With gas prices going back up again . . .
#1
05-14-2001, 01:43 PM
Hi timteee,
They're not going to get any more power out of 87 octane than we do, my friend, it simply isn't possible. It's a marketing ploy, nothing more. They've introduced that just to try and do something different from us, *not* because anyone has suddenly found some miracle way of making significantly more power on 87 octane via powertrain programming. We have been doing the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip in an 87 & 92 octane program combination for many years, with many of these vehicles on the dyno, far more than Diablo has ever run on the dyno, and the power gains are very small, that isn't going to change for anyone, there is only so much spark advance that can be used on 87 octane gasoline, end of story. And with the rather wide variances we're now seeing these past few years in fuel quality (specifically, the actual energy content) in this age of reformulated (oxygenated) gasolines, it's even harder to gain significant power on 87 octane all across the country without sending these vehicles right into detonation.
Of course, you do whatever you want to, it's your vehicle.
If you ever did the fuel cost analysis running that Superchip on premium gas all the time compared to running without the Superchip on 87 octane, you'd probably find that it's not costing you anywhere near what you think it is, if all you're looking at is the price on the pump.
Here is the single most important fact to remember when gas price rise:
The higher that gas prices go, the better chance the Superchip has of making up more of the cost delta between regular and premium, because as gas prices go higher, the basic cost delta between regular and premium stays the same, an average of 20 cents per gallon. That means that as a **percentage**, that cost delta actually gets smaller and smaller compared to the overall price of gas, the higher that gas prices go, as anyone who has done proper apples to apples comparisons has quickly seen, we saw this same think last summer when gas prices went well over $2 per gallon in some areas, most of which was blatant gouging. The end result is that the higher that gas prices go, the *more* financial sense the Superchip makes, not less, and that is because that basic cost delta between regular and premium does not change, no matter what level overall gas prices go, it's still an average of 20 cents per gallon.
This is a very typical thought to have, like many people quite naturally do, when they just look at the cost per gallon at the pump, without actually doing the mileage calculations to determine just what the real financial results actually are. They don't bother to figure out what they're really spending for gas with the Superchip compared to what they spent on gas without it, is my point. When you actually do the fuel cost analysis, you quickly see that unless your driving conditions are very extreme (all stop & go city traffic, or almost all very heavy load towing) for example), the Superchip delivers small gains in gas mileage, strictly as a by-product of the increased spark advance that is used on part-throttle; and when you actually run the numbers accurately, which we have done many times as have numerous other people here on F-150 Online over the past few years, you quickly find that your increased fuel costs from running the Superchip on premium gas all the time, if any, runs no more than $150-$200 per year, a relatively tiny amount of money! (That is driving 15K-20K miles per year in a mix of city & highway driving) Keep in mind that those numbers are assuming a cost of regular gas at $1.30 per gallon and premium at $1.50 per gallon.
Now, when gas prices start going *higher*, you see that the cost delta between regular and premium remains an average of about 20 cents per gallon in all but a very few areas of this country, it doesn't go up as gas prices rise; and so that cost delta gets smaller and smaller as a percentage the higher that overall gas prices go, allowing the Superchip to deliver even better fuel cost numbers, assuming relatively "normal" driving conditions.
In other words, when regular is $1.30 a gallon, you're paying about 15% more at the pump for premium over regular. But when regular is $1.80 a gallon, then you're only paying about 11% more for premium over regular. It's a very intereting mathmatical relationship, and the whole key to this is running the numbers, accurately, and not just looking only at the price at the pump alone.
The bottom line is that you are the person that has to be happy with whatever you do with your vehicle, so by all means, do whatever makes you happiest, with our blessings! We just thought you might like to know what the real results are for most people, in case you wanted to give that some thought, or ever determine just what that Superchip really costs you to run as gas prices go higher and higher.
Just FYI, & best of luck whatever you decide!
------------------
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 05-14-2001).]
