Kenne Bell's "chip"

[Jhendrix]

Does anyone have experience with this chip as it's supposed to "plug"into stock chip....does that make it invisible to Ford when I take it in for repair...[minus chip]...Anyone with experience please give me some advice....as I am thinking of chip, cold air package....from this company. He has the best of reputation's but I don't have the expertise...to know when I've crossed the line...warranty wise.. :)

Damn this Cobra is fun!!!!!!!!!!!

[rachrse]

Any chip you decide to use will not be invisable , the port you use for the chip has to be cleaned off because of this it will be easy to see that you had a chip in. Rachrse

[whiggins]

I have heard that some of the aftermarket performance vendors are about to release programs which are intended to 'flash' the computer via the OBD2 port rather than by adding an external chip. Perhaps this is what is being referred to.


Bill

[dwtalso]

I have heard that some of the aftermarket performance vendors are about to release programs which are intended to 'flash' the computer via the OBD2 port rather than by adding an external chip. Perhaps this is what is being referred to.

This wouldn't surprise me because the Ford reflash system also goes through the OBDII port. The tech's I've known would only know you've had a chip if you left it in (the reflash software *****es) or if, for some other reason, they actually pull the PCM and look, which they have no reason to do normally, even for a reburn.

There are already tuners that reflash via the diagnostic port now. This eliminates the chip but overwrites the stock programming.

[spiced]

Can't the stock configuration be saved and restored like upgrading the bios on a PC? Who are some the vendors that are doing this?

[norcal_cobra]

I have been told that one reason for Ford to pull the PCM and inspect it is if you bring in your car for some type of major warranty claim. Say you bring it in for a blown motor, things are out of the dealers hand to a certain degree as Ford sends a tech in from 'corporate' to inspect. One of the things on their checklist is the PCM.

Some people have determined what the coating is on port, some sort of silicone spray. However this will only get you past a visual inspection of the PCM. The PCM supposedly stores a lot of data such as over boost, touching the rev limiter, etc. Since most chips either raise or eliminate the rev limiter, this will be discovered.

It was also rumored that the fix for running a chip was to purchase a second PCM to be swapped in when the car is brought in to the dealer. It is debatable as some have claimed to have figured this out, while many others have been unsuccessful. It is not as simple as just swapping the PCM. Some modification/reburning is required.

-norcal_cobra

[Jhendrix]

I am in a state of addiction...Will contact Kenn Bell about his chip and cold air package. Am looking for Dyno in south GA for base run, etc....and want to make sure my motor is ....OK and then...to get it "pumped". :allhail:

[trmn8er]

I've come to the conclusion that on these supercharged '03's, if you start to modify them, you should reprogram the ECU. Some of my experience comes from electronic fuel injected motorcycles which are quite common today. Any time you change the intake and exhaust on a modern fuelie, you need to reprogram the ECU to maintain a smooth power curve and gain the full benefit from your mods.

On these blown Cobra's, it goes even further. When you change the pulley, along with the intake and exhaust, you must 'chip' the ECU, IMO. The A/F ratios are critical in having a full powered and reliable engine. Custom tuning to your Snake on the dyno is the best way to go, as long as the folks know what they are doing! Don't be their test bed!

I've heard a lot of guys say they've done this and that and they are running a 2.8 or 2.9 pulley with the stock ECU and are having no problem. All I can say is that I won't bet my $35K on that!

:jawdrop:

[dwtalso]

Originally posted by trmn8er
I've come to the conclusion that on these supercharged '03's, if you start to modify them, you should reprogram the ECU. Some of my experience comes from electronic fuel injected motorcycles which are quite common today. Any time you change the intake and exhaust on a modern fuelie, you need to reprogram the ECU to maintain a smooth power curve and gain the full benefit from your mods.

On these blown Cobra's, it goes even further. When you change the pulley, along with the intake and exhaust, you must 'chip' the ECU, IMO. The A/F ratios are critical in having a full powered and reliable engine. Custom tuning to your Snake on the dyno is the best way to go, as long as the folks know what they are doing! Don't be their test bed!

I've heard a lot of guys say they've done this and that and they are running a 2.8 or 2.9 pulley with the stock ECU and are having no problem. All I can say is that I won't bet my $35K on that!

