How user friendly are these flasher devices like X Calibrator or Superchips max micro? Do they produce like they say? Any comments on install for 05 F150 5.4 would be great, thanks.

 

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This is a good place for my long lingring question.

I have searched the Forums and my own Helms but found no concrete explination. What is re-flashing? I have found re-flashing may have something to do with the computer, and may be beneficial, but that is as far as my search took me.

I am in Calif. and must obey the emission laws.

 

This thread seems to have gone two different directions. Let me take a stab at at least separating them a little

Flash, or re-flash is usually meant to cover when the dealer reprograms the PCM. Usually an upgrade.
To anyone familiar with computers, at least a little, the PCM memory is like the CMOS or Bios chip in your PC. It is the small simple program that tells your computer how to behave. It is non-volatile memory, that just means that if it loses power, it doesn't lose this memory. Again, like your PC, even if there is a power failure, your computer 'remembers' your settings.
There is also volatile memory in the PCM. That is the 'learned' stuff. Most noticeably, the way the truck learns your driving habits. This is the memory the truck has after 100 miles or so of having driving.
That volatile memory can be erased by pulling off the battery cable, and waiting for the capacitors to discharge.
The non-volatile is what you have to use a programmer (dealer, or tuner) to change.

When we have the PCM re-flashed, that means they dealer loads another set of information into the 'bios' of the PCM. Like updating your bios in your PC.

The tuner is a very limited version of this 'reflash'. If it was more elaborate, we could set things like Cruise, Alarm, and IP settings with our tuners.
Unfortunately, that would cost too much, and be too complicated for easy use.

So the tuners just load a very simple command set into the non-volatile memory.
This is like going into your CMOS/Bios on your computer and just changing a few things, for better performance.
Like a PC, there are some standard settings that could be 'tweaked' into better performance.
Also like a PC, the stock settings usually have certain benefits.
The tweaks tend to make the system (P/C or Truck) more 'personalized', less standardized.

Example, making the shift points firmer, does not have any effect on emissions, etc. Transmissions usually benefit from quicker shifts, less time 'sorting' between the gears.
But on a standard setting, more people would be happier with the shift.

Grandpa, and Grandma Kettle want a smooth shift, as do Joe and Jill Yuppie.

Billy Bob Offroader, and his friend Ricky Racer want a quick shift.

Delaying the shift also gives you a better, firmer feel to driving, much the same way as a stick shift feels better than an automatic. A better choice of gears for driving, and power.

There is a small loss in theoretic gas mileage by shifting later, thus running longer in a less gas efficient gear.
The stock shift pattern, like all the mileage settings, is pretty much designed to make the best gas mileage in the EPA tests.

Remember, the EPA test is what factory tune is all about. If a setting for the truck got better mileage in the real world, but worse in the EPA, they would use the EPA settings.

That is called 'building for the benchmark'. Think about it.

Another thing the tuners can do is advance your timing at strategic points.

This generates more horsepower. Down side, if you are selling a truck that might be running really poor farm gas, you don't want more timing dialed in.

These trucks are sold with the same tune for freeway runners, hot-rodders, farm trucks, construction trucks. Thus the tune from the factory has to be all things to all people.

If you are going to run decent gas, and not over load your truck, and keep it in good trim, advancing the timing, moderatly is not going to do you any harm.

If you give it even more advance, you need premium gas. Again, more advance, more power, but now you must use premium.

Fuel adjustments are much the same. At the expense of a little theoretic gas mileage, you can slightly richen the mix, thus enabling more advanced timing and more power.

On emissions, lots of us live in controlled states.
The tuner is a nice work around, even if your state doesn't allow them. Many states they are legal.

Why are they a nice work around? Two reasons.
Unlike most mods, they are invisible, leaving no trace under most circumstances. For example, if you are visually inspected, there is nothing to look at.
If you drive by one of those roadside emission checkers, you will still have no problem. No noticeable increase in pollution from minor changes to mix and spark. These changes are on the margins, well within allowed ranges.

Then, if you are taking it in to be smogged, and you live in the places that make you dyno for the smog, you can return it to stock two days before the emissions check (to let the system relearn) and pass with flying colors. Then retune it on the way home...

I have only used the Superchips, but I have read instructions for others. It is very, very easy. If you can boot your computer, and install software, you can use this on your truck.

Simply put, read the instructions, or just read the screens as you use it.

Straight forward. Takes about 15 minutes or so.
Easy rule is don’t mess with the options, the first time, or worry about them at all. Just use defaults, no big decisions, and easy to do. Later you can play with options, if you want.

They make a huge difference in the ‘feel’ of the truck. Even on the low octane setting, the engine responds better. The shift adjustments alone make the truck more fun to drive.

On Premium, there is a nice increase in power.

I hope that helps somebody.

Chris

 

Chris
I wish I could take as much time to say Thank You and well done as it took you to write out the above tutorial. I have printed it out, and like with all good newpaper, posts, and guidances received from outside sources I am going to file your tutorial into my Helms.

It took you a long time for you to type the tutorial, and then go back and rearrange it. My hat is off to you, and again, many thanks.

Ken

 

"It is the single best investment you can make for your truck". I would have been using a tuner all my life had I known how much difference it s actually makes. Max Micro Tuner 2004 5.4 F150 WOW

 

I have an 04 sc with the roush super chager. If the dealer would re-flash my computer, would the roush tuning be gone? What if I bought a tuner what could I do with that? I am looking at getting firmer shifts.