Atlas 80
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
You can run the Atlas 80 with no additional tuning/injector upgrades but that's as high as people say to go. You are going to want something better than stock exhaust as EGTs will be raised. Could be fine driving empty, probably not towing
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 18
From: NW IA
Should also get something to monitor EGT's. You will be shifting less towing up hills, so the gases won't scavenge out the *** end as quickly as they might otherwise.
Some folks will downshift manually to keep RPM's up a little bit.
Some folks will downshift manually to keep RPM's up a little bit.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
With stock injectors and turbo you eventually run out of headroom in tuning for power. I'd personally rather start lower on the FICM side and adjust power with an PCM tune, because I had to have an PCM tuner (tire size adjustments and EGR valve CEL) and didn't want to buy a second FICM programmer to adjust the baseline on that side. Hence I use Atlas 40 + SCT tuner.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 3
With stock injectors and turbo you eventually run out of headroom in tuning for power. I'd personally rather start lower on the FICM side and adjust power with an PCM tune, because I had to have an PCM tuner (tire size adjustments and EGR valve CEL) and didn't want to buy a second FICM programmer to adjust the baseline on that side. Hence I use Atlas 40 + SCT tuner.
If you want to get the skinny, do a deep search back to 2007-2009; it was extensively discussed around here for a while.
Everything I have read about the Atlas series of FICM tunes is that they put back what Ford ripped out.
-blaine
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
I'm saying Atlas 40 + VXCF4 is a better baseline to add PCM tuning to than starting with Atlas 80 + VXCF9 and putting in a PCM tune that doesn't really do anything.
You can take the power back down by putting in a stock PCM tune to lower EGTs more when you're towing with 40 than 80, unless you own the FICM tuner with all 4 options. I don't have the FICM programmer so I see the FICM tune as a permanent increase, which caps towing weight due to EGTs.
You can take the power back down by putting in a stock PCM tune to lower EGTs more when you're towing with 40 than 80, unless you own the FICM tuner with all 4 options. I don't have the FICM programmer so I see the FICM tune as a permanent increase, which caps towing weight due to EGTs.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
The Atlas 80 tune will override the PCM tuning, why they don't mix well. PCM+Atlas 40 is a great tune with good fuel increases and why everybody running it says they have restored power and MPG.
I'm running PCM tunes from Gearhead... SLR Extreme (race tune) and the Atlas 40 FICM tune and getting 15-16.5 in town and 21.5mpg on the highway as my daily driver.. no towing. I did call Matt at Gearhead... his reply was, if you load Atlas 80, it will override the PMC fuel commands. I've considered loading it, but there is more to PCM tuning than just fuel, like transmission and EGT control.
Better have an aftermarket exhaust for better flow helping keep EGTs down.
I'm running PCM tunes from Gearhead... SLR Extreme (race tune) and the Atlas 40 FICM tune and getting 15-16.5 in town and 21.5mpg on the highway as my daily driver.. no towing. I did call Matt at Gearhead... his reply was, if you load Atlas 80, it will override the PMC fuel commands. I've considered loading it, but there is more to PCM tuning than just fuel, like transmission and EGT control.
Better have an aftermarket exhaust for better flow helping keep EGTs down.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 5
There are plenty of people running all of the combinations discussed here with success.
The big thing to remember is that with tuning comes higher EGT's and more pressure on the transmission. This is the basis for our suggestion to look at EGT monitoring and transmission solenoids as good steps forward.
The big thing to remember is that with tuning comes higher EGT's and more pressure on the transmission. This is the basis for our suggestion to look at EGT monitoring and transmission solenoids as good steps forward.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
From: Yakistan, WA
There are plenty of people running all of the combinations discussed here with success.
The big thing to remember is that with tuning comes higher EGT's and more pressure on the transmission. This is the basis for our suggestion to look at EGT monitoring and transmission solenoids as good steps forward.
The big thing to remember is that with tuning comes higher EGT's and more pressure on the transmission. This is the basis for our suggestion to look at EGT monitoring and transmission solenoids as good steps forward.
Because you need to install bigger exhaust and a reliable EGT kit, if going with the Atlas 80, why wouldn't you spend the extra $250 and just get the PHP tuner? New exhaust about $200 or more if you straight pipe, decent EGT kit is $150 or MORE, Atlas 80 is $150 = $500 or MORE (Especially if you upgrade solenoids). Might as well spend the extra $250 for the full tuner
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 5
Because you need to install bigger exhaust and a reliable EGT kit, if going with the Atlas 80, why wouldn't you spend the extra $250 and just get the PHP tuner? New exhaust about $200 or more if you straight pipe, decent EGT kit is $150 or MORE, Atlas 80 is $150 = $500 or MORE (Especially if you upgrade solenoids). Might as well spend the extra $250 for the full tuner
Ed
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 5
Not yet. To save some money on shipping, we've ordered what you wanted that would normally drop ship out to our shop so that it can all go in a common box for you. When it gets here, we'll box it up, get it weighed as a unit and then be in a position to get you the shipping total.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1,584
From: France
OK, that's just what I want, one big box. Customs paid would be nice but don't delay if it doesn't work out.
truck still running, voltage takes 2 mins to climb from 24V to 45-46V, how long do you reckon it I've got? Looking at 500 mile round trip next week...
truck still running, voltage takes 2 mins to climb from 24V to 45-46V, how long do you reckon it I've got? Looking at 500 mile round trip next week...
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
From: Yakistan, WA
Thats what I was trying to say. If your going to do the upgrades, might as well get the tuner. The difference isn't that much when looking at the whole picture. But then again, it's not my money.