What will a power programmer really do for me?

[RickE46M3]

I am in a dilemma as of the moment on what I should do with my explorer. It is a 1999 XLT 4dr 4wd in charcole with 105,000 miles. I have the 4.0 SOHC, I just installed my smoked tail lights, my windows are tinted 20% and I have a billet grill with bumper grill insert as well on the way. I was initially planning to TT/Shackle and put on some 31x10.5x15 BFG All-Terrain with my tax return money however I am puzzled as of the moment. I notice the aftermarket on these 4.0s, it is small. I heard of one power programmer for the 4.0 SOHC but is it even really worth the money or should I not waste my time with one and just use the money for tires and shackles?

A friend of mine has a 2000 Sierra z71 short box with intake, catback and hypertech power programmer and it really woke up the engine, it went from shut off at 100mph to being able to hit about 130 and it still pulls on the highway. My question is however what kind of gains should I expect from one because I am trying to justify my dollar. I heard I could easily lower my Explorer just the same as lifting it, TT and shackles but there are some variables I need to consider. If I lift the truck I am losing MPG but I also do not need to get new tires and rims, if I lower the truck and try to make it quicker with a power programmer I should gain a couple MPG and my charcole on black will look really nice but I'm sure the thing will still be slow as death even with an intake and power programmer... plus if I lower it, stock rims and tires are going to look STUPID and I have NO more than $600 to spend on tires and or rims and tires, I'm leaning towards the lift but I need some advice from people that know about these Explorers, HP gains with certain mods and factual information so please help out with what I should do, Thanks.

 

[aldive]

By power programmer, I assume you mean a chip or a tuner.

You will be able to make more RWHO and torque with these, gas mileage increase is also possible. A programmer such as the SCT XCalibrator 2 is the preferred method to reprogram the PCM.

I suggest you contact Doug Studdard at Bama Chips ( http://www.bamachips.com/ ) and he can help you.

Yes, it is definitely worth it.

 

[RickE46M3]

I checked out the site and it looks from 4.0 SOHC dyno sheets that stock form they make about 180whp and 200ft lbs... after SCT Xcaliber it ended up being 197.23 whp and 218.00 ft lbs... that is pretty significant for $325 dollars but I would like to know what additional power an intake will give on top of the power programmer... I wish I could feel the difference, I can't but I'd be excited to find out... I don't understand how more power can improve gas mileage and by how much. Thanks for the help.

 

[celly]

Forget about "power" and all that. You will get more performance with a custom tune or 3. You will notice a difference right away, especially with an intake and free flowing aftermarket exhaust (good idea those mods first). What's really cool about tuning (and especially Bama) is how he modifies the shift points and kills the speed limiter. That's the real benefit from custom tuning. Stock Explorers are programmed for soccer moms. Doug (Bama) knows our engines inside out. His tunes are fantastic. I've tried out many on a SOHC. My fave are his 91 Performance and 91 Torque tunes. I also have his tuning in my V8 Eddie that I just traded in on. GOOD stuff. My SOHC Sport ('00) was a riot to drive with custom tunes.

My mileage is never great since I got tuned. That's because I drive too aggressively and its hard not to with the new tunes. If you mileage is what you're after, talk to Doug. He works with the all time mileage freak, Aldive all the time to tweak mileage. Aldive lives and sleeps thinking of ways to get better fuel economy. I've used the Bama mileage tunes for road trips only. They're not rearly as aggressive as his other tunes and they bore me in the city. I even find myself using an 87 Peformance tune on road trips now because they give me kickass passing power. I got a bit scared trying to pass a few times with the mileage tunes. However, I definitely got much better mileage when I drove mellow (cruise control rules).

Definitely get a "power programmer". Make sure to get all the other mods done first. That way Doug can write your tunes to those mods. One great thing about the SCT XC2 tuner is that Doug can email you updated tunes as your needs and tastes change. Uploading new tunes is a piece of cake.

Custom tunes are where it's at.

 

[RickE46M3]

Well I have money for an intake and the bamachip but not the exhaust, I don't have the green for a full exhaust with headers and I'm sure that a catback won't be anything but just as restrictive, is the ECU mod really that much or a performance difference? I wonder what setting I should chose, it's $325 and he does it and ships it and it's good to go right? Would I be able to update as I get new mods, as if I got the intake later, exhaust later or what not? I'm just trying to figure out the right way to go about this... what is a good exhaust (how much is it?) a good intake (how much) etc etc... I think I am going for power instead of offroad ability.

 

[aldive]

I don't have the green for a full exhaust with headers and I'm sure that a catback won't be anything but just as restrictive,

is the ECU mod really that much or a performance difference? I wonder what setting I should chose, it's $325 and he does it and ships it and it's good to go right?

Would I be able to update as I get new mods, as if I got the intake later, exhaust later or what not? I'm just trying to figure out the right way to go about this....

You do not need headers; the catback is perfect for you ( use 2.5" pipe and the muffler of your choice).

Yes, a programmer is the way to go.

Doug can reprogram whenever you need ( ask him about the fee ).