Performance Chip Curiosity
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: NW Oregon
Performance Chip Curiosity
2010 F-150 Lariat with 122,000 miles here.
Not that I need the extra power or torque, I am looking more into the increased milage. I put a chip into a moto I once had and it seemed to help... a bit.
Anyone have positive experiences with performance chips, and, if so, what brand did you use and cost will it incur? Stories? Are these things a shiny new object to take my money?
Thanks in advance.
Not that I need the extra power or torque, I am looking more into the increased milage. I put a chip into a moto I once had and it seemed to help... a bit.
Anyone have positive experiences with performance chips, and, if so, what brand did you use and cost will it incur? Stories? Are these things a shiny new object to take my money?
Thanks in advance.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 922
From: Central FL
truth is there really isnt much MPG gain to be had in the tune - The OEs go through major expense to improve mpg to meet fleet cafe standards, if there was anything noteworthy in the tune they would find it. Controlling your right foot and keeping it otherwise good working order makes the biggest difference.
In an NA vehicle, not likely to find too much power either, probably 10-15 at best on the 5.4. To me, the biggest benefit from a tune on an NA vehicle is the improved transmission strategy.
Im not sure who the go to is for an NA 5.4. I've had tuners on various Fords over the years and basically all using SCT devices and overall happy with them but most of them were also on forced induction vehicles with a lot of power left on the table.
In an NA vehicle, not likely to find too much power either, probably 10-15 at best on the 5.4. To me, the biggest benefit from a tune on an NA vehicle is the improved transmission strategy.
Im not sure who the go to is for an NA 5.4. I've had tuners on various Fords over the years and basically all using SCT devices and overall happy with them but most of them were also on forced induction vehicles with a lot of power left on the table.
Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1,185
From: Manitoba
We don't use chips, that's ob1 era. Pre 99.
I got the same truck as you, I've added a level a tounnue cover and an intake, I've hp tuned myself and before the level I got 20.7 to 22.1 mpg running the praries at 65 mph in Canada.
The level dropped me to 19.6 to 21.4 mpg
I got the same truck as you, I've added a level a tounnue cover and an intake, I've hp tuned myself and before the level I got 20.7 to 22.1 mpg running the praries at 65 mph in Canada.
The level dropped me to 19.6 to 21.4 mpg
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 840
Likes: 472
A tune will help a tiny bit with mileage but you have to drive with mileage in mind I.E., very conservatively.
If you drive it the same way you do now you won't gain anything and will likely loose a little mileage. I've found the perceived or actual increase in performance and responsiveness will usually cause you to be a little more aggressive at times which will cause your mileage to drop.
If you do gain any it will payback in savings only after a very long time. I've had chips, tunes and even a performance ECM on just about every vehicle I ever owned, going back to '86.
Never tuned any of them with just economy in mind.
If you drive it the same way you do now you won't gain anything and will likely loose a little mileage. I've found the perceived or actual increase in performance and responsiveness will usually cause you to be a little more aggressive at times which will cause your mileage to drop.
If you do gain any it will payback in savings only after a very long time. I've had chips, tunes and even a performance ECM on just about every vehicle I ever owned, going back to '86.
Never tuned any of them with just economy in mind.