Superchip problems?
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 35
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From: Seattle, WA
Superchip problems?
Now that I've installed an Airaid FIPK I've been chewing on the decision whether or not to get a Superchip. Many threads say good things about the device, but nothing bad. Are these things perfect? Has anyone encountered any problems with their Superchip? Short term and Long term.
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White '98 XL,Reg Cab, 4x2, Long Bed, V6, Auto, Lund Interceptor Deflector, Extang Saber Tonneau, F150online.com SuperWhite Bulbs, Airaid FIPK with K&N Filter.
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White '98 XL,Reg Cab, 4x2, Long Bed, V6, Auto, Lund Interceptor Deflector, Extang Saber Tonneau, F150online.com SuperWhite Bulbs, Airaid FIPK with K&N Filter.
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Joined: May 1999
Posts: 569
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From: DFW TEXAS
JLMCPW, I for one have to say I love and hate my superchip. I have been trying for the longest time to get rid of the Top end limiter with no luck. Mike has been working with this as well as many a person at Superchip. We are getting close to giving up, but our last shot is looking pretty good. We will see in a few days abou that. This to the side, I have to say that the shifts that have been set with the Superchip are the greatest. I had my chip before the Supercharger install and loved the thing from the first drive. I have had to take it out many a time since I bought it about a year ago and have to say I miss it everytime.
I hope this is what you are looking for, but remember there is a month time frame that you get to check it out. Also there is the fact that Mike is one of the best guys to work with if you have or don't have problems. Give him a call and you will see.
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Mumbly also known as Buck
Carrollton Texas (DFW), Part of the F150 Online Texas Chapter
Black 1999 Stage 3 Roush F-150 Super Cab Flareside
Here are all the goodies: Kenne Bell Supercharger, Roush Suspension, 18"x 9.5 Chrome Wheels, B. F. Goodrich Z295/45, Full Ground Effects, Roush Leather Signatured Interior (Front and Back), Flowmaster with Side Exit Infront of the Wheel, Embroidered Floor Mats, F1 Cobra Hood, ******* Hard Tonneau, Bedrug, Slide Window, and lots of other little odds and ends
Work rhigh@nortelnetworks.com
Anytime mumbly_f150@yahoo.com
Home mumbly@gte.net
<A HREF="http://www.roushperf.com/" TARGET=_blank>
</A>
[This message has been edited by Mumbly (edited 04-26-2000).]
I hope this is what you are looking for, but remember there is a month time frame that you get to check it out. Also there is the fact that Mike is one of the best guys to work with if you have or don't have problems. Give him a call and you will see.
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Mumbly also known as Buck
Carrollton Texas (DFW), Part of the F150 Online Texas Chapter
Black 1999 Stage 3 Roush F-150 Super Cab Flareside
Here are all the goodies: Kenne Bell Supercharger, Roush Suspension, 18"x 9.5 Chrome Wheels, B. F. Goodrich Z295/45, Full Ground Effects, Roush Leather Signatured Interior (Front and Back), Flowmaster with Side Exit Infront of the Wheel, Embroidered Floor Mats, F1 Cobra Hood, ******* Hard Tonneau, Bedrug, Slide Window, and lots of other little odds and ends
Work rhigh@nortelnetworks.com
Anytime mumbly_f150@yahoo.com
Home mumbly@gte.net
<A HREF="http://www.roushperf.com/" TARGET=_blank>
</A>[This message has been edited by Mumbly (edited 04-26-2000).]
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
I'm convinced the chip is the best thing you can do to the V-6, especially if you have an auto tranny. Mike is the best as far as customer service and support.
I did have the rare 'no start' problem which afflicts a small percentage of the trucks, and requires a small modification to the circuit board. It was a bit of a hassle to sort out, because most of the time when the truck doesn't start, it is because you didn't remove enough of the clear coat from the connector. So I had to install & reinstall 4 or 5 times before I was certain I had the 'no start'. then I had to solder some jumpers on the circuit board - which was a bit of a hassle (if you mail you computer to Superchips they will do it for you).
Even though my install was more trouble than most, the chip is certainly worth the trouble. Better power & shifting for sure.
I get about 1 mpg better, so the chip isn't 'paying for itself' with improved mileage, but it makes the truck much more fun to drive.
I did have the rare 'no start' problem which afflicts a small percentage of the trucks, and requires a small modification to the circuit board. It was a bit of a hassle to sort out, because most of the time when the truck doesn't start, it is because you didn't remove enough of the clear coat from the connector. So I had to install & reinstall 4 or 5 times before I was certain I had the 'no start'. then I had to solder some jumpers on the circuit board - which was a bit of a hassle (if you mail you computer to Superchips they will do it for you).
Even though my install was more trouble than most, the chip is certainly worth the trouble. Better power & shifting for sure.
I get about 1 mpg better, so the chip isn't 'paying for itself' with improved mileage, but it makes the truck much more fun to drive.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear JLMCPW,
I know you asked this question directly from Mumbly, but since we are involved in his situation, I thought I'd fill you in on his particular details.
