MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT Predator For 6.0L
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
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From: Dallas
Originally Posted by SBV45
That seems to be the thinking, BUT let's go slow here and test everything out before jumping. I jumped too quick on previous flashes and got burned. In my business we test out all new releases and concepts before putting it in production. Plus, if you start changing the flashes, you must retain and have the ability to restore the last flash that your Ford service put on your truck. You show up with a problem and they find a flash on there that doesn't match with the records and I am sure there would be some explaining to do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
The reason I offered my truck as the guinea pig is that Bob and I live in relatively the same area...
and I have NO problems with the flashes since I have the predator...
so worst case I'd go back to my dealer and say "hep me"
(once we get the tune back to mornal...)
I think it IS feasible...
but I'm not making any grandiose claims about what it will do... just can tell you what it does in MY case !
and remember, the predator requires a certain level of flashes to work....
and as Bob can attest, my Ex with the Dec flash and Predator gets down the 1/8th mile just fine !
and I have NO problems with the flashes since I have the predator...
so worst case I'd go back to my dealer and say "hep me"
(once we get the tune back to mornal...)
I think it IS feasible...
but I'm not making any grandiose claims about what it will do... just can tell you what it does in MY case !
and remember, the predator requires a certain level of flashes to work....
and as Bob can attest, my Ex with the Dec flash and Predator gets down the 1/8th mile just fine !
Last edited by jdadamsjr; Apr 4, 2004 at 10:39 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
The problem as I see it, is that the Predator requires the Oct flash or Dec flash. The Oct flash is the problem. It is my understanding that the pre Oct flashes did not support OBD II. How did that one poster get the Predator to work with a pre Oct flash, if that is in fact what he had.
Here is a list of flashes and what they do. Aslo remember the 04 has a different FICM than the 03. Who knows what component changes were made along the way.
http://www.flatratetech.com/6literpo...l_updates.html
Here is a list of flashes and what they do. Aslo remember the 04 has a different FICM than the 03. Who knows what component changes were made along the way.
http://www.flatratetech.com/6literpo...l_updates.html
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
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From: Dallas
Originally Posted by SBV45
The problem as I see it, is that the Predator requires the Oct flash or Dec flash. The Oct flash is the problem. It is my understanding that the pre Oct flashes did not support OBD II. How did that one poster get the Predator to work with a pre Oct flash, if that is in fact what he had.
Here is a list of flashes and what they do. Aslo remember the 04 has a different FICM than the 03. Who knows what component changes were made along the way.
http://www.flatratetech.com/6literpo...l_updates.html
Here is a list of flashes and what they do. Aslo remember the 04 has a different FICM than the 03. Who knows what component changes were made along the way.
http://www.flatratetech.com/6literpo...l_updates.html
My Truck is a June build with the original flash. My predator works fine with it. The components are the same, they just have been revising the flashes. If you have an 03 truck with a december flash, it will run on a june flash, I'm sure because it probably did before your dealer changed it.
Diablo wants the new flash because it is the only one they have tested and can certify. I have 8,000 (trouble free)miles on the Predator running on a my June flash. I have seen others do it also.
It is my opinion that the late May, June flash is the best one of the flashes after the injectors changed. My truck gets 17 MPG driving 80 mph and about 30% around town. The tow/haul mode works. This is the flash that everyone has been wanting to "Go Back" to.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Yep, that's it. I know OBDII has been around a long time but I thought (posted on this forum) that the OBD interface was somehow broken on the 6.0's previous to Oct. Go to the link and there are diagnostic upgrades and CAN upgrades in the Oct flash. But if you have a June flash and it works OK.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
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From: Dallas
Originally Posted by SBV45
Yep, that's it. I know OBDII has been around a long time but I thought (posted on this forum) that the OBD interface was somehow broken on the 6.0's previous to Oct. Go to the link and there are diagnostic upgrades and CAN upgrades in the Oct flash. But if you have a June flash and it works OK.
It's probably these "upgrades" that have caused the glitches that make the trucks run poorly and produce 11 - 14 MPG. The worst thing they did was take away 4th gear engine braking in the tow haul mode.
I have to believe the things that I can prove....that my June built truck runs great, with or without the Predator. A lot of my friends on this web site are having troubles with later flashes.
If I can find a way, I will save my flash to disk as insurance against a phamtom flasher at the dealer.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
I received some instructions from Diablo on how to save a custom tune to the PC. I think you have to load the factory tune back on to the truck and then save it through the Predator to the PC. The required program for your PC is not on the web site. I had Diablo email it to me. So if you want, I can email it to you. It is only 82KB zipped. Shouldn't cause you pain if you have a decent dial up.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by SBV45
I received some instructions from Diablo on how to save a custom tune to the PC. I think you have to load the factory tune back on to the truck and then save it through the Predator to the PC. The required program for your PC is not on the web site. I had Diablo email it to me. So if you want, I can email it to you. It is only 82KB zipped. Shouldn't cause you pain if you have a decent dial up.
