My 05 Ex is not studded but I need a FICM repair and I am looking at a tune, I have a new 9000 lb loaded travel trailer and a car hauler that is 8000 lbs loaded. We will be pulling the travel trailer more next summer, to the beach and mountains. Will an Atlas 40 be too much for the truck or should I go with the Eco tune?

 

While I don't do tunes I have heard that the atls 40 is a good all around tune. Not read of many complaints or problems with it.

 

Atlas 40 will be just fine. No need to worry about studs for that.

 

If you're stock and plan on staying that way, the Atlas 40 will benefit you and work for what you need.

However, if you're like me, and have a well tuned Monster and like your truck tuned, than the Econo FICM tune would be better as it'd be safer to tow with. (especially tuned with the 8K tow or any tow file) I.e. You wouldn't have to watch EGTs like a hawk and still have the benefits of a FICM tune.

 

The Atlas 40 is what I have and it has been no problem. It was what was recommended by Ed and others on here for some time.
Hope it helps.

 

I installed a new FICM with the atlas 40 tune about 6 months ago on my non studded truck Ive been very pleased with it. Turbo lag decreased significantly and MPG increased nearly 2 MPG. Truck is a lot more fun to drive.

 

I have been rerunning the atlas 40 for a year. I have an outlook monitor and can watch EGT all day long, I tow a lot in the summer, 8500 lb trailer, usually loaded with firewood, Benny, gas, diesel, bikes ect. About 22,500 gross combined. I have watched EGT for years without the atlas and now one season with, never seen a temperature above 1300 for short bursts, nor steady state towing above 1250 with the at leaps, it is safe. I am not studded or anything. Pulling hills in OD at 70 mph often, she runs full boost no problem. My FICM was on June way out but it sure woke the beast up. Now I wish I did the 80 hp tune :-)

 

This is all great advice, thank you. I have learned alot about the difference between FICM tunes and PCM tunes.

I have talked with FTE members off line as well as Ed at ficmrepair.com and they have recommended the Econ tune just because the EGTs could rise too high when pulling mountain grades or when RPMs are too low when loaded. I asked them all about the comments in this thread and everybody agreed that the Atlas 40 would probably be fine but for piece of mind go with the Eco tune. I want to be able to just drive the truck and not worry about keeping an eye on the EGTs worrying about them especially when loaded down on vacation.

The great thing about the FICM tune is it can be changed in the future when I modify the exhaust.

 

Matt @ Gearhead recommends the Eco tune as a "base" for his tuning as it gives him more flexibility. It seems to work a lot better EGT wise with my higher HP race tunes and gives me a LOT better stop light to stop light.

 

Ok, I know this has been talked about but I was all set on who I was going to send my ficm to but unsure now. Matt's, Swamps, Ed etc..???

I see price's vary to a degree but who are you all using? Are the 3 I mentioned above are good? Warranty? Seen post here on all three. Some spoken of more than others and haven't seen much of a couple posted lately on one I was going to send it to.

I was decided on the atlas 40 but wonder if I should get the Ecno tune instead? My sig below show's what I've done to the truck so far. During camping season I tow a 8K TT.

Sorry to hijack your thread Excurvelle. Didn't want to start a whole new thread on the subject.

Thanks in advance.
Eddy

 

Ed@FICMrepair.com

 

FICMrepair for sure!!!

 

Send it to Ed.

 

Thx for the quick replies. It's much appreciated.

Eddy

 

Has anyone used the Ficm tuner from power hungry performance? I believe that is who writes the tunes Ed uses. With it one could run any if the 4-5 tunes they offer and not be locked in to one. For instance I don't tow a lot from fall to spring. I could I. Theory bump it up tithe atlas 40 or 80 and easily switch it back when I am going to be towing? Or is the Ficm tuner from them just a POS? Just more food for thought.