Riffraff Diesel: Innovative Diesel Performance FICM Programmer

Has anyone used this FICM programmer yet? I'm looking for some inputs on it... Worth it or not? Easy to use? Easy to F**K up the FICM?

 

I think most have used the program from Ed at ficm repair. FICM Repair.com - Your Source for FICM Repair with good results

 

I've always thought about doing that. But I rely on my truck every day and cant have it down for a day..

 

Ed sells the Power Hungry flashes last I heard. When I got mine straight from PHP they mailed me a programmer and I mailed it back when I was done, just paid for the tune. I had to wait a bit, but the truck was never down.

I have an SCT, so I didn't need a second FICM tuner, I just picked the Atlas 40 and went with it. That's the kicker I think, cost for a second tuner for a power-adder that you don't commonly mess with. Get one FICM tune to add to your baseline, then use PCM and trans tuning through an SCT for the increased availability of options.

 

Ed also does an exchange program... Call him up and he'll ask what you have and what you want and have it shipped out next day or two.

Josh

 

I assume the FICM programmer is locked to one vehicle? Followed all the links and it didn't really say.

 

I know that I am the exception and not the rule, but for whatever reason I didn't have any luck with my repaired FICM from Ed. I'm inclined to believe that my situation has nothing to do with Ed or his service, it's just the way things played out for me.

He was very standup on the phone and he repaired my FICM multiple times, but I never was able to get the truck running with his repaired units. In order to get Monster back on the road, I ended up having to buy a new OEM FICM unit from Ford to get up and running.

Needless to say I've now got the crap Ford FICM tune, but I'm not too inclined to have more downtime sending my new Ford FICM to Ed for a tune.

Now, BTTT...has anyone used the Innovative Diesel Performance FICM Programmer yet? A review would be good. I'd like to know more about the tuner and what it can and cannot do.

I've read some about the Gryphon FICM programmer. Good reviews and 4 different programs, BUT it is $400 while the IDP unit is "only" $299.

Power Hungry Performance - FICM Reprogramming

https://www.mkmcustoms.com/idp1859id...erstrokes.aspx

If anyone has a head to head comparison on the two units or can point me to one, it would be GREATLY appreciated.

I'd really like to know what's up with the IDP programmer since I just sold my Chevy Colorado and I'm getting ready to use the proceeds to order some parts for The Monster and the IDP FICM Programmer might just be one of the items on my list.

 

I'm in this situation too as my '05 Excursion has the latest FICM limiting tune. I've spent some time reading and here are my thoughts...

Between PHP and IDP FICM tunes, I feel (this is just how I feel) PHP makes a better, more flexible product. All of their FICM tunes include inductive heating and you can choose the power level you want based on what you're looking for and how your truck is configured: Economy, Atlas 40, Atlas 80, Hercules.

I plan on getting the Economy tune as I just need my FICM freed from Ford's limiting FICM tuning while increasing performance and maintaining inductive heating. I also need my truck to have the flexibility to tow heavy if need be.

 

My problem is NEITHER company actually tells you what parameters they are capable of changing. I hate the idea of laying out $$$$ without more data.

 

I would chock that up to it being a trade secret.

Either way, people have been running PHP and Innovative FICM tunes without any adverse effects stock or modified for years. Bill or Eric wouldn't release something to the general public without performing some serious real world testing first.

 

Splash -

I don't obviously know who you are from your username, but we can't have you giving us money when clearly the result wasn't there. Drop me a PM with your contact info as I want to refund you if the result of our service didn't -for whatever reason - help you.

We could have provided you a 'new from Ford' FICM as well, but that is water under the bridge at this point. I'd like to think that I didn't know that you were being pressed into the choice of going to Ford, but there is a whole lot going on and it is certainly possible that something fell through the cracks. If so, I apologize. Of course, it's also quite possible that Ford ended up doing more to your truck than simply replacing the FICM to get you going again without telling you...

Given the what-sure-sounds-like hell that you've been through, we could also just send you out a 'new from Ford' FICM with a tune already on it and just swap out the Ford unit you now have to avoid the down time for you.

Options, options, options.

Drop me a PM or email and we'll sort it out.

 

Ed, I will drop you a PM...

I do want to confirm for anyone that is reading this forum thread...

Ed is a VERY stand-up gentleman and my individual experience should in NOWAY be a reflection on Ed or his business. It is more a reflection on the FICM and the FICM design from International.

If I had it to do over again I would still have sent my FICM to him for repair. My ONLY regret is thatI let the Ford dealer keep the FICM core that Ed had placed his extended repair warrantee sticker on. That was a mistake, I wish I still had his FICM as a backup unit and that I could have sent it back to him one more time for diagnosis. Unfortunately, at that time I needed the money from the core charge to get the truck back on the road.

 

Yes I know and I agree with you, but I guess what I'm after is a simple comparison kind of like this:

PHP Package:
$400
Gryphon FICM Programmer
4 tunes - economy, Atlas 40, Atlas 80, and Hercules

Innovative Diesel Package:
$299
Innovative Diesel Programmer
?????????

LOL...what comes with the Innovative programmer? What should I expect the FICM to do with their programmer? For what ever reason I can't find anything more than their 4 paragraphs about their programmer, which doesn't really provide the meat and potatoes that PHP does.

 

Hey Splash - Thanks very much for this. I suppose we'll never know if the issue was indeed the FICM or if Ford did something else while they were in there. I'm just glad to know that you're taken care of.

 

IDP FICM tunes:

Inductive Heating- Good for 10-15 rwhp
Performance-25-30 rwhp, but no inductive heating (kinda wondering why they didn't include indcutive heating)