Since I am one of them V-6 people, I do want to increase my power without having to trade in the truck. I am very much interested in the Superchip but I don't like the premium gas required since it is so dang expensive (in Cali). Can I get a superchip that is geared for regular and give the benefits of the premium (of course less), I am more interested in the mileage and the "peppiness". Actually I am much much much more interested in the mileage, 2 mpgs is what I want, although a little harder kick in the rear is very much appreciated. I hear something about the Banks Transomething but I rather hear from the experiences of users. When will I fess up and get a V-8? Never, I'll wait for the baby diesel. My ideal future? A house with a wife, two kids, either a PSD F-250 or a BD F-150 7.7K with a shell, plus a Nissan Frontier with a tonneu, plus a Honda Accord, and a boat of some sort. And a job 30+ miles away with nothing but clear no traffic freeways inbetween.

Leo dC

 

Well if you want MPG a full size truck was a bad choice.
From what I've read here (yes this has been covered before) mpg increases vary by user but the premuim gas requirement and the users tendency to put the foot in it wipe out any mpg savings.
If you care to drive an escort for the weekend like I had to and you won't mind the MPG so much.
Look in "other aftermarket" for the electric fan article.
I think that's going to be your best shot at improving MPG.

 

Dear Good_Guy,

From the reports here from people who actually own and use the Superchip, the V-6's are usually picking up 1.5 to 2 more mpg on average. This is primarily on the highway, when you're cruising at a steady speed, so if you're driving is primarily in the city, it may or may not help your mileage. It's merely a by-product of the optimized spark advance curve used on part-throttle, so your results will depend on how you drive the vehicle and your local fuel quality. Some people pick up enough of a mileage gain to not only offset the additional cost of premium, but to also make the Superchip pay for itself! Now that is of course the best case scenario. Here where we are, the cost difference between regular (87) and premium (93) is only 10-12 cents per gallon. So for us, the Superchips are actually *paying* us to use them! That kind of result is going to be darn near impossible to get with gas prices in So.Cal., from what I understand.

So let's take a look at worst case scenario......let's say you don't see *any* improvement in gas mileage. The additional cost for fuel runs maybe a couple hundred dollars a year, in areas where gas prices are high like where you live, and average miles are put on the vehicle. If you drive a a lot of miles, and they're mostly city miles, then it will cost perhaps a bit more.

Of course most people get results somewhere in the middle of those two extremes.

I think it gets down to just what your goals are. Do you want better performance? It doesn't come free, as we all know. There isn't another product on the market for anywhere near the price of the Superchip that gives all it's benefits. It's roughly a 10% power gain for a coupla hundred bucks, in addition to the improved shifting in the automatics, removal of the top speed limiter, etc., and that's a deal most people are happy to have.

If your *primary* goal is more mpg, then I'd switch to all synthetic fluids, make sure your tires are always inflated to the highest pressure you can tolerate in terms of ride stiffness, etc. Let your vehicle realize it's potential, in other words, by doing all the "little" things. Then, if you want more performance, take a look at the Superchip. The Superchip will give more additional power than any cat-back exhaust system, or intake mod, etc., and that's why it's so popular, it's basic "bang-for-the-buck" value as a power gainer.

A Superchip could easily be made for use with regular gasoline, but the power gain would be so small as to be inconsequential. I generally recommend that someone not buy a Superchip, as opposed to having us make one for you to run on regular gasoline because of this.

We generally recommend doing these 3 things for the best return on investment on these vehicles: 1.) Superchip 2.) Airaid unit 3.) Cat-back exhaust system, preferably Jardine, or my second choice, which is Gibson. Each of these 3 mods tend to give more power and better fuel mileage, as a general rule, via increased engine efficiency.

For your situation, it may or may not give you what you're looking for. If you like, please feel free to give me a call, and we can discuss this in much greater detail than we can here.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 11-11-1999).]

 

Bravo on the post Mike. You're a plus to have here.

 

Thanks for the head's up Superchip dude. Well, I live in the Bay Area where the difference in Premium and Regular is 20 cents. I have a 99 SC V-6 with a campershell, the weight with me in it is 4800 lbs. I use the truck as a delivery vehicle delivering up to 1700 lbs of cargo (I put spring overloads) around the Bay Area, and I travel more than a 1000 miles a week, most of them highway miles stuck at 65, although I do spend some time stuck in the San Francisco and San Jose rush hour gridlock. I get about atleast 16 mpgs, although I did dip 15.99 mpgs twice and when my dad drove it got 14.2 mpgs. But you are saying that in cruising, I can indeed get the mileage increase and the power boost needed to merge a 6500 lb truck into freeway ramps. I already have a K&N filter, approximately how many more ponies do I get with the Superchip + K&N?

Leo dC -still trying to think of a way to get this past mommy-dear

 

Good_Guy you should get about 25 HP more with the chip in a V6. If your computer code is AAT3 and you want a chip, I have one for $150. I sold my '99 V6 auto and bought a '00. The chip does make the V6 perform stronger.

------------------
'00 WHITE/GOLD F150 LARIAT FlareSide SC 5.4 Auto 3.55 LS
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, K&N Air Filter,
Leather Captain's Chairs (like a screen door in a submarine!),
and all the Lariat goodies
SOME SHOW and a LOTTA TOW
My am E, Fl *** Member of ??? Ford Group

 

Dear Good_Guy,

The rated power gains for the 4.2 V-6 Superchip are 25 more horsepower, and 31 lbs./ft. of torque at the flywheel, using a good quality 92 octane premium. Because each vehicle is programmed according to the exact software it's computer was loaded with from the factory, you will need to know your vehicle's computer code in order to get the correct Superchip. This is very easy to find, just open your passenger door, and look near the door hinges, in the front of the door frame. There will be a sticker with 3 letters and a number on it, and that is your computer code.

With the cost difference being 20 cents per gallon, you stand a decent chance at not having to pay a lot more for your gasoline, as you should be able to see some improvement in gas mileage, I would think. A little while back, some people on SO.Cal. were paying a lot more than 20 cents more per gallon difference between regular and premium, so I hope that has calmed down a bit for you guys out there. With as many miles as you are driving, and most of them being on the highway, this should put you in pretty good shape.

The K&N air filter by itself is worth about 5 hp or so on the V-6, so it's worthwhile for it's cost. We like them and use them on all our vehicles too.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

 

Dear Ron,

Hey, you ought to post a new thread and offer your Superchip again! There are a lot of AAT3's out there, so you should get a bite, I would think!

Good luck,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com