• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Would chipping/flashing my ECU *really* benefit me?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MustangThief
  • Start date Start date Oct 11, 2005
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

MustangThief

Founding Member
Nov 7, 2001
331
0
0
Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 11, 2005
#1
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #1
My mods on the car are located below... now logically I should be running lean because of all the air flow mods I've done... but I think my ECU has compensated because my gas mileage is worse than ever... someone told me that a chip would not only increase my gas mileage but would also lower my 1/4 times because of the exhaust mods... they said that I'm only getting half of the juice from my exhaust because i still have the stock ECU program...

I'm just wondering, if so this christmas i will definitely be chipping her... not only for the gas mileage but also for the speed increase (if any)

Thanks in advance.
 
R

Rocketman

New Member
Apr 20, 2004
730
0
0
SoCal
Oct 11, 2005
#2
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #2
I got 15 RWHP from my chip.

Best mod so far.
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Oct 11, 2005
#3
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #3
If you have the cash, why not try it? It probably won't HURT anything.. I wouldn't exactly assume it'll give you better gas mileage, but it may.

Especially with those long-tubes on there, I'd say you'll at the very least get SOMETHING out of it.
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Oct 11, 2005
#4
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #4
hell yeah it would. probably make your car run a few mph better than you have at the track....you should be running 104 at the track
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
3
48
Bastrop,TX
Oct 11, 2005
#5
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #5
I would PERSONALLY get a dyno tune. And since your trapping 99, dont expect to trap 104 LOL. I added cams, few boltons, and dyno tune and gained almost 4MPH to 104. You should break 101 with a chip, MAYBE 102 with a dyno tune. Never expect too much from a single mod with these cars.
BTW I had 248RWHP also and was trapping mid 100s(about the same as you)...now im at 280ish and trap 104. General rule is 1MPH per 10RWHP gained.
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Oct 11, 2005
#6
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #6
man i keep forgetting me driving these cars just gives them an extra 2mph.

again with a tune and decent weather(1000' or so DA) shifting at 5500rpms that car should trap 104 @3600lbs
 

squares98

Member
Aug 20, 2004
852
0
17
Orange,ca
Oct 11, 2005
#7
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #7
I got 8rwhp and 14rwtq on a all stock setup(including 3 chamber flowmaster weld ins)
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
3
48
Bastrop,TX
Oct 11, 2005
#8
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #8
Yep, thats the key...weather. Driving isnt a huge deal, as all it consists of is shiftpoints, launch, and shifting fast. Once you get that down and find the peak in the RPM range where it pulles the best, then your about done for trap wise unless you get some better weather.
And yea jacky lol, it seems so....but all you guys at lower alt trap better (florida ). I know of some stockers that trap 101 with new drivers...but they run at lower altitude tracks and that happenes on good days.

I just hate getting people hopes up you know...and things that dont USUALLY happen arent worth telling IMO...very few actually have good times/trap at the track or actually do as good as they expect.
 

03ghoststang

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2005
1,930
1
57
Los Angeles, California
Oct 11, 2005
#9
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #9
a chip would benefit you specially getting a dyno tune
 

squares98

Member
Aug 20, 2004
852
0
17
Orange,ca
Oct 11, 2005
#10
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #10
03ghoststang said:
a chip would benefit you specially getting a dyno tune
Click to expand...
+1
a dyno tune is a must.
 

RedBullitt

New Member
Jul 7, 2004
462
0
0
Morgantown WV
Oct 11, 2005
#11
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #11
where is a good place remotely near WV for a dyno tune, i have been chipped for a while, but am considering a dyno tune and some spray... it would be valuable information for this thread lol
 

jasonh_86

I
May 20, 2005
1,156
2
48
Arkansas
Oct 11, 2005
#12
  • Oct 11, 2005
  • #12
Do i have enough mods to benefit enough from a dyno tune or chip to justify how much i spent on it?
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Oct 12, 2005
#13
  • Oct 12, 2005
  • #13
I don't know that I'd spend money on a dyno tune unless you're serious about sticking with the mods you have at the moment, but if you have the money, go for it!
 

