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The Superchips 1700 and 1705 programmer modules can only be used on a single 7.3L or 6.0L Powerstroke diesel truck. When you install one of the programs in the unit, it downloads the stock program from the PCM into the Superchips unit. So at this point it is VIN locked and can only be used on this particular PCM unless returned to stock. When you return the truck back to stock, it erases the program in the PCM and downloads the stock program back into the PCM. So at this point the programmer can be used on another truck. The 1700 only has programming capabilities, whereas the 1705 can also read stored DTC errors. Therefore if the 1705 is VIN locked, it can still be used on other trucks to read DTC's.
When I first got my 1700 way back when, I called Superchips about it. He told me the offroad program was under rated and realistically made more like 120+ horsepower on the dyno. I can attest to the seat of the pants butt dyno between the two units, that the 1700 is a stronger tune in the maximum offroad setting on the same truck.
I'll have to confirm to see if the programmer I think he has was for the F550...can't remember if he let it go with the truck, there were 5-6 7.3L trucks between us back then. When I built that truck, the standard 1705 programmer would not work on it...can't recall the error message. I called Superchips and he said the F550 is a different animal and the standard programmer would in fact not work unless it was reprogrammed for it. So I sent it in to them and they did this and sent it back within a week or two. I don't recall if it would work in reverse, such that it could be used on a standard F250-F350 truck, but I guessing no go.
I appreciate it Sir!
Yeah... back in 2006 I was brand new to the diesel world as far as owning my own diesel truck.
I had been driving that 2000 7.3l in factory mode and did not know any different. When I bought that 1705 brand new from the dealership in Tillamook OR I started experimenting with it. It had 3 levels, tow, I forget the second level, and then Race level or something like that. I was Shocked and the seat of the pants power difference from stock to the top race level, absolutely a whole different truck in that level!
I drove that truck in the race level all the time unless towing our 32' toy hauler, then I put it in tow mode.
I never ran that truck hard, just drove it around at grandpa type driving. When towing... I start off in 1st and go Easy thru each gear up into 6th then get to 68mph and set the cruise control, on level ground it would cruise easily at 68mph towing that big trailer, big 38"x14.50" tires on the truck, loaded with water food, 4 people in the truck, 6 quads in the trailer (2 stacked onto the bottom 4), 3 axle trailer. Going up Cabbage Hill I would end up running up that hill in 3rd, O did not want to overwork that 7.3l and end up with a blown gasket or something.
I am looking forward to getting down to the new to me truck by tomorrow evening!!
Yeah... back in 2006 I was brand new to the diesel world as far as owning my own diesel truck.
I had been driving that 2000 7.3l in factory mode and did not know any different. When I bought that 1705 brand new from the dealership in Tillamook OR I started experimenting with it. It had 3 levels, tow, I forget the second level, and then Race level or something like that. I was Shocked and the seat of the pants power difference from stock to the top race level, absolutely a whole different truck in that level!
I drove that truck in the race level all the time unless towing our 32' toy hauler, then I put it in tow mode.
I never ran that truck hard, just drove it around at grandpa type driving. When towing... I start off in 1st and go Easy thru each gear up into 6th then get to 68mph and set the cruise control, on level ground it would cruise easily at 68mph towing that big trailer, big 38"x14.50" tires on the truck, loaded with water food, 4 people in the truck, 6 quads in the trailer (2 stacked onto the bottom 4), 3 axle trailer. Going up Cabbage Hill I would end up running up that hill in 3rd, O did not want to overwork that 7.3l and end up with a blown gasket or something.
I am looking forward to getting down to the new to me truck by tomorrow evening!!
There are better technology tunes out there nowadays, but they have worked flawless for our trucks since probably 2002+-. We don't really drive them and/or work them that hard though. I will say though, they are a good bang for the buck compared to the newer tuner prices. The only thing about them is Superchips doesn't support them anymore...
If you are still interested contact me. I have one that I used on my '97. It is original condition not VIN locked.
Sold the truck a while back to a fellow who didn't want a tuner program so it was reset to stock and the tuner went into the basement. Reorganizing recently and realized I still had it.
It needs to go to someone who can use it and I tried to list it on Ebay but they won't allow stating that it could be used to defeat emission controls, like they really cared.
Ironically, I just saw a local posting yesterday on FBM for the 1705. I have been convinced that the Hydra is the way for this engine, but not moved to do so yet. A couple of folks have noted the 1705 is not a bad bet given the tuner world for the 7 3. Now I'm wondering if I should make a run at this (the seller said "make me an offer") just to get my feet wet on playing around with a tuner.
over using it two years now, I have settled on the 80hp Daily Driver tune.
if towing a real heavy load, I switch to the 25hp tow tune
This post accurately depicts two schools of thinking. While I was employed by PHP (Bill considers me a friend but he was technically signing the paychecks so.....) the Hydra was released. My best friend of 37 years actually developed it, wrote much of the software, and handled the production for the first few years so while I know the story, I have no skin in the game. That being said......
I live in the class of minimalism in regard to these "schools of thought". I own a lot of 7.3s and all but TWO have only one calibration flashed to the PCM. If it were possible to make a 1995-1997 have an automatic high idle (time-based), I wouldn't even need a separate high idle calibration for one of them (and it's running a TS Performance 6-position) - the other won't have a multi-position chip next spring because the 250/200% injectors are out of it and long gone.....back to 160/100%.
