Is it even worth it for me to put a Superchip into my Supercrew? She's an '02, bout 9500 miles on it. 4x4 Off Road Package. 5.4. Oh yea, and a cool Bug Deflector. Hah. Anyway, do you think it is worth it to shell out the cash for a superchip? I'm mainly interested in getting some better mileage, and maybe tightening up the shifting a bit.

 

VinniePSVT,
I have had the superchip for 18 months on my Crew. It really doesn't do much for gas mileage but the shift points are so much better. It has better pick up as well. The bottom line to me has been the shift points and passing power on the highway. I say go for it !

 

from the other side of the fence.....

i frequently work on vehicles with superchips and other "power" mods. i also have the chance to get used chips off trade-ins and could have them reprogrammed for my truck at no cost. But i don't. I'm not going to talk bad about them, but i dont have anything good to say about them either. Let me just say that in working with driveability problems, there are many times i return a truck to a customer with the chip in the center console and tell them it's up to them whether or not they put it back in or not. And i surely dont want to have to buy premium gas. I had a JDM tuned superchip on my 01 lightning, but it had to have premium anyway, and yes they do make a worthwhile power increase on lightnings.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm actually buying a Lightning in November. Taking it up to JDM to get it fine tuned. I guess I won't bother with the truck now then, since I don't really want to void the warranty on it either. Thanks again.

 

I wasnt saying that we consider the chip to void a warr. We've never done that. Im just saying that a lot of little picky driveability problems are solved by taking out a chip and telling the customer that if he runs the chip, he will have to live with the surge, fishbite, buck, etc... But I would wait until the L to get one.

 

I have a Superchip in my 5.4l SCrew. It was worth every penny to me. I actually didn't care a bit about the power increase, but the shifting is soooo much better. The mush box shifting from the factory is gone. I haven't noticed any impacts on the factory calibration, other than the stuff the chip was supposed to impact.

It is pretty nice of jefflaws to not claim the work isn't under warranty when he pulls a chip and the problem goes away. Some dealers can be real jerks about it, and write you up a bill. Then they give you a big lecture about voiding your warranty.

 

Vinnie,

I have had my SuperChip for about 1 1/2 years now. My rig has 32,000 plus miles, with 15,000 of those miles with the chip. The chip is worth it. I bought the flip chip, so I can run 87 and 92 octane. Here in Northern California, especially the Bay Area, gas can be very expensive. During the time "super" was cheap, I ran super and there is definite power increase. Plus, I got about 1 mpg better while running the super unleaded. That's as long as I didn't "mash" the gas pedal.

With the 87 octane, there is a minimal power increase, but the shift points are much much better. Since having the chip put in, I have not had one problem. No misfires, error codes, pinging, nothing.

I would definitley call Mike who is the distributer for Superchips and run your concerns by him. He is very fair and honest, and once you talk to him, you might decide to purchase one. And the chip does not void the trucks warranty.

I hope this helps you out.

Alan

 

i have the flipchip and live in norcal as well. I have had basically the same experience and echo Alan's comments.

Wes

 

This may be a stupid question.



What is a "Flip Chip" and how do you "flip" it? I used top have a superchip in my SHO but now have a screw and would likr the better response a chip adds. I still want to be able to run 87 octane because I don't stomp on the petal very often. If you get a regular chip and run 87 will you still see a difference?

Sometimes I wonder if the increase in performance of the chips isn't somewhat attributable to the higher octane gas. Has anyone ran a tank of premium without the chip andd then with the chip? I just want to compare apples to apples.

Thanks for any input,

Willderness

 

Willderness - the "Flipchip" has two programs that will allow the chip to work both with 87 and 92 octane. From what I understand, you have an external (external of the computer) switch that you flip depending on what octane you are running. I recently posted in the chip forum - see what Mike had to say:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=73053

 

Jeffflaws...I just traded in my 2001 Supercrew XLT 4x4(4.6L) for a new 2002 Supercrew FX4 Lariat 4X4 (5.4L)...this truck is a keeper!

I did have the Superchip in my 2001 Supercrew (4.6L) and I guess it worked decent, but wasn't the biggest bang for the buck I thought and I got really tired of dumping in premium fuel.

With my new 2002 5.4 Screw 4x4 I have installed a Gibson "Swept Side" Catback exhaust and have noticed that the trany shift characteristics are much better from the factory on the 2002 than my 2001 was...I feel that "any chip" would not be a real big gain on my 2002.

This is just my opinion though!

Jefflaws....what would you say is the best aftermarket performance pieces you can purchase for these trucks that will give you the biggest bang for the buck?