They're not going to get any more power out of 87 octane than we do, my friend, it simply isn't possible. It's a marketing ploy, nothing more. They've introduced that just to try and do something different from us, *not* because anyone has suddenly found some miracle way of making significantly more power on 87 octane via powertrain programming. We have been doing the 2-program Superchip Flip Chip in an 87 & 92 octane program combination for many years, with many of these vehicles on the dyno, far more than Diablo has ever run on the dyno, and the power gains are very small, that isn't going to change for anyone, there is only so much spark advance that can be used on 87 octane gasoline, end of story. And with the rather wide variances we're now seeing these past few years in fuel quality (specifically, the actual energy content) in this age of reformulated (oxygenated) gasolines, it's even harder to gain significant power on 87 octane all across the country without sending these vehicles right into detonation.
Of course, you do whatever you want to, it's your vehicle.
If you ever did the fuel cost analysis running that Superchip on premium gas all the time compared to running without the Superchip on 87 octane, you'd probably find that it's not costing you anywhere near what you think it is, if all you're looking at is the price on the pump.
Here is the single most important fact to remember when gas price rise:
The higher that gas prices go, the better chance the Superchip has of making up more of the cost delta between regular and premium, because as gas prices go higher, the basic cost delta between regular and premium stays the same, an average of 20 cents per gallon. That means that as a **percentage**, that cost delta actually gets smaller and smaller compared to the overall price of gas, the higher that gas prices go, as anyone who has done proper apples to apples comparisons has quickly seen, we saw this same think last summer when gas prices went well over $2 per gallon in some areas, most of which was blatant gouging. The end result is that the higher that gas prices go, the *more* financial sense the Superchip makes, not less, and that is because that basic cost delta between regular and premium does not change, no matter what level overall gas prices go, it's still an average of 20 cents per gallon.
This is a very typical thought to have, like many people quite naturally do, when they just look at the cost per gallon at the pump, without actually doing the mileage calculations to determine just what the real financial results actually are. They don't bother to figure out what they're really spending for gas with the Superchip compared to what they spent on gas without it, is my point. When you actually do the fuel cost analysis, you quickly see that unless your driving conditions are very extreme (all stop & go city traffic, or almost all very heavy load towing) for example), the Superchip delivers small gains in gas mileage, strictly as a by-product of the increased spark advance that is used on part-throttle; and when you actually run the numbers accurately, which we have done many times as have numerous other people here on F-150 Online over the past few years, you quickly find that your increased fuel costs from running the Superchip on premium gas all the time, if any, runs no more than $150-$200 per year, a relatively tiny amount of money! (That is driving 15K-20K miles per year in a mix of city & highway driving) Keep in mind that those numbers are assuming a cost of regular gas at $1.30 per gallon and premium at $1.50 per gallon.
Now, when gas prices start going *higher*, you see that the cost delta between regular and premium remains an average of about 20 cents per gallon in all but a very few areas of this country, it doesn't go up as gas prices rise; and so that cost delta gets smaller and smaller as a percentage the higher that overall gas prices go, allowing the Superchip to deliver even better fuel cost numbers, assuming relatively "normal" driving conditions.
In other words, when regular is $1.30 a gallon, you're paying about 15% more at the pump for premium over regular. But when regular is $1.80 a gallon, then you're only paying about 11% more for premium over regular. It's a very intereting mathmatical relationship, and the whole key to this is running the numbers, accurately, and not just looking only at the price at the pump alone.
The bottom line is that you are the person that has to be happy with whatever you do with your vehicle, so by all means, do whatever makes you happiest, with our blessings!
We just thought you might like to know what the real results are for most people, in case you wanted to give that some thought, or ever determine just what that Superchip really costs you to run as gas prices go higher and higher.Just FYI, & best of luck whatever you decide!
------------------
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 05-14-2001).]
#2
05-14-2001, 01:53 PM
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I appreciate your response and can definitely see what you are saying. But even with conservative driving, I never experienced an increase in my mileage with the chip, so the extra $.20 a gallon is still an extra $.20 a gallon. And with the recent addition to our family, every little bit makes a difference.
