superchips. I am not gear head but I understand all the basics. Is a chip an actual piece of hardware that is installed, or one of these plug in and change settings gizmo's? What are the ramifications of changing engine computer settings? If you change the timing does that mean you have to use different grade fuel? Are you wasting $$ to chip an engine that you dont modify the exhaust? Warranty problems?
My V-10 is in a motorhome, so this is not for racing at stop signs
Thanks everyone.

 

The chips are usually vehical specific, not just engine specific. The reason is that depending on the weight of the vehical , or the load you are putting on the motor, you can advance the timing only so much before you get engine knock.

Some chips plug in in-line with engine control moduals, and are never removed. Most new "programmers", you plug into the diagnostics port, choose whatever settings you want (fuel octane is one), and it removes the current program from your engine computer and replaces it with a new updated "performance" program.

Most reputable manufacturers (hypertech, superchips) have done enough testing that if you follow there instructions you'll never have problems throughout the life of your vehical.

I've used them in several vehicals in the past. In some the difference was immediately noticeable, in others I changed back and forth a half dozen times and couldnt tell anything at all different. None of them ever harmed the engines, (DONT try these on a diesel!) but none ever really impressed me with a BIG difference either.

The biggest benefit I see in them is their like a billet grill. Something that makes your rig a little different from the one next to it.

 

what we call achip is now really a reprogramer for the car or truck. as to your motor home i do not know of any thing to help incress power .

 

Is that because of what bigcheese wrote about that they are model specific, not engine specific? I have a 2004 F53 Ford chasis with the V10. I dont understand why my V10 would be any different than a V10 in a 2004 F350?
Thanks for any further explanation that you can give me.

 

As I understand it, all motorhomes have the 2 valve V-10 up till this year. I believe they just started offering the 3v in the F53 chassis. So if you are looking for a reprogrammer you would need to specify this.

 

An additional reason for there being model specific is transmission differences as well. I've been searching DESPERATELY for a programmer that will work with my truck with no luck at all. To tell you the truth I have NO IDEA what the differences are between it ('06 F350) and an '04 F350. But, the only "chip" I can find anywhere for the '06 is a Jet modual that you plug in and leave there with no "programmability" at all. This is of no interest to me as I want to be able to switch from 93 octane to 87, shift firmness, exc., exc.. Also the "programmers" are capable of displaying an factory fault codes that may ever show up.

Best thing to do is check the manufacturers web sites for availability and options. Dont set yourself up for a disapointment if you find one though. You may notice a nice differance, but dont expect to think "WOW! What a differance!" when you install these things.

Good Luck!

 

The CPU in the computer is different, It changed in '05. Something that works in a '04 won't be able to talk to the '06 CPU.

 

A lot of things changed between the '04-'05 ('05='06) model years. Went from a 2V engine with 4R100 tranny to a 3V engine with Torqshift tranny. Also remember that the 2V was controlled by an old-fashioned cable whereas the 3V is a "drive by wire" setup. ALL of the control systems are new.

Since the 3V V10 is pretty new and relatively rare, the aftermarket tuners haven't spent a lot of time working on anything for us. CAPTCHAS has a Superchips tuner for his '05, but I think they only have them for specific PCM codes. You'll have to wait until your new truck arrives before you can see if they have something for it. Have patients my friend.

On edit:
I thought I should give you a bit of a warning-
Many aftermarket companies list their products as supporting the '05 V10. This is a bit misleading as the 2005 Excursion and E-series vans still use the old 2V V10. You'll want to make 100% sure that any product is designed for the 3 valve pickup engine.

 

That makes A WHOLE LOT of good sense! Finding a V10 on a lot is like a needle in a hay stack. My dealer found one in Ohio that was close to what I wanted, but I wouldnt go for it. It had 4.10 gears, no FX4 package, and the bench seat. I'd rather suffer the horrible, horrible Chinese torture of waiting than have a truck I'm not satisfied with.

Like your saying, with so few V10's on the road & so many changes... We'll be waiting to become a priority to the aftermarket! STILL WORTH IT!!!!

