Computer Chips
#1
12-09-2003 | 06:08 PM
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Computer Chips
I am new to this so sorry for the questions that I am sure have already been asked a 1000 times before, But. I have a 2003 f150xlt supercab with a 4.6l and have added an K&N intake kit and a Magnaflow Catback. I am looking for a little more performance, I don't tow anything substatial. I would like to add a chip. Any suggestions???????
Thanks for any help you may provide me.
Thanks for any help you may provide me.
#3
12-10-2003 | 05:53 PM
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Spage,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
That was very considerate of you, searching for the info before you just went ahead and posted another new thread - thanks! You're absolutely right, a lot of "the basics" do get asked here literally thousands of times - and by the same token, any time you don't seem to be able to find the info you want, don't hesitate to post a thread and ask if you need to, that's what *we* are here for.
You're on the right track in thinking about a chip, as an optimized powertrain program is generally the best bang for the buck performance enhancement - good thinking.
You've got a couple of great mods right now - that Magnaflow cat-back exhaust is the best exhaust system on the market for these trucks in terms of both HP gains and the torque results on part-throttle - excellent choice. And the FIPK kit is a decent intake kit, so that's fine, too - you've got the motor breathing better on both ends.
The best bang for the buck would be for you to have your powertrain programming optimized, just as you're thinking, and I would recommend using the Micro Tuner specifically - just as Wittom suggested in his response (thanks Tom!). The Micro Tuner will give you 3 different performance tunes, 87 octane tow-safe, premium gas tow-safe, and then our "max" performance tune, which is for premium gas and is *not* towing compatible, and you can change between any of those programs or return to stock as you like, the Micro Tuner gives you that capability. the power gains range anywhere form about 8 hp to 25+ HP, depending ion which program you select, with the 87 octane program adding the least power, and the "max" performance tune adding the most. It's a simple 10 minute plug & play installation that anyone can do.
Now the traditional Superchip module in it's single-program version is less expensive, but you also get less - just 1 program (unless you order the 2-program version, which would be *more* expensive than a Micro Tuner!), and it's also more involved in terms of installation. Though it's not particularly difficult, you'll just have to do a good deal more work, that's all.
For most people we recommend using the Micro Tuner, thanks to it's simple plug & play installation and it's 3 different levels of performance, multi-octane capability, etc.
To learn more about both parts, take a look over on our web site at www.TroyerPerformance.com - here is a link that will take you right to the appropriate page for the Superchips products for FoMoCo vehicles: http://www.troyerperformance.com/cgi...chips%3BFoMoCo
There you'll want to read up on Part# 1715, which is the Micro Tuner - then you can read up on Part# 1100, which is the single program Superchip, and finally, you can read up on Part# 1300, which is the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip. That will give you the info on each of the 3 different Superchips products that can be used on your vehicle - I feel the Micro Tuner will be your best bet, but that decision is up to you, of course.
A note about what you'll see on our web site with regard to the Superchips products *only* - when you get ready to order or want pricing, you'll want to call us for that, as on our web site we have to adhere to the manufacturer's (Superchips) MAP (minimum advertised price) guidelines - thus the prices you'll see for Superchips products (only) on our web site are higher than the price you'll get from us when you *call* us for those orders - so just remember you'll get the best pricing for Superchips products when you call us - this is just FYI.
Please feel free to call us at our number listed below to go over any aspects of your F-150's performance, as we specialize in improving the performance of this platform.
Good luck!
Welcome to F-150 Online!
That was very considerate of you, searching for the info before you just went ahead and posted another new thread - thanks! You're absolutely right, a lot of "the basics" do get asked here literally thousands of times - and by the same token, any time you don't seem to be able to find the info you want, don't hesitate to post a thread and ask if you need to, that's what *we* are here for.
You're on the right track in thinking about a chip, as an optimized powertrain program is generally the best bang for the buck performance enhancement - good thinking.
You've got a couple of great mods right now - that Magnaflow cat-back exhaust is the best exhaust system on the market for these trucks in terms of both HP gains and the torque results on part-throttle - excellent choice. And the FIPK kit is a decent intake kit, so that's fine, too - you've got the motor breathing better on both ends.
The best bang for the buck would be for you to have your powertrain programming optimized, just as you're thinking, and I would recommend using the Micro Tuner specifically - just as Wittom suggested in his response (thanks Tom!). The Micro Tuner will give you 3 different performance tunes, 87 octane tow-safe, premium gas tow-safe, and then our "max" performance tune, which is for premium gas and is *not* towing compatible, and you can change between any of those programs or return to stock as you like, the Micro Tuner gives you that capability. the power gains range anywhere form about 8 hp to 25+ HP, depending ion which program you select, with the 87 octane program adding the least power, and the "max" performance tune adding the most. It's a simple 10 minute plug & play installation that anyone can do.
Now the traditional Superchip module in it's single-program version is less expensive, but you also get less - just 1 program (unless you order the 2-program version, which would be *more* expensive than a Micro Tuner!), and it's also more involved in terms of installation. Though it's not particularly difficult, you'll just have to do a good deal more work, that's all.
For most people we recommend using the Micro Tuner, thanks to it's simple plug & play installation and it's 3 different levels of performance, multi-octane capability, etc.
To learn more about both parts, take a look over on our web site at www.TroyerPerformance.com - here is a link that will take you right to the appropriate page for the Superchips products for FoMoCo vehicles: http://www.troyerperformance.com/cgi...chips%3BFoMoCo
There you'll want to read up on Part# 1715, which is the Micro Tuner - then you can read up on Part# 1100, which is the single program Superchip, and finally, you can read up on Part# 1300, which is the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip. That will give you the info on each of the 3 different Superchips products that can be used on your vehicle - I feel the Micro Tuner will be your best bet, but that decision is up to you, of course.
A note about what you'll see on our web site with regard to the Superchips products *only* - when you get ready to order or want pricing, you'll want to call us for that, as on our web site we have to adhere to the manufacturer's (Superchips) MAP (minimum advertised price) guidelines - thus the prices you'll see for Superchips products (only) on our web site are higher than the price you'll get from us when you *call* us for those orders - so just remember you'll get the best pricing for Superchips products when you call us - this is just FYI.
Please feel free to call us at our number listed below to go over any aspects of your F-150's performance, as we specialize in improving the performance of this platform.
Good luck!