jank,

In all of my tests..I am just the opposite! I can still chirp the tires going into second gear once in a while..and could never do it before the chip. I have had a definite power increase...and I have even tested my acceleration times, before and after.

"Installed one 2 gas tanks ago - don't feel any improvements."..it can certainly take longer than that for your computer to relearn..transmission also in the 2000 model! The more I drive my 5.4L...the better it seems. As it has been pointed out before, not all engines or even trucks that come off the line are created equal.

I can honestly say, from someone who was VERY skeptical until I installed one, I am extremely impressed in all areas! So are many of my F-150 co-workers/friends. Hands down improvements...more than worth the small price I paid.

I knew going into this..that the chip would NOT make my truck into a Corvette or Viper! This simply will not happen with something of this size and weight.

 

Dustoff:
Thanks for you none-flame reply. I will have to disagree and agree with you. For one I will not take any auto that I own to an independent shop. My family has been shafted to many times by these shops that hire high school kids as mechanics to work on these high-tech autos we own. The mechanics the do work on my truck are good friends that work at a dealer in the Texas, SA. Area. I have heard some good stories from them about other people’s cars, but in all honesty they do not shaft people. On the Superchip thing I think that Ford with there pool of engineers have designed the computer to operate perfectly on the engines they designed. As opposed to the 2 or 3 superchips has.

 

That is what makes this site the best on the web..the flow of opinions and information, in a friendly manner.

Actually, Superchips has developed a good deal more than 2 or 3! Check out their web site...even I was impressed when I was doing my research before I bought one.

Dang..I sound like a salesman now......

By the way Gorp..did you notice we registered on the same day and are both analysts in the computer industry? (I am actually a Program Analyst)



[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 05-10-2000).]

 

If chips are no good, then why is ford coming out with a performance chip of their own?

 

If chips are no good, then why is ford coming out with a performance chip of their own?

 

Jank,
Perhaps you lost some low end hp & torque with the Gibson exhaust? This is a possibility.
It is almost always better to do one mod at a time so you know whats what.
Unfortunately you said you did both at the same time, but place the blame only on the superchip. Not fair or objective.

AHAB

------------------
2000 f150 5.4 4X4
Auto transmission
Supercab
Lariat 139" wb Flareside
Manual 4x4 shift on the floor.
3.55 Limited slip Axle
Class 3 tow group
4x4 Off Road group
17" pizza cutter wheels (arrrh, too narrow )
5 COATS ZANIO POLISH
( AWESOME PRODUCTS!)
Mods:
4-14-00 Superchip installed ( Thanks Mike T. for all your help!)
Ordered Jardine Exhaust: $200.00 delivered!!
From John Brooks @ Jardine 1-800 347-8664 ext. 224 (Thanks John)!!

 

When I see a Ford performance chip or a K&N filter in the SVT cars and trucks I will beleave it. However, until then these things are like BIGFOOT and UFO's to me.

 

I'm placing the blame on myself - not the chip or the exhaust - spent money and did not get much in return.
Did anybody else run any real tests - to prove improvement with the chip or not ?
All I see is - it feels like this or that.
But no real life tests.
I wanted to feel it too, trust me, but did not.

 

Jank,
Sorry to hear that, Any chance ford reflashed your computer with out telling you?
If they did that would explane the lack of improvement. Check under your hood for a new sticker with a bunch of numbers on it.
My wife noticed a difference when she drove it, she asked what I did to the truck, she could not "see" any mods so she was curious where the extra zip came from.
Of course I fessed up. I had paid for it out of my allowance so she was OK about it.
AHAB


------------------
2000 f150 5.4 4X4
Auto transmission
Supercab
Lariat 139" wb Flareside
Manual 4x4 shift on the floor.
3.55 Limited slip Axle
Class 3 tow group
4x4 Off Road group
17" pizza cutter wheels (arrrh, too narrow )
5 COATS ZANIO POLISH
( AWESOME PRODUCTS!)
Mods:
4-14-00 Superchip installed ( Thanks Mike T. for all your help!)
Ordered Jardine Exhaust: $200.00 delivered!!
From John Brooks @ Jardine 1-800 347-8664 ext. 224 (Thanks John)!!

