Superchips Programmer Question

[Waves]

Guys -

I have been building a project for the last two years, I brought a 99' Ranger Extra Cab 4x back from the dead.

To date I have replaced the motor, transmission, transfer case, rebuilt the front end, swapped out the rear diff (7.5 for an 8.8) and re-geared both from 4.10's to 4.88's and added a detroit tru-track to the rear, I could keep going but that is the greatest hits.

So this is my issue, I am running a superchips FlashPaq tuner, and when using either the Torque or Performance program, they both perform perfect shifting first to second gear, but the second to third gear shift sometimes short shifts while at WOT, if you let off for a second and then go back to WOT it down shifts and then seems to throw the computer off and the transmission goes into neutral, you let off the throttle and right back in gear. It only does this when running those two programs, when I run the factory program, the truck does not do this. I can kind of drive around the issue but I would rather not. Let me be clear - this is ranger number 6 for me, I have built 5 others, my last one I had a SCT programmer with a custom written program from a guys named Doug who at one time worked for BAMMA Programmers, and if anyone knows how to contact him or anyone like him who really knows Rangers and how to program them - please send me their info, I am more than willing to scrap the Superchips one, call it a loss and go with a plan B.

The Superchips programmer boasted that I would be able to change tire size, grears, shift points - it does none of that for my truck. They think I have an oddball computer (possible still a 98) so I can only run what programs they have as they are. My speedo is actually correct something in my gear and tire size change is just right that my speedo is still dead on when checked with GPS, so while it's not an issue I would still would prefer my computer be getting the right info, as well as being able to try an adjust the shift points around the short shift issue (in other words it shifts early and leaves me in a bad rpm range when I am still trying to accelerate at WOT).

Has anyone else had this issue with a Superchips programmer? Any suggestions or any ideas? Sorry for the long post -

My trucks specs are as follows:

99' Ranger XLT Extra Cab 4x4
3.0 V6 w/Automatic Trans
5 inches of lift (3 Body and 2 Suspension)
4.88 gears running 265/75/16's

 

[Blown]

I work with a Tweecer, not Superchips. However, it sounds like the Torque and Performance tunes have been corrupted. Do you have the tunes separate in a file that you can reload to the programmer?

As far as not being able to tune shift points, gearing, tire size, I would be pissed and getting a refund from Superchips or help to get the proper EEC that works with their tuner.

Tweecer ensures first that their tuner will work with your computer, before you purchase.
I have easlily adjusted tire rotations in a mile, axle gearing, shift points and firmness of shifting.

You can look-up Ford ECM computers supported by Tweecer here: http://www.tweecer.com/ccode/

 

[stmitch]

If you scrap the Superchips and decide to go back with an SCT product, you can go here https://www.sctflash.com/where-to-buy to find an SCT dealer near you.

 

[Waves]

Guys I apologize, I am not getting emails to tell me I had some answers. Blown - do you guys write programs for rangers? I am willing to write the superchips tuner off as a loss at this point. Going to check website now. stmitch - I thought SCT was out of the ranger game, am I wrong?

 

[Waves]

PS - I have been driving around the shift issue so it won't freak the computer out, I do that by backing off after it shifts in to second and letting it short shift to third, when I would much rather simply keep my foot planted to the floor -

 

[stmitch]

stmitch - I thought SCT was out of the ranger game, am I wrong?

SCT is a software company. They create open source tuning software, and handheld devices to sore tunes. By going to their website, you can enter your location and find local SCT dealers that can write custom tunes for most OBD vehicles.

In the past, you dealt with Doug @ Bama, an SCT dealer. It's my understanding that they stopped tuning rangers awhile back to focus on Mustang stuff. Not sure if that's true or not. Either way, there are tons of other SCT dealers that are capable of setting you up. Call around, and see if any near you are willing to help. I used Greg @ SpeedyDyno (in Kentucky) for my custom tunes, and know several others with highly modified Rangers that have used them successfully. I'd start by looking in your area first, and work my way out.

 

[Blown]

After thinking about this, I would bet the program/tunes that do not work have crossed shift points for the up and down shift at a certain speed......

That could be easily checked with a Tweecer if it is supported by Tweecer. The computer/EEC's program is revealed by reading the Catch Code on the computer. You may go to the Tweecer site and see if it supported here, scroll down to see how to locate the Catch Code on the EEC:

http://www.tweecer.com/ccode/

Look at the options available from having a tune burned for you on a chip, a base model Tweecer, Or Tweecer RT with data logging. Pricing changes also with how many tunes you want and how many revisions you want. Scroll down the home page to find the options and pricing.

I got to add that if you have not added power, a stock build, I don't think you get too much more performance from a tune. A high octane tune might give you another 12-16hp? Though an engine tune with tranny tune can make a bit more of a feel-able difference. I have my rig firmly shifting to second at 6200 RPM If I hold it WOT. I do get enjoyment out of tuning.