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Superchips 6.0 Microtuner Thread

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Old May 6, 2004 | 12:07 PM
  #166  
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macvtt
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From: fla
I am thinking that with my 38in tires and stock gears, it might be good to use 4th.
What do you think?
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 12:08 PM
  #167  
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
The magic date for flashes is 9/29/03.
If you have a flash earlier than this, you need to update your flash before using the tuner.

Also, this is a bit weird and out of sequence on Fords part:
DAX1 processors will need to be updated to DAX0.
DAX1 still uses pilot injection and these stock files are a serious problem.
If you have a PCM labeled DAX1 (PCM is wedged between battery and driver side fender), please check your records and make sure you have been updated to a DAX0 or another code other than DAX1.

!!**Correction**!!

DAX0 is NOT a reflash for DAX1 (Which is good, becuase now I know Ford isn't going inexplicably backwards)
DAX0 was superseded to DAX1, which was superseded several times and depending on when and where your truck was reflashed it has probably ended up as a box code TEC2

TEC2 has engine file VXAM7N3.hex and trans file TQAS0N5.hex
This is a VERY common code and I have not encountered drivability issues with it.
If you have this, I suggest you leave it.
If you have a DAX0 or DAX1, I suggest you reflash to TEC2
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 12:12 PM
  #168  
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From: Lake Mary, FL
4th

Originally Posted by macvtt
I am thinking that with my 38in tires and stock gears, it might be good to use 4th.
What do you think?
I JUST got out of a truck with 38's and a full suspension lift.
No issues.

At this point, I'm not going to use 4th for upshifting.
Using 4th AND 5th is out of the question because it's too much shifting and the gears are too close together.
Ford did not intend it to be used as an upshift gear and it will cause higher cruising RPM when you are not in 6th.
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 12:13 PM
  #169  
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coglesby
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With my truck @ stock, the overhead mpg calculator is consistently 4% optimistic. With an inline performance module, it is inconsistent and can range in being off from 0.4 to 1.5 mpg. With the Superchips, will the mpg calculator still work properly or at least as good as stock?
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 12:17 PM
  #170  
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Originally Posted by coglesby
With my truck @ stock, the overhead mpg calculator is consistently 4% optimistic. With an inline performance module, it is inconsistent and can range in being off from 0.4 to 1.5 mpg. With the Superchips, will the mpg calculator still work properly or at least as good as stock?
Those things are so inconsistent it's actually funny.
It calculates mileage based on a number of inconsistent factors, and it's perception changes when tuning is installed. This is why everyones programmer can cause this issue. All programmers make a file change.
Inline devices do not change the stock file, but can still skew these numbers.

The only *real* way to know is through proper calculation (doing the math yourself).

I encourage everyone to track their mileage and post results, just be sure to take note of which files you were using, what methods you used to be consistent and what your driving habits were through testing.
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 01:39 PM
  #171  
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I agree Vic - that's why it's known as the Lie-o-meter !!!
but the odd thing is -
have you EVER heard of one that showed a LOWER MPG than actual >???!??
funny how that is - do I hear conspiracy theory to faricate what your test drive numbers will show ????

actually I would rather than then to KNOW that there is incompetnce involved here to not be able to do what EVERY other car I've had can do correctly :-(
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 01:56 PM
  #172  
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by jdadamsjr
I agree Vic - that's why it's known as the Lie-o-meter !!!
but the odd thing is -
have you EVER heard of one that showed a LOWER MPG than actual >???!??
funny how that is - do I hear conspiracy theory to faricate what your test drive numbers will show ????

actually I would rather than then to KNOW that there is incompetnce involved here to not be able to do what EVERY other car I've had can do correctly :-(

I'll answer assuming I follow what you are trying to ask.

Every notice shift lights work all funky in Fords with manual tranmissions?
Take an 03 Cobra for example....
It looks at functions of load, volumetric effieciency, gear, RPM, etc...and it seems it tells you to shift at the most absurd times for your "best economy".
As we all know.....no one shifts when the light says.

The overhead display looks at similar functions and makes a calculation. It isn't very accurate, but sometimes it's close. After a retune (I don't care if it's Superchips, Hypertech or Diablo), many things are percieved differently by the PCM, and it can't calculate properly (as if it ever did, hah!).

Simply put, don't trust the overhead MPG...stock or modified!
 

Last edited by Vic_Ferrari; May 6, 2004 at 01:59 PM.
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Old May 6, 2004 | 02:25 PM
  #173  
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From: Dallas
Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
!!**Correction**!!

