I was unable to locate info about programmers on the forum so forgive me if I am asking "another question on programmers" when it is right under my nose.

I have a '06 F-250 6.0L with 108k miles on it that I use to pull a 13,500 lb 5th wheel trailer.

Recently, as I was starting to see problems, I had the following items installed so I would have a more dependable tow vehicle; head studs, head gasket, STC/HPOP Gasket kit, Bullet Proof EGR, Bullet Proof oil cooler, FICM rebuild and turbo inspection amount other minor things.

I am not sure if it is advised or if my truck is ready to add a programming chip but I would like to see better performance while towing, i.e, better fuel economy without loss of performance.

I have talked to others who are pulling 5th wheels and they are using programmers with "Tow", "Fuel" and "Performance" options with great results.

I don't want to do anything that will damage my truck or cause problems further down the road.

Is a programmer the next move?

What programmers are recommended?

I am not looking for something expensive or super sophisticated or for super power performance wise.

What has been suggested to me is, Banks, Superchip, and Hypertech.

What particular brand and model of programmer would you suggest, if any?

Any advise?

Thanks,
ChrisO

 

The best programmer that works with these trucks is SCT from what everyone says. The three listed above are not as friendly to your transmission. As long as you don't go stupid crazy, a mild tune will be just fine now that you have studs and gaskets. (Hopefully you put OEM gaskets on)

 

I just got a SCT Livewire TS for my truck. So far, I love it. I can monitor all of the important pids and it will hold up to 10 tunes.

 

This is the one I have and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.
Gearhead Automotive Performance SCT Xcal 3

Matt at Gearhead Automotive Performance
Does a very good job with costumer service hands down.

Sean

 

Tuners are performance enhancers first and foremost. I wouldn't go looking for mpg gains as a big motivator.

Even if you do see gains, you have to be spending a lot of time on the road in order to have those gains translate into paying for the cost of the tuner and the tunes (if you go custom, which is what I would recommend) and then after you've paid off your tuner and tunes you can start thinking about diesel fuel savings.

Bare in mind only the tankfuls that net an improvement of MPG go into all this.

Be careful with this. I've heard quite a few "fish" stories as far as this goes.

That is going to always be a possibility. Programmers will add more stress (more fuel, more heat, more stress on parts) and over time, it is possible that there could be issues. How long that it takes can vary.

Just about anything that can handle custom tunes. Stay away from your shift on the fly modules etc. They may seem like a great idea, but after you get beyond the novelty of it all, they can also lead to more trouble. Shift on the fly is typically mutually exclusive of properly tuning the vehicle.

Famous last words. I wonder how many others started out the very same way.

With suggestions like those, I really have to wonder about those stories of "great" results.

Does it have two ports for external probes? If not, the OP will have to add either Fuel PSI or Pyro gauge separately.

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As far as I know, it only has one. I plan on adding an exhaust temp probe, but I don't feel I need it. I have a 4" straight exhaust and sense enough to not run a hot tune while towing at or over the truck's capacity, or hammer on the skinny pedal while towing heavy.

 

Fuel pressure is my #1 recommended gauge. PERIOD.

I prefer analog for both of these, but for EGT's in particular.

 

I second that.


big inch, if you are running tunes, I would highly suggest that you have an EGT gauge in there pre-turbo. It is very easy to get it too hot, even when you wouldn't think it would.

Trust me, I can peg out a 1600 pryo in 4 seconds, but then I have more then just tunes.

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The Livewire TS can plug in and monitor upto 7 external analog inputs.


OP, your best bet on a tuner for the 6.0, will be a SCT device with custom tunes. Don't forget about monitoring the 6.0, either a tuner/monitor combo like the Livewire TS or a seperate tuner like X3 or SF3 combined with a monitor like Scangauge, Edge Insight CS/CTS, DashBoss, Torque.

For custom tow tunes, you may have to have the tune writer adjust the tune to your liking. Even then, you may have to try several different tune writers until you find one to your liking. I've got about 10 different custom tow tunes from various tune writers for towing my 5er. For my driving style and PCM strategy, I prefer Vivian's Tow/Agg tune.

 

Dude you only live once! SCT all the way with custom files from Eric @ Inmovative in Maryland or Matt from Gearhead and last but not least Jody Tipton from DP Tuner in Ga. Yes you are ready for a tuner. I would install mechanical gauges for pyro, boost, trans temp, and if you just feel better with it, a fuel pressure gauge. I've towed heavy all over the country with a 6.0, zero issues. Tow whatever you want and watch the pyrometer until you get used to how your truck reacts. Go into detail when talking to the guy that is writing your tunes and tell them your modifications, and what you intend to do with the truck. Post back after you get tuned and tell us how nice it is. Stay away from Banks, Hypertech, and Superchip. SCT is hands down the best for a 6.0.

 

SCT without a doubt.

Definitely make sure you have a low pressure fuel and pyrometer. At least if you find that you're losing fuel pressure you can get out of the pedal before you destroy the injectors and with a pyrometer you can do the same before you start melting things. I run an analog pyrometer and fuel pressure gauge as well. Makes it very easy to track when the gauges are moving, same with boost pressure.

 

Good to see a consensus on what brand of tuner/programmers to go with . . . SCT.
Bear in mind I am not very sharp on this kind of stuff and I know enough to get myself into trouble, so simple is good.
I did go with factory gaskets and I do have a DashBoss to monitor my systems.
I don't, however, have a EGT probe to monitor my EGT and I have not been monitoring my fuel pressure a closely as I should. I will make that a bigger priority.
I will look at my options to monitor my EGT.
It also sounds like the SCT Xcal 3 or the SCT Livewire TS are the best options?
I will check into these units and see what the programmers might recommend for my situation.
Any idea what to expect to pay for a custom program?

Thanks, everyone, for the help!
CO

 

Oops, double post.

 

From the link I put up
Gearhead Automotive Performance SCT Xcal 3
SCT Xcal 3: $425 Plus Shipping
An Xcal 3 purchase gets you a $50 discount on custom files!

Sean

 

I really like my Edge Evolution. I run it full time on level 3 which is 80hp tow tune. It has 4 level tuner and reads codes. I watch EGR, Oil temp, Coolant temp and boost. When I get the time and money I want to get it upgraded to a Gryphon at Power Hungry Performance as well as have them do a FICM tune.