I have a 1999 F-250LD with a 5.4L supercab 4X4. I have been reading about superchips, Hypertech modules, Jet chips,and so on. Now I read something about a flip chip from one of you with a 250LD. In your oppinion, what chip or module is worth the money. Keep in mind that I'm a farmer and will use the truck for pulling and fourwheeling.

 

Funkster,

It's like this:

Superchips is the chip of choice
The Flip Chip is a superchip with 2 different programs
The Hypertech Power Programer is probably not availabe yet, it hasn't been for over a year now
And I have seen people trying to give away Jet Chips in this board without much success

I'm no expert, but all these people can't be wrong! Besides, I've seen vendors trashed that make promises and can't deliver! We can be a vicious group when it comes to our trucks!

Try searching the threads for Superchip, you'll find everything you ever wnted to know about reprogramming your trucks computer, and probably end up wishing you hadn't asked! There is literary a ton of info here! Welcom, and Good luck!

[This message has been edited by PaulT (edited 01-31-2000).]

 

Dear Funkster,

The Superchip is the only one of all those you mentioned that improves power and performance at *all* throttle positions. It also does not require you to use a special abnormally cold thermostat to make it work properly, as do most other chips. It's also the only one that is programmed for each individual vehicle, as we ask for your vehicle's "computer code" anytime we take any order for a Superchip. This means you get the benefit of a complete custom workup for *your* vehicle, and not some compromised program for all similar vehicles. (To find your computer code, open the passenger door and look in between the door hinges in the front part of the door frame, and there will be a sticker with 3 letters and a number on it, like ADX3, for example, and that is your computer code. There are *many* different computer codes, even for the exact same make, model, and year of vehicle, and Superchips makes a different program for each one!)

Most other chipmakers only change the wide-open throttle (WOT) parameters, due to the structure of the emissions laws. You see, even for a brand new vehicle, there are no emissions standards that have to be met during WOT operation, so if that is all you change, you reduce R&D costs drastically, you don't have to certify for emissions compliance, etc. So it's a very important issue, and one that most people do not realize until they come here and ask.

You want a product that works *all* the time, and not one that just sits there waiting for you to put your foot all the way down to the floor to add power.

Superchips is the company that *invented* this entire industry, back in 1983, and they are the only company that consistently programs every application not just for WOT gains, but for more power from 1000-1200 rpm on up, regardless of throttle position. And this is all the difference in the world, as it improves overall driveability noticeably. Most people also see a small improvement in gas mileage as well, primarily when cruising on the highway.

The Superchip also adds more total power gain than those you listed. The Superchip is going to add 28 horsepower and 46 lbs./ft. of torque to your 1999 5.4.

It will also firm up the shift characteristics of the automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, helping them to last a bit longer from reduced slippage.

The Flip Chip that has been mentioned recently here is another type of Superchip, that can contain 2 separate programs, and allows the driver to select which program by a 2-position pre-wired switch. That product is used for example by drag racers, who need one program for the street and another to use on the drag strip with nitrous oxide. It's also used by those who want to have one program made for regular gasoline, and then another to run with premium gasoline. The idea is that the Flip Chip can contain any 2 programs. It is consequently a more expensive product, that has a specific and special purpose. In other words, most people who buy Superchips don't go for the added expense of the Flip Chip, unless it fits a certain circumstance just right for it's owner.

For the uses you have stated, pulling and 4-wheeling, you will want to take advantage of the fact that the Superchip adds power at *all* throttle positions. Using a product that doesn't add power until you have your foot to the floor isn't much use in those applications.

And last, the Superchip is less expensive than any of the others. It's rare when you can get a product that actually works better *and* costs less, and the Superchip just happens to fit that bill very nicely.

One thing I just want to make sure you are aware of, and that is the fact that any performance chip is going to require the use of premium gasoline. That is where the raw power gain comes from, by programming specifically for the increased anti-knock properties of premium gasoline.

To give you an idea of what your vehicle is going to feel like in your situation with the Superchip, think of it as about a 12% power gainer. In other words, your truck is going to feel like it has about 12% more motor, all the time. It's a great bargain to pick up that kind of power gain for such a small cost.

Please feel free to give us a call if you'd like more detailed info, pricing, etc.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 02-01-2000).]

 

hey Mike
What is the added price for the flipchip

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'97 F150 4x4 Off-Road Extended Cab Lariat Flareside white/tan, tan leather, 4.6, 3.55

bedliner
single-lid toolbox
Gibson 2.5" split-rear exit cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter

Many more modifications to come

 

Thanks for all your info. I really appreciate it! One last question, If I plan on adding high output plugs and wires, plus my intake being an open element, will that effect the performance of the chip being that the motor isn't stock anymore?

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1999 F-250LD 4X4 XLT Supercab SB, 5.4L, AT, 3.73LS, 33"Wrangler ATS, Dual Exhaust, custom air intake, Color: Harvest Gold cc "Ready to Farm"

 

Dear Funkster,

No, aftermarket plugs, plug wires, etc. will not affect the program, inside the Superchip, no changes have to be made for those mods.

When we talk about modifying the engine, what we really mean are *internal* engine modifications. Exterior bolt-ons still leave the engine itself stock. Just to give you an idea of the types of modifications that *do* require a custom program compensation, they are things like a supercharger, porting the cylinder heads, camshaft changes, nitrous oxide, etc., those types of things, as a general rule. The factory mass airflow sensor measuring incoming airflow and the O2 sensors monitoring oxygen content in the spent exhaust stream do a good job of compensating for incremental increases in airflow, so it's only when you take power levels up by about 30% or more that we really need to change the program itself to compensate just for increased airflow.

So you can make the ignition system hotter, you can reduce restriction on both the intake and the exhaust side, etc., and those types of things generally work very well with, and compliment the peformance of, the Superchip.

One other point.....if after you install the Superchip, at some point in the future you do decide to do a modification that *does* require us to adjust the program, the Superchip is a flash design, and it can always be updated with a custom program for you, for a small fee. That way your investment in the Superchip is protected.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Dear lovemy4X4,

Please contact me privately, in email or phone for pricing info, if you don't mind, our contact info is below in my signature line. Our Webmaster here at F150online has a firm policy about not allowing blatant commercial posts, so please just give me a quick shout for that info.

Just to give you an idea, the Flip Chip is basically 2 chips in one, so it's considerably more expensive than the standard single-program Superchip. It's list price is almost 70% higher than the regular Superchip that most people are running.

The whole idea of the Flip Chip is to serve a particular purpose, for example, guys lately have been having them loaded with one program for regular gasoline, and then our performance program which requires premium gas in the other side. And for those who have a specific task or purpose for a Flip Chip, it's a great product. Another use is in the Ford Powerstroke turbocharged diesel, where guys will have us load one side of it with our "standard" performance program, and then load the other side with an extremely high power program for racing, with the turbo boost cranked *way* up.

Drag racers will use them for one program to use on the street, and then another to use with nitrous oxide.

So if you have a particular purpose or task you are trying to achieve that the Flip Chip is suited for, it's a great deal. For most people, the Flip Chip isn't appropriate simply from a cost standpoint in comparison to the standard single-program Superchip, it just all depends on the vehicle, the owner, and what you want to do with it.

Feel free to give us a call to discuss this in greater detail!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html