FICM strategy
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
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FICM strategy
I hear all about the strategy's and the differences between them.
1- How do I know which I have?
2- Is there a link/can somebody explain the differences between them?
As far as I know my 04 has the newest 6.0 flash.
1- How do I know which I have?
2- Is there a link/can somebody explain the differences between them?
As far as I know my 04 has the newest 6.0 flash.
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X2 on toreador. He had some great info for me and others posted links that were helpful that were mostly based on his findings.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...0-install.html
The post with links is the start of the strategy info
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...0-install.html
The post with links is the start of the strategy info
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
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That's the thread that got me wondering what strategy I had!
I remember years ago putting a new " tune" into it from the dealer, I had little knowledge on it all, I assumed newer was better!
The truck is at the dealer now getting its annual inspection. I'll have to find out what is in it now. Maybe I'll have to put one of the VXCB1 , 3 or 6 back into it while its there
I remember years ago putting a new " tune" into it from the dealer, I had little knowledge on it all, I assumed newer was better!
The truck is at the dealer now getting its annual inspection. I'll have to find out what is in it now. Maybe I'll have to put one of the VXCB1 , 3 or 6 back into it while its there
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Joined: Jul 2016
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That's the thread that got me wondering what strategy I had!
I remember years ago putting a new " tune" into it from the dealer, I had little knowledge on it all, I assumed newer was better!
The truck is at the dealer now getting its annual inspection. I'll have to find out what is in it now. Maybe I'll have to put one of the VXCB1 , 3 or 6 back into it while its there
I remember years ago putting a new " tune" into it from the dealer, I had little knowledge on it all, I assumed newer was better!
The truck is at the dealer now getting its annual inspection. I'll have to find out what is in it now. Maybe I'll have to put one of the VXCB1 , 3 or 6 back into it while its there
I used the forscan app to figure out the pcm strategy. I haven't figured out how to tell what ficm strategy I have on the app. I do have the atlas 40 tune though which I believe replaced the stock ficm strategy with the atlas version. When I got the atlas, ficmrepair loaned me the tuner and then i returned it when I was done. I do remember seeing the strategy labelled on that tuner so it's possible to get it figured out.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 479
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Yup, that's what happened. I remember it clearly. Are the VXCxxx the ficm or pcm strategy then?
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The dealer very likely not.
Some scan tools can show info I am just not sure what ones do.
Forscan might and all you need it the laptop version and the dongle to plug into the OBD2 port.
Keep in mind that any time you take it into the dealer and they plug in they will likely wipe out
any tuns that you have installed.
The thing about buying the PHP tuner is you get all the FICM tunes that come with it and you can swap
them around any time you feel the need. Right now because I am doing a lot of freeway driving I put the
economy tune on to see if it would really save any fuel.If I ever do take it into a dealership for work you can
bet I will go in with it all returned to stock, That way I don't have to pay for having it tuned again.
Some scan tools can show info I am just not sure what ones do.
Forscan might and all you need it the laptop version and the dongle to plug into the OBD2 port.
Keep in mind that any time you take it into the dealer and they plug in they will likely wipe out
any tuns that you have installed.
The thing about buying the PHP tuner is you get all the FICM tunes that come with it and you can swap
them around any time you feel the need. Right now because I am doing a lot of freeway driving I put the
economy tune on to see if it would really save any fuel.If I ever do take it into a dealership for work you can
bet I will go in with it all returned to stock, That way I don't have to pay for having it tuned again.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 479
Likes: 34
Every time I think i'm going to get an atlas tune, something else comes up. The atlas isn't important- its a "fun" upgrade. Fun always comes last. I was just hoping to make it the best it can be - OE. my buddy works there and small things are often not billable on his end.
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Present and accounted for 
If you have the latest strategy for a 2004 truck, it will be ARZ2AL10.
If you have it's pre- predecessor (which I prefer) it's either going to be APZ2AL10 or AMZ2AL11.
It's actually easy to differentiate which one you have just by listening to how they buzz the injectors KOEO:
ARZ2AL10 starts as a slow buzz and gradually increases to a fast buzz when the engine is cold
APZ2AL10 (aka the Post Buzz Flash) buzzes exactly like AMZ2AL11 which is a consistent but medium speed buzz KOEO. APZ2AL10 will buzz the injectors when you turn the truck off after running it. AMZ2AL11 and ARZ2AL10 will not.
You will see better, more aggressive fueling with APZ2AL10 and AMZ2AL11 whereas with ARZ2AL10 the fueling is less and they've added some secret sauce I don't care for.
The Atlas 40 is the love-child of AMZ2AL11 and ARZ2AL10, all the fueling and more of AMZ2AL11 without the limitations and neutering of ARZ2AL10. Even on a stock truck it makes the drivability that much better. You could even do the Econo FICM tune and come out better. My truck and my strategy, however, prefer the Atlas 40.
If you have the latest strategy for a 2004 truck, it will be ARZ2AL10.
If you have it's pre- predecessor (which I prefer) it's either going to be APZ2AL10 or AMZ2AL11.
It's actually easy to differentiate which one you have just by listening to how they buzz the injectors KOEO:
ARZ2AL10 starts as a slow buzz and gradually increases to a fast buzz when the engine is cold
APZ2AL10 (aka the Post Buzz Flash) buzzes exactly like AMZ2AL11 which is a consistent but medium speed buzz KOEO. APZ2AL10 will buzz the injectors when you turn the truck off after running it. AMZ2AL11 and ARZ2AL10 will not.
You will see better, more aggressive fueling with APZ2AL10 and AMZ2AL11 whereas with ARZ2AL10 the fueling is less and they've added some secret sauce I don't care for.
The Atlas 40 is the love-child of AMZ2AL11 and ARZ2AL10, all the fueling and more of AMZ2AL11 without the limitations and neutering of ARZ2AL10. Even on a stock truck it makes the drivability that much better. You could even do the Econo FICM tune and come out better. My truck and my strategy, however, prefer the Atlas 40.
