C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

My Superchips experience, Never again!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 02:41 PM
  #1  
ddawson's Avatar
ddawson
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Default My Superchips experience, Never again!!!

First I want to state Andy at A&A was great though all of this.

First Superchips screws up the order but instead of pushing mine to the front I wind up waiting an extra two weeks for delivery. Four weeks total.

I bring the car down to the dyno and run three base pulls. We then hookup the Microtuner and run though the program. The first thing I notice is the only option is to turn of the fans early. WTF where's the tire and gear change options???

We finish the program and go to start the car. BING BING BING, I've got a check engine light and the DIC flash up a storm. I reset the code but one kept coming back without starting the car. The engine would turn but wouldn't fire.

So we call Superchips and they suggest uploading back the stock program. While were waiting I ask about the tire size option and was told if it doesn't show up on the Microtuner then you can't do it. I got pissed and said this is a 97 and all your corvette ads states is available. He stated on some years it’s not available. GREAT...

So after the program uploaded again I'm presented with warning and the car won't start. We tried a few time and gave up. We rolled the car off the dyno and called a tow truck.

Superchips give me an RMA number and said to overnight the PCM and Microtuner to them and they would cover the shipping. Great I thought...

Once we get home I'm told we have to leave the car in front of the house as the driveways too steep. So now I'm out front with boards of wood trying to get the front high enough to get the jack under the car. After several tries the wheels off and the computers in my hands.

Next problem, My wife's away with the SUV so my only option is to walk two miles to the Mailboxes Etc to overnight everything. The total came to a little over $100 including insurance for both pieces.

So the following day I call Superchips to make sure it arrived as my nice Corvette is sitting on jack stands in front of the house. He states they received it and would ship out a new one in a few days!!! I don't think so, you told me to overnight it to you and they would send it back the next day. We also discussed the lack of tire size options and they said they would write in the correct tire size but that I still couldn't adjust it as an option.

The next day I have a refurbished PCM but no Microtuner??? I install the PCM and the car works fine with no problems.

While all this is going on I'm keeping Andy in the loop so he knows what's happing.

About two weeks later I received a Superchips check. They sent me $35 dollars, which doesn’t even cover the insurance. Now I'm pissed.

After about two weeks later still no Microtuner. I called and was told they said they were still working on it. Two weeks later it arrived and I'm calling Andy to return it.

Superchips now sucks in my book and I'll never deal with them again.

:mad This is Superchips :crazy: :smash:

Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 02:55 PM
  #2  
need-for-speed's Avatar
need-for-speed
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,428
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

That blows! Thanks for warning us.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 02:58 PM
  #3  
Buzzer's Avatar
Buzzer
New Member
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (need-for-speed)

Ouch!! Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Thanks for the warning.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
Nanoosy's Avatar
Nanoosy
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough,CA./ KSA
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Sorry to hear about this,,,,I think it is always wise to go with some reputable source for anything for the C5...Ed wrigt(sp.) or steve cole powerloader2 would've been your BEST choice for chip upgrades...
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 04:26 PM
  #5  
goldman's Avatar
goldman
Pro
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

I had similar problems with Superchips...

I had to take it back to them (they're local) TWICE for the 3.42 axle correction & shift firmness (no change)... Both un-installs "crashed" my PCM, requireing it to be re-flashed... They did the re-flashing, same day, but the reprograming of the Superchip took about a week... I'm afraid to try it again, so I've returned it & ordered a Powerloader (4+ weeks ago).

Good Luck!!!!!!!


[Modified by goldman, 3:27 PM 8/6/2001]
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 04:33 PM
  #6  
vstella's Avatar
vstella
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Soooo...Tell us how you really feel. :confused: My Microtuner is due to ship August 13. I can't cancel now. Anything I should ask for BEFORE they ship.By the way I waited 3 months for Powerloader and still no update or sdtatus. You just can't win. :chevy
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 04:59 PM
  #7  
goldman's Avatar
goldman
Pro
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (vstella)

vstella..
I think I already gave you some of the details of my problems in another post,,,
3.42 axle not properly corrected,
& no (noticeable) change in shift firmness..
& then the "crashing' of PCM when un-installing to go back to stock for another program attempt.

When I researched them before buying, I heard only good things, although people don't seem to "rave" about them, like they do Powerloader.

