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Rick38
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2007
19:28:40

Subject: superchips programmer
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I bought one and am not impressed, Has anyone had any luck with the superchips programmer? I feel I wasted $397.00. dumba$$



miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2007
22:38:42

RE: superchips programmer
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Rick,

I have a Superships 3715. Its on truck number 2. I can feel a difference on the butt dyno easily, especially on the 1-2 shift.

The first truck I had was a 2000 3.9 5-SPD RC 2WD, and it helped that more than my 2003 4.7 4WD QC auto, but I can still feel a difference.

I let a friend borrow it for a 99 318 dak, and he bought one a week later.

The mileage increase alone thus far has paid for itself twice over.

Did you install the 91 performance tune? Also, have you reset the PCM recently? Last time I reset the PCM, it took about 500 miles to get above 15 on the highway, now i get about 19 hwy.

What kind of truck do you have?


Jay



rick38
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8/12/2007
18:04:24

RE: superchips programmer
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I have a 2002 QC 4x4 4.7. I have not reset a pcm since it bought it new. truck has about, roughly 50,000 miles on it. It has only been in the shop
Once for balljoint replacement. the check engine light had just come on today Code PO422, Bad ox sensor i guessing in bank 1. yea, I installed the performance tune and had about a quarter tank of 89, and filled it up with 93 hoping to even out the octane. I noticed instant black pipe in the back, I have a gibson cat-back on it and never had a black pipe with them always a burnt brown color. I have to get the o2 sensor replaced real soon, Maybe thats part of the problem? IDEAS?



rick38
Dodge Dakota
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8/12/2007
18:05:48

RE: superchips programmer
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Oh, Yes it's the 3715 also. been a long day.



Me
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2007
08:42:05

RE: superchips programmer
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Run that thing with the premium setting for a week, then take it off and you'll be able to tell the difference. These things aren't like diesels where it gives up to 100+ hp. You might be lookin at a 10hp gain from it. or maybe a tenth or two in the 1/4.

Yeah and get that 02 sensor replaced, that would make it run like crap.



miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2007
09:51:38

RE: superchips programmer
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Yeah, a faulty O2 sensor will cause that. If the computer realizes a bad O2 sensor (which it did because it threw the code), it will remain in open loop mode to ensure that the motor doesnt run lean, causing black smoke on your tailpipe. An O2 sensor is worth the cost of replacement. Probably not too difficult either if you can turn a wrench to save some serious money.



TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2007
18:07:44

RE: superchips programmer
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Wow, I paid $200 for mine, shipped, with the first bunch sold years ago.



Rick38
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2007
18:38:00

RE: superchips programmer
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Yeah, I realized that the hp gain would not be much, I guess I was looking for a little more than just popping 91 oct. in it, I just thought it would have a little more "pep" to it. I do though like the different shift points that came with it over the stock ones. I'm not looking for a race truck, It's really been a great truck, I've been lucky I guess by reading some other posts and the problems some have. Texas Todd, you got a deal. Thanks again for the input.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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8/15/2007
01:48:34

RE: superchips programmer
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Rick,

I just installed a Superchips along with swapping out the stock air hat and adding a Magnaflow muffler, HUGE difference. I bet once you get the o2 sensor replaced you will see an improvement.



Rick38
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8/16/2007
17:37:51

RE: superchips programmer
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DSW,

What year truck do you have, and what difference did you notice?



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2007
19:01:10

RE: superchips programmer
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01 Durango, 4x4, 4.7, auto, 3.55 gears, 265/70/16 tires

I programmed it with the Superchips 91 performance setting and noticed it pulls harder, has better off line acceleration, cruises on the freeway with less pedal effort (maintains speed better) and accelerates on the freeway with less pedal. Before the Superchips I noticed it would bog after a shift, felt down on power and gutless, after the Superchips it pulls hard after shifting. Night and day difference.

I also swapped out the stock air hat for a 3" ABS elbow and installed a Magnaflow muffler, but seriously doubt these are adding much power.



rick38
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2007
09:21:47

RE: superchips programmer
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DSW,

When you did this, did you notice that the engine seems to idle a little rougher than before. I am starting to notice the same things you are describing to me. I have noticed that it keeps up the speed on the highway much better than it did before, I do have a gibson cat-back and a k&n Drop-in and agree that other than a nice exhaust sound, this does little if anything for hp gains, maybe a little on mpg only. My gearing is the same as well as tire size, My is only a year newer than your durango but basically the same.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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8/21/2007
00:48:54

RE: superchips programmer
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I didn't notice the Superchips causing rough idle,,, but...

I had rough idle on the Durango for awhile, ran 5-6 tanks of fuel injector cleaner (1 bottle of Techron then the cheap WalMart cr@p), this cleared most of the rough idle up. I noticed 2 times I had very bad idle until I bumped the gas, then it cleared up. I ordered new o2 sensors and a TPS ($140) to hopefully clear this up, at nearly 100K miles it's probably a good thing to change them out anyway...

On my other 4.7 Dak's, fuel injector cleaner worked like a charm to fix rough idle and I was still running the stock TSP's and o2 sensors when I got rid of them. The main reason I'm changing out the TPS and o2 sensors on the Durango is to get the mileage up more along the lines of the Dakota's 17-20MPG, side benefit is probably going to be better idle.

