I am wondering if the 4.0 V6 in my '98 mountaineer is the same engine that is in the '98 explorer as it is really diffcult to find after market items specifically for my suv. If so, I,m assuming from evertyhing I have read on the message board so far the Diablo would be my best bet over the superchip? Also, I saw that someone mentioned that the helix power tower is a waste of money and I just happened to get mine in the mail today so and wondering if I should bother installing it and just return it and spend the extra money on a chip instead? Any advice would be more then helpful.

Thanks
Brett

 

Street Trucks magazine just did a test on a similar product but did not dyno test it. I am very skeptical of product tests that only claim a seat of the pants difference. I'd like to get one and dyno test it. Perhaps in the near future for a tech article?

Performance chips have definately proven themselves with dyno results. Sometimes more than advertised, sometimes less. It all depends on the stock code in the PCM, modifications made to the vehicle, wear and tear, etc. Many magazines have done chip results --- just recently saw one for a competing chip and it posted nearly the same results as Superchips advertises.

As to your Mountaineer, yes, it is basically a re-badged Explorer, though a little more upscale. Personally, I think you're better off with Lincoln or Mercury for service because Ford dealers have a bad rep with warranty issues since Ford reduced flat-rate times. We take our Fords to the local Lincoln/Mercury dealer for service (yes, with a little finangling and the right dealer you can do this).

For accessories, try www.lundproducts.com or www.sportwing.com. We used to sell SUV accessories a year ago (running boards, headlight/taillight items, nerf bars, fender flares, etc). We stopped when we had problems with a distributor, resulting in an enormous number of back-orders. I'd rather NOT make the money and refer you to someone else than to hassle you with a 4 week back order.

We've just hooked up with two local distributors (so everything can be second-sourced) and will inventory most items. Both companies are within 45 minutes of us so we won't have to wait a week on back-orders.... just drive the company truck and pick up our orders). Stay tuned for details, we plan to have big sale to introduce the new products.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

I looked uder the hood of '98 Mountaineer and in bold black type is "BAE1". Is this the correct PCM code? Will you have to customize a program for this or will I be able to purchase a stock Diablo chip? Also, I have an 3'' exhaust and an air filter similiar to a K&N setup.

Thanks
Brett

 

We have the BAE1 code available for both Diablo and Superchip. Custom code is only required if you've made major changes to your engine.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

Does joining thr club for $35 get me a discount on the Diablo chip? If so, how much? Is it true the main difference between the Superchip and the Diablo is the Diablo tends to fit better and the Superchip takes the speedmoter limit off were as the Diablo does not?

Brett

 

Actually, the club fee is $20. $35 with a t-shirt. There isn't an on-going discount for individual items as a club member, but rather periodic sales that are either members only or members get a greater discount. We're about to offer a sale on about 200 1948-2002 sheet metal items....

We are planning on a Diablo/Superchip club discount two weeks from now but I'll extend the offer to you immediately.... Give me a call on Monday, between 9 am - 5pm EST at 1-877-399-6417 and we'll get you setup and get a chip ready. The discount is $20 off the chip so, in effect, you get club membership for free.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

One last item before I go forth. Will adding a low temp. thermostat improve the peformance of the engine with the chip?

 

Its not recommended. Jet chip does this because their chip only gives gains at wide open throttle and running the engine cooler fools the computer into thinking the engine is warming up and running richer. In effect, the same as choking on a carburator.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

I just ordered the zdiablo chip on-line and just realized I forgot to put the PCM number on the order form. Can youmake sure this gets added or should I call? The number is "BAE1". Lookinf forward to receiving the chip.

Brett

 

No problem, I'll have Jolene make a note of the chip code on the order. Chip will be shipped out Monday, FedEx. You'll be enjoying it by mid-week.... :-)

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 15-Sep-01 AT 07:32 PM (EST)[/font][p]I just got my Diablosport chip and installed following the directions provided but the car won't start now. The engine trys to turn over but it acts like it isn't getting any fuel to the engine and the check engine light stays on. I went back and double checked my work thinking maybe the connectors needed to be cleaned better but everything looks good. I pulled the chip out and the car started just fine. Any ideas? The number on the computer was "BAE1". Have you had problems with this program in the past?

Thanks
Brett

 

Brett,

Don't worry. We'll get this working and you'll soon be sporting a grin from the added performance..... Now, on to answering your question:

There are several reasons why your SUV is not starting:

[ol]

The contacts weren't cleaned well enough. Since the coating is clear, it can sometimes be hard to tell. If even one pin doesn't make good contact it won't start. Double-check this as its the most common problem.

The SUV's computer was reflashed by the dealer. Sometimes they do this on new vehicles before you even buy it, sometimes during routine maintainance or warranty service. A great deal of the time, dealers will not even notify you that they have reflashed it as it is standard procedure to update your computer if Ford/Mercury has an updated program for it. It only takes them about 2 minutes to reflash your computer so its not a big deal for them to reflash it. Sometimes, with a reflashed computer, your check engine/service engine soon light will flash real quickly.

If your computer has been reflashed, there is usually a sticker on the top of your radiator with a series of letters and numbers (example: F82D-41A145-BG). We will need these numbers in addition to your computer code so we can reburn your chip. If you can't find this sticker, look for a small square sticker under the hood (usually near the back fender/firewall corner). If you can one and it doesn't match BAE1, then its your reflashed code. We can use this to reburn your chip.

You have a faulty chip --- a very rare problem. We verify each chip against its code file after burning it.

1998 - 2000 have a there's a possibility that you have
a vehicle that requires two jumpers to be soldered into the computer. There's a random handful of computers which the service port (where the chip plugs into) has been disconnected. When this is the case, the Diablo/Superchip cannot override the stock computer. Usually when you're trying to start the vehicle your Anti-Theft light flashes real quickly. BAE1 is not on the list of common codes for this problem, though it can still be a possibility.

We'll rule out all the other possibilities before blaming it on the jumpers (there's still a solution to this that we can supply).

[/ol]

Give us a call, toll free, at 1-877-399-6417 if you need assistance with any of these items. If it turns out your Diablo chip needs to be replaced or reflashed, we'll handle that too ASAP.

Ken Payne
Admin, Ford Truck Enthusiasts

 

When it wouldn't start the first time I pulled the chip and hit the connectors again with Scoth pad just make sure I got them good so I don't think that is the problem. I checked for stickers on the rsdiotr or near the firewall and there was none. The sticker that is on the front of ECM that has the BAE1 number also has F87F-12A650-ATB in smmaler type above it but on the same sticker so I assume that there has been no reflashing. Also, when I pulled out the ECM and went to remove the cover on the back there was another square sticker on the cover that also read BAE1 in big bold letters with numbers 45749-1541 above it in smaller size.

 

what are dyno rusults? thanks