Atlas 40 or 80?
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From: Salt Lake City, utah
Atlas 40 or 80?
So I am looking at ordering a FICM tuner from PHP so I can try the Atlas 40 and 80 tunes and purchase one of them but before I do I would like to hear your thoughts on the subject.
I am NOT studded and NOT burning coolant at this point and am hoping to hold on as long as possible before I have to get my hands dirty.
I do tow a boat about 45 min to an 1 hour 1/2 one way a couple times a year but that is the extent of my towing for the most part.
I don't have a tuner for the PCM so am thinking to get the 80 and forego the tuner I'm hoping the 80 will feed my need for power
or will the 40 suffice.
I have the VCX4 calibration but not sure on the FICM strategy.
Thoughts please and be honest.
I am NOT studded and NOT burning coolant at this point and am hoping to hold on as long as possible before I have to get my hands dirty.
I do tow a boat about 45 min to an 1 hour 1/2 one way a couple times a year but that is the extent of my towing for the most part.
I don't have a tuner for the PCM so am thinking to get the 80 and forego the tuner I'm hoping the 80 will feed my need for power
or will the 40 suffice. I have the VCX4 calibration but not sure on the FICM strategy.
Thoughts please and be honest.
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From: Yakistan, WA
I went through the same thought process. I hardly ever tow. I am not studded either. When I had my FICM worked on I finally decided to play it safe and stay with a calm tune, the PHP Atlas 40.
I do plan on towing a travel trailer soon, and I do not have a EGT gauge yet.
If you get an EGT gauge, and only tow light, then I would go with Atlas 80. And not romp on it too much.
But if you want to play it safe, ave confidence in your stock studs, still have good pep, and a little more power, then I would go with the PHP Atlas 40.
I am not into big horsepower, but that is just me. I am happy with a truck for longevity.
Good luck with what you choose.
- Preston
I do plan on towing a travel trailer soon, and I do not have a EGT gauge yet.
If you get an EGT gauge, and only tow light, then I would go with Atlas 80. And not romp on it too much.
But if you want to play it safe, ave confidence in your stock studs, still have good pep, and a little more power, then I would go with the PHP Atlas 40.
I am not into big horsepower, but that is just me. I am happy with a truck for longevity.
Good luck with what you choose.
- Preston
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From: Yakistan, WA
I do concur. But then again, its all about how to user pushes the truck, too.
But the temptation would be too great with the Atlas 80. That's another reason I stuck with the 40.
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Well I may just go with the 40 because the temptation would be there and I have very little self control lol. Just don't want to pay for it and it not be what I was hoping for. I did read a 40 page thread from powerstrokenation when they first came out with the tunes and some were not impressed but I think PHP tweaked it a bit. Guess I'll order it and go from there.
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And those wet roads we pretty common in your neck of the woods.
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Yes, which increases EGTs. PCM tuning will advance timing AND increase fueling. From everything I've read and the 4 tuners I've dealt with and asked direct questions, that's what increases cylinder pressure leading to head gasket failure.
The guy who wrote the PHP FICM tunes posted this on another forum:
One thing about FICM tuning is that it does not increase ICP nor SOI timing, so there is no risk of increased cylinder pressures. FICM tuning provides increased pulsewidth which, in effect, extends the combustion process. A longer combustion cycle provides improved torque in the low to mid RPM ranges. This is why most people experience improved throttle response and fuel economy.
FICM tuning is generally as safe or safer than ECM tuning. The only real disadvantage is the lack of trans tuning, but at a 40 HP level it's usually not a concern. Even the 80 HP programs can run fine without trans tuning, it's just recommended that the TCM be given time to relearn
FICM tuning is generally as safe or safer than ECM tuning. The only real disadvantage is the lack of trans tuning, but at a 40 HP level it's usually not a concern. Even the 80 HP programs can run fine without trans tuning, it's just recommended that the TCM be given time to relearn
The Atlas 40, Atlas 80, and Hercules tunes get their power by prolonging the burn. Basically, fuel is added to the fire already going as a result of the explosion in the cylinder. Testing performed by PHP confirmed that the tunes do not increase the pressure that the cylinders are under, but rather increase the amount of time that the cylinders are under pressure.
The result is increased exhaust gas temperatures with the Atlas 40, Atlas 80, and Hercules tunes. Exhaust gas temperatures do not differ from stock with the Eco tune.
The result is increased exhaust gas temperatures with the Atlas 40, Atlas 80, and Hercules tunes. Exhaust gas temperatures do not differ from stock with the Eco tune.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to learn. Personally, I think anything higher that the 40 combined with a PCM tune is pushing your luck on a truck running stock TTY head bolts. The HGs are prone to failure prone enough stock. You might be ok with the 80 but then you would probably want PCM tuning for the tranny to handle the power.