From what I've heard (so far) they seem to be "no hassel" about returns also.

Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 07:23 PM
  #8  
Brazen C5's Avatar
Brazen C5
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Torrance CA
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

This is the first time ive heard any negative feedback about Superchips, but ive also heard negative things (esp. the backlog/time wait) for powerloader. It sounds like they are both professional people, but run a small business that has a demand. Without investing in a company to grow, these are the problems that arise. Pick your poison I guess...
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 08:27 PM
  #9  
MelloYellow's Avatar
MelloYellow
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (Brazen C5)

I'm happy with Superchips. I like their programs, would recc them and would use them again. They have FAST turn around. The Microtuner is more used to be able to flash YOUR OWN PCM and download new code off the web.

Any PCM program needs to be fine tuned to be perfect and you should expect so. Good customer service, avg. 4 day turn around on programming. Damn nice compared to spme people waitint 3-6 months. With the Microtuner you can reflash code downloaded off the Web at will AND reflash to Stock if you have issues. I don't see the problem other than the false assumption that programming is always going to be perfect the first time around.

Unless you ATAP and Wideband your car, most people never know if their computers are 100% on the money. All cars change as do mods. Sorry u had a bad experience. Perhaps your expectations were high. It's just programming.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 08:38 PM
  #10  
2000^C5's Avatar
2000^C5
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,407
Likes: 0
From: My barber didn't know when to quit... Do you?
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

:eek:
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 08:41 PM
  #11  
BKVIEW4U's Avatar
BKVIEW4U
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: Youngsville NC
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (MelloYellow)

call Ed Wright at fastchips. he's the man on reflashing computers in my opinion :chevy
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2001 | 08:54 PM
  #12  
MelloYellow's Avatar
MelloYellow
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (BKVIEW4U)

Ed Wright/Fastchips is a good option too.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 12:17 AM
  #13  
turboo2u's Avatar
turboo2u
Pro
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Still happy with my Hypertech 3, no problems yet! :p:
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 01:25 AM
  #14  
goldman's Avatar
goldman
Pro
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (MelloYellow)

I did NOT have the ability to go back to stock with my superchips... going back to stock, so they could "fine-tune" the program is what crashed my PCM (twice)... I'm afraid to try a third time!!! So I decided to try Powerloader & wait (& wait).

Superchips performance gains DID meet my expectations... & they're customer service is excellent (including return policy).

I did expect the Superchips (as advertised) to properly correct my 3.42 axle change (without error codes) & to firm my shift points (noticeably)...these things it did NOT do.

Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 03:25 AM
  #15  
bparker's Avatar
bparker
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

:eek:
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 12:37 PM
  #16  
ddawson's Avatar
ddawson
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

I don't feel my expectations were high.

1st the product didn't deliver the advertised goods (tire size).
2nd the didn't deliver on refunding my shipping charges (which they stated they would).

All together I've lost $200 dollars for towing and shipping. I also still have to ship it back for a refund.

I had to push for a quick turnaround on my PCM which they did come though on and the phone support was good (they answered the phone).

My expectation would have been a product that delivered some performance but I didn't even get that far.

Screw them never again and any of MY cars.
:crazy: :smash:
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 01:34 PM
  #17  
Speed-Racer's Avatar
Speed-Racer
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,020
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Sorry to hear that Dan
:(

Speed-Racer
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To My Superchips experience, Never again!!!

Old Aug 7, 2001 | 03:15 PM
  #18  
Jochen's Avatar
Jochen
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 2
From: Munich Bavaria
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Good post, great info. keeps me away from messing around with the PCM.

Does anybody has good experience with the superchip ?

Jochen
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 07:53 PM
  #19  
goldman's Avatar
goldman
Pro
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (Jochen)

In all fairness... in spite of my problems & ddawson's problems...

Most people do not seem to have any problems.
Although people using Superchips do not seem to "rave" & brag about them as Powerloader users do.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2001 | 11:09 PM
  #20  
Fabetoy's Avatar
Fabetoy
Racer
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Jarrettsville MD
Default Re: My Superchips experience, Never again!!! (ddawson)

Thanks for the warning. I don't want to deal with any vendors that treat forum members in the way you have described. :mad
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE