Posted 2007-07-25 7:30 PM (#64406) Subject: Opinions on Superchips
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Seriously considering putting in a Superchip for my 1999 350 (7.3, powerstroke) Ford Dually. I just purchased a new trailer (2007 Bison, 3-horse slant w/ 10' LQ) . Folks I've talked to have really good things to say about the chip......seems to help out alot when pulling the larger trailers. What do you guys think?
Posted 2007-07-25 8:12 PM (#64408 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
Do you just install the chip, or do you have to install extra instruments, larger exhaust, and increase the air flow to the motor? I would be interested, as a chip is the cheapest part of the upgrade.
Posted 2007-07-25 9:27 PM (#64413 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
Are you talkin' actual "chip" or the MaxMicroTuner, from Superchips? That's what I'm using on my PSD. It's actually a programer not a chip. Wasn't real sure exactly what style you are lookin' at. Talk to y'all later...
Posted 2007-07-26 6:09 AM (#64427 - in reply to #64425) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
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Posts: 304
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2007-07-26 2:43 AM
Originally written by Painted Horse on 2007-07-25 11:04 PM
I would not add the chip witout the gauges.
Painted Horse got it right...
I would add, that you also need to upgrade intake and exhaust also. The tuner will be adding more fuel, so you will need more air to go with it and better exhaust to get rid of it.
Posted 2007-07-26 6:53 AM (#64428 - in reply to #64427) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
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Posts: 309 Location: MO
Originally written by rockyrider on 2007-07-26 6:09 AM
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2007-07-26 2:43 AM
Originally written by Painted Horse on 2007-07-25 11:04 PM
I would not add the chip witout the gauges.
Painted Horse got it right...
I would add, that you also need to upgrade intake and exhaust also. The tuner will be adding more fuel, so you will need more air to go with it and better exhaust to get rid of it.
The '04 Dodge dually I just got is set up with the chip and the upgraded air intake and a 5" exhaust. That puppy will flat out haul. The other thing I added is a B-D brand exhaust brake. I won't consider mountain driving without the exhaust brake. The other stuff makes it go. But, you gotta be able to stop - That's the real problem.
Posted 2007-07-26 8:40 AM (#64434 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
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Posts: 30
The Superchip is a great option for more power. I've used them before and had great success. Some of you may benefit from custom dyno tuning for your tow vehicle too. Rather than a "canned" tune, you can get a custom program built, which will allow the tuner to match a perfect tune to your particular engine. It generally runs about $500, which is not much more than a store-bought handheld tuner.
Posted 2007-07-27 7:39 AM (#64471 - in reply to #64408) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
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Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Wow!! Upgrades, exhaust, tuners, I will be doing much more homeweork!! I'm going to my dealer Sat. to help a friend bring a new trailer home....will do investigating then!! I did have one Ford diesel mechanic tell me that he didn't think I needed one.....my truck could handle the job. I told him I felt it was somewhat sluggish at times with this much larger a trailer....of course, I only really drive it when I"m pulling stuff....have another "farm truck" to do general things, etc. He said I need to stop "baby-ing it and drive it....they do better working!! Thanks all for input....anymore info is always appreciated!!! Now let me go sign up for a mechanics course so I can talk with you boys (and gals) intelligently!!!!
Posted 2007-07-27 7:46 AM (#64472 - in reply to #64413) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
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Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Broken-bit, you know, I WILL be asking more questions...My mechanic said $400 installed...does this tell you more what he is thinking about for me? Other friends who have the "superchip"in their trucks spent roughly about the same money....I sure want to be comparing apples to apples!! I just put in air bags and so I"m not looking to second-mortgage the farm!!
Posted 2007-07-27 8:48 AM (#64477 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
Well, when he says "installed" it kinda points towards the actual chip rather than the programmer, cause with a programmer (handheld computer) you just hook it up to your 'puter port under the dash, hit some buttons and let the two 'puters talk with one another for a while and then you're done. Unplug it, put it back in the box. It is also a DTC reader which the "chip" can't do. One more neat feature of the prorammer over the chip is that at the same time the programmer is comunicating with your engine computer it is also adjusting the shift points and pressure in the transmission! A chip won't do that either. Most chips they just put in and it gives a set increase in peramiters for injectors, boost pressure, and so forth. They do make some higher end models that are adjustable with a few different settings. The programmer gives you three settings to chose from. The lowest is what they call the "tow-safe" mode, it is good for the GVWR of your rig, the next up is the "performance-tow" which gives ya a little more torque/H.P. but is only good for pullin' wagons up to 6,000 lbs. Then the highest setting and most torque/H.P. is what they call the "performance" setting, in that you're not supposed to haul or tow ANYTHING! You will be alright to run this programmer on the lowest setting without any other mods. Open air intake and at LEAST changing the exhaust downpipe to the opened up round style vs. the flatened out O.E.M. style would be two good mods to do, if any. All the guages are not needed, it will not set any of the peramiters high enough to hurt anything, yes even the dreaded E.G.T.'s! It'll be pretty tough to follow manufacterers guidelines and hurt anything. Unless you bump up to bigger injectors and such stuff. But that is a whole nother story! Should be able to get a programmer for $3-400.oo. If ya have any other questions, feel free to ask, there are alot of knowledgeable folks on here, talk to y'all later...
Posted 2007-07-27 10:04 AM (#64483 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
We got an Edge programmer for our 7.3L, and it is marvelous. It is very easy to hook up and use, takes 5 minutes, has 3 programs to pick from and stores your factory program in its memory if you need it later ever, and also runs codes to check your vehicle performance error codes. We use the middle performance program and have been ecstatic over it, hauling cattle, hay, and a LQ trailer in mountains and it has been outstanding.
Posted 2007-07-27 10:45 PM (#64515 - in reply to #64483) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Most "Chips" or "Tuners" will cost around $400-$500.
Gauges will be extra. Make sure you get a Pyro. This gauge shows your Exhaust Gas Temps. It's very important to know your EGTs. Your stock truck is tunes so as to never produce excessive EGTs. A Chip or Tuner can and will produce excessive EGT temps..
With a Pyro or EGT gauge you can watch and take your foot out of the throttle if it gets hot. If you want to keep your foot in it, then get a bigger exhaust. You can get a 4" or 5" CAT back exhaust. Which means they increase the size of the exhaust pipe to 4" or 5" from the Catalytic Converter back. (I don't think your 99 has a CAT, but I could be wrong)
Or you can get a Turbo back exhaust, which means they put the bigger exhaust from the Turbo all the way back.
The bigger you exhaust, the freer flowing it will be and the cooler your EGT's.
Posted 2007-07-27 11:46 PM (#64517 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by galsgottaride on 2007-07-25 8:30 PM
Seriously considering putting in a Superchip for my 1999 350 (7.3, powerstroke) Ford Dually. I just purchased a new trailer (2007 Bison, 3-horse slant w/ 10' LQ) . Folks I've talked to have really good things to say about the chip......seems to help out alot when pulling the larger trailers. What do you guys think?
Check this forum out...http://www.flashpaq.com/forum/index.php?sid=3fac573e2694c32d85b9bcf5b364bf3f
Posted 2007-07-28 4:56 AM (#64519 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Central Ky.
A couple of excellent sites to ask questions about chips and programmers for Ford diesels are www.thedieselstop.com and www.ford-trucks.com .There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained on both sites. You'll find that Jody Tipton and Tony Wildman are the favored programs for PSDs.Gauges (especially a pyrometer) ,a free-flowing exhaust and an open element intake are very important when adding HP whether you choose a chip or a programmer.
Posted 2007-07-28 6:34 AM (#64520 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Regular
Posts: 79
Superchips' product is generally considered the lower end of performance upgrades. There are MUCH better products out there than theirs.Edge, for example, is one of the best. Bully Dog makes a good product as well. I would stay away from Banks, though, as they are known to produce more heat than some of the others.
Posted 2007-07-30 4:10 PM (#64679 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
The consensus is correct, you need Exhaust Gas Temperature gauge, more air from a Cold Air Intake, like aFe, K&N etc, and more exhaust exit from 4" pipe or 5" with Dodge and then the programmer, chip or module. If you aren't towing trailers, you can use the lower settings on power mods without the other, but they all increase fuel which increases heat. I've tried several and for the Ford 6.0L diesel, the Superchips has been the safest, their sister company Edge can put out the most power but have the highest failure rate from damage to engines if they aren't used with more air, more exhaust and EGT gauge. And I have the pictures to prove it of my truck on a tow truck pulling Big Red Hart after the World Show in OK.
Posted 2007-08-10 10:28 AM (#65554 - in reply to #64679) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Central Ky.
Mr. Truck,
The K&N filters aren't a good choice for turbo diesels.Once they have been washed several times, they can let tiny dust particles pass through and "sandblast" the fins on the turbo which is turning several thousand RPMs.
Posted 2007-08-10 11:16 AM (#65557 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
K&N had a million mile warranty and aFe had a lifetime warranty. The trend now is to cleanable dry filters. Amsoil started it, aFe has a good dry filter called Pro Dry S and they have Pro GUARD 7 which is 7 layers and made for dirty conditions.
The problem with the permanent oiled air filters, is when folks clean them, they add too much oil and then some of the oil sticks to the mass air sensor especially on the Dodge diesel. So you'll see the rest of the permanent cai filter manufactures going to dry cleanable filters.
But you're right, you do need to inspect the filter when you service it. I have the aFe that replaces the battery box on the Ford. This gives it less restriction and more power but I worry about the battery corrosion blowing on the filter. Soon I'll replace that battery with a Optima deep cycle gel battery that doesn't corrode. I wanted one of the batteries to be deep cycle anyway for all the electronic testing crap I have on the test truck.
Posted 2007-08-12 1:56 PM (#65668 - in reply to #64406) Subject: RE: Opinions on Superchips
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Just rmember when you start adding things don't forget the transmission and rearend.Cause if you just go for it and are not carefull you will be badmouthing Ford for a crappy truck.
Do your homework and get it right the first time.In the long run you will be much happier and have more fun!
Opinions on Superchips
