OK Boys and Girls the June issue of Super Ford has an interesting article about mods and a Triton 4.6L V8 done by the modular master Sean Hyland Motorsport.

1) Underdrive Pulleys netted a +6.1hp at the rear wheels, but more at the higher RPM's.

2) Stillen FIPK intake netted a +6.8 hp gain, but had to be removed due to the Pro-M wouldn't fit on the Stillen intake tube.

3) The Pro-M 77MM Mass Air kit landed a whopping +15 hp at the rear wheels.


4) SHM custom burnt chip for premium fuel and better tranny shift lost -0.8hp


So, my question is why don't more people us the better calibrated MAF's on the 4.6L and how did the chip do so poorly. Especially based on what SuperChips claims for gains at the fly wheel?




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99' F-150 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP LS

- K&N Air Filter
- Custom air intake from fender to TB
- Superchip
- PowerAid TB Spacer
- ASP Underdrive Pulleys
- Accel Coil Packs
- Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust
- Fluidyne Trany cooler
- A.R.E. Hard Tonue Cover
- Duraliner bed liner
- Mobil1 5W-30

 

i read that to.i think the chip was used to take out the rpm limiter.it didn't change the engions spec. if i read it right thats what it said.i have a 4.6 with a superchip,and i am thinking of getting a pro-m maf.the numbers a very impressive.if any one has one pleas tell what you think.i am going to get a supercharger some time.i read that it would work very well with this mas.

 

kevin, you are correct they used a chip to remove the speed limiter for testing the other components one by one. Then they used a totaly programmed chip that changed fuel curves etc. this is the chip that produced the drop in HP.



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99' F-150 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP LS

- K&N Air Filter
- Custom air intake from fender to TB
- Superchip
- PowerAid TB Spacer
- ASP Underdrive Pulleys
- Accel Coil Packs
- Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust
- Fluidyne Trany cooler
- A.R.E. Hard Tonue Cover
- Duraliner bed liner
- Mobil1 5W-30

 

i don't know if they know how to make a good chip.my super chip works great.gave me a lot of power.i wish that some one would test a superchip,and test its power with stock,then with some mods.then pull the chip and test with out it.then put it back in and see if it makes more with the mods on.or if the stock gain is the same as the the after the mods are on.

 

BigRed2
Did it say in the article who carries the Pro-M MAF kit you were referring to and can any of us backyard mechanics install it ourselves or does it have to be calibrated with special equipment?

 

BigRed2,

They were having problems testing in 3 rd gear because by the time they were able to apply full throttle without
kick-down the EEC V shut off fuel. Read page 90: "Hyland quickly solved this dilemma by burning a custom chip, which removed the electronic speed limiter but did not alter spark or fuel programming." Superchips will get you 26 hp and 40 lb-ft of torque on a 4.6L. So the MAF Doesn't outdo a Superchips.
Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
and air box, K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

I couldn't find any reference to a Superchip anywhere. I did see refernece to a SHM chip. All chip are not created equal and every program burned into chips are not the same. From what I gathered to chip was only burned to advance the spark curve for premium fuel use and better shifts. Now if the MAF kit really did produce 15 HP at the rear wheels then that is one heck of a gain. I'm not sure what 15 RWHP converts to at the flywheel but it definately got me interested in looking into one.

 

But if I can replace the MAF and still use regular gas as opposed to premium with a chip, guess which way I'm going? I've heard all the arguments about increase in MPG with a chip, so let's don't go there. I too would like to know where to get one, what they cost, and can I install it myself?

 

Mass air yes chip no ford does a excellent job on these computers don't mess with them. Chips are high risk purchases. 26hp 40tq I don't think so. For those of you who think it's a good idea to mess with the timing and fuel curves on a stock engine fine go give your money to sup. chips. Why spend the extra money on premium gas when your gains with the chip suck. Yes they firm up the shift points and get rid of top speed limiter and also lenghtn rpm's or extend red line (why would you want that) you trying to blow your motor. Go with the mass air on a stock engine then if you want to super char. it you will also get good gains with it.

 

JMC, look at page 92 titled "SHM FLASH-PROM" and read what it says. IN THIS POST TITLE I SHOULD NOT HAVE USED THE WORD "SUPERCHIP" BUT RATHER THE WORD "CHIP" I appologize for that error and was not trying to offend any one or any product.


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99' F-150 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP LS

- K&N Air Filter
- Custom air intake from fender to TB
- Superchip
- PowerAid TB Spacer
- ASP Underdrive Pulleys
- Accel Coil Packs
- Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust
- Fluidyne Trany cooler
- A.R.E. Hard Tonue Cover
- Duraliner bed liner
- Mobil1 5W-30

 

So Frank, have you ever done a before and after comparison with a Superchip? No?

Well, I have (by seat of the pants, not on a dyno), and so have all the others who have put in a chip. It really woke up my V-6 and the shifting improvement was also greatly appreciated. I don't know if I got the exact hp improvement quoted by Superchips, but the truck clearly runs much stronger and is much more fun to drive.

