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Need chip/tuner help

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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 02:14 PM
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Need chip/tuner help

ok so i have a 97 f250 HD 4x4 7.3 and i was wondering what would be the best option for a chip or tuner. ive heard that the better way to go is a chip because tuners can cause pcm problems and such. also i have a 3" downpipe, 4" straightpipe on right now and am planning to get a 6637 to replace the stock airbox. any input appreciated.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 03:17 PM
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Also this is my first time venturing into chips and programmers, so I was curious about potential problems that they can cause or if there are any
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 03:40 PM
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I ran a basic edge evolution tuner for a long time on mine with 3in down pipe, 4in exhaust and 6637. It definitely woke the truck up a bunch and I had no problems with it, but mine is a manual trans. I have heard that "boxed" tunes can sometimes be hard on autos. I would do some online searching. There is a ton of info regarding tuners and chips floating around. At the end of the day, custom tunes will always be the best bet, but for a near stock setup, its not as crucial.

As for chip vs. tuner, get a multi-position chip if you drive the truck a lot in different situations (towing, daily driving, highway trips...) because you can easily switch to a different tune to suit the situation. A tuner will have to be plugged in and takes a few minutes to re-tune each time.

just my two cents.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 04:08 PM
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what exactly do you mean by "boxed" tuner? the programmers that you plug in under the dash?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 04:13 PM
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sorry. By boxed, I mean over-the-shelf tunes such as Edge. They are just generic tunes made for your make and model but that aren't specific to your setup. "Boxed" tunes as opposed to custom tunes. They are much cheaper than getting custom tunes and are usually sufficient for a truck with just exhaust, intake. Definitely not as good though. I hope that makes sense.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 05:59 PM
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TS 6 position chip. You can buy it from many different vendors. I recommend getting one that has lifetime free reburns. Be ready to spend 400 to 500 on the chip and custom tuning. I bought one with generic tunes and it helped the truck significantly! I have an auto and it helped shifting etc. WHEN you start adding injectors.. turbo.. hpop and any other goodies you'll want to get it re-burnt to make it run the best.

I see you're fairly new here with a newfound truck..

Be warned the power will get addictive and you'll want more. That few hundo you'll spend on a chip will be cute once you start moving into the big stuff. I started the same way. Intake. Exhaust. chip. Then you throw in $1400 in injectors. Then $3500 for trans (at a minimum, more like $5k). It doesn't end.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 07:40 PM
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Do NOT buy edge. They are known to ruin pcms . there are NO custom tuning options for when you want more mods. It is wasted money all around.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 09:45 PM
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Yep just recently got my 7.3 and am loving it. Always wanted one and I can see what you mean by the spending don't end. It seems like I'm almost always thinking about what the next thing I can buy for my truck is gonna be haha bit I don't mind it, it's what I love doing

Also after doing some research and reading up on things I think I'm going to end up going with a ts 6 pos
 
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Old Apr 16, 2015 | 09:39 PM
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how about this guy here TS Performance 6 Position Chip w/ Tunes - Riffraff Diesel Performance its under 300 and it looks like itll do what i want it to even though its not custom done its just preset
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 05:20 AM
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Clay at RiffRaff is well know to many people here, and has emptied more than one wallet too.
very good people, and you will not regret dealing with them.
at least until the wife sees how much money you are spending on the truck instead of her.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 05:29 AM
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Clay just redid my chip I was having problems when selecting up or down the truck would stall, did it on the cuff and I'm back in buisness, you wont regret Rif-Raf, your girl will. Believe Tom when it comes to injectors and tunes he dont mess around.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 09:00 AM
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TS based chip hands down

You CAN get custom tunes on the Edge, just call Power Hungry Performance. They custom tune them, I still don't recommend it if you have an auto
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 10:44 AM
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thanks for the all help and input
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 11:03 AM
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I just got a Hydra, 15 positions plus stock & no start. You can get tunes from multiple tuners.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2015 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by oldbird1965
I just got a Hydra, 15 positions plus stock & no start. You can get tunes from multiple tuners.
I guess we shall have the same setup and live tuner lol
 
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