I looking for help in buying a performance programmer in hopes of increasing mpg and towing power. I have heard and read some about Bully Dog and SCT programmers and wondering if there are others and which is best for my truck. I haven't been able to fine to many reviews on either and with the cost of these units and I like others hate to waists money on something that doesn't work.
I have a 1999 F250 7.3 used to tow a fith wheel camper (12,000lb) and getting about 11.6 mpg at this time. I apprecaite any help and thank all
who reply for your time.

 

Moved to the 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel forum.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Thanks John.

Before thinking about adding more power to the truck, you need to do some supporting mods like gauges, exhaust, intake. There are better chips then the off the shelf tuners you are talking about. Most of us run custom tunes. Mine are from the Sponsor of this forum. DP-TUNER.
Don't expect much in getting more MPG with any tuners/chips. Pulling that much weight and getting 11.9 MPG is pretty good to me.
More will chime in and get you on your way to improved performance.

 

I agree with Rick. Supporting mods before tuning.

At the very least get an EGT gauge first. Increased EGTs after tuning pose a danger to your engine.

 

Turbo boost, transmission temperature, and exhaust gas temperature gauges, 6637 intake, upgrade to a 4" turbo back exhaust, and get yourself a dp tuner with a few tunes and you've got yourself one hell of a machine. They can all be ordered from clay at riffraffdiesel.com for a great price and great customer service.

 

Another vote for supporting mods like Rick said then get your self a custom tuned Dp tuner. Had mine for years and love the tuning.
Riffraff Diesel: DP Tuner F5 Chip Module

 

i agree with all these guys on the mods first its a smart idea, gauge kit from clay at riffraff i found a mbrp 4in turbo back straight exaust (full kit) on amazon for $300.... im just savin my pennis so i have have me one heck oh a machine beleve me ur gonna love it :-)

 

What part number is the one on amazon?

 

i have no idea clay my friend found it for me but wen i see him at work today i will ask him and get back to you ASAP!!! ur a good guy so il be a good guy back :-)

 

That's ok, I just want to check because alot of times those type of "dealers" aren't authorized so you don't get a warranty from MBRP. Also, we have two 7.3L MBRP exhaust under $300 shipped is why I asked. Maybe save you even more.

 

11.6 mpg is pretty darn good. In my opinion, the stock tune is quite adequate for the weight you are towing. A 12k load is exactly what these engines like so you shouldn't be lacking in the power department...

It's pretty hard to hurt these engines in stock form so you can keep doing what you've been doing and save your money.

You didn't list any mods in your signature so I am assuming a 100% stock truck with an automatic transmission. If so, then I would highly recommend a supplemental cooler for your transmission. The factory set up is good for 20k gross, but just barely. Adding a trans cooler is money well spent in my opinion. A stock truck with a trans cooler and some sensible driving is all that you really need for a 12000 lb load.

If you do want to make some modifications or improvements then a set of gauges is a great start. Trans temp, fuel pressure, EGT and Boost are the 4 core gauges to have while towing. You can get everything you need from Riffraff and also get the best value for your buck.
Riffraff Diesel Performance Parts | Diesel Parts Supply | Powerstroke Parts | Ford Diesel Parts | Diesel Truck Parts

If you still feel the need for a tuner then you should not expect better mpg. Power yes...but fuel mileage will be reduced while towing. At least that has been my experience so far. Looks like I get about .3 or .4 mpg gain with my Bully Dog programmer compared to stock but only while unloaded. Please note the decimal place.....NOT 3 or 4 mpg but 0.3-0.4 mpg. Seemed like the mpg gain was slightly higher before ULSD fuel came out but that data is irrelevant with the new fuel that we are using.

My experience using tuners while towing is limited to the "off the shelf" type programmers. I have used Bully Dog and Superchips and they both seem to be about the same on an otherwise unmodified truck (stock intake and exhaust). In the mild tow setting, they both provide a little bit more power at cruising speeds so the transmission is less likely to shift back and forth between 3rd and OD while towing over hilly terrain. I have done quite a bit of towing and compared the stock tune to the Bully Dog and I have noticed that my trans temps are a bit higher in stock tune because of the shifting back and forth between gears. If I use the OD button to limit the shifting, then the temps are not an issue. (keep in mind that I am using a supplemental transmission cooler though...)

Conversely, with the Bully Dog tow tune, I can leave the transmission in OD longer without the need to downshift very often. However, this can also have the side effect of raising the EGTs because the engine is lugging up mild grades. Under these conditions, the EGTs will be right in the 1250 range, which is at the upper limit of what International says is safe for these engines. Turning off OD usually drops the EGTs by 200-300 degrees until I get the top of the hill where I can then go back to OD and continue as normal.

Like the others have previously mentioned...I don't think I'd attempt to tow with custom tunes unless you have a set of gauges and supporting mods such as bigger exhaust and intake. From what I understand, the power gains can be substantial but I am not sure what to expect for mileage. I seriously doubt you would see anything near the 11.6 that you are getting now. However, I can't say for sure because I have never used custom tunes for towing ever.

Hope this info helps with your decision.

 

That's a perfect example of why this is an awesome site, awesome knowledge and individual experiences brought to one place. I totally agree with the post above, as far as using the superchips tuner for towing, a little bit more power, firmer shifts, and transmission didn't hunt between 3rd and overdrive much. With a 10000 pound camper going through the adirondacks in heavy tow I was averaging 11.5 with a near about speed of 55-60 depend on grades. But one thing I can promise you is with any tuner you add, your temperatures will climb drastically as compared to stock and you really should get gauges first. my temps pulling those kinds of loads without a supplemental cooler got quite warm sometimes.

 

Ive got a crazy idea that Ive never seen done before here... How about we make sure his truck is in top noch shape for getting mileage before we spend all his money. Don you didnt specify if you get 11.6 mpg while towing or not, I asume thats what you ment but... I wanna be sure. Are you getting that mileage with mixed towing and empty or always towing? The first thing to check when it comes to improving mileage are the FREE things (I said it FREE) like tire pressure, air filter, EBPV tube, ect...

 

i like PHP tuner. but you need to see what the motor is doing before putting more power in it. and bully dog is junk.