F5 chip vs. SCT programmer?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
This Edge tuner with all the guage functions and an included EGR probe seems like a decent deal I may splurge on (Edge Products 15001 - Edge Ford Powerstroke Evolution Programmers - Overview - SummitRacing.com). I just asked about the dp chips first because so many people on here seem to have and like them. I also like the various options and specialized tunes you can buy.
Still, why waste money buying something with a canned tune? When you go buy a suit, do you want to get something close to what an average person of your age and race is or do you want to get something with measurements of you? Some have claimed that the Edge products are hard on the trans. IDK. Either way, it is "one size fits all". Any particular reason you would want that over a more customized tune? Sure you can buy it today but when you need more, and you probably will, you will kick yourself or be begging us to kick you in the *** for buying such a product. BTDT.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 6
From: laporte in
One item goes on that screen and you are getting it all. I put a tool thru one of my gauges by accident. Replace it and it is done.
Still, why waste money buying something with a canned tune? When you go buy a suit, do you want to get something close to what an average person of your age and race is or do you want to get something with measurements of you? Some have claimed that the Edge products are hard on the trans. IDK. Either way, it is "one size fits all". Any particular reason you would want that over a more customized tune? Sure you can buy it today but when you need more, and you probably will, you will kick yourself or be begging us to kick you in the *** for buying such a product. BTDT.
Still, why waste money buying something with a canned tune? When you go buy a suit, do you want to get something close to what an average person of your age and race is or do you want to get something with measurements of you? Some have claimed that the Edge products are hard on the trans. IDK. Either way, it is "one size fits all". Any particular reason you would want that over a more customized tune? Sure you can buy it today but when you need more, and you probably will, you will kick yourself or be begging us to kick you in the *** for buying such a product. BTDT.
The Edge chips infact do NOT reprogram the trans to handle the extra power it gives, most Edge chips were made and tested for manual transmissions. My buddy has an 01 Powerstroke with 110,000 and he bought it was 65,000 and has gone through 2 trans in it. neither built, just brand new basic stock transmissions. Just trying to clarify hope this helps!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
And the above post right there says why shouldn't go with the SCT programmer. You'll hammer that transmission into submission. Especially with the 270k miles already on it. The F5 has custom shift parameters.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 7
From: La Mesa, Ca.
I have a Superchip 1705 programer in my late 99 E350 van. I also have a triple pod gauge set from Clay, in my opinion these are the absolute minimum for tuned truck. I also have a 4 inch exhaust system with no cat. I was surprised how fast the exhaust temp rises when towing. I am glad I have the gauge pod and probably would have caused damage when towing to and from Baja last year, not a good place to break down. The Super chip works under the right conditions. The big plus is that you have a code reader built for our trucks and can reprogram when the smog test in California come around.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
I have a Superchip 1705 programer in my late 99 E350 van. I also have a triple pod gauge set from Clay, in my opinion these are the absolute minimum for tuned truck. I also have a 4 inch exhaust system with no cat. I was surprised how fast the exhaust temp rises when towing. I am glad I have the gauge pod and probably would have caused damage when towing to and from Baja last year, not a good place to break down. The Super chip works under the right conditions. The big plus is that you have a code reader built for our trucks and can reprogram when the smog test in California come around.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 7
From: La Mesa, Ca.
When I tow in Mexico, You really can't drive for economy. I am using Fuel that has questionable quality. The main road is two lane, one in each direction for 800 miles to Santa Rosalia. Most of my real towing is done there, the ave MPG is 12. When I am home I get up 18MPG empty. You can see my rig in my Sig.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Nick your sig doesn't contain anything about your van. I was really just curious about your mileage unloaded. And I consider 18 pretty good, but I suppose it's probably a lot warmer year round where you are than I am. I can get 18 in the summer here. Maybe a tuner isn't really worth it just for mileage.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 7
From: La Mesa, Ca.
I live in the San Diego area, so the weather here is not nearly as severe as the rest on the world. I'm not sure, but the van might have less air drag than a pick up truck. I have the same motor as the F series truck. My van does not have the inter-cooler that the pick ups have. I have no numbers to back it up, but I think that driving with an eye on the boost gauge will tell you when you are in the power range verses economy range (less boost=less fuel/power). There are others that can share their experience with us.
