Whatever you want to call it; stacking tunes or compounding tunes. I did some searching and didn't come up with much. I did run across a couple that said anything over the Atlas 40 would be overridden by the programmer. So the Atlas 80 and Hercules. Using the 40 with an Extreme program or I guess a race tune yielded the most power and performance gain.

What are you guys running if more than one?

 

The fuel injectors only have so much volume, so there's only so much that can be done without hard part changes. That's why stacking FICM and PCM tunes only nets so much HP, eventually you're maxed out on fuel and all that's left is timing, and that's how you lift the heads on a 6.0. It's done through software, not chips like a Dodge where you stack a Smarty with a SOTF tuner that can add tons of fuel and timing, on a Ford you'll nuke the trans and lift the heads running a fuel box like that.

 

Atlas 40 works with almost all SCT based tuning. Any more (Atlas 80 and up) are NOT compatible.

 

I run the Atlas 40 along with Innovative and Gearhead Tunes. From what I undestand if I can rememeber correctly what they told me, the FICM tune opens up fuel parameters that can't be done with ECM tuning and up to the Atlas 40 will compliment the ECM tune, gaining a little HP and more so responsiveness. Over the 40 and it messes with something that doesn't help anymore with the ECM tunes. Not sure if if "over ridden" or what.

 

I'm having studs installed along with some other Ford/International updates. I've been running the Banks programmer set on the Economy tune for almost a year. So I've been impressed with the response and power. But was wanting a little more. That's the reason I was thinking about the Atlas 40. It seems there are more ways to just make the engine operate more efficiently within the boundaries of what it is. Any forced induction motor usually has a lot left on the table from the factory.

 

Don't go higher than the Atlas 40. It works well with the latest Ford updates and tunes, but the Atlas 80 and Hercules is overkill.

Gearhead's SRL+ runs well with the Atlas 40 depending on the strategy you have. Since you have the latest updates, you probably have VXCF9H7. If you had the VXCF4 series of strategies, you may notice some heavy smoke as this strategy has some aggressive fueling even with the stock FICM calibration AMZ2AL12. With the latest FICM calibration and strategy, you shouldn't notice much in the way of smoke.

The Atlas 40 alone doesn't lift heads as it doesn't increase cylinder pressures, but a PCM tune has the potential to. Since yours is being studded this isn't too much of a concern.

I've tried a mutitude of tunes and the only ones that are consistent, safe, powerful, yield good fuel economy, and keep the engine and trans happy are Gearhead tunes. Matt rewrites the entire shift strategy instead of using the built in shift strategy. This is why when you're using cruise control and tap the brakes, there isn't that jerk as soon as the cruise control is deactivated.

With the current mods on your truck, you'll be happy with Gearhead tunes. Between SRL+ for your daily, 8K tow, and Unlimited tow, you'll be happy.

 

I have the whole range of Gearhead and Innovative tunes. After multiple revisions I've never gotten the Gearhead tunes to shift as well as the Innovative. I think there are variables with each truck and I wouldn't discount Innovative and say that Gearhead are the only "consistent, safe, powerful, yield good fuel economy, and keep the engine and trans happy" tunes.

 

Innovative is the ONLY tune I haven't tried yet. Once I get my truck back together and get the engine broken in, I'll give Eric's tunes a try.

I'm not discounting them, people seem to sway one way or another depending on what their truck likes.

 

When I posted this earlier I wasn't thinking about the FICM strategies. I still have the '06 strategy as far as I know. The shop that's installing the updates isn't going to do anything with the strategy. It's Lethal Diesel in Vidalia, LA. After we got the truck back from theft recovery, it went to the dealer to be repaired (new ignition tumbler, dome and bed light bulbs and batteries). I don't know if they would have re-flashed it to a new strategy then or not.

Toreador, have you tried the Banks programmers? Does Gearhead use SCT programmers for their tunes or ? I've not been impressed with Banks tuning on the transmission side. And there isn't any provision for tuning any harder a shift for the 6.0 with this programmer. The programmer will work for other vehicles in tuning the transmission shifts however.

How can I tell what FICM strategy and calibration I have?

 

The Banks six-gun works well on manual trans trucks. Banks tuners DO NOT tune the transmission. You have to do a transmission re-learn every time you push the power level up. That being said, I have zero experience with the automind unit you have.
I can tell you, I have many (over 15) tunes for my truck. The best combination has been WPE Street and Atlas 40. It seems the WPE Extreme and Atlas 40 gives max power level at about 1/2 throttle.

 

Thanks. I wanted to go with the Atlas 40 for reasons as you described. I'll keep the Banks tune for now. But in this work I'm having done, I'm also getting an EGR delete so I'll be turning the check engine light off with an SCT programmer. Hopefully I'll be able to use it for some other tunes from someone; Gearhead or Innovative etc.