Mumbly (Buck) started off with the regular Superchip for his YBQ2-code F-150 4.6 automatic. He got his pretty early on, before we were able to defeat the top speed limiter on that vehicle, which has since been done on that code. He then installed a supercharger, and had us do a custom program to compensate for his supercharger modification. The problem with his truck is that the top speed limiter is still not defeated. It is on every other YBQ2 & YBQ3-code vehicle, but not on his, and it's due to the fact that there is a conflict in the VSS data stream in his truck.
To answer your question more directly, he has taken his Superchip out numerous times so it could be reflashed as different changes were made to his program all in an attempt to remove his top speed limiter. That instruction has been completely removed from the code, however, he still has a limiter engaging due to an "out of range" condition, caused by this conflict in the VSS data stream.
I recently talked to Mumbly again at length, literally grasping at straws, as it just made no sense why every other vehicle with his computer code has the top speed limiter removed, yet his was still not gone, even though that instruction was completely removed from the code!
In talking with him, it came up that his F-150 has the Roush package, which includes much shorter tires. I asked him to measure the actual height of those tires & wheels as installed, and it came back as 28.46 inches, which is about 1.5 inches shorter than the stock tires! Then we knew that this could easily be the source of the conflict in his VSS data stream, thus engaging an artificial top speed limiter. Anytime the computer sees the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) data conflict with the other data streams it uses to *verify* VSS, then you can get odd behavior, like a top speed limiter where there wasn't one before, or strange upshift points, etc., simply because the computer gets confused because of the conflict in all the different data streams it looks at to verify vehicles speed.
Keep in mind that Mumbly's truck is a highly modified vehicle, and a *very* highly customized programming situation. His speedometer is now off by 10% because of these tires being so much shorter, and once we knew that, then the rest of the pieces fell into place very quickly, and right now Superchips is re-doing his program based on having this data about his tires being so much shorter than stock. Once that program is done, that should hopefully take care of this top speed limiter once and for all, of course we won't know for sure until he tries it.
There are 2 things to keep in mind here in his situation: First, that this is a highly customized and supercharged F-150, and consequently has issues that the vast mnajority of other F-150's never have to deal with, so you can't relate his situaiton to what happens with other Superchip owners. Meaning, it's not representative of what Superchips do for your vehicle in that sense. Second, what you *can* judge in this situation however, is the quality of the service and response that both we here at Performance Products have delivered, as well as Superchips themselves, as seeing what happens in tough situations is a good way to judge the responsiveness of the companies and people involved.
Here we have an extremely unusual situation with a highly modified vehicle, so it's not comparable to anything else, or to any other Superchip. But what we can judge is what kind of service has he received, and the quality of the response both from us, and from the manufacturer in this situation. At the very least, that is fair game for judgement in his situation.
I hope you don't mind me sticking my nose in here, so to speak, I just wanted you to have all the relevant info on why he has taken his Superchip out so many times. I think if you ask Mumbly, he'll be the first to tell you that he loves what his Superchip does, it's just the issue of the top speed limiter not yet being removed. And in his case, since he has spent so much money adding the supercharger to his truck to keep up with the Lightnings, his top speed limiter is a very important issue to him, and we agree!
I hope that gives you the info you wanted,
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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html
I know you asked this question directly from Mumbly, but since we are involved in his situation, I thought I'd fill you in on his particular details.
Mumbly (Buck) started off with the regular Superchip for his YBQ2-code F-150 4.6 automatic. He got his pretty early on, before we were able to defeat the top speed limiter on that vehicle, which has since been done on that code. He then installed a supercharger, and had us do a custom program to compensate for his supercharger modification. The problem with his truck is that the top speed limiter is still not defeated. It is on every other YBQ2 & YBQ3-code vehicle, but not on his, and it's due to the fact that there is a conflict in the VSS data stream in his truck.
To answer your question more directly, he has taken his Superchip out numerous times so it could be reflashed as different changes were made to his program all in an attempt to remove his top speed limiter. That instruction has been completely removed from the code, however, he still has a limiter engaging due to an "out of range" condition, caused by this conflict in the VSS data stream.
I recently talked to Mumbly again at length, literally grasping at straws, as it just made no sense why every other vehicle with his computer code has the top speed limiter removed, yet his was still not gone, even though that instruction was completely removed from the code!
In talking with him, it came up that his F-150 has the Roush package, which includes much shorter tires. I asked him to measure the actual height of those tires & wheels as installed, and it came back as 28.46 inches, which is about 1.5 inches shorter than the stock tires! Then we knew that this could easily be the source of the conflict in his VSS data stream, thus engaging an artificial top speed limiter. Anytime the computer sees the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) data conflict with the other data streams it uses to *verify* VSS, then you can get odd behavior, like a top speed limiter where there wasn't one before, or strange upshift points, etc., simply because the computer gets confused because of the conflict in all the different data streams it looks at to verify vehicles speed.
Keep in mind that Mumbly's truck is a highly modified vehicle, and a *very* highly customized programming situation. His speedometer is now off by 10% because of these tires being so much shorter, and once we knew that, then the rest of the pieces fell into place very quickly, and right now Superchips is re-doing his program based on having this data about his tires being so much shorter than stock. Once that program is done, that should hopefully take care of this top speed limiter once and for all, of course we won't know for sure until he tries it.
