Got my Sniper Chip, but... :(

[ELVATO]

Went to Sniper Tuning on Monday and went to get my much anticipated Sniper chip. An hour or so after some failed attempts, it turns out that my 2003 car computer was outdated or something like that. He said I needed to go to a dealership to get my computer updated. When I do get it updated, I need to go back so he can do it. I ended up taking the tuner home, and tested it out on my roomates Mustang. He says he notices some improvement in throttle response, but didn't like the shifting upgrade I did.

While I was there, I got a AFE cold air intake. Power seems to have inproved a tiny bit since I can make my tires squeal a tad bit easier. But the engine growl is the best part

 

[mustangrfast88]

nice i am waiting for the guy on the site to get the chips so he can do a custom chip for my expedition

 

[green03]

well they are backordered on chips for at least another month. Long story but the supplier that supplies chips to almost every chip company is having trouble getting supply of some of the parts of the chip.
There are plenty of flash programmers available so I can already do those no problem but there is no shifting programs on the fly like with the chip. You have to reprogram every time to change tunes (obviously).....

What is the computer code on your 03 that they are having trouble with? Is it NFA2 ?

 

[green03]

I think they have your issue figured out now. I called them and they said there shouldn't be any more problems. How come you can't just use the programmer like you did on your buddy's mustang? Did you buy the special forces kit with the 2 bullets?
I want you to try their performance tune that they create and then try mine for a comparsion. I have fixed some nuances on the 03 that really improves the drivabliity and part throttle performance and economy.
Matt

 

[ELVATO]

Came back from the Ford dealership today. For 77.50 total, they finally got it done. According to the paper they gave me, they have installed the "latest PCM calibration."

Talked to the guy, but he wouldn't be there after 4 So, I'll have to wait a little more to get the tune done.

I don't know the actual computer code, but according to the Ford paper, my 03 vehicle was produced in 02/27/02.

He said he was going to install an updated version of the programer or something like that. We did a tune, he flashed it, said "uh oh," and went back inside. After awhile, he came out and took the car computer out of my car. Went back outside with another guy. Came back inside and told me he had some trouble with the car computer and managed to reflash the stock file back in.

Apparently, I had the new computer(3 plug type) but old software, and that I needed to get it updated. I asked if it would work with my roomate's Mustang, he said yea, so I took it with me.

Yes, I have 2 bullets. BTW, this was all done by Patrick Stajdel, so I'm assuming he knows what he's talking about.

Hey, green03, how much do you charge for your tunes?
I plan on having a tune that uses 93 octane, rev limiter increased by 200 rpm at WOT, mild shift on all shifts, no rear O2's present, catback installed(even though I don't have one. He said it was better), and a 110 mph top speed.

Thx for the replies

 

[green03]

yes I whole-heartedly trust Pat. He has been tuning FI cars since the first systems came out on the turbo buicks in the 80's. I discovered some things about the 03 and 04 expeditions that aren't letting them run to their full potential. Usually I charge 75 dollars for a custom tune but I will give a discount if you are the first tune for a specific computer/vehicle combination.
Matt

 

[green03]

Plug the programmer into the truck. Hook it up to the laptop. Open the multiloader application. Click the "get vehicle info" button. What code comes up? Grab a screen shot for me if you can I want to see what code comes up. I think your programmer should work just fine without having to go back to sniper. I would also like your stock file when you pull it off to see what they "updated" at the factory. I think ford fixed some stuff with the forward engagement pressure so the transmission wouldn't burn up the forward clutch in the transmission. There is a problem with the forward clutches burning out especially in cold weather because the ramp the trans pressure too slow.

 

[ELVATO]

I wanted to do it myself, but Patrick said he wanted to do it himself. I guess to check something? Was supposed to meet up today, but he never called me back Guess I'll have to go on Monday.
Don't know if I should go ahead and try to get a code. Don't really want to mess up my car.

 

[ELVATO]

Either I'm not doing it right, or I don't know what, but when I tried to get the vehicle info, the program just froze up. The last three green lights were on, so I just disconnected it. I guess I'll just have to wait till tomorrow when I go back up there, and ask him what's the deal.

