Rode in a buddies truck that had a chip in it and was amazed at the power....but, should I get a chip or a programmer? WHich is safer for the system? How do they compare? I've got gauges on the engine and tranny, but what else (at a minumum) should I do? I've heard I would need a down pipe to clean up the exhaust flow, but this is out of my league and I don't want some shop guy selling two kitchen sinks when one will do.

I tow a 12,000 lb. fifth wheel from 3000 foot level to 8-9000 foot areas numerous times each year, and haul a 7000 lb horse trailer even more often. I don't race, but would like more power without having to dump $2000 to $3000 into the engine to get it.

The truck is a '99 F-350 7.3 4x4 with 73,000 on it...no bells or whistles.

Thanks in advance,
FNG

 

if your looking for easy its the programmer plus its easy to change back to stock when going to the dealer. You dont need to have the down pipe but it helps. instead i would worry about an intake system I use AFE but I hear TYMAN is just as good. You will want to add a pyrometer to your guages. You must watch exhaust gas temps when chipping or programing. Put the pyro pre turbo and DONT LET IT GO OVEr 1250 degrees or you will soon need a new turbo.
Oh yeah I use the super chips micro tuner it has 3 settings and made a huge difference.

 

i have a 99 F350 dually, when i bought it there was a superchip chip in it (i didnt find out till i bought my programer and tried to program, needless to say, i ran into big problems). I dont know what chip it was (a high hp or towing) but it worked well, esp compared to stock. I use my programer now (diablo) and like it. I can switch between mild performance and towing when i want to without haveing to do anything but press a button a few times. Id go with programer if i were you because most of them also give some diagnostics too (at least the diablo does)

 

I have been running the Diablo 54/78 hp chip and I am pleased with the performance thus far. It is not a radical chip but provides the necessary go when called upon.

I can't trust myself with a programmer. I know I would abuse my PSD with the capability of programming 100+ hp performance, etc.

When I bought the chip I was new to PSD performance products and thought I bought a good chip. In hindsight, I may have decided upon the Predator.

I agree on the programmer, it is more flexible and gives you the diagnostic features as well.

 

A good chip is better than a programer. The right one will be able to provide you with higher power and lower EGT's when compared to a programer or a chip that isn't a good one. I have ridden in trucks with programers and various chips and most of the chiped trucks ran better with lower EGTS at the same power settings. Hope this helps some.

 

I can tell you from personal experience that a chip is pretty generic in that it is designed to dump more fuel to the truck some will increase trans line pressure and some will actually raise your shift points (can be very bad) if you are just looking for some extra power a micro tuner is better that a chip I have done so much to my truck that a custom program and the diesel performance shop I went to took into account everything done to the truck also the chips that mainly add fuel to the truck are sometimes off on the timing off the injection of the fuel makes the engine fight its self the other members that replied to you are right about watching the egt's with a hight hp chip they climb pretty quick and will level out the edges of the compressor wheel go on the internet and look up paulshp.com they have manifolds that increase hp and torque but most importantly they have dropped my egt's 200-250 degrees now I can build more power safely if you make all the right moves you can have performance and reliability 4" exhaust is strongly recommended I hope this helps I have taken a lot of wrong turns getting my truck where it is today.

 

I don't want to turn this thread into a gas mileage thread, but I am interested in chip/programmer effects on mileage. I have read that the Predator can add mpg, but I have not read anything from anyone with first-hand knowledge. Let me know what you know.

I recently installed a Tymar intake. I don't really care for the turbo sound that you get, but I really don't care for the drop in mpg. I went from ~15mpg (75% city) to ~13mpg (same). I realize that the larger intake allows for more air (and fuel) but WOW, that's a drop. Will a chip that mixes more fuel do the same? I don't care how much power I have if I cannot afford do drive it. Thanks.

 

A good chip will usually help your mileage, if you can keep your foot out of it.

 

Sorry, but your statements regarding chips/tuners are wrong. A chip and a programmer do EXACTLY the same thing. The only difference is a chip overrides the stock EEPROM, a programmer rewrites the EEPROM. Neither delivery method has anything to do with programming or what's done to the tuning. All our Diablo chips optimize the transmission like a Microtuner does. In fact, in most cases its better and we have complete control of what program you're given unlike a Microtuner. The Microtuner is a great device but don't discount a chip. It sounds like your shop doesn't know much about chips, or they can't program them correctly so they push the Microtuner (we've programmed more Diablo chips than anyone in the country). The Diablo chip also has the advantage of switching between performance settings on the fly which is really good for people who tow.

 

Ken - Can you address the mileage effect from a chip/programmer? More specifically, I am considering the Predator, but don't want to sacrifice any more mpg. Thoughts?

 

Most chips and programmers will gain you mileage when programmed within the 30-70HP range. Higher horse power tunes might give you very minor increase, but don't always count on it. A critical factor to getting that mileage (and better EGTs) is a cetane rating of 45+.