superchips for a well aged truck
#1
03-05-2004 | 07:02 PM
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
superchips for a well aged truck?
Hello everyone,
I am now the proud owner of a 98 F-150 supercab. I purchased it from my dad with about 155,000 miles. The truck runs great, a lot better than my 96 F150. Here's my questions:
Will adding the superchips program to a high mileage, completely stock engine lower the lifespan of my enigine?
I have noticed that the progams on the superchip 1715 changes the shifting characteristics of an auto transmission. Will the 87 octane program and the towing program will be "useless" if I have a maunal transmission?
I also live in Arizona, will the performance program affect the cooling capability or overheat the enging in high heat 110+ degrees with or without the A/C running? Keep in mind trips in the desert include steep mountain freeways in high air temps. ( I would not run the a/c while climbing)
I appreciate any feedback, BlackBomber
98 F-150 SuperCab
4.6 V8
155,000 miles
Manual Transmission
K&N drop in filter
I am now the proud owner of a 98 F-150 supercab. I purchased it from my dad with about 155,000 miles. The truck runs great, a lot better than my 96 F150. Here's my questions:
Will adding the superchips program to a high mileage, completely stock engine lower the lifespan of my enigine?
I have noticed that the progams on the superchip 1715 changes the shifting characteristics of an auto transmission. Will the 87 octane program and the towing program will be "useless" if I have a maunal transmission?
I also live in Arizona, will the performance program affect the cooling capability or overheat the enging in high heat 110+ degrees with or without the A/C running? Keep in mind trips in the desert include steep mountain freeways in high air temps. ( I would not run the a/c while climbing)
I appreciate any feedback, BlackBomber
98 F-150 SuperCab
4.6 V8
155,000 miles
Manual Transmission
K&N drop in filter
Last edited by BlackBomber; 03-06-2004 at 04:53 AM.
#2
03-06-2004 | 04:07 PM
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi BB,
Normal service life in these Ford modular motors is 150K-200K miles, with just routine 3000 mile oil changes.
At this point that engine may need some maintenance - for example, things like the O2 sensors, fuel filter, hoses, belts, and the entire ignition system (plugs, wires & coil packs) may all need replacement - far too many people never replace things like O2 sensors or ignition components unless they completely fail outright so the vehicle is literally disabled, or is obviously missing, etc.
If this vehicle has all it's maintenance done (the spark plugs, plug wires, coil packs & O2 sensors do not have more than 50K miles on them, the fuel injectors are clean, etc.), and it's not using any significant amount of oil in between oil changes or be subjected to more aggressive driving than what's it's been seeing (and many people do drive them harder after installing a new performance part), then yes - you should have a successful result with the Superchips tuning - the Superchips tuning in and of itself is NOT going to harm the engine.
And no, the vehicle having a manual transmission does not negate any of the power gains - the engine gains the same amount of peak power no matter what kind of transmission.
Some of the maintenance items are either not mentioned in the automakers maintenance schedule (like the O2 sensors & ignition components), or their recommended replacement intervals are just far too long - like 100K miles for spark plugs, and 30K miles for fuel filters - that's just not acceptable in our book, we do not agree with leaving the same spark plugs in for 100K miles (replace at not more than 50K for best performance) or the fuel filter for 30K miles (replace at 15K) like the automaker says on their maintenance schedule.
The bottom line is, the Superchips tuning does *NOT* harm the engine in any way - so yes, this could work out very well for you.
It's a matter of just how well that vehicle has been maintained combined with how it's going to be driven *now* with 155K miles already on it and more power being added. Maintained & treated right, it should continue to give you another 50K miles of useful service life, and perhaps even a bit more.
Normal service life in these Ford modular motors is 150K-200K miles, with just routine 3000 mile oil changes.
At this point that engine may need some maintenance - for example, things like the O2 sensors, fuel filter, hoses, belts, and the entire ignition system (plugs, wires & coil packs) may all need replacement - far too many people never replace things like O2 sensors or ignition components unless they completely fail outright so the vehicle is literally disabled, or is obviously missing, etc.
If this vehicle has all it's maintenance done (the spark plugs, plug wires, coil packs & O2 sensors do not have more than 50K miles on them, the fuel injectors are clean, etc.), and it's not using any significant amount of oil in between oil changes or be subjected to more aggressive driving than what's it's been seeing (and many people do drive them harder after installing a new performance part), then yes - you should have a successful result with the Superchips tuning - the Superchips tuning in and of itself is NOT going to harm the engine.
And no, the vehicle having a manual transmission does not negate any of the power gains - the engine gains the same amount of peak power no matter what kind of transmission.
Some of the maintenance items are either not mentioned in the automakers maintenance schedule (like the O2 sensors & ignition components), or their recommended replacement intervals are just far too long - like 100K miles for spark plugs, and 30K miles for fuel filters - that's just not acceptable in our book, we do not agree with leaving the same spark plugs in for 100K miles (replace at not more than 50K for best performance) or the fuel filter for 30K miles (replace at 15K) like the automaker says on their maintenance schedule.
The bottom line is, the Superchips tuning does *NOT* harm the engine in any way - so yes, this could work out very well for you.
It's a matter of just how well that vehicle has been maintained combined with how it's going to be driven *now* with 155K miles already on it and more power being added. Maintained & treated right, it should continue to give you another 50K miles of useful service life, and perhaps even a bit more.