Nick
Nick
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 2,919
From: Reed Point, MT
The Edge chips infact do NOT reprogram the trans to handle the extra power it gives, most Edge chips were made and tested for manual transmissions. My buddy has an 01 Powerstroke with 110,000 and he bought it was 65,000 and has gone through 2 trans in it. neither built, just brand new basic stock transmissions. Just trying to clarify hope this helps!
Edge DOES NOT and HAS NEVER built a "chip".
Edge builds flash programmers and inline fueling modules.
The flash programmers (EVOLUTION PROGRAMMERS) do, in fact, control transmission functions in much the very same way any current "custom" programming company does. It is true that they can sometimes shift a bit too firm. No question there, but it's more of a personal preference for feel than anything. These DO NOT damage transmissions any more so than any other "custom" tuning company out there.
The Juice MODULE does not control the transmission in any way on these trucks. There is a valid concern for transmission friction material when using these because more often than not, the transmission is being controlled for a lower-power situation than what is actually being produced by the engine. Without getting into the tuning specifics of what is going on, just know that the Juice DOES add power (and mileage in most cases) but is really much better for a manual transmission truck.
Just trying to clarify....
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: CO
i talked to Jody at DP and RiffRaff and they sell both SCT and DP tuners... They said the DP tuner is more affordable and allows more parameters to be adjusted resulting in a better tune (on the 7.3L with the older PCM technology)
For less money and for a better tune I went with the DP tuner and LOVE it. The tranny shifts better and the truck has more power all around. Guys that have had the SCT tuner and then switch to the DP tuner say the DP tuner is a more developed product that works better with the 7.3L.
For less money and for a better tune I went with the DP tuner and LOVE it. The tranny shifts better and the truck has more power all around. Guys that have had the SCT tuner and then switch to the DP tuner say the DP tuner is a more developed product that works better with the 7.3L.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Vacaville, CA
Here is my $.02... I have been running my truck on a Superchips Cortex programmer for about 6 years now. Went through 2 sets of injectors, and one trans... Not saying they are necessarily related, just saying what I have been through. I just recently switched to a DP tuner and the difference is staggering. The 60t setting has about double the power as the Cortex did in the performance mode 100hp gain. I have also noticed my mileage go up slightly, but I would attest that more to the new set of injectors instead of the failing set I had in there. Personally, I agree with the rest here, DP or any other custom tunes would be much better than a programmer and I would also recommend getting the gauges to monitor things.
Having said that, I have a nice, barely used Superchips Cortex programmer for sale if you would like it. ;-)
Having said that, I have a nice, barely used Superchips Cortex programmer for sale if you would like it. ;-)
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Hey skinsfan im the same way i have 35s on my truck and looking to squeeze a little more power out of my truck and more mpg. I dont want gauges either because i dont beat my truck. my buddy won a superchips mileage xs programmer in a contest and went from 11 to 22 mpg. i think im going to get me one of them
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: CO
Hey skinsfan im the same way i have 35s on my truck and looking to squeeze a little more power out of my truck and more mpg. I dont want gauges either because i dont beat my truck. my buddy won a superchips mileage xs programmer in a contest and went from 11 to 22 mpg. i think im going to get me one of them
When I got the DP tuner, I went from 13 mpg on the factory fuel econ gauge to 24 mpg... but when you hand calculate it I am getting around 15mpg.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: CO
Hey skinsfan im the same way i have 35s on my truck and looking to squeeze a little more power out of my truck and more mpg. I dont want gauges either because i dont beat my truck. my buddy won a superchips mileage xs programmer in a contest and went from 11 to 22 mpg. i think im going to get me one of them
Spend the $150 and get a Isspro Ev2 EGT gauge and you can know when to stop pushing it to prevent more costly manifold, block, or turbo damage.
And if you have the stock exhaust the EGTs will rise even faster, I have the MBRP 4" and still get high EGTs from time to time.
