Howdy All!

I've been reading a lot of the other threads regarding chips and now I'm interested. I've had my first Ford for a little over a week now and I'm considering installing a chip. My service rep at the dealership where I bought my truck told me that installing a chip would void my warranty (I've since heard that this is not the case . . . don't know what to think now). Let's see if I can't get some of you guys out there to fill me in on all of the advantages/disadvantages of installing a chip, what they cost, warranty considerations, etc??? I'd appreciate any input I can get. Thanks.

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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS

 

Advantages:
1. About 10% more hp and torque
2. Eliminates top speed restictions (on your truck it is probably 98 mph)
3. If you have an automatic transmission it will give you much crisper, firm shifting.
4. Will give you 5 to 10% better gas mileage, depending on your deriing habits.

Disadvantages:
1. Have to use premium gas(improved mileage just about makes up the difference)
2. Have to listen to dealers crap about voided waraanty (it is real simple to remove if you have to take it in)

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK I don't know what the cost for the V-10 chip is, but you won't be sorry. Get hold of Mike Troyer, he has best price and knows more than anybody about the Superchip.

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

 

Hi F-250 Hoss,

Thanks for your email, we answered all your questions thoroughly there. The Webmaster here does not want exact pricing issues discussed here on the boards, to keep them free of blatantly commercial content, so we discuss all that privately, and you have that info in our email response to you today as well.

Your warranty will *not* be voided or affected by the installation of the Superchip, your service advisor is dead wrong about that, and you're not the first person to be told something like that, not by a long shot, unfortunately. Thankfully, the truth of the matter is you are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which makes it *illegal* to void a warranty or to even deny a warranty claim just becuse aftermarket parts are installed on the vehicle. The only time you can have a warranty claim legally denied is if you install a product that can be *proven* to be thw sole cause of a directly related parts failure, and they must also further prove that had the aftermarket part not been installed, the related parts would not have failed, that is the *law*, and that is very strong legal protection indeed.

Unfortunately, there are some dealerships that will tell you just about anything, and that is why it is so important that you know what your actual legal rights really are.

Any dealership that will tell you these types of baseless rumors should never be rewarded with your business in the future, in my humble opinion. There are many dealerships who do not engage in these illegal practices, dealers who really do care about your satisfaction.

Please feel free to give us a call to go over any details, we're always happy to help.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

I have a bunch of guys I hunt with who own Ford Powerstrokes and gas models. I know all them and they have installed the DiabloChip. The diablochip from what I have heard and seen with my on eyes really makes a difference. A company in Houston sales them and this where all my buddies have purchased these chips. Their web site is www.horsepower-plus.com

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for all of the info guys. I've talked to several other dealerships now and it seems you're probably right. Basically, they say that if you have a problem with the engine and you have a chip, they hook it up to their diagnostics stuff see what the problem is. If the problem is related to the chip, they won't help you, but if not, they'll take care of it. They have also told me though that they have very few problems that they believe are caused by the chip. Still looking. I'd appreciate any more input . . .

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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto

 

F-250 Hoss,

Welcome to the board.

I can't believe you have had your truck a whole week and have not got a superchip yet.

Some of the advantages of having a superchip, (not just any chip), are as follows:

*More fun to drive.

*Firmer shift if you have an automatic.

*Looking at Z-71 head lights behind you, instead of their tail lights in front of you.

*Better mileage, if you can keep your foot out of the fun pedal.

*Justification to run premium fuel instead of varsol.

*The look on your dealers face when you simply unplug the chip, before service.

*The feeling of satisfaction you will get from ******* sad sack candy a$$es that complain about the chip, when they don't even own one.

*The privilege of communicating with one of the most technically proficient individuals in the business. Call Mike and see for yourself..

Disadvantages: Hmmmmmmm....

The amount of time it's taking you to make the decision to buy one.

Good luck.....


bcaz,

I don't wanna be rude but, did horsepower-plus.com pay you to say that?

I did take a trip to their website, and it is a nice site. However they failed to go into details about shift points, timing at idle as well as throughout the power range, reprogramming for special purpose applications. Off hand, do you know if they modify the timing profile during shifting to take advantage of the extra torque offered by the triton line of V8s? How did their chip effect your truck. Could you please post the results. Do they make stickers? I was just wondering, cuz I have never seen one, an I seen alot o stickers.