Does the programmer need to be completely empty of any files? Because my friend's Mustang's files are on there (Stock for position 6, and two tunes in the first two slots). Hopefully my trip tomorrow clears some things up :S

 

[green03]

That's weird.... did you just plug it in (all the lights lit up) and click on the "get vehicle info" button?

 

[ELVATO]

Guess I wasn't doing it right Got the screen capture. Decided not to get the stock file. I'll let Sniper handle it. But once I get the stock file, I'll send it to you.

Here's the screen capture.

 

[green03]

oh you have a 4.6? What kind of mileage are you pulling down on the highway if you keep your foot out of it? Where (what RPM)does the truck shift at WOT? I was curious....

 

[ELVATO]

Yea, I have an 4.6. I am, as some would call it, a lead foot. Even on the highway, I usually average 75 mph. I've gotten between 13-14 mpg, mixed city and highway driving. I haven't filled up my tank since the CAI upgrade, so I haven't been able to see if there are any sort of benefits from it, but I'll fill up with 93 once I get the tune done and measure from there.

The WOT shift point seems to be 4850 or so, but the rev limiter seems to be at 5000 when I shift using the 1 and 2 gears. What do you think would be the highest I could safetly up the re limiter to? It seems the shift from 1-2 gear could use a little more speed, considering that it takes forever to go from 40-60.

 

[ELVATO]

Came back from Sniper. Apparently, the program doesn't have a template for my computer code :/ They're going to write one up, and hopefully have it by Thursday.

Patrick wrote up a temporary file (93 octane) for until Thursday.

Green03, I have the stock file, but Patrick said you probobably won't be able to read it. I can send it if you want anyways.

 

[green03]

shoot it over to me.
I will put my email address in a PM......

Thanks senor Vato....
Matt

Oh, I shift my 5.4 shifts at 5075 on the 1-2 shift. The 4.6 should be higher than that by at least 200 RPMs because it has the same cams and heads as the 5.4 so its powerband should extend higher than the 5.4. Also be careful when manual shifting the truck, the trans has a known issue of having a pressure spike that can snap stuff in the driveline.... believe me I know.

 

[ELVATO]

Sent.

Yea, I try not to manually shift, since I usually mess up, and I end up jerking.

 

[ELVATO]

Finally got the thing working. They ended up using the computer code JJN4, so my 70 dollar update from the dealer was useless
I do seem to notice a slight improvement. At least the speed limiter isn't there. I'm going to have to do a couple runs on the highway to see if it got a little quicker. Hopefully the data logger gets done soon.

 

[ELVATO]

Correction:

He was able to upload a tune to my car, and I thought it was fixed. But apparently, I can't get it to work. It writes the tunes great to the interface, slots 1-5. But it won't transfer those tunes to the car, with the interface alone or with the laptop. I can't transfer any stock files onto the interface, because the stock file that is on there won't "erase". The name of the file is called "ÿÿÿÿÿ..pcm" with those weird y's.

When trying to transfer tunes onto the car, the last three lights are on, with the last one red. The first one flashes once a second, for 6 seconds, then the second light turns on once. Then the "cycle" repeats.

Maybe you know something green03?
I'll have to call Patrick tomorrow.

 

[green03]

That is an error code it is flashing. I don't have my instructions handy.... In S Carolina at the moment. That is code 61.

So if you select the first tune with the right button and then press the left button to activate it won't program?

Did you build the tunes with your new stock file to start with.

I will be interested to see what you find out...

Matt R

 

[ELVATO]

I'm pretty sure that it was the new stock file. One of the guys kept on going outside with a circuit board, then worked on a computer. Finally, he put the board in the black metal enclosure the special forces thing comes in.

From there, he just made a tune from a JJN4 "stock" file, and flashed it into my car. It worked, and I thought all was done.
I got home, and wanted to change the WOT rev settings, but it wouldn't flash the vehicle.

Then I noticed what appeared to be a stock file in position 6 that didn't seem right. Its name was all weird.

When I try overwriting the "stock" file, it says " Fail to recieve Ack on Consecutive write from Interface..."

I'll call tomorrow, post my findings