Chip feedback plz

[CRUZTAKER]

I installed the chip today. Unfortunately the weather is not favorable for a good test drive. It’s raining hard and traction sucks. However, I went for a ride, tried city streets first, and then a short jaunt on the highway. In the city the very first thing I noticed is that the RPM’s are higher than before. At 35 mph the tranny won’t shift to four. I am pulling 2000 rpm at 35 mph. That can’t be good on fuel? If I tap the gas pedal, I can get it to shift to four and the rpm’s settle down a lot. Down around 1000 or so. This continued from stop light to stop light, and has me concerned. The actual shifting is smooth, someone once mention harder shifts, I don’t notice that. Not even when I gas on it hard. As far as the interstate is concerned, entering the ramp hard, I notice little or no difference. On the interstate, the car acts as it did before I installed the chip.

Over all, I am somewhat at a loss, I expected something…..I am not sure what. My expectations were solely based on other drivers inputs on this forum. Therefore, I don’t know what I should have expected. In my humble opinion, there was very little difference (besides not shifting to 4 at low speeds) in the performance of the vehicle after the chip install. Almost to the point of (like) I never installed it.

I am not complaining what-so-ever, as I am not sure what I am supposed to feel here. Maybe a little feed back from the members who have done this upgrade will enlighten me.

Maybe I did something wrong on the install?

[SergntMac]

Do you have the switch in the right position? And remember that you have to shut the car off before the changing of switch positions takes affect.

[WolfeBros]

The car won't shift into 4th below 40. Mine wants to shift about 42 and then I can feel torque convertor lockup. It keeps the car from lugging at those lower speeds. If you do alot of in town driving below 40 it will take some getting used to. I love it myself. You can always turn it off if you have the switch installed. There is a recent post by Dennis about the switch and its positions.
PS
I still have the 3:55 stock gears as well.

What Sarge said as well. Is the switch in the right position? I thought it made a huge difference that I could tell within the first city block.
Good Luck

[joflewbyu2]

all i know is that my car was a pig when new, slow and uncooperative with downshifts. now with 2500 miles, it is a whole different beast. stronger, better reaction, quicker downshifts. remind you, i am still completely stock.

[LincMercLover]

I hear ya jo! The car was a blast to drive when brand new, but did have it's short comings. Now that I have a little over 3000 miles, she's starting to loosen up and be even better to drive. I think some people who are dumping this chip in when new aren't seeing what their cars really can do when not tampered with. One reason why I'm waiting on a chip. Second reason is I'm waiting on some certain people and some certain vehicles to leave my "lot" of cars.

[TAF]

Second reason is I'm waiting on some certain people and some certain vehicles to leave my "lot" of cars.

That "certain person" that needs to "leave the lot" isn't the GF, is it LML.

:confused: :D

[TAF]

still can't figure out the quote thing...O.K. I'm an idiot!:censor: :po: :help:

[LincMercLover]

I don't see nothing wrong with it... Do you guys? :D

You just forgot the [/QUOTE] at the end.

And no, it's not the GF... Although the thought of making this car any faster would not go over with her well... I'm a wee bit frustrated with her right now, but hey, that would belong on another thread wouldn't it?

[FordNut]

The biggest difference I can tell is that it no longer has the 2nd gear shift-slip-catch feel. It just hits second gear and holds it. Also it used to have that slip-catch feel when cruising in overdrive when the accelerator pedal is lightly pressed. It no longer does that either. And third, it used to have a delay while it "hunts" for the right gear when I would punch it and whip out to pass a car. Now it just downshifts and goes. Granted, the tranny still doesn't work as well as I would like it to, but this is my first time with one of these electronic controlled trannys so I'm going to give it a little more time to try and get used to it.

[TAF]

CRUZ,

Send dennis an email (if you already haven't) he'll get back to you. Also, I know he burns the chip for the 4:10s which I know you haven't done yet. That might be just for the speedo change, but it might have something to do with it.