I installed a set of HO cams a few days after the Superchips and the added power is really noticable. The HO cams ($230) are a better bang for the buck than the Superchips ($300-$380), but not as easy to install. Took me 4 hours to install them on the Durango, but the Dak's are supposed to be easier. PITA AC lines on the Durango make access the the right valve cover a nightmare, supposed to be easier on a Dak.



miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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8/21/2007
07:46:19

RE: superchips programmer
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DSW,

Can you watch your mpg with the superchips 91/HO cams combo? I have the superchips, and if the cams will get me 1 more mpg, im gonna get those too.

Thanks,

Jay



Kowalski
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8/21/2007
15:10:28

RE: superchips programmer
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Better milage from HO cams ? I've never heard anyone make that claim. I noticed a power increase while milage stayed about the same, when I put the HO cams in mine. I wouldn't expect an increase in milage from the cam swap.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

DSW
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2007
00:11:15

RE: superchips programmer
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I've been getting better mileage, but can't pin it to one single mod. I just took a 1000 mile trip, and averaged about 15.5MPG going 75-80MPH in mountainous terrain. Before that I was averaging about 11-12MPG city and 14 hwy. This is worse than my old Daks which averaged 17-20 HWY, but the Durango is 500+# heavier, 4WD and either loaded with family and luggage or towing a small boat, so I'm not going to get the mileage of the Dak's.

I think the HO cams could increase mileage if the conditions are right. Before the mods, I noticed the Durango would drop out of OD quite often while climbing grades, after the mods the Durango stays in OD unless the grade is pretty steep. Climbing a steep grade in OD the Durango's display reads about 11MPG, when it shifts out of OD the mileage drops to 9MPG or less. The added power keeps it in OD and out of 3rd gear which burns more fuel. Also, before the mods the overhead display found flirt between 14-17MPG on flat ground, with the mods the overhead display is flirting between 15-19MPG.

After doing all of these mods I would have to say the HO cams were probably the best power-adder, but I wouldn't have realized their full potential without the Superchips.





miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2007
07:47:00

RE: superchips programmer
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DSW & Kowalski,

Thanks for the reply. My thoughts are that if the motor can make more low end torque and not shift out of overdrive as much, it should get better milage, along with the longer cam duration, it should be able to more efficiently use it's fuel. Even if its just marginally better MPG, I'd be happy to buy and install the HO cams for that, let alone the increase in torque. I'm currently getting 15-19MPG with a K&N dropin and Superchips. I'm lookin to get 16-20, which has been my goal since I bought the truck.

Glad you guys like what youve done so far




Rick38
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2007
18:19:26

RE: superchips programmer
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Thanks for the response, I have used seafoam in the gas last two tankfuls, still idling rough though, I keep getting a check engine light for what I thought was the gas cap. don't laugh but what I did was took of the gas cap and cleaned the very top of the filler neck with a moist rag,(acetone) cleaned the underside of the gas cap, (the rubber seal w/ acetone) then I coated it lightly with waterproof grease. cleared the code and it remained off for about a week and came back on. Need a new gas cap I'm guessing. the soot in the pipes went away and is still gone even with the light on. I'm also guessing it's not an 02 sensor? Sounds like H.O. cams is the next thing to get done. I have an extended warranty that I got when I purchased the truck, it runs out in '09.
Don't know if I can last that long. I'd love to get a set of headers for it after that. How do you feel about headers for the 4.7, I get a lot of mixed opinions?



miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2007
18:42:40

RE: superchips programmer
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Rick,

My guess is still a bad O2 sendor or cat. I'd start with the drivers side O2 sensor, but if it's under warranty, I would just return it to stock absolutely as much as possible and have someone else deal with it. It shouldnt take long for them to fix.

As for headers:

I like them on a stock or near stock motor for one reason - aesthetics. They really clean up a compartment. As for power, youre not gonna notice any. The biggest pressure drops (restrictions) an IC engine has are its air filter and catalytic converter. Start with those (hell a good high flow cat and O2 sensor may knock out that MIL problem and stop the soot (or from it coming back)).

If you do decide to get the headers, I would buy stainless and have someone like jet-hot ceramic coat INSIDE and out. If I'm not mistaken, most header companies only ceramic coat the outside, which still allows for heat loss and in turn, a pressure drop. They should polish up real nice with 0000 steel wool.

Hope this helps!

Not trying to hijack this thread - but I am looking for anyone who has the HO cams installed and superchips to let me know what mileage theyre gettin (if they can keep their foot out of it).


Jay



Kowalski
GenIII
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8/23/2007
07:51:08

RE: superchips programmer
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An increase in milage from more ignition advance is possible, if driving conservatively, but I don't believe the same can be said for the HO cams. Just keeping it from dropping out of overdrive once in a while isn't going to help for a motor that seems like it might be a little more efficient at higher revs with lower gearing. Quite a few of us noticed going from 3.55 to 4.10 ratio got us a slight (not quite 1 mpg) improvement - so it really doesn't make any sense to think the cams would save any milge that way. I wouldn't say the HO cams were my best power adder - they felt about equal to the gain I got from more ignition advance through a custom flash. I got 15 mpg without driving conservatively before and after the flash and cam mods; then went up to almost 16 with the ratio change. The HO cams are a fair mod for power, but not for milage. Won't really cost you any extra mpg though.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

DSW
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2007
13:22:37

RE: superchips programmer
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I can see if the tranny is only dropping out of OD once in a while, the affects of the HO cams probably won't be noticed in gas mileage. But if the tranny is dropping out of OD every few miles, as was my case, the added power of the HO cams help to keep it in OD and help gas mileage.

I'm not saying everyone is going to experience this as there are too many variables (hwy cruise speed, terrain, vehicle weight, vehicle load, % towing, tow weight, weather, traffic) but from what the overhead computer says, it's running more efficiently under my operating conditions.



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