There are 2 things to keep in mind here in his situation: First, that this is a highly customized and supercharged F-150, and consequently has issues that the vast mnajority of other F-150's never have to deal with, so you can't relate his situaiton to what happens with other Superchip owners. Meaning, it's not representative of what Superchips do for your vehicle in that sense. Second, what you *can* judge in this situation however, is the quality of the service and response that both we here at Performance Products have delivered, as well as Superchips themselves, as seeing what happens in tough situations is a good way to judge the responsiveness of the companies and people involved.
Here we have an extremely unusual situation with a highly modified vehicle, so it's not comparable to anything else, or to any other Superchip. But what we can judge is what kind of service has he received, and the quality of the response both from us, and from the manufacturer in this situation. At the very least, that is fair game for judgement in his situation.
I hope you don't mind me sticking my nose in here, so to speak, I just wanted you to have all the relevant info on why he has taken his Superchip out so many times. I think if you ask Mumbly, he'll be the first to tell you that he loves what his Superchip does, it's just the issue of the top speed limiter not yet being removed. And in his case, since he has spent so much money adding the supercharger to his truck to keep up with the Lightnings, his top speed limiter is a very important issue to him, and we agree!
I hope that gives you the info you wanted,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html
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Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 35
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From: Seattle, WA
Mike - Considering my question it was just a matter of time before you "poked your nose in here". I appreciate your thorough answer. Your product (not to mention yourself) has received so much good press thoughout this website that it sounds almost too good to be true - which makes me kinda' suspicious.
I just like to cover all my bases before purchasing a product that tampers with my trucks computer code.
I just like to cover all my bases before purchasing a product that tampers with my trucks computer code.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Georgia
I am more than pleased with my Superchip. The installation was easy and I immediately noticed the power gains and that my auto tranny hit the gears much..much better. However, the next morning..my truck would not start. I figured out in a short amount of time that the rolled up edge on the computer bracket had slightly pushed the Superchip out of the socket (despite using heavy tape to secure it) and this caused a 'no start' for me. I simply pulled the entire bracket out..flattened that edge..and reinstalled everything. Now, several months later..all is well and not a single problem. Well worth the money!!
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99
[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 04-30-2000).]
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99
[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 04-30-2000).]
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, Tx
I don't have the superchip. I have a Jet Chip. While it may make slightly less power than the superchip does. I noticed a good incress in low end torque and top end i can run down the freeway at (what my speedo reads) 115+ with out any problems. Long and steep hills excluded. Now i do have other issues with Ford right now that have me pretty ticked off but....overall its a good truck. You may also want to check the clip on your throttle cable at the trottle body. I have had mine break twice now. I started a thread on it.
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'99 Amazon Green XLT Flareside, 4.2 w/ K&N, jet chip,I did have a Flowmaster with 4"dual tips. Astro fiberglass cover. 275/70R16 Dunlops and 3.08 rearend. Now missing rear bumper adn a little bed damage.
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'99 Amazon Green XLT Flareside, 4.2 w/ K&N, jet chip,I did have a Flowmaster with 4"dual tips. Astro fiberglass cover. 275/70R16 Dunlops and 3.08 rearend. Now missing rear bumper adn a little bed damage.
Banned
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 569
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From: DFW TEXAS
JLMCPW, Glad to hear your getting one. You will be happy with your purchase. Let us know what you think.
As for my truck. As Mike said I do love this dang chip. LOL.. We will get it right I'm sure then I'll have to place a couple more mods on the truck and see if I can mess it up. LOL
As for my truck. As Mike said I do love this dang chip. LOL.. We will get it right I'm sure then I'll have to place a couple more mods on the truck and see if I can mess it up. LOL
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 35
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From: Seattle, WA
I just installed my Superchip today. It took me just under an hour. Chris Duke's install directions at this website (Product Reviews) were an immense amount of help. His directions are excellently done. If it weren't for the coating on the computer board and the many rainsqualls I was dodging (don't have a garage) then the installation would have taken about 15 minutes. I also followed M. Troyers advice and used a small jewelers screwdriver to remove the coating. That was more effective than the little scrub brush.
I took the truck on a test drive on some hills around my neighborhood. Didn't really notice any horsepower change, but then I couldn't really mash the pedal because it had just rained. However, I did notice an immediate change in shifting within 100 feet of leaving my driveway. Seemed to shift much more crisply. Although coming up a hill at 3/4 throttle the shift seemed a little harsh. But then the chip only had about 2 miles on it so I'll let it have time to "learn" my driving habits.
I took the truck on a test drive on some hills around my neighborhood. Didn't really notice any horsepower change, but then I couldn't really mash the pedal because it had just rained. However, I did notice an immediate change in shifting within 100 feet of leaving my driveway. Seemed to shift much more crisply. Although coming up a hill at 3/4 throttle the shift seemed a little harsh. But then the chip only had about 2 miles on it so I'll let it have time to "learn" my driving habits.