Take it from me, if you are in anyway dissatisfied with the chip, Dennis will make it right. I know because I had some concerns at first that Dennis made good on promptly.

[Vince Gortner]

I did my chip a couple days ago with about 400 miles on the clock. I felt an immediate difference in throttle response from the timing advance, but the transmission reprogramming was the thing I noticed most.

In stock form, I really had to jump on the car to get it to downshift and had to pretty much stand on it off the line to avoid granny shifts at 2500 rpm. Now it seems like it's much easier to kick down a gear or two and I'm able to hold 1st and 2nd to 4000-4500 rpm even at part throttle.

I like it. I can make more noise now without trying too hard. 4.10's should go in on Wed and I'll be ready to buy more stuff.

I do wish that there was some way to confirm that I did the instalation right by way of a flashing light or something. That initial startup after I had things put back together was a tense moment, but from what I've heard here if the car actually starts and you don't get a check engine light then the chip was installed correctly. Is that the deal?

[Murader03]

Cruz..You may want to pull the computer again and make sure you got "ALL" the pins clean, both sides. You should note a difference in the way the car shifts for one. It may be hard to do in Ohio right now, but the 1-2 shift under power is really crisp. Otherwise, under normal stop and go driving, the shifts should be firmer and not sloppy as before and less shifting around town.

[Sidney]

Is the added power and torque noticeable?

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Vince Gortner
That initial startup after I had things put back together was a tense moment, but from what I've heard here if the car actually starts and you don't get a check engine light then the chip was installed correctly. Is that the deal?

I crossed my fingers AND my toes when I first turned the key, too, Vince...and I'd like Dennis to confirm this, but I believe you are correct...either it works or it doesn't.

CRUZ...mine doesn't shift much firmer than stock if I drive conservatively (which is the way I mostly drive), but the shift schedule reprogramming is definitely there. Like WolfeBros, mine shifts into 4th at between 40 and 42 MPH, then the converter locks up. The other gears vary somewhat depending on throttle position, but shift at higher RPMs than the stock programming also.

[FordNut]

I really couldn't tell a difference in power. Keep in mind that the approximately 20 hp increase is less than a 10% improvement and may not be very noticeable. Sloppy shifting was my main complaint to begin with and that's lots better. My understanding is that the 4.10s are what makes the biggest difference in performance. I'll find out for myself soon, with a trip to the dyno to check the chip performance numbers then a change to 4.10s!

[MassMarauder]

quote

"The biggest difference I can tell is that it no longer has the 2nd gear shift-slip-catch feel."

_______________________


Music to my ears...because that is my biggest complaint with the car. If the chip did NOTHING else but fix this issue, it would still be worth the 300 bucks.

[CRUZTAKER]

Thanks to all for the feedback. :)

I WAS just gonna let this thread slip into realm of memory.But then I got to thinking, posterity may find it, and get the wrong idea. I have read PLENTY of posts about crap you oldbies were talking about last summer that never had an official ending. :confused:

So, after saying thanks again for the understanding and patience, I must say that after an opportunity to horse around on some semi-dry and snowless pavement I have learned one thing:

This car rockets now. Dead starts are awesome and the tranny shifts NICE. In fact, now I am dying to get some more rubber on the ground.....DAMN snow tires. At times she's like a scared cat, all over road just eating pavement craving traction.

They say "if you love something, set it free......"
Hell with that, it's locked in the barn!

:coolman: COOL, VERY COOL. :coolman:

Talked to Dennis about getting the Lincoln LS eec flashed. I can't help but wonder what he can make that car do.......?


How did I miss out on the LED, no one mentioned it to me.....?

[martyo]

Cruz: What happened to the problems you experienced after you first installed the chip?? Details, please......

[CRUZTAKER]

Apparently user failure! :stupid:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^that would be me.....

I guess I just didn't have the opportunity to really test it. That blizzard came thru the weekend I did it. Nothing wrong with parts or installation.

I still have a feeling MY car just needed a little learnin' and get used to it as well.