Superchip check

[Robert Gardner]

Been 3 months since I installed my superchip.
I remember that I was impressed with it whenI put it in, but just to test it again, I took it out last weekend and ran all weekend without it. My 4.0L SOHC runs nice and smooth with the modifed airbox and magnaflow exhaust, but Sunday night I put the Superchip back in, and man is it worth it! Acceleration is up, shift points are higher and I can feel more torque. I wouldn't want to put a HP figure on it, because 1) I wouldn't know the effect to the actual rear wheel HP,and 2) the last guy that tried to share his discovery of the added HP got his head chopped off by some expert rodder..but for sure, this chip works and does exactly what it claims. So any of you 4.0L SOHC AUTOMATIC trans guys out there looking a little extra punch, this thing does
work.
Robert

 

[Steve K]

hi robert, i've been debating on whether or not i should get one, but wasn't sure which one , hypertech or super chip, is it true that with the superchip you hav to run high test gas, how much did u pay for yours?

 

[-=DaemoN=-]

canceled...returned chip.------------------
'92 Explorer XLT 4X4 4D
K&N Filter/drilled airbox:.

Bosche P+4.
more to come... when money tree blossoms! ;-)
*NSFR671*

[This message has been edited by -=DaemoN=- (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

[-=DaemoN=-]

STEVE K...I checked on the price again and it's $244.46 for the Superchips.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Try www.smartyparts.com , they are probably still $170 if you mention the "web coupon."

That being said, I've been looking all over the net for some actual dyno tests of before and after the installation of a chip. Car and Driver did a test in October 1999, with mixed results. They tested a variety of chips on a variety of vehicles. The article is on their web site, minus the charts and graphics. Breifly, the Chevy Silverado and the Cougar both responded favorably, while the two BMW's did not gain any power.

I also found a chart on a Contour web site that showed about 6-8 HP difference over a good portion of the power band. This is decent, though not great.

I have a Superchip, and it did provide a noticable difference. It won't reach the 12% HP/17% torque increases that are claimed by the maker, but I'd give it a 5% increase. I confess that this is all seat of the pants feeling, but I did run it through some of the same hills and such that I knew well before I had it. It just pulls a bit stronger on them, as evidenced by the ability to maintain or gain speed where I could not before.

The power increase comes primarily from advancing the timing (which is why you need premium fuel). Shift point changes can help as well, depending on how your vehicle shifts now.

My subjective feeling is that it was worth the $170, but I wouldn't pay much more than that. A good set of headers should give you more power, but that involves more money and some elbow grease.

Just my $.02.


------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Alec]

I just ordered the Hypertech chip, I should get it installed by Saturday. Get back to you then Dead Link Removed

------------------
Alec Rosenbaum
University of TX @ Austin

1996 Explorer Sport
4.0L V-6 2WD
K&N Filtercharger
Magnaflow Cat-back
Aux lights/horns
Custom Stereo

 

[PunkChild]

Do Superchips only work in automatic Explorers? Just wondering 'cause I'd like to buy one for my 96 Sport 4.0 5-speed. Thanks, Jim

------------------
Jim Ferrarini
Skaman0182@yahoo.com
96 Sport 5-speed
JBA headers
Borla cat-back exhaust
modified airbox
K&N filter
+4 plugs
8.5mm wires
other small mods.
Coming soon:
K&N filter kit

 

[DCider]

If you call Kurtz Kustomz or Superchip them selves, they can tell you for sure, but I do believe that they do. You'll need to get the code (4 character stirng in the middle of the box) to let them know if they have a chip/which chip for your computer.

------------------
David Cider
'92 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L 4Dr 4...

Current Mods:
Hi flo cat and muffler, KKM Air intake, SuperChip, Magnacor wires and AutoLite Double Platnum plugs

Pending Mods:
JBA headers, 4" Suspension Lift, Tires & Wheels

 

[felsmann]

I just called www.smartyparts.com. Very helpful guy, and I asked about the manual tranny and the fuel situation.

He said that manual trannies will se about 10% power gain. Auto trannies just get the added advantage of the shifting points, which is something you already do with the stick.

As far as fuel, he said only use Super unleaded gas. He said using regular unleaded could cause damage to the engine.

Hope this helps..

------------------
Juan Felsmann
'97 Sport 4WD 5spd
Warrior Twist
www.explorer4x4.com/thaven_juan.jpg

 

[island]

Thats what I thought about only using super unleaded with the superchip. But today, I asked the rep. from Superchip I think his name is mike ( he posts on f150online ) and he said that 1/2 the chips if you try to run less than 92 octane will ping, the other 1/2 will automatically self adust the timing and end up just taking away the enhancement. I assume thats on the 95 & later systems..

Just wondering if anyone with a 95 or newer system & the superchip, has found that to be the case. Cause it sounds like if you were going to go on an extended highway trip, you could fill up with the cheaper low octane, for the duration, and then when you wanted to play with the added HP you could switch to the super octane.


96, 4.0L 4x4

 

[Tony91Sport]

Those of you with sissy engines can rejoice, for those of us with more than just a aftermarket air filter can look to spend a pretty penny on a chip. Looked into one for my car, 400 bucks from superchips, the ******* has to be specially programed, an extra 125 bucks.

Tony 91 Sport

 

[DCider]

AJ91Sport - What have you done to your engine that requires a custom program? When I spoke to the SuperChip Tech support person, he mentioned that the only time that a special program is needed is when you put a supercharger on your motor. If you get a supercharger kit from Explorer Express, if memory servers me, the new chip is included in the price of the kit.

------------------
David Cider
'92 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L 4Dr 4...

Current Mods:
JBA silver ceramic headers, hi flo cat, Thrush muffler, KKM Air intake, SuperChip, Magnacor wires and Motorcraft Double Platnum plugs

Pending Mods:
4" to 6" Suspension Lift, Tires & Wheels, Euro Guard bumper and Warn winch, rear tire rack w/gas can provisions, screw supercharger and high flow heads...

 

[kilroy]

Hmm I have been considering getting a chip for my 97 V8, I could use enhancements for when I tow, and especially for better gas milage, but if you have to run 93 octane to get that performance and better milage, it just doesn't seem worth it. I would do it for savings, and this way there are NO savings, since premium gas is $1.99 a gallon here, a gain of a few miles won't show ANY savings in the pocket book. So maybe I would use 1 or 2 less gallons of gas, but I would still be paying more per fillup. Dead Link Removed

There has to be another way to improve mileage without using the more expensive gas.

I did make some changes to my truck by removing the snorkle, and putting in a K&N filter, along with new plugs, and noticed more pulling power. Now I need to find some GOOD wires for it. Once that is done, I'll reset the computer and see if it made any difference.

------------------
97 Explorer XLT
V8 AWD
Snorkeless box W/ K&N Filter

 

[Exploderman]

Here's from the guy who got "head chopped off"! Concerning the "expert hot rodder", my folks taught me to never argue with a fool;other people might not know the difference.
Had the Superchip for about 20,000 miles now.I still maintain that the chip (with the Flowmaster exhaust system, K & N filter, and other intake mods (NOT the drilled airbox) got me a lot of bang for the bucks. Even though the chip was set up for 89 octane fuel, I've been using 87 (I now get my fuel at a cardlock station for $1.47/gal for 87 vs $1.69/gal for 89 at self serve major brands). The Superchip people say I can expect a drop in power running 87 and they are probably right.