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Drive it like ya stole it,

Terry Deaton
99 F150 XLT, Bright Red, 2WD, 4.6, S/C, S/B, Superchip, K&N FIPK, FMS 9mm, +4s, Nerfs, Leer Top, Cow Catcher W/Bright A$$ Lights, True Duals with hi flow cats and Magnaflow Lightning Style, 275 Dunlops with 3.08 gears, fat swaybars, Steeda front and Hellwig rear, 3.5" Fabtech spindles with 2" blocks, B/E Performance Shift kit with B&M Cast Deep Pan, Steeda Billit Pedals.
Coming Soon: 4.10s and Auburn Diff, Eibach Front Coils and Add a Leafs, Underdrive Pullies and Kick A$$ Shocks.
96 SVT COBRA (almost stock)
98 AERO black w/lotsa chrome
Speed Kills, drive a Chevy and live forever.
http://www.geocities.com/terrydeaton.geo/index7.htm

 

Thanks for the info Treadmarks. The reasons I don't already have a chip . . . 1) Still learning about them, 2) Trying to convince my wife I need one, 3) Haven't even made my first payment yet. 4) I'm not sure if I want to argue with Ford every time I need something fixed on my truck (maybe that wouldn't be a problem).

I enjoyed your list of reasons to get the chip. Who else has an opinion on the matter???

------------------
2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto

 

Here are the numbers from a 2000 V10 5 speed I ran on the dyno last night. This was a DRC4_RS program on a Superchip. This worked MUCH better than the 5.4 programs we've been running lately, what gives here Mike? Also, the V10 seems to be a dog, I was expecting 235-245 rwhp from the 310 hp motor witout a chip!!

Name: DYNORUN.006
Title: Baseline 2000 V10 5 spd
Run Date and Time: 12/4/00 7:11:44 PM
Acceleration from 2000 to 5000RPM, interval = 250.00RPM
Absolute barometric pressure : 25.77 in.Hg.
Vapor pressure : 0.25 in.Hg.
Intake air temperature : 57.7 °F
Gear Ratio : 68.34 RPM/MPH
Correction Factor : 1.15 SAE
TIME RPM POWER TORQUE
0.00 2000 114.0 299.4
0.38 2250 128.1 299.0
0.75 2500 141.7 297.7
1.13 2750 158.3 302.3
1.51 3000 171.3 299.9
1.89 3250 185.9 300.4
2.27 3500 191.6 287.5
2.67 3750 204.9 286.9
3.06 4000 208.8 274.1
3.50 4250 201.5 249.0
3.97 4500 192.1 224.3
4.49 4750 193.7 214.2
5.05 5000 154.2 162.0
Column Max
208.8 302.3
Column Min
114.0 162.0
Column Average
172.8 269.0

Name: DYNORUN.009
Title: Baseline 2000 V10 5 spd, chip
Run Date and Time: 12/4/00 8:08:12 PM
Acceleration from 2000 to 4750RPM, interval = 250.00RPM
Absolute barometric pressure : 25.67 in.Hg.
Vapor pressure : 0.17 in.Hg.
Intake air temperature : 46.0 °F
Gear Ratio : 68.47 RPM/MPH
Correction Factor : 1.13 SAE
TIME RPM POWER TORQUE
0.00 2000 122.0 320.2
0.34 2250 138.6 323.5
0.69 2500 149.4 313.9
1.04 2750 168.3 321.4
1.40 3000 178.6 312.7
1.75 3250 196.2 317.0
2.10 3500 205.1 307.8
2.47 3750 218.4 305.9
2.84 4000 225.1 295.5
3.23 4250 222.9 275.4
3.66 4500 214.1 249.9
4.12 4750 206.2 228.0
Column Max
225.1 323.5
Column Min
122.0 228.0
Column Average
187.1 297.6


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2000

Magnacharged


[This message has been edited by White Trash (edited 12-05-2000).]

 

I have been absolutely pleased with the Superchip in my 5.4L...I'm sure you would really enjoy one with your V10.