:jawdrop:

Anyone running the stock AFR curve with a pulley smaller than 3.1" is a gambler. The stock program is really lean at the low end, about 12 to 1 on average although I've some 13 and 14 to 1 as well. The smaller pulley builds boost faster and at a lower rpm, right where the stock curve is leanest. This means the risk of tip-in detonation is extremely high and, it's my understanding, that you very often can't hear tip-in detonation.

[RICKDEB]

Originally posted by Jhendrix
Does anyone have experience with this chip as it's supposed to "plug"into stock chip....does that make it invisible to Ford when I take it in for repair...[minus chip]...Anyone with experience please give me some advice....as I am thinking of chip, cold air package....from this company. He has the best of reputation's but I don't have the expertise...to know when I've crossed the line...warranty wise.. :)

Damn this Cobra is fun!!!!!!!!!!!

just came from our local dealer, of course had to take it down to show off my sonic blue coupe that we bought 2 weeks ago:bna , and the dealer was telling us about the chip you can buy from the dealer, available now, and the car will still be ok under fords warranty. they tried to talk us into buying one today, but, HAH :bash: this car has enough power for me, but for those who want "that little bit more horsepower", call your local dealer, or email me and i'll give you my dealer #. :) deb

[goodquest]

Originally posted by RICKDEB
just came from our local dealer, of course had to take it down to show off my sonic blue coupe that we bought 2 weeks ago:bna , and the dealer was telling us about the chip you can buy from the dealer, available now, and the car will still be ok under fords warranty. they tried to talk us into buying one today, but, HAH :bash: this car has enough power for me, but for those who want "that little bit more horsepower", call your local dealer, or email me and i'll give you my dealer #. :) deb



please provide the information on this chip. I tryed to email you
but you disabled your email address.

:huh:

thanks

[jguerrero]

yes please do post, i want to see this one for myself:)

[RICKDEB]

Originally posted by jguerrero
yes please do post, i want to see this one for myself:)


call my local svt dealer, he's the one pumpin the chip.

REPUBLIC FORD 417-732-2626 ask for don davis or the new car sales manager. they sure talked highly of it last night to me ..hope this helps:bna :tmb:

[Mongoose]

Originally posted by RICKDEB
just came from our local dealer, of course had to take it down to show off my sonic blue coupe that we bought 2 weeks ago:bna , and the dealer was telling us about the chip you can buy from the dealer, available now, and the car will still be ok under fords warranty. they tried to talk us into buying one today, but, HAH :bash: this car has enough power for me, but for those who want "that little bit more horsepower", call your local dealer, or email me and i'll give you my dealer #. :) deb I have heard about this elseware. Asked my dealer about it and they said no way :wtf:

[Sbosserman]

If you were to take your Cobra in for service or lets say a brake noise the dealer isn't going to bother running tests to check for PCM mods. However if you go in with a check engine light or an engine noise the dealer can pull permanent codes from the PCM. If you have changed the blower pulley but put the original back on before going in for service they can see trace marks on the metal surfaces indicating tampering. Any system with mods will void that part of the vehicle warranty. Ford is very strict especially when the engine or controls are tampered with. They have built in a certain reliability factor. This 400 HP blown engine has to perform trouble free for 3 or 36 quite a feat in itself. Ford can't afford to replace a 13000$ engine every time someone's mods cause an engine to blow. To each their own, I would just wait until warranty runs out.:cbra:

[Mongoose]

Originally posted by Sbosserman
If you were to take your Cobra in for service or lets say a brake noise the dealer isn't going to bother running tests to check for PCM mods. However if you go in with a check engine light or an engine noise the dealer can pull permanent codes from the PCM. If you have changed the blower pulley but put the original back on before going in for service they can see trace marks on the metal surfaces indicating tampering. Any system with mods will void that part of the vehicle warranty. Ford is very strict especially when the engine or controls are tampered with. They have built in a certain reliability factor. This 400 HP blown engine has to perform trouble free for 3 or 36 quite a feat in itself. Ford can't afford to replace a 13000$ engine every time someone's mods cause an engine to blow. To each their own, I would just wait until warranty runs out.:cbra: Very well said. This car doesn't need anything if you are going to drive it on the street. Maybe just a cat back system for a little more sound. I for one won't chance losing my 6 year extended warranty. How silly would that be?

