I wanna know to, I MIGHT get one, but NOT until after I rebuild the tranny. I also dont like the idea of plugging in and changing the tunes each time, I'm already used to my DP Tuner that I can change on the fly. I'm looking more for Economy then HP.

 

Economy Tune? You need to tune your foot for that... HowStuffWorks "How to Improve Your Fuel Economy" Fuel Efficient Driving - Eartheasy.com Solutions for Sustainable Living


Performance info: Got a V10 Ford F250/350/450/550? Fuel control, timing, torque schedules, etc.

 

My foot is light, and I also use cruise alot on highway.

 

Many believe that the CC is a bad thing, especially if you drive in hill country. I use my CC a lot also, especially since my foot tends to be heavy I have to read through the fuel economy sites every once in a while to remind myself of how to drive responsibly.

 

Especially with the Excursion, bout had a heart attack after first MPG reading of 11.8, we dumped a Windstar Van that on a bad tank got at least 18, it's gonna be rough.

 

I went with the SCT X3 and tunes from Mike at 5-Star for TOWING enhancement only...and it does just that...enhances the towing...

Mike does it by altering the shift points...mostly delaying the shifts to allow for the motor to REMAIN in the powerband AFTER the shift...

He also has worked with a parameter that when you are at like 50% of WOT...I can't remember all the details...but Ford did something that you needed to be at ~50% of WOT for like 60 seconds before it goes into something called (I think) Fuel Enrichment Mode...where it altered the fuel/air ratio to give you more power. What Mike does when in TOWING MODE...is allows the engine to go into Fuel Enrichment Mode SOONER and not drop out so quick afterwards...does it use a little more fuel...sure...does it help me motivate 17,000#'s of combined weight up a steep incline...YES!

He also delays when the trans shifts into OD...that is variable...He had it set on mine initially to 60mph...meaning the trans would not shift to OD until I hit 60...well...I tow on some back country flat roads...so I had him alter that to 50 for me...delaying when you shift into OD is smart so it doesn't "hunt" in and out of OD...he figures once you hit 60...you are on a highway...

So what Mike does in the towing arena with his tunes...DO WORK!

I have a performance tune for 87 octane...but to be honest...I have never even loaded it.

Someone also said they wouldn't like having to plug in all the time to change tunes...I don't change my tunes very often and I actually have my digital Aeroforce gauge plugged into my OBDII port...so for me...when I want to change my tunes...It is a quick plug, program, unplug...I don't think it is a big deal...

But for anyone that doesn't want to unplug the programmer...you should go with the Livewire!

Joe.

 

Cool, thanks. I also noticed with my DP Tuner on my Diesel, it does shift up and down like it's confused, I never really got an answer as to why or the fix.

 

Then you're doing it already, keep it tuned up also.

 

CC is a very good invention but not too advantageous in the hills. Every time you step on the gas a little bit the engine has to add extra gas to compensate and that adds up. You can't duplicate the steady application of the CC even if you tried.

 

When I'm towing our 9000# TT...I will NOT use CC because it is pretty much a digital switch...when you hit even the slightest hill...it wants to downshift...

I can "feather" the throttle and climb the hill and maybe shed 1-2mph on small hills and even 5-10mph on big hills withOUT a downshift...the CC only has one goal...maintain the set speed...and it pretty much will use whatever gear it needs!

 

Its really not that bad just plugging the SCT in and uploading a new tune, 2 minutes at most. and it also really woke my 5.4 up, although i get better mpg on 87 performance than 87 economy

 

But it is still good for not towing on semi flat terrain.

 

I assume this means

CC is still good for non-towing driving on semi flat terrain?

If so...I 100% agree!...I use CC whenever I'm not towing whenever I can because I know I'm not faster than the puter in controlling fuel needed!

 

Yes, not towing/non-towing. You can't compete with the computer.