DAX0 is NOT a reflash for DAX1 (Which is good, becuase now I know Ford isn't going inexplicably backwards)
DAX0 was superseded to DAX1, which was superseded several times and depending on when and where your truck was reflashed it has probably ended up as a box code TEC2

TEC2 has engine file VXAM7N3.hex and trans file TQAS0N5.hex
This is a VERY common code and I have not encountered drivability issues with it.
If you have this, I suggest you leave it.
If you have a DAX0 or DAX1, I suggest you reflash to TEC2
Now I'm really confused. DAX0 is the number of the flash? Will the superchips programmer work with this?
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 02:40 PM
  #174  
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Originally Posted by Choctaw Bob
Now I'm really confused. DAX0 is the number of the flash? Will the superchips programmer work with this?
It is my understanding that "0" is after "1"
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 02:46 PM
  #175  
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Originally Posted by Tim Lamkin
It is my understanding that "0" is after "1"
This is the information that I was given (from a reliable source), but I have seen information (from a more reliable source, with a lot more applicable info) that this is not correct.


Regardless of which was first, TEC2 is definitely a superior flash.
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 03:00 PM
  #176  
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Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
This is the information that I was given (from a reliable source), but I have seen information (from a more reliable source, with a lot more applicable info) that this is not correct.


Regardless of which was first, TEC2 is definitely a superior flash.
OK bit confused now..(senior moment) .then it really is "0" then the next sequences in flashing would be "1" .......seem logical to me......but Ford
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 03:14 PM
  #177  
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Originally Posted by Tim Lamkin
OK bit confused now..(senior moment) .then it really is "0" then the next sequences in flashing would be "1" .......seem logical to me......but Ford
Ford has always done it in numerical order as far as the last digit is concerned. This would have been the first case of that not being true (that I've seen), but further research has shown that DAX1 was created after DAX0.
This makes me feel better because it's at least consistent.
DAX0 was running change 4 and DAX1 was running change 5.

"Running Changes" are in order. This is simply a sequence ID that Ford uses.

DAX0 was indeed before DAX1

running change 6 was TEC0
running change 8 was TEC2


This is all I have to discuss on this matter at this time...
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 03:14 PM
  #178  
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Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
Since this is readily available information (but not widely known), I will post this:

The transmission is technically a "6 speed"

Here are the ratios:
1st: 4.219:1
2nd: 2.531:1
3rd: 1.656:1
4th: 1.219:1
5th: 1:1
6th: 0.7:1
Reverse: 4.125:1

The shift schedule when accelerating is 1,2,3,5,6
4th gear is not used on upshifts.
There are also some situations that dictate a skip of other gears.
(A 1-3 shift occurrs often in low load, low throttle situations)

The DOWNshift schedule is 6,4,3,2,1 (it will skip gears other than 5 depending on the situation).

Notice 5th is a 1:1 ratio, but 4th is a 1.219:1 ratio....

4th Gear allows for engine braking on decel and this is why it is used for decel only instead of 5th gear.

So when you make a WOT run and you think your truck is shifting 1,2,3,4,5...it "is", but it's actually 1,2,3,5,6
If im correct 0.7:1 is considered overdrive not a 6th gear yes so not really condsidered a 6 spd
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 03:21 PM
  #179  
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Originally Posted by blown5.4
If im correct 0.7:1 is considered overdrive not a 6th gear yes so not really condsidered a 6 spd
This is the last comment I have on this subject:

There are physically 6 gears.....it is a 6 speed transmission (both literally and at the software level). Gear six is in fact overdrive.

It is marketed as a 5 speed, and they call 5th overdrive at the marketing level.
(While accelerating, the 5th gear you hit IS overdrive, but this doesn't mean that it's "5th gear". 4th is skipped.
There are times that even 2nd is skipped during light acceleration.

I speak on the calibration level, not on the marketing level. I don't care about marketing; I care about what actually is.
Ford simplified by calling it a "5 speed" to "simplify" things (hahhahahah!) because only 5 gears are used during acceleration.

It is a 6 speed tranmission, but it only uses 5 of those gears for upshifting
1,2,3,5,6
6th is in fact overdrive.

I promise you, there are 6 forward gears in the transmission.
If you want to count reverse we can make it 7 =o)
 
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Old May 6, 2004 | 03:29 PM
  #180  
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Vic
That is actually said very well.
On another subject the, 1704. Do you remove the handheld once you have tuned your vehicle or do you leave it connected?
 
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