Have a question for you guys that might know about the SCT tuner. I run mine on tow hall always. I recently read not to run tow haul unless you are towing?
Anybody have info or suggestions on that?

 

Are you using the "canned" tunes from SCT or do you have custom tunes?
I don't see where running a tow tune when not towing would be a problem, what did your source for this have to add besides the warning?
I have custom tunes from 5Star and have actually had better towing results from using the Performance Tunes (87 & 89 octane tunes) than the Tow Tunes. I like how the Perf tunes hold onto OD with more throttle opening than the Tow Tunes do under high loads.

 

I am running the canned tunes. I have eco, performance and towing, all 87 octane

No real info to go along with it, just something I read on another forum regarding SCT and the tow tune saying it shouldn't be used unless towing. That's why I posted here to see if there was any validity to it?

I honestly have never even tried any of the other tunes. I loaded the tow tune and it's been in there ever since.

 

I'm always swapping tunes, 87 Economy when ever it isn't towing (and has 87 in it, if I paid for 89 I use the 89 Perf Tune till I burn that tank up ), 87 Performance for towing trips without a lot of hills/mountains in the mix and 89 Performance for towing trips with mountains. Or if I'm someplace (like SC) with very cheap gas I'll buy the 89 Octane just for the extra smiles per gallon!
I'm pulling a 41' 11,000lb TT.

 

Personally I'm running canned tunes and having had custom tunes before can't wait to get custom ones again. I know this has nothing to do with this particularly but it might help others reading this

 

So I'm guessing from your statement above, you are towing with OD on? I always turn OD off when I'm towing, with the 3.73 gears OD is almost worthless, she won't stay in OD much at all when I'm towing.

Can I get custom tunes for the SCT? If so where/how do I get that? Also what am I asking for? Is there spacific custom tunes for the Ex?

Thanks for all the info guys! Learning alot

 

I don't think it's best to do a lot of towing in OD, but Tom has some pretty high tech gear to monitor his trans temps. Oh, and gears (But only in the rear :P) I tow in OD on level areas and down some hills. As soon as I make it to any kind of incline, I pull it out of OD.

5 Star tuning is a pretty good source for tunes. They do a great job of taking all of the info you provide and help build a custom tune for your application while keeping in mind your current modifications (if any).

1999-2005 Excursion 6.8L - 5 Star Tuning

I also use the 3.73 gears in mine, and I so so so so want to upgrade and get all of the nifty extras one can get while they have their axles tore apart.

 

So then...would I be able to get the custom tunes for my SCT or would I have to ditch the SCT for a 5Star and if so is it worth making the change? If it is going to get very minimAL change I don't know if it would be worth it?

I'm thinking headers, y pipe next while I'm searching for some axles with lower gears

 

5star IS SCT.

 

The tunes from 5 Star load into your SCT Tuner via a program you can install.

I ran my canned tunes for about 1 day before I had my customs, so I can't tell you if you would notice anything from one to the other

However, you would definitely benefit from the custom tunes with with Headers, Y pipe and gear ratio change.

 

5Star uses the SCT tuners and they do sell tunes by themselves to folks like you who already have a tuner.
When you work with them they have you fill out a calibration request form first where you list all of your mods, how you use the truck and what you are looking to gain. They then write your tunes taking those things into consideration, that's the custom part of it. And they have excellent customer service too!
Once you install the headers a better tune will really help to take advantage of that ability to breathe better.

The 4R100 auto trans in our EXs was designed to tow in OD and it actually stays cooler in OD. I feel that having a way to read the actual (vs dash gauge/idiot light) trans temp (I use a stand alone Gauge) is required for any serious towing. It should be dropped out of OD if it is hunting or shifting in/out of OD frequently as that will build up excessive heat. How much are you towing? Deeper gears will make holding OD so much easier for you, my gear change delivered greatly improved towing (11,000lb TT) performance and better fuel mileage while towing. With my stock 3.73gears we averaged 6 to 7.5 MPG towing, now with an effective 4.39 ratio we see 8 to 9.25 MPG towing a heavier trailer.
With my setup I can hold onto OD at highway speeds while climbing most Eastern Interstate Highway mountain grades when towing if I can hit the base of the hill at 72/73 MPH and allow the speed to bleed off a little on the climb. My 89 Performance Tune that I use for tow trips in the mountains will stay in OD up to 65% throttle opening under high loads like grade climbing vs the stock tune only holding OD up till about 47% opening in the same situation.

 

You know...now that you mention it, I may have got my SCT through 5Star? I seem to remember filling out the info on my truck when I purchased the tuner. I will have to do some digging, it's been a few years since I bought it.

I am currently towing a 7000lb trailer but will be towing a 9000lb trailer soon #upgrade! The truck pulls the 7000lb trailer fine but seems to be close to its limit and I tow with OD off so it's not hunting for gears constantly. I am pulling 65 mph at 2400rpm for the most part but any decent grade that I don't get a running start at its down to 45mph

 

You will be hating life towing that new 9,000lb TT with the 3.73 gears, I used to pull our old 9,500lb toyhauler with the stock gears and it was torture, it would downshift if it ran over a shadow!
I ran the 4.88 gears for 2 years with 32" tires and the EX pulled like a locomotive, it could climb some pretty big hills without losing any speed! But the unloaded MPGs suffered a little bit with that setup (but it did get 9 MPG towing like that too) and I already had the new suspension and wanted the 35"s (why I went with the 4.88s).

If you find that your tuner and tunes came from 5Star I would give them a call and explain all of your new mods and see what they can do as far upgrading your tunes.

 

Why?

As long as the trans isn't hunting for a gear, or your engine isn't getting too hot, OD is fine.

Stewart

 

So if it were you and you didn't plan on going any bigger than 32" tires, (running 31" now) would you go 4.27, 4.56 or 4.88?

This is my tow vehicle but we also use it for weekend driving so trying to find that happy medium I guess. If I absolutely had to choose I would prefer it tow better than going 85 mph down the hwy when not towing.