Programer vs Chip

[aldive]

I am wondering the difference in performance and function of a programer and a chip.

It seems that a good many people have difficulties with chips ( from various manufacturers ) whereas I have never heard of a programer proble,.

Further, I wonder why there are chips for almost all Explorers whereas the programer is not so available.

Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[Alec]

The chip just plugs in and overrides the computer's programming. It's like putting an external harddisk on your computer and telling it to ignore the internal one. The programmers actually modify the stock programming in the computer. They store a copy of the stock programming so you can return it to stock.

I've only seen the Hypertech programmer in action and it looked like it worked well.

 

[aldive]

Several of my big Ford Truck friends have them and they work great.

I wonder why thery are not available for all?????????

 

[tbomb]

i think the programmers are typically only available for v8 applications. if they made one for the sohc, i definitely get one and ditch my chip.

oh, superchips also makes a programmer

 

[aldive]

I wonder why? Seems like there are a lot more V5 than V8 Explorers out there.....

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by aldive
I wonder why? Seems like there are a lot more V5 than V8 Explorers out there.....

true, but id guess that the market for performance upgrades is maybe larger for v8's? i mean, a lot of people think "if im gonna mod anything, i want the v8 - i wont waste my time with the v6", which is ignorant thinking, but a lot of people have that mentality. im sure that if the chip/programmer companies could make more money, then they would, but who knows?...maybe theres some technical reason for it?

another thing with the programmers is: dont the programmers allow YOU, the user, to do the customizing? maybe they figure that theres so many morons out there that the companies would lose money on warranty stuff - from people screwing up their trucks, ecu's, etc.

...just a few thoughts.

 

[expo5.0]

i think the reason is they figure that having the V8 one is more important because more people supposedly modify it.

as for the programmer and people messing up, with the hypertech one at least you get very few choices of things you can change without calling them and having them do it custom for you

 

[Robert]

Superchips recently released their MicroTuner for 1996 - 2002 Ford Trucks and SUVs with 4.6L, 5.0L, and 5.4L. It runs $345 and includes an OBD-II reader. No word though on whether or not they plan on offering it for the SOHC though.

 

[aldive]

Robert, any thoughts on why no model for the SOHC fron anyone?

 

[Robert]

No, when I asked the supplier about one for my SOHC, he just said that the one that came out was for the V8s only and he didn't have any word if they are working on one for the SOHC.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Too much work and money put into desigining and making the programmer, and not enough interest or sales to make a profit.

 

[SaleenEXP]

I think when when my new Mounty gets in (taking the dealer forever to find an 02' 4.6 Mounty in Mineral Grey, it's not like it was a rare color jeez, I love that color on Mustangs and the 02' Mountys) I'll be going with the newer versions of the Power Programer becasue I like the idea of having a modified mode tuned to your liking, but also being able to switch back on the stock settings. Makes it a lot easier than trying to take the chip out and back in every time you go to the dealer. Plus I have a friend with a Tahoe who had awsome gains with one including some Mustang guys who had better results than their chips.

expo5.0 - how do you like yours?

 

[expo5.0]

i really like mine! i didn't even realize until just the other day that they weren't available for the other explorer motors. I've been wondering for a long time why people were buying the chips when they could have the thing i had, but now i know why.

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by expo5.0
i really like mine! i didn't even realize until just the other day that they weren't available for the other explorer motors. I've been wondering for a long time why people were buying the chips when they could have the thing i had, but now i know why.

I'm sold I'm going with the power programer. Plus not to metion all the other extras that come with it like adjusting for new rims and tires, rev limiter, shifting ect. ect. Can't really beat it. Go to the dealer, put back in stock settings, then after their done, put back in tunned settings - gotta love that and no hassle about having a chip.

 

[Apten]

if you really look at what the programmers do, they don't give you control of the computer. The only options are stock, performance program, and they allow you to make up to 6 changes like tire size, fan speed, top speed govern, and just a few other things.

If you consider the thousands of parameters that are in your computer, those programmers don't even let you control anything that has to do with power (like spark, commanded air/fuel, etc).

Brian