I had to remove it from my previous F-150 before trade in...and I could not stand the return to factory shifting and the slight loss in power for the week I drove it. I sent the chip off to Mike the day after I picked up my new truck. I had no problem with the reflash to the new computer code and I have about 3K so far since this installation...no problem at all...runs and idles very smooth.

If I had a choice..I would not hesitate at all in getting a Superchip for any future F-150s. The small cost of burning Premium is more than worth the benefits...and I think you'll experience the same with your truck.



------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/Auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000




[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 12-05-2000).]

 

Hi White Trash,

Well, just off the top of my head, it just might have something to do with the fact that since this one was a manual transmission, you were able to make the pull from low rpms like you need to for the dyno to have time to stabilize, to get accurate numbers. Whereas the 5.4's in the F-150 can only be had with an automatic, and unless you can program the automatic transmission to stay locked in 3rd gear and never downshift on the dyno at any speed or rpm, you have to take it up in 3rd gear to the point at which when you punch it, it will no longer downshift into 2nd, and consequently the dyno pull doesn't start until much higher in the rpm range, and the dyno has much less time to stabilize. That *could* well be a factor here, and if we're talking about 5.4's in F-150's, then it *is* a factor.

Another point is this: once again, ala the 1999 Cobra, Ford has overstated the power output of the 2000 V-10 stock, it's not 310 hp SAE Net at the flywheel, but you've no doubt guessed that by now, and we've seen that on the dyno as well, so you're not alone.

What you should expect from the Superchip in the V-10's, in rounds numbers, is a 10% increase in peak horsepower output, so if you start off with 260 hp, ideally you will see a maximum gain of about 26 hp, depending on individual vehicle variances as usual, etc. And they work equally well in any of these truck engines, whether it's the 4.2 V-6 or either of the Triton V-8's.

Thanks for posting your data!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 12-06-2000).]

 

Yes the above numbers are from a manual tranny V10.

Superchips_Distributor, I here you on the third gear routine! It's impossible to get a full, stabilized sweep in 3rd gear with an automatic truck w/ 3.55 gears. Not only does it downshift, but the speed limiter creeps up on you. I made a few baselines (w/ the 5.4) in 2nd gear, and then chipped it. I did a few more runs after the chip, in second gear, and still no results. The truck definitely is quicker from the improved shifting and removal of the spark retard during shifts. I was hoping for at least 5-8 rwhp, but after 3 programs (Superchips) I couldn't get more power. The truck was terribly inconsistant also, usually I can make a vehicle repeat within a HP or two. Yes, I do use a Dynojet Chassis dyno, and I am aware of its limitations. As far as repeatable results, I don't think an eddy current dyno comes close. There are waaaaaay too many other factors in the Dynojet vs. the other guy debate. I wouldn't use a Dynojet Dyno, exclusively, for tuning purposes, you're asking for trouble. For seeing results, that are relative to each other, a Dynojet dyno is the way to go ($$ terms here). That, and the fact they are all over the country side, guys can compare apples to apples (w/ the SAE correction factor).

My Magnacharged 5.4 picked up a nice 60 rwhp. I added a custom programmed SC, and there was no difference in power (besides the shifts). I know there is some more fine tuning to do, that's why I wish I had Superchips Tuning Software here. The A/F is a SAFE 11.5:1, and at 4500 ft, I could stand a little more timing. Is the buzz true about Superchips offering tuning software to dealers (like Diablo Sport).

Thanks Mike.

------------------
2000

Magnacharged

 

F-250 Hoss,

Did Payton-Wright in Grapevine give you any flack about the chip or were they even a dealer that you contacted?

I'm about to chip a 2000 Expedition and I'm curious. I've got the warranty jitters too....

[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 12-09-2000).]

 

Heck Village Ford in Lewisville sells Super chips so they shouldn't give you any problems.

 

No flack from either of those two. It was Bill Utter Ford up at Shady Shores just before you get to Denton. They're the ones that told me a chip would void my warranty (also where I bought the truck). Village Ford in Lewisville told me that a chip wouldn't void the warranty, but if the problem was a direct result of the chip then they would charge to fix it.

------------------
2000 Lariat F-250 4x4
Super Duty
Super Cab
Short Wheel Base
V-10
3.73LS
Auto