how I asked as well. Since the 4-way is the newest I will give you some details on it.

Program 1- Mild Street Program for 60+ Deg, 5500 shift points, pretty firm shifts.

Program 2- Strip program for 100 oct gas. All out power and shift points.

Program 3- Cold weather Mild Street Program. Same as 1 but for cold weather.

Program 4 - Economy- GREAT GAS MILAGE!! shifts softer & around 5350

Since I had a 3 JL chips as well they have various things that I WANTED. If I mess something up due to what I asked for, thats on me, not any of my tuners...

All you have to do is ASK. ANYONE can change the way the program is wrote...

 

Can you guys post some websites. The search function is down

 

I am not to sure if that is the guy or not, but a L owner in NC saw first hand to stay away from anyone other than the top 3. He had a Brand new 02, he ordered a chip that was suppose to be setup for his 4lb pulley. He got hit with a BS custom burn charge and all and paied like $550 for a single burned chip. Thats not even the bad thing, his chip was so far off tune is wasnt funny. It pinged so hard!!! By the time he got home from the track (BABYING IT HOME) it had a rod knock. A good example of how a bad tune with PINGING, can cuase rod bearings to scar or spin and lead to rod knock!!

 

Use these guys...

Here are tuners with their websites..

JLP (Johnny) - www.johnnylightningperf.com

PSP (Sal) - www.powersurgeperformance.net

LFP (Mark) - www.lightningforceperformance.com

JDM (Jim) - www.teamjdm.com