#3
05-14-2001, 06:33 PM
Senior Member
timteeee,
I am also one of the less fortunate who has never experienced the supposed increase in gas mileage. That's why I'm glad I have the flipchip. Been running regular for quite a while now but still love the way better shifting.
------------------
2000 Regular Cab Short Box XLT 2WD 5.4 silver 3.55 LS 4 wheel antilock discs
PERFORMANCE MODS
Superchip Flip Chip, K&N Air Filter, Gibson Stainless Split Rear Cat Back with Ravin Muffler, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, Hellwig Front Sway Bar
APPEARANCE MODS
17x8 TSW Trackers, 285/60-17 Pirelli Scorpion Zeroes, ARE LSII Fiberglass Tonneau, 2 inch drop shackles, Ford factory fog light kit, Custom Made 5.4 Fender Badges, Grill off of my brother's Lightning
STEREO MODS
Pioneer DEH-P7200 CD Receiver, MTX Road Thunder RT4340 4 Channel Amplifier, Infinity Kappa 572.1cf 5x7's in the doors,MTX Thunderform with two 10" MTX Thunder 6000 Subs
PROTECTION
Valentine 1 Radar Locator with Remote Display
I am also one of the less fortunate who has never experienced the supposed increase in gas mileage. That's why I'm glad I have the flipchip. Been running regular for quite a while now but still love the way better shifting.
------------------
2000 Regular Cab Short Box XLT 2WD 5.4 silver 3.55 LS 4 wheel antilock discs
PERFORMANCE MODS
Superchip Flip Chip, K&N Air Filter, Gibson Stainless Split Rear Cat Back with Ravin Muffler, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, Hellwig Front Sway Bar
APPEARANCE MODS
17x8 TSW Trackers, 285/60-17 Pirelli Scorpion Zeroes, ARE LSII Fiberglass Tonneau, 2 inch drop shackles, Ford factory fog light kit, Custom Made 5.4 Fender Badges, Grill off of my brother's Lightning
STEREO MODS
Pioneer DEH-P7200 CD Receiver, MTX Road Thunder RT4340 4 Channel Amplifier, Infinity Kappa 572.1cf 5x7's in the doors,MTX Thunderform with two 10" MTX Thunder 6000 Subs
PROTECTION
Valentine 1 Radar Locator with Remote Display
#4
05-15-2001, 12:56 AM
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#5
05-15-2001, 02:03 PM
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I thought about pulling my chip too but then I realized that the usual difference around here between premium and regular is about 10-15 cents which means at most $2.50 to $4 more a fill-up for a 25 gallon tank. Since I have gotten about 1 to 1.5 more MPG with the chip in (and I like the add'l power and shifts)...I'm gonna leave mine in
---Just means I'm gonna have to swallow my pride and tool around in my little '89 Escort for awhile! (I think I filled it up last about a month ago
)
Anti-trust the gas companies!
---Just means I'm gonna have to swallow my pride and tool around in my little '89 Escort for awhile! (I think I filled it up last about a month ago
) Anti-trust the gas companies!
#6
05-15-2001, 03:11 PM
Hi timtee,
Thanks for your response, and we can certainly appreciate finances!
If you do decide to take it out, we would love to hear back from you in email or over the phone with regards to doing a mileage/driving comparison with the Superchip once you put it back in. We love to accumulate as much data as we can informally, to see if we see any patterns for example, in a particular area.
------------------
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
Thanks for your response, and we can certainly appreciate finances!
If you do decide to take it out, we would love to hear back from you in email or over the phone with regards to doing a mileage/driving comparison with the Superchip once you put it back in. We love to accumulate as much data as we can informally, to see if we see any patterns for example, in a particular area.
------------------
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
#7
05-15-2001, 03:53 PM
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#8
05-15-2001, 04:11 PM
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I too am one of the casualties of the gas crunch. I pulled my chip out last week.
I actually saw an increase in gas milage over the last couple hudred miles than I've gotten with the chip in last year.
We'll see...If gas keeps going up you may be hearing.. "You wanna buy a superchip, cheap?"
