Fellas I'm looking for some input here. I've been playing with the idea of a programmer for my truck (166K), but I'm afraid to tune it with the tranny being the original. The truck tows occasionally, but I'd set it back to stock before pulling. If I were to drive the truck without a load in a performance mode, would I have to get gauges and an exhuast? How would the stock 4R100 hold up? What's the best programmer to get?

 

Lots of questions requiring subjective answers. No you don't have to install gauges, but it is the prudent thing to do.

Most, if not all of the handheld tuners have some form of transmission programming built into them, so they may end up aiding in the tranny's longevity.

From a performance perspective they're all pretty close. Pick the one that you most like it's functions/capabilities and go for it.

 

Thanks for the reply Cookie...I'm gonna look into it!!

 

'99 F250 PSD auto, 800,000+ miles with Superchip sit in the middle position. Motor and trans have not been touched!

 

To Obi-Wan you must listen..!!! Learn much you will..!!! i have an 02 with gauges, walker big truck muffler and 6637 filter... i also put a sonnax shift kit in the tranny... knock on wood, absolutely no issues at 116k and i have had these mods in the truck for 60k miles... i think cookie is right... most programmers have an option that lets you "firm up" the shifts... this is done electronically... the sonnax and other kits do the same basic thing by upgrading springs and other small parts in your tranny... basically your stock tranny shifts really "soft"... soft shifts = more heat generated... so, firm up the shifts and you will lower the heat and by reducing the slipage between shifts... less heat and less slippage = longer tranny life.... a tranny temp gauge when towing is a must as far as i'm concerned, and a big tranny cooler will help keep temps lower while towing... and any towing with a stock setup can run tranny temps up past where you really want them to be...

 

good stuff to know...thanks for the replies guys...im looking into superchips right now. seems to be what im lookin for...does sct make a tuner for the 7.3?

 

i forgot to mention that i use a predator tuner... i like it... it has good tunes, it reads and clears codes, and it can monitor and record "real time" data from the electronic sensors in the engine and tranny... i always hook it up when i am towing so i can keep an eye on under hood temps...

 

Id like to see a pic of the odometer on that one.

 

I don't know how!

 

I don't think 166k is necessarily considered high mileage. I would say if you don't drive a lot of miles a year, and plan on keeping the truck several more years then it's worth the investment. I've got over 220k on my 02 with no problems.

 

id like to see the speedo too...is this an early 99??

 

+1 on the predator tunner its what i have, love it. recommend the gauges trans temp and pyro gauge.boost gauge is a plus. a 4" turbo back exhaust will help keep turbo temps down too. then bypass the map sensor to gain more boost,from 15psi to 25+psi woo hoo!

mods.
2002 f250 psd 4x4 lariat 145,000 mi
4"s.s. turbo back exhaust
pyro and boost gauge
diablo programer
k/n 13" filter, stock air box removed, short pipe to turbo.

 

hey guys where can i find something to bypass the map sensor

 

ITP sells a mechanical bypass
http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?c...on=show_detail

 

amiller does that replace the line altogether and would that affect my boost guage cause that is where my guage line is tapped into