 

Gorp:
If I'm not mistaken, the new Mustang SVT Cobras will soon (if not already) come from Ford with a K&N filter. Start believing.....

I do not have a chip, but am concidering one. One thing has to be realized here about the factory computer being well designed by Ford engineers. They are, but the engineers have their hands tied, in that they have to design all the parameters of operation based on the lowest octane fuel available or worse. Currently, I think that is 85.They have to design for the lowest common denominator and for the masses, not a small segment of high performance enthusiasts. These engines are capable of so much more, reliably, if allowed to.

[This message has been edited by selva1 (edited 05-10-2000).]

 

FWIW, I breifly had a Superchip in my otherwise stock '95 Ranger 4.0 automatic. It ran 16.3 @ 81 on regular before the chip and 16.3 @ 81 on premium after the chip. I returned the chip for a refund. The chip may have firmed up the shifts a little and it raised the WOT shift point about 500 RPM, but there was no measurable performance gain in either the 1/8 or 1/4. Chips obviously do work in some vehicles, but I know from experience they don't work in all vehicles.

 

I don't have either mod so I have no opinion.

------------------
black 97' x-cab 4x4, 5 speed 4.6, black westin nerf bars, 6 cd changer and a 12 premier sub, pilot ground searchers, borla SS split rear exhaust, v-tech oval side window covers


soon: fipk, chip, rims (the ones I want are $2k with tires, I need more money)

 

Hi BigRed2,

Great thread you started here. I am very interested in looking into the Pro-M Mass air kit. Did the article provide any contact numbers for the products? Or where to purchase? I talked to Peformance products, but they sell the Granatelli (spelling?) unit. I would like to find the Pro-M product referenced in the article.

Thanks,

Dirk

1997 F-150 4x4 5.4 S/C ORP

 

Dirk R, here is their site. Another side note here is that SHM developed the Pro-M device and they are the ones doing the article on its benefits?

http://www.pro-flow.com/

 

Ford designed the programs in these computers very conservatively for fuel economy (CAFE) and driveability, not for performance. I have had a Superchip in 2 of my trucks and believe me they do add hp and torque. 400 rpm added to shift points will not damage any motor unless that motor is not properly maintained. A supercharger will add far more stress to a motor that was not designed from the factory for a supercharger than a superchip ever could. Also, you add an aftermarket exhaust on to any of these motors and you will lose a little of the low end grunt simply because you have lessoned the back pressure on the system. I have experimented extensively with various combinations of exhausts (3 different mufflers and pipe combinations) and intakes (K&N Fipk Gen II, filter only and stock) along with the superchip and believe me there is a difference with the chip and various combinations. I finally settled on the best combination that I found worked and it is a Gen II K&N Fipk, 3 inch exhaust mandrel bent with a Dynomax Race Magnum muffler and a Superchip. I may have lost just a touch of low end (hardly noticeable), but motor runs smoother and performance is much better. Gas miliage is worse around town because I constantly use extra power, but is better on the Interstate. I got 19 mpg on one trip with my 5.4. If you are reading an article about a chip, make sure you are comparing apples with apples - and try it yourself, don't listen to others opinions.

------------------
2000 F150 SuperCab, Short Bed, 4X4, ORP, 5.4L, Auto Trans, 3.55LS, Captains Chairs with power drivers seat, rear slider, class III towing package, remote entry with alarm and just about everything you can get on this truck. Added a Ford bug deflecter, floor mats, a Dynamax Race magnum muffler and 3" mandrel bent pipes, Superchip, K&N FIPK Gen II and Bilstein shocks.