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stock vs chip?

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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 05:35 PM
  #1  
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stock vs chip?

I've been curious as to what really are the benefits of "chipping" or "programming" your truck? It seems that more people that do modify their trucks in that fashion are prone to more problems? At least that's what I see on here. (or maybe they just post them, and the ones without don't?) I know when I was looking for my 7.3, I asked several different diesel mechanics about running stock vs chips and they all said they would buy a stock set up vs chipped or programmed truck. Reason being they said is "you don't know if it's been done right, and it could cause other problems" So back to my question: What are the benefits? Or is stock suffient enough? And yes, I do realize it's personal preferrence.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by smithrock
I've been curious as to what really are the benefits of "chipping" or "programming" your truck? It seems that more people that do modify their trucks in that fashion are prone to more problems? At least that's what I see on here. (or mahuybe they just post them, and the ones without don't?) I know when I was looking for my 7.3, I asked several different diesel mechanics about running stock vs chips and they all said they would buy a stock set up vs chipped or programmed truck. Reason being they said is "you don't know if it's been done right, and it could cause other problems" So back to my question: What are the benefits? Or is stock suffient enough? And yes, I do realize it's personal preferrence.
If u are happy w it like it is then leave it. If you pull trailers it pulls a lot easier w a stock chip. I would not say people w a stock hip have more problems. People with a heavy foot, amd no maintenance have more problems.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JT250
If u are happy w it like it is then leave it. If you pull trailers it pulls a lot easier w a stock chip. I would not say people w a stock hip have more problems. People with a heavy foot, amd no maintenance have more problems.
W a chip not stock chip
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 06:04 PM
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A chip/tuner gives the engine more power, and it makes the automatic transmission shift better.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 06:10 PM
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I pondered this same question for years.. Read about all the raised beers over chips. Last year i pulled the plug and got one.. And on my first test run i got back and Raised my Beer !.. HOLY COW.

Better all around. Better everything. Power, Shift points. Total different animal.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 07:26 PM
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Yes to the usual, more power, better shifting. For me, a de-cel feature DP offers, will help with long steep downhills (towing a 5th wheel). Also the hi-idle is pretty cool.
I didn't think I would use it as much, but the 80e is a lot of fun. I don't have to jump on it hard, just simple passing is easier.
But, I agree that I would rather buy a stock truck, but that is so I could do it myself.
However, my chip is easy enough to remove.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:08 PM
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-dp-tuner.html

Here is a used DP Tuner from the classifieds at a pretty good price. It says sale pending, but that is several days old. I bought my DP Tuner from the classified section and paid about half of what a new one would be. Mine is getting reburned right now for my truck.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by emery72
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-dp-tuner.html

Here is a used DP Tuner from the classifieds at a pretty good price. It says sale pending, but that is several days old. I bought my DP Tuner from the classified section and paid about half of what a new one would be. Mine is getting reburned right now for my truck.
So is that THE chip I would want for my truck? Is DP the way to go?
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:28 PM
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How long have you had your truck? Are you happy with it?

The benefits to putting a chip on your truck is to make it go faster and become quicker. Like the mechanics alluded to, it's much safer and more reliable if you do the mods right and pay attention to the limits.

Like you said, it's all a matter of personal preference. I will say the auto's seem to be underpowered from the factory, but if that's all you've ever known and you're happy with it, then you're fine. If you find yourself constantly mashing the skinny pedal harder than you should because you don't feel like you're accelerating fast enough, then a chip might even give you better fuel economy since you won't have to mash on the pedal as hard to get moving.

Of course if you start mashing on the go pedal hard because you discover how fun it is for the truck to get up and go, then you'll end up with worse fuel economy.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:37 PM
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It's an '02 F250 I've had it for a year. It's not a daily driver, mostly only on weekends. I use it for leisure and towing my 15k lbs 5th wheel I would like more power when towing though, especially pulling a grade I currently have no mods other than the 6.0 tranny cooler. I am looking to put in the 6637 kit and a 4" exhaust.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:44 PM
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When I bought my truck a year and a half ago it came with an Edge Evolution programmer. It was on a 60hp program and I was pretty happy with it. I took it off a couple of weeks ago and sold it to help pay for a DP Tuner. I just sent the DP off yesterday to get it reburned so I can't compare the two yet, but I can say that running stock really sucks. My truck has lost most of its get up and go since returning to stock. I can't wait to put the chip in and try it. One big difference between a chip and a programmer is you can change programs on the fly with a chip. With a programmer you have to hook up the programmer and it takes several minutes to change programs. It is a real inconviance to change.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:48 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by smithrock
It's an '02 F250 I've had it for a year. It's not a daily driver, mostly only on weekends. I use it for leisure and towing my 15k lbs 5th wheel I would like more power when towing though, especially pulling a grade I currently have no mods other than the 6.0 tranny cooler. I am looking to put in the 6637 kit and a 4" exhaust.

Just to give you a heads up. If you're towing that heavy and you upgrade the intake you will most likely run into turbo flutter/surge. I had that problem and I'm In the middle of putting on an ATS ported turbo housing to cure it. Don't want to discourage you, just want you to be aware.
 

Last edited by emery72; Mar 29, 2012 at 08:51 PM. Reason: Typo
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by emery72
Just to give you a heads up. If you're towing that heavy and you upgrade the intake you will most likely run into turbo flutter/surge. I had that problem and in the middle of putting on an ATS ported turbo housing to cure it.
Appreciate the heads up! Wouldn't the chip fix that though, depending on what you have it set at? Sorry if that was a stupid question! . Tryin to educate myself here and there!
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:54 PM
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I had surge with a stock tuned truck, some do , some don't.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:57 PM
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The chip or programmer doesn't have an effect on surge/flutter. It has to do with the airflow entering the turbo.
 
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