exfed,
I agree with these guys posting about the need for gauges. The basic info displayed on the factory units isn't even reliable. Temp, for example isn't the variable gauge you think you are looking at. Instead of measuring a range of temps, it's sending unit is a three step switch that senses cold, normal, and too hot. Ford even went to the trouble of designing the circuit so the needle will "creep" between those positions instead of "snapping" to the next step. Oil pressure is similar, it will read center scale with only 7psi of pressure. Trans temp comes up to normal on my truck before i get to the end of the block. Tach, speedo, and boost
Seem ok. You may not be interested in wrenching or your truck, but having a digital monitor/gauges on your truck is more important than tunes. Knowing the coolant, oil, and trans temp -to the degree- will alert you to problems when the start instead of sitting on the side of the road. Also, you don't have to monitor things like IPR/ICP/IAT or FICM voltage, but if you find yourself in a jam you will be able to intelligently answer questions on the phone or online even if you don't know what the answers mean.
There are a few options on these devices but the least expensive is the ScanGauge II, it can be used with most tuners I believe. Also some of the tuners offer monitor functions.

 

heads up for you guys considering getting tuned...be careful if you do

I ended up power sliding the truck earlier. I'm still getting the hang of driving with a turbo. basically forgot that my truck is "more sensitive" to punching the throttle....yeah, kinda drifted sideways across 2 lanes of traffic

Loving it, but scared of it. I did something similar after putting the RoushCharger on my old F-150. Forgot it was installed and pegged the throttle. I won't be doing that again anytime soon. It's really disconcerting to slide in a 7,000+ lbs 4 door truck



on a side note, all my gauges arrived today, but I have to work a 24 hour shift tomorrow I should have it all installed Sunday though. really want to see my EGT's when I'm getting into it. Will probably install the 3.5" MBRP down-pipe as well

 

You should put the pyrometer in before you do the down pipe.

 

I'm drilling and tapping the drivers exhaust manifold. I'm worried about pre-turbo values. don't care about what the exhaust temp is after it exits the turbo. down-pipe is to remove some of the restriction so the turbo might possibly spool faster

 

For what it's worth, I'm running the SRL tune. I have an MBRP 4 inch exhaust with 3.5 down pipe and cat delete. I'm running the MBRP muffler. If I keep my foot in it beyond 70 mph, I'll easily hit 1600 degrees and it happens pretty fast. I luv the tune and how it shifts. Just got to really manage the go pedal.

 

I mean you should install the pyrometer, check your EGTs and then install your down pipe.

 

gotcha...probably will happen that way anyways. I'm lazy and the downpipe looks like a PITA to install. it'll happen eventually. just a question of when I feel like getting p'd off

 

Haha, sounds like what I would do. I am curious what the EGTs look like with the stock exhaust and the SRL tune.

 

You can remove the tune & go back to stock, as gigger said but your happy face will go away, as well as mileage! Be careful with egt temps above 1300 for more than a dozen seconds

 

Curt, you hit the nail on the head with that remark..........no happy face

 

well got my custom tunes from innovative today. got the extreme street, extreme street with smoke, and the tow tune with the brake option. wow were u guys right on the power!
turned my truck into a rocket ship. tried out the tow tune and it seems to have the same power as my diablosport predator on extreme! the brake option works as advertised, even though the truck was empty you could tell it was slowing the truck down. cant wait to hook up to my trailer tomorrow

 

Sounds great man, you will never stop smiling now

 

With a stock truck & the SRL tune from Matt what king of MPG increase are you guys seeing roughly?

 

that's funny

no gain in MPG. I might gain some if I were to drive it easy...but then again I picked up a 7,000+ lbs truck. Anything over 12 mpg and I'm happy. Currently getting 11 mpg because the wife and kids have been riding along with me lately so A/C has been on and it's idled a bit...100% city driving

 

The only thing funny here is the big grin on your face Tylus