Ford flash update

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 23, 2015 | 04:47 PM

Kdawg89

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 385

Likes: 1

Ford flash update

Hello,

I don't know what calibration my truck has but is it worth taking it into Ford and and getting the latest software flashed or is the latest calibration not recommended? Truck is an 07 F350. Also what should I expect to pay for them to do this?

Thanks!

Jul 23, 2015 | 05:17 PM

WatsonR

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 6,545

Likes: 13

From: Virginia Beach VA

Around $150 and you probably have the latest crappy flash.

Jul 23, 2015 | 05:24 PM

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,235

Likes: 753

From: Houston, Texas

They will charge as it's no longer something that's costing them money.

Anyone with an SCT can tell you for sure, it doesn't matter if it's married or not.

If you're getting decent mileage, leave well enough alone.

Your flash can range anything from VXCF4XX (best fuel economy and power), VXCF5XX, or you may have VXCF9XX (the latest)

Jul 23, 2015 | 05:50 PM

WatsonR

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 6,545

Likes: 13

From: Virginia Beach VA

I've got an 04 with the latest flash mileage suxs until I put a tuner on it.

Jul 23, 2015 | 05:54 PM

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,235

Likes: 753

From: Houston, Texas

From personal experience, the Atlas 40 works wonders for a tuned truck running a VXBC9XX flash.

Jul 23, 2015 | 06:33 PM

Kdawg89

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 385

Likes: 1

I already have SCT tunes. I will hook my unit up and see what strategy the truck has.

Jul 23, 2015 | 08:38 PM

WatsonR

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 6,545

Likes: 13

From: Virginia Beach VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toreador_Diesel

From personal experience, the Atlas 40 works wonders for a tuned truck running a VXBC9XX flash.

Nice to know, just ordered an FICM tuner from PHP.

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Verdad Gallardo

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Joe Kucinski

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Brett Foote

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Brett Foote

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Joe Kucinski

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Joe Kucinski

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Michael S. Palmer

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Joe Kucinski

Jul 24, 2015 | 11:51 AM

Kdawg89

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 385

Likes: 1

Well I have VXCF9H7 which I guess is the latest flash so that answers that question! Thanks!

Jul 24, 2015 | 12:15 PM

#10

2wdDezlX

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 515

Likes: 0

From: Prescott, AZ

Does the strategy correspond with the ecm or ficm? When going with a custom tune like gearhead srl, is there any advantage to get the latest strategy or a certain version, or does the new tune override it?

Jul 24, 2015 | 12:42 PM

#11

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,235

Likes: 753

From: Houston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wdDezlX

Does the strategy corispond with the ecm or ficm? When going with a custom tune like gearhead srl, is there any advantage to get the latest strategy or a certain version, or does the new tune override it?

The strategy corresponds to the PCM. FICM strategies are AMZ2AL11 or AMZ2AL12.

When getting a tune from Gearhead, they optimize whatever strategy you have. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn't. It's been proven by PHP that the use of an earlier strategy nets better power and fuel economy than later strategies.

For exmaple:

VXBC6XX does better on fuel economy and power than VXBC9XX
VXCF4XX does better on fuel economy and power than VXCF9XX

If need be, you can be written back to an earlier strategy as long as the first 3 letters match.

For example:

VXBC9XX can be backdated to VXBC6XX
VXDB1MZ can be backdated to VXDA1M2

9 times out of 10 they hit the nail on the head, but sometimes either backdating or updating the FICM flash to the Atlas 40 helps.

Jul 24, 2015 | 01:05 PM

#12

2wdDezlX

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 515

Likes: 0

From: Prescott, AZ

That's what I was thinking but didn't know if it replaced the strategy or optimized it. I have 2 6.0 excursions, 1 03 and 1 05 with 04 motor. The strategy is different between the 2. VXAP2N2 and VXBC9NH. Should I have them send the tune with those or try to change them before hand? Thanks, for clarifying for me.

Jul 24, 2015 | 09:22 PM

#13

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,235

Likes: 753

From: Houston, Texas

Ford flash update

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wdDezlX

That's what I was thinking but didn't know if it replaced the strategy or optimized it. I have to 6.0 excursions, 1 03 and 1 05 with 04 motor. The strategy is different between the 2. VXAP2N2 and VXBC9NH. Should I have them send the tune with those or try to change them before hand? Thanks, for clarifying for me.

On the 05, try the Atlas 40 with the SRL tune from Gearhead. As I mentioned before, VXBC9NH plays well with the Atlas 40 ask Magnolia Tom. We found this to be true on his wife's 04 Excursion. If for some reason, it doesn't get better VXBC6 is your friend. Ask Misky6.0

Gearhead, innovative, and PHP can write you back to VXAM7N2. That was the original 2003 strategy that yielded the best power and fuel economy for the 2003 MY. The best thing about this strategy is that it uses the EBPS. The later strategies are inferred.