which computer chip is the best.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2004
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which computer chip is the best.
i have a (new to me) only 65,000 mile 04' f 150 4,6L auto. supercab, 6.5 ft bed 2x4 i curently get about 19.7 mpg if i stay outta the gas. and use lots of cruise controll. i am looking to buy a good computer chip or programmer,that will dramatically improve my gas millage as well as stiffin up my tranny.shifts.. the soft shifts arent my style, plz help me out and im looking 2 spend $200.00 give or take $100.00.... thanks
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Fort Collins
Good luck...You're getting good mileage now, and no chip is going to make it "dramatically" better that I know of. You can definitely stiffen up the shifting though. I don't know about the others, but the Edge is so simple my dumb-as-a-brick German Shepherd puppy could change the settings. It's more like $400.00 though.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Fort Collins
It might be different with the 2X4's, but I'm looking at about a 1mpg gain is all when I keep my foot out of it. That's on all levels, and right now, I've got 1/2 a tank of Level III left in her.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
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From: SE Georgia
a tuner/programmer won't get you the MPG you are looking for. sorry, sad fact of life. The new Fords are programmed with a pretty lean A/F ratio already. Not like the days of yesteryear.
You might see 1-2 mpg with a tuner and cai/exhaust combo. Fatal hit the nail on the head.
Basically the tuners will help you recover some of the 60 hp that's lost in the drivetrain. And make the transmission shift like a real truck.
that being said, I vote for the Edge Evolution. You can get them new for $350-400. Try eBay or the site sponsers.
You might see 1-2 mpg with a tuner and cai/exhaust combo. Fatal hit the nail on the head.
Basically the tuners will help you recover some of the 60 hp that's lost in the drivetrain. And make the transmission shift like a real truck.
that being said, I vote for the Edge Evolution. You can get them new for $350-400. Try eBay or the site sponsers.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Fort Collins
the exhaust will make it sound better... Wanna' see some fireworks? CAI's are a waste of money!! Ok, now check back in an hour or two, and there will be plenty of fireworks. Ford made these pigs about as effecient as they can be, given their weight. Like Tylus said, the tuner will free up some of the horsies...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
I've seen many dyno plots showing an increase with a good CAI, especially with the Air Force One intake.
As to tuning and mileage, yes a good custom tuner can increase mileage if the tune is made with that in mind and the tuner is good at what he does. There are plenty of things that can be done with the ETC, tip-in, air/fuel, TC lockup strategy, timing, knock sensor advance/retard tables and variable cam that unlock some additional mileage.
As to tuning and mileage, yes a good custom tuner can increase mileage if the tune is made with that in mind and the tuner is good at what he does. There are plenty of things that can be done with the ETC, tip-in, air/fuel, TC lockup strategy, timing, knock sensor advance/retard tables and variable cam that unlock some additional mileage.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Honolulu, HI
My suggestion would be the Xcal III and a good set of custom tunes. The 2 most recommended tuners are Troyer Performance and VMP. I've been running Troyer tunes for over a year and just got a set of VMP tunes (87 & 92 octane performance). I'm waiting to get the truck dyno'd so I can compare the two tunes side by side. I'll keep ya posted on the results and maybe that'll help ya decide.
Also CAI are not a waste of money!
Also CAI are not a waste of money!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 507
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From: south shore massachusetts
as far as I know... edge and superchips are made by the same company now.... superchips you plug in and make your changes then unplug it....edge evolution comes with a pod for the top of the dash near the door.... comes with I believe three gages for monitoring several choosable items..as mentioned already... biggest gain is HP and shifting points... and between $300 and $400
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,684
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From: Phoenix, AZ
as far as I know... edge and superchips are made by the same company now.... superchips you plug in and make your changes then unplug it....edge evolution comes with a pod for the top of the dash near the door.... comes with I believe three gages for monitoring several choosable items..as mentioned already... biggest gain is HP and shifting points... and between $300 and $400
SCT is a more open tuner... you can head to a local dyno shop and see exactly what needs to be adjusted, where you want your a/f ratio, and whatnot... mail order tunes, i'm not too crazy about, as each car/truck out there is different.
hell, ford makes all cars w/ the same timing and whatnot from factory... my car made more power with less timing from the factory tune, go figure.
And as Ken said, there's a lot of stuff to mess around with in the tune... one of the things I have done on the mustang is made it run 10% leaner under 2000 rpm. I'm never gonna be wide open throttle/full load at 1500 rpm in that car or spray it that low or whatever, so i'm not gonna hurt anything... but I do cruise around that rpm a lot, so it does save some gas...
The tranny in these trucks does shift like old people sex though... I think my truck spends more time shifting than actually running up in each gear...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
SCT is not Superchips. It is a completely different company. Early on they had a licensing agreement with Superchips and used their name (back when they called themselves "Superchips Custom Tuning" instead of SCT). Superschips and Edge are owned by the same parent company but most of their products do not share the same tuning.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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A good CAI does have benefits; however all of the big brands do cause the engine to run a little lean I have seen it when tuning. If you want the best performance from a CAI then a tuner will do that. If you want to slap on a CAI only you will not see much in the way of performance, throttle response might be a little better but that is about it.
With the stock intake my truck ('05 Fx4) and the factory tune put down 200 RWHP
with Volant and factory tune 201 RWHP
With Volant and custom tune 93Oct 245 RWHP
With AirforceI 3-1/2 custom tune 93Oct 257 RWHP
Big difference in performance I could not believe the difference but it was right there on the dyno in front of me.
With the stock intake my truck ('05 Fx4) and the factory tune put down 200 RWHP
with Volant and factory tune 201 RWHP
With Volant and custom tune 93Oct 245 RWHP
With AirforceI 3-1/2 custom tune 93Oct 257 RWHP
Big difference in performance I could not believe the difference but it was right there on the dyno in front of me.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 61
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My suggestion would be the Xcal III and a good set of custom tunes. The 2 most recommended tuners are Troyer Performance and VMP. I've been running Troyer tunes for over a year and just got a set of VMP tunes (87 & 92 octane performance). I'm waiting to get the truck dyno'd so I can compare the two tunes side by side. I'll keep ya posted on the results and maybe that'll help ya decide.
Also CAI are not a waste of money!
Also CAI are not a waste of money!
Let me know what your results are once you compare the tunes on a dyno.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,684
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From: Phoenix, AZ
SCT is not Superchips. It is a completely different company. Early on they had a licensing agreement with Superchips and used their name (back when they called themselves "Superchips Custom Tuning" instead of SCT). Superschips and Edge are owned by the same parent company but most of their products do not share the same tuning.
mah bad.