Sounds to me like the article described above does not test a Superchip brand chip. How anyone can use that article to bash a product that wasn't tested is beyond me.

BTW, it has a money back guarantee.

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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, Superchip, Airaid FIPK. On Back Order - Steeda Rear Anti Sway Bar, polyurethane front sway bar bushings

 

I went to their website and as I see the kit it is the mass air plus a K&N style filter. Wonder how much is from the mass air and from the less restricted filter. I already have the Fipk so dont know if we would get a 15 horsepower increase or not.

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1998 ext cab 4x4 4.6 auto
K&N Gen11, Superchip, fiberglass tonneau cover
Bola cat-back exhaust

 

This sounds like a good safe mod. However, I will have to agree with Frank on the Superchip. The Superchip has caused problems with my truck, from erratic shifting behavior to power surging at 4000 plus RPM. I think the Superchip is nothing but highly greased up lubed snake oil sold by highly crafted 100% salesman trying to make a buck at the expense of our engines, I Will not be taken again. I was warned by my Ford dealer friends about putting one on but did not listen. They have seen it all with what the Superchips can do to an engine.. <<not good>> I think one of the best modifications is a supercharger if you can afford it. And if mine does not sell it is going back on my truck.. <<Without the Custom Superchip>> I miss the extra power.


<<<Flame Proof Suit On, Shields UP, Warp Factor Nine Mister Scott>>

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97 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP Gibson Catback
JBA Headers.. Hot Coated
Ford Motorsport 9MM wires
Superchip. Not is use
EX supercharged. For Sale
JLL Stealthbox
Rockford Fosgate punch 45 to drive stealthbox

 

Well, seems that the Superchip is not what it's claimed to be.
Same experience here. Installed one 2 gas tanks ago - don't feel any improvements. Every day I drive the same hill since I bought the truck 3 years ago. I play a simple game - can I make it up the hill in 3rd without downshift. The rule is - 40mph initial speed and keep it going all the way up. It took me a while to be able to do it with stock engine. Then I did the air mod with K&N - a little ( very little ) improvement - maybe I was just better at it. Then I installed the Superchip and Gibson Super truck katback at the same time. Now I should be flying, right?
Not at all - can't do it anymore. And this is with the Texaco recommended 92 gas.
The truck feels faster at higher RPMs but I definitely lost some low end power. Doesn't chirp the tires as easy anymore...the only thing that the Superchip did for me is improved shifting points.
This is my experience. So where are all the extra horses ? Hitching a ride in the back ?
I think that lot of folks just want to believe that the power is there. But my little test does not show it.
At least the Gibson gives me nice rumble if nothing else.

 

If the MAF mod really works..beyond the claimed ad, I would be interested also.

A supercharger is good for your engine? I would argue that point in many situations. It depends what type you purchase. Some brands cause excessive stress on an engine at lower RPMs and WILL cause engine problems in time.

frank..."Chips are high risk purchases"...no they are not. IF a person beats on their vehicle after the chip is installed..then that damage is from the abuse, not the chip. "gains with the chip suck"..I am certainly more than impressed with mine (along with MANY others). "extend red line (why would you want that) you trying to blow your motor." .. I can more than assure you the slight increase in the RPMs will do nothing to the motor. The factory shift RPMs are conservative. The engine does not sit at the slightly increased RPMs forever...and there is such a thing as a 'transient period' where your motor can remain at higher RPMs without any damage for those short periods of time. Most engines built today are some of the best ever produced. Overhead cam engines love higher RPMS..how do you think many of the 4 bangers can achieve any sort of power?!

Gorp...nothing at all wrong with my truck after installing a Superchip and I would certainly not believe much a Ford dealer says today..I have caught so many (sales and mechanics)in well crafted lies over the years...more common today than ever. I will not even let a FORD dealer touch my truck for anything but major work...period. (In fact, I spoke to several well known dealership mechanics I know..some who build race car engines..and they all agreed that the Superchip is a very good investment for the price. I know of way too many horror stories of additional damage or work not being done properly by FORD dealers. Also, "They have seen it all with what the Superchips can do to an engine.. <<not good>> "..ask them just how much testing FORD put into the 5.4L Triton that developed the piston slap problem, leaking rear window, serious door cracks (which after 3 years there is no fix yet), paint problems, etc. VERY, VERY few people that I have ever known or spoken to..have ever complained of problems with Superchips. I think it is more of a lack of proper testing on FORDs part than anything else that has caused many of the problems..for example in our F-150s. It also depends on just how a vehicle is taken care of. I beat the crap out of my 4 banger Mazda 626 on the Autobahns of Germany for 3 years..but I took extremely good care of it..always changed the oil at 3,000 miles or less..and NEVER, NEVER had any sort of problem with it beyond a starter and water pump failure up to the point I traded it in at 179,000 miles for the 98 F-150 I had. The engine still ran like a champ! Proper care is extremely important in longevity.

No flames at all intended....I just disagree with some of the points made. Take care...

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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