Custom Tunes
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
Custom Tunes
Which company/individual do you trust for your custom tunes for the SCT X3? After the head stub job I'll be looking for something matching my tow needs.
Mike
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 2
From: Bonita Springs FL
I tow a lot at 10k lbs, one of the reasons I have not done a tune, most tunes only change the transmission shifting (which is fine stock) and do not add power. or if they do, they limit the recommended trailer weight to avoid High EGTs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,918
Likes: 3,636
Gearheads tow tunes are pretty good and add horsepower and torque
https://www.ghtuning.com/product-cat...0-powerstroke/
BUT they do post a limit for towing of 8k unless studded. Probably wrong, but I thought it used to be 10k.
https://www.ghtuning.com/product-cat...0-powerstroke/
BUT they do post a limit for towing of 8k unless studded. Probably wrong, but I thought it used to be 10k.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 817
Likes: 6
The 8K tow tune from gearhead is recommended for up to 13K towing if studded on their site.
"This tow file is rated for 8000 pounds of towing without being studded. Studded trucks can tow 13000 pounds with this file."
https://www.ghtuning.com/product-cat...0-powerstroke/
I have that 8K tow tune and studs plus turbo-back exhaust and tow 6-7k with it and like it. It's not bad as a daily driver file either. I also have the SRL+ but I'm not a big fan of how it shifts between 5th and 6th gear (sometimes back and forth a few times) when i'm driving like a granny just casually trying to go somewhere. But when I want to do 0-60 in <8 seconds in RWD, it's the tune I need! It'll light em up from a 40mph roll with the automatic transmission set to 3rd.
"This tow file is rated for 8000 pounds of towing without being studded. Studded trucks can tow 13000 pounds with this file."
https://www.ghtuning.com/product-cat...0-powerstroke/
I have that 8K tow tune and studs plus turbo-back exhaust and tow 6-7k with it and like it. It's not bad as a daily driver file either. I also have the SRL+ but I'm not a big fan of how it shifts between 5th and 6th gear (sometimes back and forth a few times) when i'm driving like a granny just casually trying to go somewhere. But when I want to do 0-60 in <8 seconds in RWD, it's the tune I need! It'll light em up from a 40mph roll with the automatic transmission set to 3rd.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
I'l have to call them. Using the search bar, it seems that "Matt" is the guy. I tow heavier than 13k, the engine's getting studded, so I'm wondering why the weight limitations?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
I'm running tunes from Eric at Innovative Diesel Performance. I've got his Towing Tune, Street, and Extreme Street tunes. I run the towing tune 95% of the time......but they all run great. The towing tune adds around 40hp and 100ft/lbs of tq....and has no weight limit. The Street has more power than I'll ever use, and it's good up to towing 8,000lbs, and the Extreme Street is just nuts....Every time I run that tune it takes all the will power I have not to get on the gas hard....it's crazy. I will say though that with the Extreme Street tune...I can get 20mpg on the highway, a solid 1-2 mpg better than the Towing tune.
Plus, customer service from IDP is great......if you have any questions or need any adjustments made to the tunes, they will usually have you a new file that same day.
Plus, customer service from IDP is great......if you have any questions or need any adjustments made to the tunes, they will usually have you a new file that same day.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 2
From: Bonita Springs FL
Now I am getting the bug too. 13k lbs. with studs tow tune. HMMMM. Stroker Mcgurk theory!
I thought they were limited to 8k lbs.
Now to figure out how to hide spending another $500 from my wife
I thought they were limited to 8k lbs.
Now to figure out how to hide spending another $500 from my wife
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
Even with studs, I would use caution trying to run any of the higher HP towing tunes...unless you have a pyro where you can monitor EGT's. I've seen several posts where "safe" tow tunes we're producing unsafe EGT's.
I think you are rolling the dice...even with studs.
I think you are rolling the dice...even with studs.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 2
From: Bonita Springs FL
Bubble Burster! No, I joke. In reality, as much as I think it would be ok, When towing, that is the worst time to blow up. Do you know how hard it is to get a tow for BOTH the trailer and truck? Been there done that, don't want the T-shirt
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 698
Likes: 24
From: Houston, Tx
I was running matts tow tunes when I cracked 2 sleeves and burned a piston; alarm was set to 1200 and I'd never let it get above 1250 while towing. I can count on one hand how many times it got above 1300 when unloaded with a hot tune. never could get it that high unloaded with a tow tune. These were measured with pyro in the exhaust manifold, not turbo or downpipe. I'm not saying it was Matts tunes, I'm saying that even when running safely crap still happens.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
Yep.....that's why I stay with my IDP towing tune that only adds 40hp and 100 ft/lbs and has no weight restriction. I see no advantage to burning up my motor when my main goal is to make it to my destination with whatever I'm towing. Even stock...the 6.0's are making almost 600ft/lbs TQ......it's not like they are weak by any means.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
I've already installed a pyro in the drivers side exhaust manifold. The only time I've ever seen EGT's approaching 1100 degrees was towing through the Smoky mountains of Tenn. Just a lil' backing off of the skinny pedal brought them right back down. I'm satisfied with how this engine tows heavy. I just want to be able to keep my boost around 30 psi and road speed up without puking the Degas bottle. Coming home from a trip yesterday towing the fifth wheel, I babied her, keeping my boost below 20psi. My road speed suffered terribly up hills being passed by tri-axles and garbage trucks but it didn't puke out after a short 80 run. Temps were fine the delta spread was reasonable. (8-12). The clutch fan did a fine job too. My A\C was working overtime since the OAT was approaching 90 degrees. By no means was I wanting to damage this engine but I should not have to coddle it either. Hence the head stud kit going on this week.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
If you are puking out of the Degas bottle....you have a leaking head gasket (or failed egr cooler if you haven't already deleted it).....but it sounds like you already know that.
With the IDP towing tune I run, the most boost I've ever seen has been right at 28psi...not sure you will hit 30psi with a stock turbo, but I could be wrong.
Even with studs....the head gaskets are still the weak link in the 6.0, with only 4 bolts/studs per cylinder vs. 5 like everyone else (Duramax/Cummins). I would still be cautious running anything over a 40-60hp towing tune. those towing/performance tunes that have limits around 8,000+/- lbs are giving you a 100hp+ bump to a motor that wasn't designed to make that kind of power.... especially while pulling heavy loads.
With the IDP towing tune I run, the most boost I've ever seen has been right at 28psi...not sure you will hit 30psi with a stock turbo, but I could be wrong.
Even with studs....the head gaskets are still the weak link in the 6.0, with only 4 bolts/studs per cylinder vs. 5 like everyone else (Duramax/Cummins). I would still be cautious running anything over a 40-60hp towing tune. those towing/performance tunes that have limits around 8,000+/- lbs are giving you a 100hp+ bump to a motor that wasn't designed to make that kind of power.... especially while pulling heavy loads.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Western Connecticut
I agree. I don't want nor need an 800hp 6.0L., just something that'll stay out of it's own way and not grenade the engine. I was considering 'O' ringing the cylinder heads as it makes way too much sense to ignore. I have no idea right now what that cost would be. Anybody have any idea's?