Here's the deal. I bought as much of a truck as my 20 grand could get me. '08 CC LB KR 6.4 4X4 180K. Flew to AZ and drove home to WI for spot free body and a clean slate to start with rust wise. Got about 13.5 mpg coming back, it is all stock, and very nice condition.
Now that I have it home and love the truck, you guys got me a little scared reading about these engines. Oasis states it had perfect maintenance including three radiators and even a complete drop in engine replacement at 2600miles due to injector problem wiping out a cylinder. (Not that this matters at 180K).

From all my research and reading on here, if I do the dpf delete/tune/intake/egr delete I should have a better chance at a happy 6.4 owner experiance, right? SO, my question is, which tuner is the best in your opinions? I like the idea of monitoring critical parameters as in a dash mounted setup. Do use the truck to tow car trailer and skid loader trailer on mostly short trips. Do NOT care about high horse tunes and blowing a bunch of black smoke. Just looking for more unloaded MPG and reliability. Oh ya, and do it for under 2 grand myself...

 

H&S min max here for me watches everything you want and several things you don't lol the option of changing power levels anytime with a button push is really nice and installation was easy enough even I managed to do it

 

yep, also you can tune the tranny a bit.

 

I am fond of the Spartan myself!

 

It seems as though some of these are on backorder and a little hard to find? Any suggestions of dealers to order from that have them on hand ready to ship. I really just want to be able to install tune that allows for delete and dash mount with EGT/trans temp/coolant temp/boost, thats about it. From what I read Mini Maxx and spartan will both fit the bill, just comes down to price and availability...

 

Keeping an eye on this thread, as I have the same question. there is an 08 F-550 in my near future with this engine in it. I know the complete history on this truck, the currant owner signs my paychecks every week, lol. It is maticulasly maintained, and has a few things done to it. Never a work truck, he just used it to pull his horse trailer. It has had a new wiring harness installed (the one that runs through the valve covers??) and about 100 miles ago, had two new turbo's installed. Other than that, the truck has been problem free. it has 100,073 miles on it, mostly highway. It's a Lariat 4x4 CC that's just absolutely loaded with leather and all the other bells and whistles, along with a really nice Tuscany bed on it with every hitch and light plug available. I really love the truck, and the price is far to good to pass up. Priced about 10g's under the bank loan value. Enough of all that, lol, I would like to keep the truck reliable and problem free as best I can, and want the best delete/tuner kit I can get. I will be using it mostly to pull my race trailer, not a daily driver, but will drive it unloaded on occasion of course. I would appreciate as much help/info on this as well.

 

Well, you're just gonna have to keep looking. Both Spartan and H&S have dot com web sites and sometimes you can find a used unit on there. Also look on ebay and the Craigs Lists around the country. Be aware that Spartan charges to reassign a used unit. Since the EPA busted H&S and Edge it's getting harder to find any of theirs. As far as I know Spartan is still openly selling on their web site. I've heard that H&S is shipping non- delete capable units to speed shops who are in turn re-programing them and selling delete capable units to the public. I have read that but have no direct knowledge so it may or may not be true. Also, both Edge and H&S are selling new units that will NOT let you delete, so be alert. SCT is I think still selling units on ebay and check Power Hungry Performance for custom tuning with various tuners. And expect to pay around 1500 bucks for the tuner and a couple hundred more for the delete pipe. Hope this helps.

 

Yup, been checking all over, best two options seem to be:
#1 Buy new from Rudy's Diesel on Ebay--Mini Maxx tuner
4" complete "race" pipe
EGR Delete plates
Complete CAI Kit
$2400/shipped
#2 Buy used off Craigslist ad------------Mini Maxx tuner
4" short pipe to replace DOC/DPF only
Complete CAI Kit
$1900/ I have to drive a couple hours to get it

I talked to the guy at Rudy's and he was very helpful and knowledgeable, they have some options that you can add on that are nice such as Stainless pipe, dash mount adaptor to solid mount above the left vent.
I called the CL ad guy and no answer, this is the way that I would like to go because of cost...

 

I submit this for your consideration, very knowledgeable people say the AIR is a waste of money because the stock box is more than adequate up to big (500 or so) HP. Also, I have been on this site and read most every post for almost 5 years, EGR coolers are not a big problem on the 6.4. A lot of guys do the delete just to stop the crap from going back to the intake but they are not a point of failure. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll save the money and leave factory intake alone.

I see that the tuner can some how "shut off?" the EGR without actually doing the delete plates? What does that mean and are you guys using that feature or not?

Thanks again

 

I think it shuts the valve down, does not cycle soot in to intake. I don't think there is an option with H&S, it shuts it down. Down side is that since it doesn't cycle it may seize up and not cycle if you want to go back to stock. Coolant continues to flow through the coolers though.

 

Love the Spartan. Be careful with what you are buying with the way the market is right now. The EPA has everything all goofed up. Some people advertise stuff that they can't deliver. Companies selling "unlocked" street tuners with one generic DPF delete tune and calling it custom. If it were me, I would call the guys at Spartan or find a used H&S. The EGR valve can be shut down electronically by the tuner. The thing with the 6.4 is that it can make enough boost to actually blow past a closed EGR valve. Not a big deal but something to think about.

 

uga33 is right ...a lot of garbage/smoke n' mirrors out there now...be careful with what you "think" you might be getting.... I waited a while bought a used mini maxx off of ebay from a reputable private seller....couldn't be happier...shifting IS ON POINT..