First time diesel owner
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First time diesel owner
Need some help.I just bought my first diesel, 2008 F250 6.4L 4x4, I've been looking at power programmers/tuners. Don't have an arm and leg to spend so I have been looking in the $500 and below range. So far my best options I think is Hypertech MaxEnergy or EDGE Evolution Programmer. Any suggestions or input would be appreciated. Thanks. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
Need some help.I just bought my first diesel, 2008 F250 6.4L 4x4, I've been looking at power programmers/tuners. Don't have an arm and leg to spend so I have been looking in the $500 and below range. So far my best options I think is Hypertech MaxEnergy or EDGE Evolution Programmer. Any suggestions or input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Lead Foot User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Biggest mistake you will make is trying to find the cheapest tuner out there. If you want to tune it properly then save the money, do it right, and go with one of the top 3. This engine costs a lot to fix and trying to save money on the front end could cost you a fortune on the back end.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 253
From: NorCal
..if you can afford to tune your truck with more than 500.00.....how are you going to maintain it?? These are ome of the most expensve trucks on the road to maintain...
Tell us about your truck..yr, model, miles, mod's etc
Tell us about your truck..yr, model, miles, mod's etc
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
The truck requires more maintenance (or should I say) observation!! than others before it.
1. Draining the water separator monthly or more. Cost's nothing other than 5 minutes of your time, pour most of what you drain back in the tank, leave the water and little bit of dirt in the bottom of your container.
2. Open the hood weekly and give everything a once over, oil, antifreeze, ect., make sure everything stays the same.
3. Some good conditioner in the fuel.
4. Make sure the tuner you end up getting has gauges also so you can learn your trucks running parameters so you can see when something changes.
5. Enjoy!!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
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Need some help.I just bought my first diesel, 2008 F250 6.4L 4x4, I've been looking at power programmers/tuners. Don't have an arm and leg to spend so I have been looking in the $500 and below range. So far my best options I think is Hypertech MaxEnergy or EDGE Evolution Programmer. Any suggestions or input would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
I also ran an Edge "racing" evolution with DPF removed for about 30,000 miles. It worked flawlessly. It increased performance a lot and provided a good monitor for temps, water/oil/EGT. I sold it (too cheap probably) and now have an H&S mini. Not a lot of performance difference as I don't use the big tunes. What it does and why I changed is the mini will program the tranny. Edge has a reputation for being hard on trannys but as I used it on only level 1 I don't think that was a problem, at least I can't tell there was any problem. With the mini being in the $1500 and more price range now I think I would buy the Edge for $500. I can afford either but I try not to incourage craziness which is where the tuner market seems to be headed. I also used the Edge for one trip with DPF on. I don't think it did anything for performance but it did monitor the temps mentioned above. But, the best thing it did was alarm when the truck went in to "cleaning exhaust" and provided a notice when the cleaning was complete. Lot's of folks on here may not know this but the truck message center did that early on, but it was programmed out in 09 or so. Hope this helps.
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New User
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I tend to disagree with this comment, maybe not completely but it's not totally correct.
The truck requires more maintenance (or should I say) observation!! than others before it.
1. Draining the water separator monthly or more. Cost's nothing other than 5 minutes of your time, pour most of what you drain back in the tank, leave the water and little bit of dirt in the bottom of your container.
2. Open the hood weekly and give everything a once over, oil, antifreeze, ect., make sure everything stays the same.
3. Some good conditioner in the fuel.
4. Make sure the tuner you end up getting has gauges also so you can learn your trucks running parameters so you can see when something changes.
5. Enjoy!!
The truck requires more maintenance (or should I say) observation!! than others before it.
1. Draining the water separator monthly or more. Cost's nothing other than 5 minutes of your time, pour most of what you drain back in the tank, leave the water and little bit of dirt in the bottom of your container.
2. Open the hood weekly and give everything a once over, oil, antifreeze, ect., make sure everything stays the same.
3. Some good conditioner in the fuel.
4. Make sure the tuner you end up getting has gauges also so you can learn your trucks running parameters so you can see when something changes.
5. Enjoy!!
This is the first iI've heard of a water seperator. I've read alot about water if the fuel and I guess never realized how you can clean that out, thanks for the info.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2013
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I also ran an Edge "racing" evolution with DPF removed for about 30,000 miles. It worked flawlessly. It increased performance a lot and provided a good monitor for temps, water/oil/EGT. I sold it (too cheap probably) and now have an H&S mini. Not a lot of performance difference as I don't use the big tunes. What it does and why I changed is the mini will program the tranny. Edge has a reputation for being hard on trannys but as I used it on only level 1 I don't think that was a problem, at least I can't tell there was any problem. With the mini being in the $1500 and more price range now I think I would buy the Edge for $500. I can afford either but I try not to incourage craziness which is where the tuner market seems to be headed. I also used the Edge for one trip with DPF on. I don't think it did anything for performance but it did monitor the temps mentioned above. But, the best thing it did was alarm when the truck went in to "cleaning exhaust" and provided a notice when the cleaning was complete. Lot's of folks on here may not know this but the truck message center did that early on, but it was programmed out in 09 or so. Hope this helps.
Are you able to use the EDGE for bigger tires so the speedometer and miles are correct? Or is that what it cant do since you cant program the tranny?
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The maintenance I am expecting and know how much I will be spending and the time I will be spending doing that. Just for the mods I have a budget and if I can't find one in this price range for now then I'll just wait until the budget gets bigger.
So far only mod I'e done is a new set of 35x12.5 tires. Has a RanchHand Cattle guard that was on there when I bought it a month ago. Going to slowly do some things to it to get it how I want it so it's a work in progress, but then again the truck is always an unfinished project.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
Yes, the Edge RACING evolution will adjust for big tires. And if you are considering one make sure it is the racing model, the others will not let you remove the dpf. BTW, you cannot buy a new one from Edge. They quit making the racing models about 6 or 8 months ago. You will have to find a new one from some speed shop or a used from craigs or Ebay. I sold mine to a guy in PA. He just checked craigs all over the country until he saw mine. You may have to do the same.
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
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i just got my first deisel too,however mine came with a tuner installed from previous owner. I set the truck back to stock until i learn more about it the tuner is an livewire sctflash9625 i believe they are pre programmed for the 6.4
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
[QUOTE=flinty72;12905111]i just got my first deisel too,however mine came with a tuner installed from previous owner. I set the truck back to stock until i learn more about it the tuner is an livewire sctflash9625 i believe they are pre programmed for the 6.4[/Q
Don't know much about that tuner, is the DPF on the truck? When you say you set the TRUCK back to stock, do you mean the tuner back to stock setting? Setting the truck back to stock would mean reinstalling the DPF, if it was ever removed. Some tuners work with the DPF on the truck. Although some on here swear by the Banks (DPF on tuner) I don't think any tune with the DPF on provides what the truck needs for a long engine life.
Don't know much about that tuner, is the DPF on the truck? When you say you set the TRUCK back to stock, do you mean the tuner back to stock setting? Setting the truck back to stock would mean reinstalling the DPF, if it was ever removed. Some tuners work with the DPF on the truck. Although some on here swear by the Banks (DPF on tuner) I don't think any tune with the DPF on provides what the truck needs for a long engine life.
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
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the tuner has the stock setting it takes them before you flash thetruck is my understanding right now. like i said until i learn more about it i set the truck back to stock. i havent noticed to much difference yet except for its high idle time from cold. and i will look into the pdf and see what i can find out. i would assume thought that with the unit taking stock settings it would be able to return to these settings. only an assumption. like to know anything you find out though.