, unloaded highway what is your best and average??
Atlas 40...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 947
Likes: 144
From: Columbus Ohio
Atlas 40...
2003 Excursion 6.0
I just noticed today when I did my ICP from the top, that my FICM has a Atlas 40 in it, yes it came from FICM repair.
I dont know what is good or isn't good about a Atlas 40, can someone enlighten me? I do tow my 9500 pound travel trailer frequently.
I just noticed today when I did my ICP from the top, that my FICM has a Atlas 40 in it, yes it came from FICM repair.
I dont know what is good or isn't good about a Atlas 40, can someone enlighten me? I do tow my 9500 pound travel trailer frequently.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 934
From: Fort Worth, TX
The main claim is that it adds 40hp and also 1-2 mpg. The literature says its the ideal tune for towing and for trucks without headstuds.
I got it along with a rebuilt FICM last month. I can say that there is a noticeable increase in power and the truck runs much smoother and stronger, though the later may be only due to the FICM replacement. The jury is still out on the fuel economy claim.
I got it along with a rebuilt FICM last month. I can say that there is a noticeable increase in power and the truck runs much smoother and stronger, though the later may be only due to the FICM replacement. The jury is still out on the fuel economy claim.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 12
From: Cumming, Iowa
Another advocate of the Atlas 40 on a non studded truck. Have had mine for about three years and am happy. recently had the turbo off and cleaned unison ring sticking and crossover pipe replaced (cracked).
Saturday trip to Galesburg Il. truck only with maby 600 pounds cargo ( Motorcycle) west wind pushing us gusting to 30 or so. Lie o meter best says 23.9 at 65 mph all the way. Now i really do not completly believe dam near 24 mpg but i sure would buy almost 22 or so based on what the fuel gage reads reads with almost right at 525 miles round trip.I know i need to do it by hand sometime to be sure.
I believe the Atlas helps but i really think the EGR delete and not pulling spent exhaust gases through the motor is another factor in finnally getting steady above 20 mpg. Prior to the delete & ficm build & tune best i could ever get was 18 mpg or so.
So i think all of the littel tweaks working in concernt work to boost the MPG's and longer engine life.......
Saturday trip to Galesburg Il. truck only with maby 600 pounds cargo ( Motorcycle) west wind pushing us gusting to 30 or so. Lie o meter best says 23.9 at 65 mph all the way. Now i really do not completly believe dam near 24 mpg but i sure would buy almost 22 or so based on what the fuel gage reads reads with almost right at 525 miles round trip.I know i need to do it by hand sometime to be sure.
I believe the Atlas helps but i really think the EGR delete and not pulling spent exhaust gases through the motor is another factor in finnally getting steady above 20 mpg. Prior to the delete & ficm build & tune best i could ever get was 18 mpg or so.
So i think all of the littel tweaks working in concernt work to boost the MPG's and longer engine life.......
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,894
Likes: 3,613
LOL - I have seen the mileage drop continuously over the years with all the mods and the age (tuning, 20 inch wheels, all-terrain tires and then mud terrain tires, more tuning, front bumper replacement, etc).
Early on, it was averaging around 16. Averaging now around 14.
For highway miles, I could get 18.5 to 19 on long trips with a favorable wind direction, now - maybe 15.
Mainly I just wanted to say I have 3 FICMs (stock, Atlas 40, Economy). I switched between them and back again looking for mileage improvements. Had a constant 40 mile (round trip) distance to work, so I could pretty much keep driving conditions constant. I did not see any mileage benefits from the FICM programming.
Early on, it was averaging around 16. Averaging now around 14.
For highway miles, I could get 18.5 to 19 on long trips with a favorable wind direction, now - maybe 15.
Mainly I just wanted to say I have 3 FICMs (stock, Atlas 40, Economy). I switched between them and back again looking for mileage improvements. Had a constant 40 mile (round trip) distance to work, so I could pretty much keep driving conditions constant. I did not see any mileage benefits from the FICM programming.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 1,584
From: France
I found the same regarding the mileage - no change. The difference in performance when paired with a street tune is huge though, it really lights up the turbo.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,894
Likes: 3,613
Great question! Yes the injectors are still the originals. I am at 225k miles. I have been certain for awhile that new injectors would help performance and fuel economy, but I am just not ready to spend $1500, but maybe in the near future. I appreciate you sharing your experience!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 947
Likes: 144
From: Columbus Ohio
I did my injectors a few weeks ago and the mileage came right back to being good again. Get about 19 MPG hand calculated with my 2003 Excursion.
Should I have 5 star rewrite new tunes for me since I have the atlas 40? I have the 50 HP tow tune and the 65HP tow tune.
Should I have 5 star rewrite new tunes for me since I have the atlas 40? I have the 50 HP tow tune and the 65HP tow tune.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
I have an Atlas40 FICM from Ed also, paid extra for the super duty parts and solder job as well. Unfortunately, I was having injector issues at the time and ended up with a set of Ford remans about the same time so a lot of changes at the same time and my mileage improved a bunch. Like you, I tow around 10k lbs pretty regularly when I can get time off, as a 5th wheel camper. I wanted a fuel pressure gauge and an EGT gauge because of the FICM tune so I bought a combo 3in1 A pillar gauge and watched EGT like a hawk on the first few tows, then I relaxed. There has only been a couple of times that I had to backed off and both times it was on a hill, in traffic. Both times I think would have suspected an issue and lifted on the throttle even without the gauge. You can tell when it’s working too hard in the wrong gear and wrong speed after driving one for a while, it feels like it’s in a bind.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 110
From: Lakeland, Fl
You need to be sure the tuner can write tunes for the Atlas 40, not all tuners can or will. I gave up on tunes several years ago, PHP was the only one that could come close with the trans tuning. With the truck now pushing 18 years old and 235k mile I'm more focused on durability than smoking the rear tires. With Atlas 40 and strategy rollback I average 11-12 mpg pulling the 5th wheel, 15-16 mpg running around local. I did a 1300 mi round trip in June, all interstate, running 75-80 mph and averaged 18.5 mpg with no trailer and maybe 1k lbs in the bed.
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