 

Xcalibrator2 can be custom tuned for a particular PCM code. That code is found (usually) near the hinges on the driver's side door. It is a 4 digit code.

http://www.motorhaven.com/catalog/ca...s__page_1.html

I run a SCMT (regular Superchips tuner) on my 04 F150 with no other changes (yet) and have noticed a substantial increase in performance. I see no reason why it wouldn't be beneficial in a motorhome. Of course, the only "drawback" is the requirement to run 91+ octane to see any real engine performance changes.

It doesn't pose any warranty issues unless the tuner causes the malfunction, which is not likely. You can reset your computer back to stock settings in about 5 minutes anyway.

 

i'll chime back in here
with tuners we have the 2 companys super chips and sct or super chips flash. they seem to be different companys.
in my case as with many others. our 05's and 6 v10's are not being looked at by the "after market box/mail order" tuners, who seem to want to spend thier time making boxed tuners for the 5.4 and a super large amount of time on the psd. while almost 0 time on a over the counter tuner for the 05/6 v10.
SCT which is sold by motorhaven, this sites owner and many others. on the other hand is building a tuner that can be CUSTOM tuned to the pcm of YOUR ford product. meaning one tuner for all. but custom tuned.
there was no tuner out for my truck only the computer code . webmaster ken took days to come up with a custom tune for my trucks code . after 3 or 4 trys ken came up with a great tune. from which we spent many hours on the dyno rollers . seeing where we could get even more. by useing the free down loads from sct " www.sctflash.com " called live link , live up date. and another that lets you change a few perimators on your own useing your computor and a u.s.b. printer cable into a excalibrater 2.
my strong suggestion would be contact our web master or a near to you sct dealer have your pcm code and ask if he has it in the sct advantage dealer tuneing file.
I strongly advise webmaster as you will have one of the better custom tuners to help you out with a excalibrater 2 in the U.S.A.
right now this the only way to go with a late v10. with what is going to be one of the top tuners out. a new flash program for this tuner will be out shortly which will also let you do more at home then with any boxed tuner unit being built.
check out sct's web site and read what a excalibrater 2 is going to allow you to do. then contact webmaster. please take my word! KEN knows what he is doing while giving you a great safe flash tune,
You do not want the custom tune i am useing it is a all out race tune that would put a stock transmision in to a blown trans very fast. this i know as i did blow mine. this is not kens tune. it is a super race only tune i take in and out.

 

WOW! You guys have been doing your homework!!!

Captchas, shocked you had ANY trans issues! This is the same tranny as in the 6.0 isnt it? I ask because that engine (though slower on delivery) is rated 100 ft lbs higher than the V10 stock. I guess the quick delivery of the torque is what causes problems.

You guys see the president of SCT racing on "Trucks" this last weekend? Pretty impressive show for the 6.0 guys! A stock truck was programmed with there "programmer" & smoked a brand new mustang GT at the track three times in a row.

 

i put my problem on wanting to see how much it could take plus i needed a excuse to pull it and do a prototype bullet proof job. we got ever inch of power and torqe out of it . by increesing the line pressure to the max, removed all the torqe limiting program from the trans soft ware and had help from a major tuner who also wrote the program for johnny lighting's 9 second lighting. i now have almost the same beefing in my trans so it should stay put a very long time.
a normal sct tune from ken will not harm your trans only incress the running of the motor.and frimness of the shift. then from there with sct's extreme tune you can adjust the shift firmness some more, remove the road speed stop, give it up to 2 degs more spark or retard it up to 5 degs for ping if any. add fuel low,mid and high rpm. hook your lap top up and read every thing as it works when your running with live ware
have a 05 or 6 v10 or any ford from 1996 up, sct excalibrater 2 thats the way to fly, custom for you! tuner and 1 more thing guys the newer cars and trucks there are about 13,200 pcms for fords and 215 different ones for the 3 valve v10 just in 05 alone. email me and i'll send you a list that was 1996 up to 05 model year for ford pcm codes in ms excel all 13214 lines of it.