------------------
1998 F150 XLT, extended cab 3 door,Pacific Green, towing package, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS,
Performance Mods
SUPERCHIP, K&N FIPK, Dual Exhaust (18" glasspack), Bosh Platinum +4 spark plugs
Apearance Mods
Lund deflector, Profile Windstream side window air deflectors, Prostripe silver multistripe, Diamond Plate Toolbox, Diamond Blue(HID) simulator Fog Lights, High output headlights (80watt low/ 100watt high)
Electronic Mods
Whistler Radar Dectector, Uniden Police Scanner, 29WX-ST Cobra CB Radio, with a Texas Star 100watt modulator and a Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna. A Clarion Security System with Keyless Entry,
Audio Mods
Kenwood KDC-6011 CD player/changer control head unit.
JL 10" sub-woofer
Fultron "Depth Charge" amp 200w max.
4, TR570-CX JL Audio Coaxial Speakers (factory location)
Come see my truck and my grandfather's truck at http://www.geocities.com/vienna/strasse/1992
I actually saw an increase in gas milage over the last couple hudred miles than I've gotten with the chip in last year.
We'll see...If gas keeps going up you may be hearing.. "You wanna buy a superchip, cheap?"
------------------
1998 F150 XLT, extended cab 3 door,Pacific Green, towing package, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS,
Performance Mods
SUPERCHIP, K&N FIPK, Dual Exhaust (18" glasspack), Bosh Platinum +4 spark plugs
Apearance Mods
Lund deflector, Profile Windstream side window air deflectors, Prostripe silver multistripe, Diamond Plate Toolbox, Diamond Blue(HID) simulator Fog Lights, High output headlights (80watt low/ 100watt high)
Electronic Mods
Whistler Radar Dectector, Uniden Police Scanner, 29WX-ST Cobra CB Radio, with a Texas Star 100watt modulator and a Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna. A Clarion Security System with Keyless Entry,
Audio Mods
Kenwood KDC-6011 CD player/changer control head unit.
JL 10" sub-woofer
Fultron "Depth Charge" amp 200w max.
4, TR570-CX JL Audio Coaxial Speakers (factory location)
Come see my truck and my grandfather's truck at http://www.geocities.com/vienna/strasse/1992
#9
05-15-2001, 10:34 PM
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Hi Guys
Just came off round trip Reno to Las Vegas
900 mi. Mostly flat. Solo, not towing.
99 SC 4.6L AT 3.73re 4X4 F250LD SB with fiberglas snug-top. SS nerf bars. Not a light weight truck. K&N & cat back exhaust.
Superchip flipchip 87/92oct. Used Chevron 87oct both ways. 65 mph. got 17.02mpg at 70 mph. got 16 3/4 mpg. Recent smog test, i posted, this engine running super clean! Im satisfied.
Thoughts about mpg. Last 2 ford trucks didnt buy them for mpg, but to tow boat, overhead camper, and TT. My car gets 32 mpg, but it want do what my SC does. A daily driver or, its a no brainer, truck gonna cost you $$$$.
Always has. If for some reason i have to pull the chip, id be real surprised if my mpg increased.
Good Luck OT
Just came off round trip Reno to Las Vegas
900 mi. Mostly flat. Solo, not towing.
99 SC 4.6L AT 3.73re 4X4 F250LD SB with fiberglas snug-top. SS nerf bars. Not a light weight truck. K&N & cat back exhaust.
Superchip flipchip 87/92oct. Used Chevron 87oct both ways. 65 mph. got 17.02mpg at 70 mph. got 16 3/4 mpg. Recent smog test, i posted, this engine running super clean! Im satisfied.
Thoughts about mpg. Last 2 ford trucks didnt buy them for mpg, but to tow boat, overhead camper, and TT. My car gets 32 mpg, but it want do what my SC does. A daily driver or, its a no brainer, truck gonna cost you $$$$.
Always has. If for some reason i have to pull the chip, id be real surprised if my mpg increased.
Good Luck OT