[goodquest]

Originally posted by RICKDEB
call my local svt dealer, he's the one pumpin the chip.

REPUBLIC FORD 417-732-2626 ask for don davis or the new car sales manager. they sure talked highly of it last night to me ..hope this helps:bna :tmb:



Anybody live in that area code, which they could call this dealer
and get the part# and chip name.


thanks

[Mongoose]

Originally posted by goodquest
Anybody live in that area code, which they could call this dealer
and get the part# and chip name.


thanks I don't live close to there, but I did find their e- mail address atate@dialus.com <atate@dialus.com>

[trmn8er]

I just couldn't help it. I read all the info I could stand, listened to other educated opinions and decided life is to short to wait for three years and baby this Iron Snake until the warranty past.

I did what I think is safe, conservitive mods. I made sure the A/F ratio was set properly. I honestly believe the car will last as long as a stocker. I don't plan on abusing the car.

But I wanted to get that 'extra' power that Ford as capped off. Ford knows what they built. And they know their little monster can safely put out some serious 'extra' power just by opening the intake and unrestricting the cat-back exhaust (keep the stock exhaust manifolds and the stock H-pipe and cats).

Experienced Eaton supercharger folks recommend not going smaller than the 3.10 pulley. The 3.10 puts the Eaton at it's upper limit of thermo efficiency.

Doing all the above requires a chip tuned to bring the A/F ratios back in line. Having one dyno-tuned to your car is the best and most accurate way to know things are "right' when you are all done.

The extra 90 RWHP I ended up with is unreal when added to what a stocker already put out.

To each his own! Cobra, that is! :)

[Mongoose]

To each his own! Cobra, that is! :)

You ole hot rod you...............:D

[mot]

Originally posted by trmn8er
I just couldn't help it. I read all the info I could stand, listened to other educated opinions and decided life is to short to wait for three years and baby this Iron Snake until the warranty past.

I did what I think is safe, conservitive mods. I made sure the A/F ratio was set properly. I honestly believe the car will last as long as a stocker. I don't plan on abusing the car.

But I wanted to get that 'extra' power that Ford as capped off. Ford knows what they built. And they know their little monster can safely put out some serious 'extra' power just by opening the intake and unrestricting the cat-back exhaust (keep the stock exhaust manifolds and the stock H-pipe and cats).

Experienced Eaton supercharger folks recommend not going smaller than the 3.10 pulley. The 3.10 puts the Eaton at it's upper limit of thermo efficiency.

Doing all the above requires a chip tuned to bring the A/F ratios back in line. Having one dyno-tuned to your car is the best and most accurate way to know things are "right' when you are all done.

The extra 90 RWHP I ended up with is unreal when added to what a stocker already put out.

To each his own! Cobra, that is! :)
I see where you are coming from. I don't think that I can wait to much longer. I am going to wait to see if steeda can flash through the diag. port and save the stock program. Full exhaust less headers, for now and I might buy a new nose for the blower with a smaller pulley. If 365rw is good than 465 must be better! People will say why do you need that much power on the street? They just don't understand.:fryem: :bna :bna :spinem:

[trmn8er]

If they ask why and you have to explain, they won't understand! :allhail:

[jguerrero]

Originally posted by RICKDEB
call my local svt dealer, he's the one pumpin the chip.

REPUBLIC FORD 417-732-2626 ask for don davis or the new car sales manager. they sure talked highly of it last night to me ..hope this helps:bna :tmb:


thanks, will try tommorow or monday

[goodquest]

Originally posted by jguerrero
thanks, will try tommorow or monday



Did you get the information?

[dkumashiro]

How does this compare to what you guys are talking about?

http://www.capitalford.com/my_car.html
Click on the performance enhancements link

[mot]

my 2003 cobra is not on here! Maybe to soon. This seems as if this would be the best chip to avoid probs with fomoco. If they custom tune chips then I wonder how they do so without your car? Cool link I will keep an eye on it.:tmb: