SuperChip it?
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
SuperChip it?
Well I may need to go with a superchip but need to know the answer to this question. I like the power of the 5.4 but when I'm towing my RV trailer at 5800 lbs it wants to go to third gear alot and I have the 3.71 rear end. Hence my gas mileage goes to crap from 17 to about 9! The question I have is do I have to run premium all the time with the chip or can I just run premium when I'm towing and reg unleaded the other times?
PS...With gas prices I sure am glad I got a Honda Magna to run around on at 45mpg and 11.2 in the quarter mile...I just giggle at all these performance mods for trucks and cars when my bikie outta the box will chew up a Vette and spit it out.
JR
------------------
99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..
PS...With gas prices I sure am glad I got a Honda Magna to run around on at 45mpg and 11.2 in the quarter mile...I just giggle at all these performance mods for trucks and cars when my bikie outta the box will chew up a Vette and spit it out.
JR
------------------
99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 9,417
Likes: 11
From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
91 Nite,
Check out the Computer chips section. You can get what they call a "Flip" Chip. It is a chip with 2 different programs and at the flip of a switch you can change programs. Get one to run on 87 and the other to run premium for towing. The best of both worlds.
Check with Mike Troyer in that section.
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
------------------
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
[This message has been edited by JMC (edited 05-30-2000).]
Check out the Computer chips section. You can get what they call a "Flip" Chip. It is a chip with 2 different programs and at the flip of a switch you can change programs. Get one to run on 87 and the other to run premium for towing. The best of both worlds.
Check with Mike Troyer in that section.
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
------------------
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
[This message has been edited by JMC (edited 05-30-2000).]
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Sugarland, TX USA
91 Nite,
I'm sorry but that bike just can't do what a truck can. You shouldn't even compare them. I have had one friend killed and one hurt in the last month on motorcyles. Call me what you like but you can't compare death machines to trucks.
As far as your truck shifting back into 3rd. What is probably happening is the converter is unlocking on grades just as my truck does. Even with your low 3.73, in OD, your gearing is too tall for pulling that much load. I have a 3.08 gear and you have the 3.73. In 3rd(OD off) my gearing is probably closer to what you need for towing that much load but a 3.27 would be the ticket for you. That would improve your 3rd gear economy and put you in an rpm band to pull that heavy load in 3rd. Your unloaded economy with the 3.27 would improve over the 3.73 as well. There are plenty of 3.27 takeout gears around very cheap at Mustang performance shops. That is the standard gear for many Mustangs.
[This message has been edited by LarryS (edited 05-30-2000).]
I'm sorry but that bike just can't do what a truck can. You shouldn't even compare them. I have had one friend killed and one hurt in the last month on motorcyles. Call me what you like but you can't compare death machines to trucks.
As far as your truck shifting back into 3rd. What is probably happening is the converter is unlocking on grades just as my truck does. Even with your low 3.73, in OD, your gearing is too tall for pulling that much load. I have a 3.08 gear and you have the 3.73. In 3rd(OD off) my gearing is probably closer to what you need for towing that much load but a 3.27 would be the ticket for you. That would improve your 3rd gear economy and put you in an rpm band to pull that heavy load in 3rd. Your unloaded economy with the 3.27 would improve over the 3.73 as well. There are plenty of 3.27 takeout gears around very cheap at Mustang performance shops. That is the standard gear for many Mustangs.
[This message has been edited by LarryS (edited 05-30-2000).]
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
Thanks for the info but I'd rather not go for another gear set as I like the 17mpg that I get when not towing which is the vast majority of the time...If I have to put up with 9 mpg so be it.. just wish I had dual tanks like the old Fords...Ford got a dumber idea on that one...from 38 gallons to 25..obviously they never tow!
Your right about bikes but they're just too much fun and everytime you go on the road be it in a car/truck etc it's a gamble however the stakes are higher on a bike.
BTW I posted to Mike on the Comp chips section to see about the flip chip or if I can just run premium which will probably defeat the purpose of getting better mileage with the price of premium...Dang I knew I should've went diesel this time around...: )
------------------
99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..
Your right about bikes but they're just too much fun and everytime you go on the road be it in a car/truck etc it's a gamble however the stakes are higher on a bike.
BTW I posted to Mike on the Comp chips section to see about the flip chip or if I can just run premium which will probably defeat the purpose of getting better mileage with the price of premium...Dang I knew I should've went diesel this time around...: )
------------------
99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
I beg to differ, keep those 371's. I have the 355's (I think thats the size) and regularly tow a trailer with about 3000lb gvw. I have put the ORP with 17" Wheels from a 4x4 Expidition and if anything, I may go to the 410's. My only mods with my 4.6L is a Jacobs ignition, K&N filter charger and high flow muffler. Truth is mine pulls nice. Only kicks down on steep grades at slow (40 or less) speeds. When your pulling that hard, I don't see any way to keep from PAYING AT THE PUMP. Have fun.
------------------
Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...
------------------
Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...