The quoted post is an example of why 15+ calibration chips are really a waste for a good percentage of folks out there. They find "the one" tune and FAITHFULLY stick with it (unlike like my marriages) so the mulit-position chip display just keeps the same 7-segment LED elements lit continuously except on power-up.
In the case l quoted, the DD calibrations don't change much (if any) in the way of shift scheduling or torque converter clutch apply strategies - just shift feel - just like the level 2 calibration of the 1705. I have often said (and it's my opinion and we all know about opinions) that the 1705 has really good running calibrations that aren't super aggressive but just run solid. This is from a guy who does what he wants whenever he wants concerning writing tunes. The 1705 is just good all-around.
For entry-level stuff - and if the price is right - the 1705 is great. If the pickup is used pretty regularly for a specific purpose and isn't going from unloaded daily to 25K towing then to drag racing in the same week all the time, there's no need to change tunes all the time......and honestly, daily driving in ANY of the calibrations is perfectly fine.
Speaking of changing calibrations, the 'netz will have you believe it takes an eternity to change tunes on a flash device. Four minutes.....and the glow plugs don't even come on when reflashing.
Do I hate mulitple-tune holding chips? No. Not at all. The price is reasonable, the reliability is stellar given the sheer amount of them out there, and legitimately, some people NEED multiple tunes for different situations. Also, yes, the tuning on a 1705 is OLD.....but it works fine for stock injector pickups STILL because reinventing the wheel is a waste of time.
Before I reach out and ask if it has been unlocked, should I ask if it is for a zf6 or auto? Or does it not matter?
Not "married" to another vehicle is a good start - and as soon as it's plugged into the OBD2 port it will tell you what program has been flashed (unless it's been returned back to stock wherein it will just prompt for power programming or diagnostics).
Automatic or manual, the same device does them both.
I had found a 1705 on Marketplace, the man did not know if it was married or not so he just gave it to me for free, it had the original box, instructions everything that came with it from new.
My used 2003 7.3 was starting and running normally, I soon installed the high performance mode from this 1705, when done I started the truck and this is what happened:
I lost the rpm gage
I lost the trans temp gage,
I gained a yellow check engine light - I have a very good code reader showing about 8 codes
I gained a red other warning light on the right side of the dash lights area
the engine had a slight rpm, rise and fall, but ran fine
So what happened:
per a very well known electronics man in Santa Rosa... the 1705 had Corrupted my trucks pcu, he was not able to clear the pcu with his Shop Machine (very expensive) I had to get a new pcu from Flagship One and also had the man install it and then he had to do a Perameter Reset to make sure everything was right.
So, from my used, one time use of a "USED" vehicle chip, experience only..... Do Not install a used chip of any kind that was previously used in another vehicle - apparently the chip can save any corruption that was in that vehicles pcm and then transfer it into the next vehicle.
The new pcm came from New York BTW. ( "Flagshp One" - very well respected in the pcm repair world).
I am a very old IT electronics person, first started wiring up Ham Radios in the middle 1950s.....
I have learned to NOT try to do certain things, and using a module from something else, to use in something as critical as the PCM in our trucks, falls into that Category....
again, from my past experience, definitely not a good idea.
glad to hear of a good Repair Station, that goes in my Notebook.
I am a very old IT electronics person, first started wiring up Ham Radios in the middle 1950s.....
I have learned to NOT try to do certain things, and using a module from something else, to use in something as critical as the PCM in our trucks, falls into that Category....
again, from my past experience, definitely not a good idea.
glad to hear of a good Repair Station, that goes in my Notebook.
I have a 1705 on my f250 it came with the truck. I wouldn't have thought twice about using a used one on another truck. Honestly it's been tempting to buy one when I see unlocked ones sell for $100. But after reading the above I will side with Okieland.
The hydra isn't without risk either. It and other tuning devices keep the pcm rebuild places busy.
I have a 1705 on my f250 it came with the truck. I wouldn't have thought twice about using a used one on another truck.
Honestly it's been tempting to buy one when I see unlocked ones sell for $100. But after reading the above I will side with Okieland.
The hydra isn't without risk either. It and other tuning devices keep the rebuild places busy.
the issue with a Used One, from another truck:
you have no idea if the Injectors are the same, is the Turbo the same, and more mods that might have been done for that truck's tune.
in the case of the OP, the tunes were not compatible, and he had to replace the PCM with a "known good one" for his truck.
I'm just not willing to take that chance.
the Hydra has a very good reputation, and I bought one, and I chose my Tunes for my particular Driving Style..... Slow Poke style, but appreciate better Response to the Pedal.
you have no idea if the Injectors are the same, is the Turbo the same, and more mods that might have been done for that truck's tune.
in the case of the OP, the tunes were not compatible, and he had to replace the PCM with a "known good one" for his truck.
I'm just not willing to take that chance.
the Hydra has a very good reputation, and I bought one, and I chose my Tunes for my particular Driving Style..... Slow Poke style, but appreciate better Response to the Pedal.
I didn’t know that custom tuning was/is a thing on the 1705. It makes sense if it’s capable of it, I just figured it was a generic tuner. Once it’s divorced I thought it was ready to install on another truck. Anything can happen to them many are approaching 25yo.
The problems people have using the hydra are self inflicted. My problem with mine was. But it still comes with that risk.
