Hi,
I have a
97
4.6
4x4
F-150 w/
189k miles.

The superchips max micro tuner for my truck offers about 30 ft lb torque, and 18 hp.
Does any one have any numbers of 0-60 time of before and after with a 4.6?

Is 18 hp enough to make any real difference. I suspect that 30 extra torque should be easily noticeable, but Im not sure about the hp.

I have seen claims of 3-4 mpg increase.
Is that realistic or is it more like 1 mpg?

Basically my truck spark knocks very often and Im figurin if I need to buy a higher grade of gas I should get teh extra power right?

I will deffinantley be firming up the shifts if I buy this product. Is that gonna cause any problems with the driverterrain? Im pretty sure that makes it easier on the tranny right? But how bout that oooolllldddd drive shaft and differential?

I have found the correct tuner for my truck on the internet for right at 300. I could live with paying that. But I am worried about breaking my truck ha ha.

Is the superchips tuner the best one. I want to firm up the shifts and gain the hp&torque.

I want the truck to stay in OD and not have to downshift so often on the interstate going on overpases. I tow a jet ski, a 17' centerconsole boat, and an occasional 2k+ pound load of wood or compost, nothing major.

I do use 4 hi and 4 lo in the mud on a semi regular basis. Is this gonna stress the transfer case??

Thanks!!

Also We have 87,89,&93 octane in my area. The superchips only talks about 91, is there another brand that will accomplish my goals use the 93 and have more power?

 

if u decide to use the 93, ide think that you would get a better running car, with or without the tuner. But ya, i dont think any of the stuff will mess up your car, not a car this new. I dont know how others compare, but it seems to me that most people went for the SCT, but ide get more information.

 

You're not going to gain 3-4 mpg. With a diesel, yes, that's possible... but not with a gasser.

If your truck is spark knocking now, and you add a tuner and run premium, its probably going to still spark knock. Fix the problem first... the truck needs to be able to run on 87 with a stock tune first before you consider a tuner.

We can program an SCT Xcalibrator2 for 93 octane, but again... you need to fix whatever is causing the spark knock (could be a number of things, ask in the F-150 section ).

http://www.motorhaven.com/catalog/ca...er_page_1.html

 

I was told to run higher gas to get rid of the spark knock thats why im lookin into the tuner.
What are some realistic gains with a tuner on 93?

 

Your truck should run without knock with 87 octane. Higher octane is just a bandage for the problem. It could be any number of things causing it, like the EGR valve. You will get spark knock on 93 octane with a tuner if you're getting knock on 87 octane without a tuner.

Realistic gains are about 8 to 12 percent more horsepower over stock, depending on the stock air/fuel ratio (it can vary quite a bit from the factory)

 

Hey guys, first time post:
I am with the MotorHaven guy saying that if your truck pings on 87 octane, you should find out what is wrong with the truck first. Because if you have a exsisting problem with detonation our tuning will only exagerate a igsisting problem. Also for the MPG question, feedback from our customers= 1-2 MPG gain on open road constant throttle speed driving. Aftermarket air filters and less restrictive muffler will also improve the effiecency of the motor. The transmission and rear end should not be affected unless you abuse your truck. The firmer shifts should extend the life of you trans, since you are no having the famous slow, sloppy Ford shifts. The firmer the shift the less amount of heat that is produced in the trans. If you have any questions feel free to drop me a email or give me a call. I will be monitoring the website to see if there is anything I can help with.
Ron.
1-888-227-2447 ext. 7019

 

Well I don't have a light on in the truck.
What should I start to check for the spark knock?
I know my plugs are fine.
My air filter is good.
Where do i go from here?

 

The most common things that can cause this issue are wrong plug gap, heat ranges ect.
Possible egr issue
manifold leaks
brand of fuel
weak spark
carbon build up on valves
dirty injectors
dirty mass air meter vanes
These are all possibilitys:
Has the truck allways pinged on 87 octane?
We have heard of people having fords that have pinged stock from factory and they could and or would not do anything about this.
Ron
rrapp@superchips.com

 

I bought this truck 1.5 years ago w/ 168k miles on it, I know have 189k on it, the guy i bought it from gave me all the records and had EVERYTHING done to it maintenence and repair wize at Ford so I assume that he always used 87... but to answer your question, as long as i have had it,

it has had the spark knock with 87 octane.

2 different sets/brands of plugs have done it

i buy gas from many different stations, 76, Hess, Pride, Walmart, Sunoco, BP and they all do it.

There does not appear to be any type of manifold leaks.

I have run Lucas fuel injector cleaner through the truck on several occasions, I do not believe the injectors are dirty.

About a month ago the check engine light came on for the egr system (insuficient flow) but it went away, it has been spark knockin long before that ever came up.

So.... what to do now?

 

zman764,
Me not being a certified I can only recommend speaking to a trustworthy mechanic with this problem. I have heard of trucks that have a inhearent issue from factory with the engines pinging on stock programs. Our types of products will only enhance a exsisting issue. Unless you can get this fixed I do not believe this is a product that you should use.
Ron

 

Thanks Ron I appreciate it