I was wondering what chip / programmer should I put on my 7.3 Ford with 280k on it?

Whats your thoughts I have owned them all super chips, hyper, diablo, edge all on different vehicles.

Thanks for the input.

 

The SCT itsx looks the way to go. You can control on your iphone.

 

If that's the way you are wanting to go then get it through a custom tuner like DP tuner, so you can have the same custom tuning.

SCT-iTSX-4015 7.3L - Programmers - Tuning - 1994.5 - 2003 Powerstroke 7.3L - Ford Powerstroke

If you decide on DP tuning, you might consider their shift on the fly chips though the f5 or f6 Chips - Tuning - 1994.5 - 2003 Powerstroke 7.3L - Ford Powerstroke

The 7.3 does well with shift on the fly tuning, either by TS style 6 position chips which can allow you to run various tuners to your liking, for instance Power Hungry Performance(PHP) offers a chip with 6 "custom" tunes for essentially stockish trucks for $295 Power Hungry Performance - Phoenix™ Chip

Whatever(whoever) you choose, just go custom as opposed to "canned" shelf tunes. I have had a superchips(canned) DP and Now Tyrant(which Cale is currently not tuning so he is out) and the differences in canned versus custom is very noticeable. Although with my superchips, at the time, it was pretty exciting as well.

 

I really like the tunes I have from BTS (Brian's Truck Shop) MUCH better than the previous chips I've had. The programmers you mentioned are all generic 'canned' tunes and aren't that great. There are other tuners besides Brian who write good tunes for TS-style (6 position) chips.

Find people who have tried different tuners and ask what they like. I will say with Brian's tunes, I am hard pressed to ever see EGT's in the danger zone and the only smoke I see is in high-HP settings when I snap the throttle - and that clears up as soon as the turbo lights.

Keep us posted!

 

Whats DP and TS mean. I know this excursion has 280k and I wanna buy something to wake it up and at the same time be able to tow my boat so maybe something custom would be the way to go.

 

TS Performance and DP-Tuner

I say TS style chip because even though you may use a TS chip, you wouldn't just use "canned' tunes, you would run tunes from a custom tuner.

The word custom is really only referring to tuning that has been applied to the engine being tuned specifically rather than just a broad range of variables. It's like buying a "fitted" shirt versus a general size shirt, then beyond that is to have that shirt tailored to your exact specs, that would be live tuning.

The advantage of using a "custom" tuned chip is that if/when you decide you want to run different injectors, or hpop, or turbos, you can have your tuning modified for them, rather than having to purchase another tuning device down the road. If you know for sure that you will never want to change or adjust tuning then by all means go with whatever you want(canned), it will be noticeable if your truck is running like it should be to begin with.

 

Another vote for the TS chip. TS Chips are a standard chip which can be bought from many tuners, who then put their own tunes on the chip, this gives you a good varity of choices and lets you easily switch from one tuner to another if you choose. DP Tuner has a proprietary chip, but it allows you to have many more tunes at your disposal, where as the TS chip is limited to 6.

I personally have run both DP and PHP (on a TS chip) and the differences are small but apparent. Both have their pluses and minuses, just make sure you research what you want before you make the purchase. For me, I prefer my current chip which is the chip from PHP. I have noticed lower exhaust gas temperatures while climbing grades empty compared to my DP tuner. The DP tuner did offer better shifting. The PHP will shift AMAZINGLY smooth at high power or WOT, but if I let up at the wrong moment it will clunk into gear. Also some times it will randomly hunt for a gear. These both started with the PHP chip but are so small and uncommon that it doesnt bother me too much.

 

So you guys buy a programer then you have a chip made to run onto of that.

Maybe I got into deep here. All the other vehicles I had before I ran what you guys say is a canned tune and Im new to everything after that. So maybe someone can break it down for me. Thanks

 

I like my DP, but it took a few tries to get the shifts just right. I'm getting ready for injectors, so I'll need tuning for that as well. I spent the extra for the F6 because I knew I would change things and I can't stand the thought of losing all that capability while I ship a chip and sit panting at the door - waiting for the UPS truck to arrive. My tunes are altered by request in email or a phone call, then the updated tune is emailed to me. I use my netbook to hook up to the chip and download the new tune. The whole process can go as quick as a few hours if I call the right time of the day and Jody (the programmer) isn't too busy that day.

The F5 is $200 cheaper, but you have to pull it and ship it to change it. [LINK to F5 Chip]

Everything in my signature is a link, look around. Before chipping, you first need to make sure your engine is 100%: No pre-turbo exhaust leaks and no boost leaks, as well as all sensors working properly. You need minimum gauges (pyrometer, transmission temp, boost) - this is not optional unless you want to risk damaging your engine. Opening up the intake air and exhaust air will be a big help (tuner or not), but I managed with a tuner and stock exhaust for a while.

 

Im a cross over from dp also I can't comment on head to head diffrances because I will be running the chips on diffrent platforms
I do know that one reason,i went with matt from gearhead is because I'm indecisive and he gives you free reburns for life and at only $475 thats a good deal

Anyone they tells you that u need more than 6 tunes has tunes that I would not run in my truck
With todays tuning capabilities there is no reason for anything more...most people could do everything they needed with one tune

 

Well put. I'll also reiterate that while I do not specifically recommend not using gauges - I have yet to see EGT's that require me to let off the accelerator with these tunes. My old toons required one eye on the pyro all the time... (not to mention they could not maintain ICP (high pressure oil pressure - the 'energy' that makes the injectors work), the engine is MUCH quieter now, I made more power than many of the 'live-tooned' trucks on the dyno, get better MPG's and the list goes on... I will say there is something to be said for how the 'transmission guy' (BTS) tunes the transmission.

Also, I ran BTS tunes in my stock Excursion with stock exhaust and an AIS intake (Ford's 'extreme duty' system - the stock airbox is just prone to letting dirt get past it, the filter itself is plenty adequate for stock injectors and turbo). EGT's were never a problem, even towing my 12k lb Toy Hauler in the mountains - driving like I stole it because I don't pay for fuel. Honestly, I miss the stealthy and QUIET stock exhaust. GOOD tunes are everything.

Gearhead is a another tuner I've experienced in other trucks and his tunes were good as well.

 

I was witness to jasons ex climb some decent hills while towing a 37 foot tow hauler and my engine in the back seat... that thing would not get in the red egt range no matter how hard he drove

I really hope greg sticks his nose in here and replys with his thoughts on his new tunes...for a stock truck that thing is a beast

 

Dang, I'm almost an hour late here. I love my new tunes, not bashing my old one, I just like my new ones better. I also agree that I could probably do with 4 main tunes.

1) heavy tow
2) high idle (I have a power inverter)
3) Daily Driver (I don't like this name, but it equates to the tune I use all day every day without any heavy towing. Matt doesn't assign specific HP numbers to his tune, but it has at least as much power as Jodi's 80E that I used to run in)
4) Race

The fact that I can get free reburns from Matt really pushed me over the top.

 

As you can see, a lot of opinions! I recently had the chip in my 02 reburned with tunes from Swamps. The old tunes were also from them, but the new ones are much better. Power, the shift pattern, and,,,,,,,,LESS SMOKE!!! In fact very little smoke! I have all the supporting mods, but still running factory sticks and turbo. Hope to change those last 2 in the future!