OK, I don't know anything about dyno testing at all so lets keep this simple. Can somebody put a 5-speed truck with the 4.6 and a tank full of 93 octane on a dyno, stick it in 4th gear and show me a 26 hp gain over stock? No shifting, no worrys about fuel consumption, no concerns about going 150 mph, just run it from 1000 to 5000 rpm and compare the 2 graphs.

 

Sorry, forgot this:


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2000 XL 4.6 5spd 2WD reg-cab long-box 3.55 LS 235/70/16 Chestnut (not 2-tone) Raven-Cap (and a '66 GTO with a '73 455, both combined cost less than a Lightning )

 

Hi SCAdien,

No, nobody can do that and show a 26 hp gain. The ECU has the ability to give about 2% more peak horsepower when using 93 octane gasoline, so you can see perhaps another 5 hp at best on a 1999 & later 5.4 260hp. F-150.

The only way the ECU (computer) can really take proper advantage of premium gasoline is by programming specifically for it, as it does not have the ability to just advance the spark automatically by continuing to up the octane, 2% more power is about all it can deliver without specifically reprogramming for premium. It's not just a matter of spark advance, but the timing of the fuel delivery must be altered to compensate for the different burn rate, etc.

To answer your question, yes, a 5-speed 4.6 vehicle can certainly be put on a dyno in 4th gear and do those kinds of tests, but you'll never see anything close to a 10, 15, 20 or 26 horsepower gain by using premium gasoline with the stock factory program, it simply cannot happen, the ECU cannot do it.

I hope that info helps a bit, & good luck with your truck.

------------------
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

 

Actually, as Mike pointed out in another thread...this has been around since 1996 so you should be able to see about 2% increase on your 1996 and greater SOHC and DOHC engines.

 

Triton46,

My post was simply using a 1999 5.4 as an example to cite a particular horsepower number that the 2% figure represents, which on the 260hp '99 & later 5.4 would be a maximum of about 5.2 more horsepower.

It was not to say that this only works on a 1999 5.4 F-150, obviously. Sheesh!

------------------
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 inferred that SCAdien's question was for a chipped vehicle vs that same engine non-chipped.

If it wasn't then let me ask it:

Can someone (Superchips/Mike??) show us a graph with a manual transmission where the chip has earned it anywhere near 25 HP in the under 5,500 RMP range?

Another test:

Can anyone show a gain comparison for an automatic-transmission-equipped vehicle comparing between chipped and non-chipped IN ONE GEAR -- AND NOT MERELY DURING SOME TRANSIENT GEAR-CHANGE where anything close to 25 HP improvement is the result (same 5,500 limit).

The above two scenarios on a naturally-aspirated 4.6 or 5.4 litre engine running pump-grade gasolines.

SCAdien: is this what you intended?

 

Thanks Jgorka,

That's what I meant. I guess I wasn't very clear in my post. What I would really like to see is the comparison between non-chipped to chipped both with 93 gas without shifting. I'm not too worried about the differences between the 5.4 and the 4.6, I'm just trying to figure out what applys to a 5-speed truck. By the way, does anyone know if other mods gains (intake, mufflers, etc) are measured in one gear or with shifting?

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2000 XL 4.6 5spd 2WD reg-cab long-box 3.55 LS 235/70/16 Chestnut (not 2-tone) Raven-Cap (and a '66 GTO with a '73 455, both combined cost less than a Lightning )

 

You'll never get a credible response from a chip-supplier for your question.

 

You're probably right so lets take a stab at it an work it out ourselves...

If I'm running 87 gas now and I switch to 93 I'll gain about 5 hp. If I look at the Superchip graph and ignore the "shift region" I should get an additional 5-7hp. Lets say a total of 12hp with an estimated cost of $150 to $200 per year for premium (from Superchips_Distributor comment in the "should I get a chip" thread). This would probably be more like $450 for me in the Chicago area with the amount I drive.

If I get an Airaid I should get 10-15hp without switching fuel and I might even get better mileage.

I think I'll do the intake first. Please, anyone comment on these numbers if I've made a mistake.

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2000 XL 4.6 5spd 2WD reg-cab long-box 3.55 LS 235/70/16 Chestnut (not 2-tone) Raven-Cap (and a '66 GTO with a '73 455, both combined cost less than a Lightning )

 

Hey jgorka,

Very smart, Jim, you're really making a great contribution to F-150 Online, congratulations.

------------------
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 01-10-2001).]

 

Thanks Superchips_Distributor,

That was a very concise response to my perfomance improvement question. You did it in no words. I'll have to assume that you agree with my calculations.

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2000 XL 4.6 5spd 2WD reg-cab long-box 3.55 LS 235/70/16 Chestnut (not 2-tone) Raven-Cap (and a '66 GTO with a '73 455, both combined cost less than a Lightning )

 

Doesn't it just pi$$ you off that I'm still right?

[This message has been edited by jgorka (edited 01-10-2001).]

 

Superchips_Distributor

Thank you for your reply but I'm a little woried about your math. I drive about 35,000 mile per year and get about 16 mpg. Regular unleaded around here is $1.52 per gallon on average. 35,000/16 is about 2,187 gallons per year or about $3,324 per year. 93 octane is $1.74 at the same gas station, so if I get the same gas milage, my cost will be $3805 per year or a ** $481 ** increase. By the same calculation a 1 mpg improvement gets me a $258 increase and 1 mpg worse gets me a $735 increase. If I burned the 2,250 extra gallons you mentioned it would cost me $3,915 extra, not $450.

I agree 12 hp won't make the dramatic improvements others have noted in their trucks but I don't know how much of what they are feeling comes from the shift improvements.

I still don't know how much hp I can gain from a chip (any chip) with a newer stick shift truck.

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2000 XL 4.6 5spd 2WD reg-cab long-box 3.55 LS 235/70/16 Chestnut (not 2-tone) Raven-Cap (and a '66 GTO with a '73 455, both combined cost less than a Lightning )

 

if in doubt don't buy a chip. so what is next on your list of modifications?

 

Few question that part-throttle results and shiftpoint changes are welcomed attributes.

The pattern of diverting attention away from the issue by directing attention towards an individual was predictable.

Loyal customers will undoubtedly now provide subjective testimonials for the product and praises for the the distributor, however...

...Credible support for the reported 25+ horsepower gains remains the un-satisfied issue for this thread.