F5 chip vs. SCT programmer?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Virginia
F5 chip vs. SCT programmer?
Hey guys, after a little light reading, I'm interested in a few DP tunes for my 7.3 EX. Perhaps no start, stock, 60E, 80T. What I want to know is the real difference between a chip and a programmer. It seems to me like you can get the same tunes through both, but with the programmer you have a flashy controller to hold and a screen to look at. If this is the case it's not worth the $180 extra to me. I'm not trying to gain any performance here, just a little improvement in fuel mileage and maybe more towing power for the little bit of extra money.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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Chips give you the ability to shift on the fly and they are custom tunes to match your PCM code.
A programmer has canned tunes that are generic for engine types without regard to your specific PCM code. But they can read codes, if that's important to you.
And you probably want the 60T and 80E, not the 60E and 80T you mentioned before. The lower hp bump in the tow tune is needed to keep EGTs in check.
Do you have gauges?
A programmer has canned tunes that are generic for engine types without regard to your specific PCM code. But they can read codes, if that's important to you.
And you probably want the 60T and 80E, not the 60E and 80T you mentioned before. The lower hp bump in the tow tune is needed to keep EGTs in check.
Do you have gauges?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Virginia
I have no guages and I really don't want to invest in any. I can understand going with a lower hp tow tune for that reason. I only was thinking about the 80 because I never tow over 9,000lbs, but I would rather not worry about egts than have 20 hp. I was considering the 60E because it specified highway driving, which is 90-95% of my driving, and I figured it would give better mileage in that setting. Please correct/advise me on this.
For further clarification, the heaviest and majority of the towing I do is with a 20' car hauler towing a mud bog truck with 2 sets of extra tires. Usually around 5 or 6k, but I do tow bigger vehicles on rare occasions.
For further clarification, the heaviest and majority of the towing I do is with a 20' car hauler towing a mud bog truck with 2 sets of extra tires. Usually around 5 or 6k, but I do tow bigger vehicles on rare occasions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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Personally, I would not and did not add any performance chip/tuner until after I had gauges, its just not real smart. IF you decide to do so, then I would say that an SCT or other programmer would be safer than a chip. I have known plenty of people who get a Superchips or similar without gauges, but I would advise against it. Maybe you can look into one of the programmers that has the gauge function included (I think Edge does this).
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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I agree completely with this statement, if your sole purpose is to gain fuel economy I think you will be disappointed. What I like is the increase in power WITHOUT LOSS in economy - unless of course I am having a lot of fun!
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Elder User
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From: Virginia
Have any of you guys honestly installed your chip and been easy on your truck though? I'm not disagreeing with you I just want to verify these are honest, true efforts to maintain the same driving habits. I drive like there is an egg under my foot 100% of the time I drive this vehicle. If there are really no gains to be had with a chip I won't get one, but if I can pick up .5 mpg highway it is worth it when I'm driving 30,000 miles a year.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hartford, WI
Then don't mod. I would install a set of gauges even if I wasn't modding. Why? It makes diagnostics easier. If you go above stock to get more power, you need to see what it is doing. If you are too cheap to buy gauges, perhaps NOT modding is a better answer since you can risk damage.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hartford, WI
Have any of you guys honestly installed your chip and been easy on your truck though? I'm not disagreeing with you I just want to verify these are honest, true efforts to maintain the same driving habits. I drive like there is an egg under my foot 100% of the time I drive this vehicle. If there are really no gains to be had with a chip I won't get one, but if I can pick up .5 mpg highway it is worth it when I'm driving 30,000 miles a year.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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Have any of you guys honestly installed your chip and been easy on your truck though? I'm not disagreeing with you I just want to verify these are honest, true efforts to maintain the same driving habits. I drive like there is an egg under my foot 100% of the time I drive this vehicle. If there are really no gains to be had with a chip I won't get one, but if I can pick up .5 mpg highway it is worth it when I'm driving 30,000 miles a year.
Look, we're giving you our honest opinions based on our experience and from having been a member of this forum for 6 years and not being able to remember the last time I heard of anyone actually seeing a noticeable improvement in fuel efficiency after modding. If you think you can drive better than the rest of us, then best of luck to you.
I $%@& sure wouldn't tow anything with any kind of performance programmer or chip without gauges though!
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Virginia
Look, we're giving you our honest opinions based on our experience and from having been a member of this forum for 6 years and not being able to remember the last time I heard of anyone actually seeing a noticeable improvement in fuel efficiency after modding. If you think you can drive better than the rest of us, then best of luck to you.
I $%@& sure wouldn't tow anything with any kind of performance programmer or chip without gauges though!
I $%@& sure wouldn't tow anything with any kind of performance programmer or chip without gauges though!
KJNDiver says that his 80e tune and other mods combined give a pretty substantial change in his fuel economy. This was only a few days ago, but is now back on page 4 or so on this forum. I only don't want guages right now because I have limited funds I'm just trying to save money on fuel with a little investment. I'm not putting off yours or anyone else's opinion, or trying to be argumentative. It seems like the vote is 2 or 3 to 1 right now. Just trying to scrape up some opinions. My point wasn't that I drive better than anyone. I just know I typically never drive a vehicle the same after a modification, except for this one I plan to. I never feel the need to hot rod around my 8000lb. Excursion with 270,000 miles on the motor and tranny and stock brakes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Elkhorn, WI
If that's the case I would send in my pcm get the 60e for $100 and get guages. You would be at the same price as just a chip and you will have more power and be able to monitor it then when funds allow get the actual chip. Towing with a chip/programmer is not a good idea without being able to monitor it. You'd be surprised how hot egts get towing 9k on even a stock truck
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Virginia
If that's the case I would send in my pcm get the 60e for $100 and get guages. You would be at the same price as just a chip and you will have more power and be able to monitor it then when funds allow get the actual chip. Towing with a chip/programmer is not a good idea without being able to monitor it. You'd be surprised how hot egts get towing 9k on even a stock truck
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
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From: Hartford, WI
If send in my pcm though I won't be able to switch back to stock easily will I? Are there any cheap guage mounts? I guess an A-pillar mount or something similar. And what guages should I install? It seems like EGT is the most important. I suppose I will have to weld a bung somewhere in the exhaust for a sensor for this.
I would get EGT, Boost and Trans Temp if you have an auto. If not, drop the Trans Temp.
Here are some instructions to get you started. No welding necessary
http://shop.strictlydiesel.com/other...structions.pdf
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Virginia
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.