Chips and 4.10's

[Gemmdiver]

I finally did it! I ordered my chip from Alternative Auto yesterday. I hope it's as easy to install and works as good as everyone says. Now it's time to think about having 4.10's installed. Anyone out there know of a quality shop I can trust in the Cincinnati or Indianapolis area?

[RF Overlord]

Indianapolis? Jeez, there must be one or two places there... :lol: Try Kenny Brown, he's a supporting vendor...

Did you tell Lidio you were installing 4.10s when you ordered the chip? If not, your speedo will read high by 15% once the gears are installed and you'll have to send it back for a re-burn. If you DID already tell him, just be aware your speedo will read low until the gears are in...

The chip really IS easy to install, just take your time...I don't know what kind of instructions come with Lidio's chip, but I'll bet they're good. Just follow them and you should have no problem. One pointer: be sure you remove ALL the translucent greenish conformal coating from the service port; that's the #1 cause of problems with chips. Use one of those lighted magnifiers if you have one...also, try not to handle the chip or the exposed PCM circuit board any more than necessary...they are static-sensitive.

If you have any issues or questions, we'd all be glad to help.

[Gemmdiver]

What a great group! Thanks for your input, I'll let you know how my chip install goes and how I perceive it's effects on my 04mm. My chip is setup for stock gears, but they told me its an easy mod (they say its a dual mode chip) to change it to 4.10's. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Alternative Auto is all I've heard it is.

[RF Overlord]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Alternative Auto is all I've heard it is.

I don't have any direct experience, but Lidio and his group enjoy a very high reputation...Marauder owners are generally very picky; Alternative Auto wouldn't be a vendor here for very long if if they didn't provide excellent service...put your mind at peace, grasshopper...

[SergntMac]

I don't have any direct experience, but Lidio and his group enjoy a very high reputation.
I second that emotion. Though he has not performed any work on my MM (yet), I've met Lidio, visited his shop, and talked shop with him. I would have no reservations in asking Lidio to work on my MM. You're in good hands.

I do have one caution though. Watch out for the Motor City crew who hangs around his shop. If you visit, they will feed you to death.

[mpearce]

Mac, I definitely agree! Heather and I were up there for a gear change and a chip about 4 weeks ago. Alternative Auto is fantastic, as is the personal attention you get from Lidio and his crew. Good bunch of guys.

As for the Motor City boys...watch out...they took us out to a steak joint where you can order any kind of steak you want for cents on the ounce!! I think we alomst ate a whole cow! Great time had by all.

Go visit, you won't regret it.

-Mat

[bigslim]

I second that emotion. Though he has not performed any work on my MM (yet), I've met Lidio, visited his shop, and talked shop with him. I would have no reservations in asking Lidio to work on my MM. You're in good hands.

I do have one caution though. Watch out for the Motor City crew who hangs around his shop. If you visit, they will feed you to death.
Hey Mac, you don't get a body like this by not eating! You also have to remember that we are all reserves for the Detroit Lions.

[Murader03]

What a great group! Thanks for your input, I'll let you know how my chip install goes and how I perceive it's effects on my 04mm. My chip is setup for stock gears, but they told me its an easy mod (they say its a dual mode chip) to change it to 4.10's. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Alternative Auto is all I've heard it is.

Woa! He's got an '04, don't the chip plug directly into the diagnostic port? I thought the port on the '04 ECC was not accessible like on our '03's. Am I mistaken here? :dunno:

[rayjay]

I have a Lidio burned SC in my 04. It works great. The only problem is you have to use a snip to open the port. There is no denying you had a chip if the dealer looks.

[jstevens]

You won't be disappointed.
I had lidio do the chip and 4.10's at the same time.
Man, what a different car it is. Your going to love it more than the first time.

[bugsys03]

Question-Why would anyone still use a chip? There is no upside that I can see. I'm not flaming chip users but why go into the pcm at all if you dont have to? Chips fail, come loose, short out. I have never heard of a problem with a tuner. If there is an advantage to the chip, someone enlighten me please. :dunno:

[jstevens]

I don't take it as a flame. My reasoning was about $200. If the chip fails or comes loose and its recent, then I would expect the supplier to back up the product especially as I am not mechanically inclined.
The tuner is good if your able to modify programs yourself but I'm not into that at all. Another good thing about the tuner is you can hide the program from the dealer but that messes everything else up. I wasn't going to use the chip but after doing some reading, I thought the dealer would have to prove the chip caused the failure in question. The only issues I've had are non-engine related.

My $0.02

[RF Overlord]

after doing some reading, I thought the dealer would have to prove the chip caused the failure in question.

Technically, you are correct; the Magnuson-Moss Act stipulates that the warrantor has to prove the modification caused the failure to deny warranty coverage. Having said that, also keep in mind that Ford employs whole flotillas of lawyers who sole purpose in life is to deny warranty coverage. If they choose to play hardball, they can stonewall until your MM qualifies for Antique plates...the price of fighting them, even if you are eventually successful, is not worth it to the average Joe and they know it. FWIW...

[jgc61sr2002]

RF - I couldn't agree more.

[BillyGman]

I have a Lidio burned SC in my 04. It works great. The only problem is you have to use a snip to open the port. There is no denying you had a chip if the dealer looks.
Yep, the 03 marauders are the same way.

[BillyGman]

Question-Why would anyone still use a chip? There is no upside that I can see. I'm not flaming chip users but why go into the pcm at all if you dont have to? Chips fail, come loose, short out. I have never heard of a problem with a tuner. If there is an advantage to the chip, someone enlighten me please. :dunno:
The Trilogy Supercharger customers use a chip since the Trilogy S/Cer kit comes w/a special chip that's burned by Lidio. To my knowledge that's how it is with any complete S/Cer kit that you purchase. A chip comes with it that must be used for the proper air/fuel and ignition timing settings that are unique to forced induction engines. So installing a S/Cer would be one reason for having a chip. I've used a chip in my Marauder now for 15,000 miles and I've never had any problems with them coming out nor getting loose yet. You just slap a piece of duct tape over it after you snap it in, and there shouldn't be any problems w/it coming loose.

[TAF]

Question-Why would anyone still use a chip? There is no upside that I can see. I'm not flaming chip users but why go into the pcm at all if you dont have to? Chips fail, come loose, short out. I have never heard of a problem with a tuner. If there is an advantage to the chip, someone enlighten me please. :dunno:
I feel the chip is the ONLY way to go...IF you have a good relationship with your servicing dealer or do your own maintenence. I think VERY few (if any, certainly on this board) have the knowledge to be messing with the settings via the SCT tuner. It always scares me when I see folks talking about tweaking things with their tuner. I'll leave that to the professionals.