If this works, the Predator can be a fix for some flash problems.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 974
Likes: 5
From: FLA
Originally Posted by SBV45
Can you share the indtructions they gave you? I received some instructions for saving a modified tune. Would probably work the same but you would have to load the factory tune to the PCM to save it.
My concern is that the factory code may somehow be married to the PCM just like the Predator does. So if we save a flash from Bob's truck it may not install on Jim's. Then again the factory flash may not be married.
purple
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
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From: Dallas
Originally Posted by purplewg
SBV45, I didn't receive any instructions. They just said yes you can save it to a PC. I haven't had time to play with the Predator yet but it sounds like Bob and Jim are running with the ball and will let us know the results.
My concern is that the factory code may somehow be married to the PCM just like the Predator does. So if we save a flash from Bob's truck it may not install on Jim's. Then again the factory flash may not be married.
purple
My concern is that the factory code may somehow be married to the PCM just like the Predator does. So if we save a flash from Bob's truck it may not install on Jim's. Then again the factory flash may not be married.
purple
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 974
Likes: 5
From: FLA
Originally Posted by Choctaw Bob
The problem is our predator only allows files to be loaded from PC to Predator. No advertised availability on the Ford Predator to save a backup to PC. I have some Ideas though that I may try tonight if I have time.
This is a reply to your question from 2004-03-30 09:49
CATEGORY: Predator
QUESTION: [I have an existing Ford flash in my truck now. I just got my Predator and want to save it. Can I save it in the Predator and then save it to my PC? This way if Ford reflashes to something that makes my truck run badly I can go back to something that worked. I think the Pred will store one factory flash is that correct? Thanks]
------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER:
Dear purple,
You can save it to your pc, but it is always saved in the predator as well.
Thank you for your interest in DiabloSport!
Stay tuned,
Johan Mangs, a proud member of the DiabloSport Support Team
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by purplewg
Bob, Is the email I sent and received from Diablo.
This is a reply to your question from 2004-03-30 09:49
CATEGORY: Predator
QUESTION: [I have an existing Ford flash in my truck now. I just got my Predator and want to save it. Can I save it in the Predator and then save it to my PC? This way if Ford reflashes to something that makes my truck run badly I can go back to something that worked. I think the Pred will store one factory flash is that correct? Thanks]
------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER:
Dear purple,
You can save it to your pc, but it is always saved in the predator as well.
Thank you for your interest in DiabloSport!
Stay tuned,
Johan Mangs, a proud member of the DiabloSport Support Team
This is a reply to your question from 2004-03-30 09:49
CATEGORY: Predator
QUESTION: [I have an existing Ford flash in my truck now. I just got my Predator and want to save it. Can I save it in the Predator and then save it to my PC? This way if Ford reflashes to something that makes my truck run badly I can go back to something that worked. I think the Pred will store one factory flash is that correct? Thanks]
------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER:
Dear purple,
You can save it to your pc, but it is always saved in the predator as well.
Thank you for your interest in DiabloSport!
Stay tuned,
Johan Mangs, a proud member of the DiabloSport Support Team
The 2003 GM interface allows for bidirectional movement of files. This is what we are all hoping for in an update to our Predator software.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Los Lunas, NM
Originally Posted by BagStroke
I ran a diagnostic on my truck yesterday with my Predator and I recived a P0278 code which is a 6 cylinder contribution/balance??According to OBD codes on the internet...So I put my stock tune in and drove it around a while then took it to the dealer...I have a buddy that is a ford mechanic and he says that it sounds like a bad injector...GREAT just what I need....Also my water in the fuel light is on all the time even after I drain it so they'll look at that as well....O last but not least my 4x4 hubs don't shift on the fly by themselves...No matter what I do forward reverse,..wait 2 minutes nothing...So I'm bummed...They gave me an 04 F-150 longbed 5.4 triton..Guttless compared to my Pstroke..but it should be...anyway I'll let you know what happens when I hear from them tomorrow.....
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
03f350crew...
sounds like u need to start using some diesel additive - and regularlly !
Never had this problem myself...
but there is a silent recall with the water separators... they replaced mine - no wuestions asked... or QUEstions either
sounds like u need to start using some diesel additive - and regularlly !
Never had this problem myself...
but there is a silent recall with the water separators... they replaced mine - no wuestions asked... or QUEstions either
Last edited by jdadamsjr; Apr 6, 2004 at 10:44 AM.