MustangThief

Founding Member
Nov 7, 2001
331
0
0
Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 16, 2005
#14
  • Oct 16, 2005
  • #14
Well the reason I have been waiting on the chip is because I've been wanting to get a supercharger. I just kept holding off on it and never ended up getting the chip/tune. I just felt like if I got the chip it would be wasted money when I got the supercharger since the tune would have to change.. hopefully this winter i'll get the s/c so i could tell them i have the exhaust mods and they could send me a tuned chip already for my mods + s/c... wouldn't life be so much easier then
 

1low03gt

20+ Year Stangneter
May 24, 2004
708
11
38
Cold Hell,Ontario,Canada!!
Oct 16, 2005
#15
  • Oct 16, 2005
  • #15
Is a chip worth it?...I say hell yes.One you get to bump up the timing the proper way,(not like that steeda timing adjuster ),two,if you got aftermarket gears,it corrects it,three,gets rid of that retarded hanging idle,four,way better throttle responce,five,if you have an off road mid pipe,you will not need MIL eliminators,it can be done threw the chip,and the fact you will get better gas miliage is just a bonus .You basically get everything you need in one.People buy the steeda timing adjuster to do timing,or get that plate to get rid of the hanging idle,and also buy the MIL eliminators for the off road mid pipe,right there on what you spent,you can probably buy a chip.
I know when i pulled my chip just before i got my cams done,you can really feel the difference,itfelt like shat compared to having the chip in.

And if you do a chip.....I say go for SCT,these guys do there work .
 
6

67efivert

Member
Jan 26, 2003
348
0
16
lincolnton nc
Oct 16, 2005
#16
  • Oct 16, 2005
  • #16
ive been helping my buddy with heavily modifyed 96 gt and I got to say sct and a dyno tune u cant get ant better if u change something later with the sct just go back in and adjust for it (or preferbally re dyno tune)
 
A

arkansas mystic

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
134
0
0
Jacksonville, FL
Oct 17, 2005
#17
  • Oct 17, 2005
  • #17
how much did you pay for your tune? Do I have to get a chip, or can you use the progreammer (Xcal2 or other). What is required to update it to new mods, say long tubes?
 

Venom_Nitrous

Founding Member
Aug 23, 2002
416
1
0
Spearfish, SD
Oct 17, 2005
#18
  • Oct 17, 2005
  • #18
They aren't all such good gains. I only got 3 hp 3 ft. lbs N/A.
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
4
48
Orlando, FL
Oct 18, 2005
#19
  • Oct 18, 2005
  • #19
Venom_Nitrous said:
They aren't all such good gains. I only got 3 hp 3 ft. lbs N/A.
Click to expand...
you should get that just from getting your a/f right. then a good bit more with timing. If you only got 3rwhp from a tune, you already had your timing bumped or...
 

Pertums

Member
Oct 31, 2003
174
0
16
NY
Oct 18, 2005
#20
  • Oct 18, 2005
  • #20
17.6 mpg average before tune
19.0 mpg after tune (aka Predator)

+1.4mpg = ~ 8% increase in gas milage

@ current gas prices the 8% milage boost has easily made the Predator pay for itself over the past year and a half since purchasing it.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
2002 V6 3.8L Help Me
  • TheIncompetentMechanic
  • Apr 4, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
50
Views
829
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 12, 2026
TheIncompetentMechanic
T
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
819
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
K
Engine 2000 Mustang GT - Fuel issue post-blown spark plug repair
  • kenster1092
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
351
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 10, 2026
kenster1092
K
B
90Gt squeal/chirp when hot
  • Bvoss59
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
679
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 14, 2025
General karthief
rerading SCT chip with Moates Jaybird and Flash & Burn
  • JD1964
  • Aug 9, 2024
  • Digital Self-tuning Forum
Replies
0
Views
467
Digital Self-tuning Forum Aug 9, 2024
JD1964
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?