HOW TO BUY A SUPERCHIPS?

[ERIC]

I'm still agonizing over buying a Superchips for my '96 4.0L what with yet another rise in gas prices and the apparent need to go to premium fuel. But while I'm mulling this over, I gotta coupla questions.

First, any idea why Smartyparts wants the four letter code off my ECU in order to sell me a Superchips...but Carparts doesn't ask for it? I've sent a post to Smartyparts asking them, but i probably won't get a reply till Monday late now.

Second, where is the ECU? I know it's in the area of the passenger side kick panel...do i need to unbolt the panel and remove it to access the ECU?

Finally, will I get any better gas mileage with a Superchips and premium fuel? I figure i'd need about 7% increase in mileage (about 1.5 MPG) to break even over the super-regular i use now (89.5 octane.)

 

[greengoose]

Eric,
I just got done with CarParts.com Live Help. I asked them if they needed my computer code.(Like Smartypants.com) They told me I only need to tell them what kind of performance I want and they will give me the correct chip. They said to call during buisness hours to talk to a specalist and they can hook me up. Im will call them on Monday and see.
-Bryan

 

[Rick]

I got this message from SmartyParts sorry I didn't post it earlier, but with the move and everything....

"I would like to extend this offer to your visitors. We (at Smarty Parts} would be happy to offer the chips at a steep discount, $175.00, if the user identifies your web site when they contact us. We aren't asking for any special treatment. Your site sends a lot of business our way and I wanted to reward your visitors by giving them a good deal."


As far as the computer code. I had to give Hypertech the code from my computer as well. This is to ensure the best match possible. There are a lot of different computer codes out there and the programming is different between them all.

 

[ERIC]

Rick, that looks pretty good since it is an additional $5 under what i got quoted using their "on line coupon." So they are in fact giving a deal to members of this board. Let's see, $5 would justify the extra $0.10/gallon for first 50 gallons of premium fuel.

So Smartyparts has it for $175. Not sure what their shipping charges are.

Carparts has it for $164 after a 33% discount using coupon #1574006. HOWEVER, folks, they then tack on a $24.42 shipping charge for UPS Ground!!!!!!! Man, that must be some pretty damn fine carton they send it out in. (This is the figure I got from the ordering process on their website just a couple of minutes ago.) So the total at Carparts is about $188. And i think I recall some folks on this board complaining about their poor customer service?

Guess I'm gonna go see what the Smartyparts shipping costs are. Greengoose, you might wanna look at that too?

 

[-=DaemoN=-]

ERIC- carparts.com asks for your code too. Once you order the chip they will send you an e-mail asking for your comp code. I think carparts.com have back orders on superchips(or maybe on everything else too) cuz I originally wanted a superchip from them, with a 1/3 off coupon. Like everybody else that ordereed from them, I got an e-mail from them apologizing for the wait because they have a back order. So I canceled it and got a HYPERTECH module instead.

I think your better off purchasing it from smartyparts with that special offer.

 

[ERIC]

I think you are right DaemoN...and I did. So, gonna find out now what all this chip stuff is about!

BTW, Greengoose, the shipping from Smartyparts is just $5 or so. This brings the total price for a Superchips at Smartyparts to just $180 if you mention you are a member of Ultimate Explorations (thanks Rick!!) However, like Carparts, he won't be able to ship it right away...said he expected his order to come in Monday or Tuesday...and he'll send it out same day. If so, i should have it in and runnin' by next weekend.

I got a final "quote" from Carparts after a 33% discount of $164.00...but then they wanted to tack on $24 shipping...making it $187. And a lot of people have said you get backordered there too.