What is the best tuner for 05 PSD

[scarm]

I know this question has been asked many times but after reading all the threads I'm even more confused than before...

Currently have an 05 PSD, maganaflow turbo back duals (no cats), 35 inch tires, AFE intake, Bully Dog Powerpup downloader.

It may be be all in my head but it seems since I put the exhaust on the truck runs a little sloppy, it smokes way more than it should and my Gas mileage is crap - I'm thinking this is due to the powerpup tuner - maybe not

Some people say the bully dogs are crap and burn up your motor, others say they are the best out there......Anyway, I'm looking to get another tuner - was looking at the BANKS OTTOMIND6 or the SCT LIVEWIRE - I can't find much on either of these things and or how they compare to my Bully Dog powerpub - either way I want something with live monitoring capabilities.

Let me know your thoughts on the banks and SCT and/or any other suggestions on what I should buy.

I currently run my bully dog tune at 50% and the smoothe shift program.

Also, to date I have had no issues with my truck - no head problems - etc etc - I really can't figure out why everybody on this forum is complaining about things

[scarm]

Also, I'm looking at the Banks Six Gun - it seems to offer all kinds of options.

What is this Spartan diesel technology - what kind of tuner options do they offer?

[nitrogen]

let me know too

[barnbridge]

I think putting ANY tuner on this engine is playing with fire and there is a very good chance you'll get burned. Do a search on headgaskets and you'll see a trend, tuner=increased cylinder pressure=puking=new headgaskets. If you can afford ARP headstuds, I think around $1500 installed, you'll be OK with a tuner. Your call.

[UGA33]

The best tuning for the 6.0 is custom tuning and the only way to go is SCT

[Layed Out 100]

I will be watching this one also, somebody should make a poll listing the most popular tuner's....more people may vote than talk about it.

[UGA33]

I promise you SCT is the current favorite choice. Matt's new tuner may turn the tide, but right now, SCT is the favorite here.

[adambomb]

i went with SCT as well and with Spartan for custom tuning abilities

[tex25025]

Originally Posted by barnbridge

you'll see a trend, tuner=increased cylinder pressure=puking=new headgaskets.

Boy it's been awhile since a tuner thread like this and now quite a few are popping up all over the place. 1st off not all tuners increase cyclinder pressure to increase power, quite a few do, but not all. As to the trend, it's not a very accurate one. Most people that claim that tuners caused there head gaskets based it on the simple connection that they put a tuner on their truck and the next thing they knew headgaskets were blown. Could the tuner have caused it, sure. Could it have already been there and the tuner made it "visible" that there is a head problem, that is possible as well. The best way that you can tell if a tuner truly caused head problems is if you pressure tested the coolant system before you put the tuner on there and pressure test it after you believe heads are going and dependin on how it tested before the tuner would lend to proving that the tuner did indeed cause it. As to the star scoring pattern, that only proves that a tuner was on there, doesn't exactly prove that the tuner caused the head problems. I'm not saying that tuners can't and/or don't cause problems, but I am calling into question the viabillity of the trend that has been presented with the current level of proof that to back it up.

Now just so people won't say I'm sticking on topic after that long off topic post, the best tuner for the truck is one that allows for custom tuning. Way more options for safety as well as for future upgrades and it also provides the ability to match with how the driver drives to how the truck acts.

[hillbilly03]

I am new to the diesel world but did anybody ever have a smoke switch and did it actually work?

[brentos]

One buy sct only, two never ever ever buy banks. Check this out if you like.Switched from Banks to SCT!!! - The Diesel Garage Forums

[scarm]

So what I'm getting so far is nobody likes banks - I wonder why that is

Also, I have been running the bully dog since I bought the truck - little or no pulling but I do crank on it a few times a week - so far no issues - I'm thinking as long as your not a moron you can use any tuner and have a bit of fun with it.

Anyway - It would be good to hear more why SCT over the banks - the only reason I'm leaning toward the banks is because you can get all kinds of readings with the palm tungsten hookup

[phish555]

Just to add to what Tex said, I believe the head studs were improved for the 05. Most of the head stud/head gaskets problems were from the 03/04 years.

Another vote here for the SCT. Research the dealer before you buy, look into how good their customer service is.

[nitrogen]

just to get it clear who is making the FICM tunes? are they part of the SCT unit or is it separate? what is the name of Matt's outfit? thanks

[bismic]

Originally Posted by phish555

Just to add to what Tex said, I believe the head studs were improved for the 05. Most of the head stud/head gaskets problems were from the 03/04 years.

Another vote here for the SCT. Research the dealer before you buy, look into how good their customer service is.

Just to clarify - Ford never used studs, just bolts. Also, they have not upgraded their head bolts. They are still the same. There were "commonization" changes which included the gaskets and guide pins - not the bolts.