This is common (AMONG SENSIBLE DRIVERS =O)

 

Stupid question time.

If HP tune has the best mileage (among sensible drivers) than why is there a even a tune called Economy?

 

Good question.

They could change the names so that they are:

Tow Safe, Tow Less Safe, and Tow Really Fast

 

I said it is common, not the most likely.

There are three distinct power levels.
For those with a heavier foot, the ECON will often get the best mileage.

Every truck is different, every driver is different.
The tuning world is unfortunately not cut and dry.

I think Hunter gets the best mileage in tow mode.

The best frame of mind to have when thinking about this kind of stuff is that very little is cut and dry, there are tons of variables.

If I took away the econ tune, somoene would want to know why there are only two tunes, etc...
The econ is a favorite of many. It makes power with lower EGT and less smoke than Performance but also makes distinctly more power than the tow program.

 

Vic,

I need to send you a PM (your box is full) or an email (disabled). I think you are going to want to hear what I have to say.

 

Hi VIC,
I have an 03 F250 6.0 SD CC SB 4X4. In your last line you say, "You can tow as much as you want with the tow file". I tow a 15,000 lb toy hauler, 23,000 Gross, and so far all of the posts that I have read are about towing 10,000 or so. This may be reduntant, but am I also safe at this level with a SC in tow mode. Lucky Lindy

 

Tow Safe mode is for the maximum rated towing capacity of the vehicle, so yep you should be able to tow that load.

Pulling that kind of load, I'd recommend a pyrometer even stock. I use the X-Monitor on my truck so that I can keep the driver's door pilar handle.

Once you've got the pyrometer installed and can see the EGTs that the truck is running you can back out of the throttle if for some reason it starts to climb above your comfort zone.

I regularly pull a 30' toy hauler loaded to around 10,000 lbs (~18,000 GCVW) up 8%+ grade hills at full throttle in Tow Safe mode and have no EGT problem. My truck is otherwise stock, i.e., no after market exhaust to help lower EGTs.

 

I frequently tow 20,000 (27,720 gross) in HP mode never have a problem, but I don't full throttle it from a dead stop either. I do however keep an eye on the EGT closely, but even that stays in check if you are wise. The hottest I have seen while towing that kind of load is 1250-1300.

On the highway I rarely see over 1150 with a load.

I have an x-monitor and 4" turbo back.

 

Vic, I've installed a SC on my new 05. Not as fast as the 04. Are the 05s a little differnt? This tuner was made for my truck (tried to install and the tuner needed to be sent in for the update) and works great! Seat of the pants seems slower all around. Nice job on the shifting though.

I have to admit, I was wrong. The 05 is a better, more controlled and handling truck. I was against the coil spring change at first, but again I was wrong.
Thanks in advance. CT

 

The 05's take a slightly different method to tune. Unlocking mass quantities of fuel is slightly more difficult. Once a little more R+D is done on the 05's, they will be cranking out numbers equal to the 04's.

 

The 05's are different.
Also, you can tow up to Fords max recommended towing capacity with the tow file. Many people exceed what Ford recommends, but this is between them and Ford. The TOW file is ok for heavy towing.


This is not a tech thread.
This is a discussion thread, so please do not direct questions to me that should be answered by Superchips.
My presence here is going to be much different than before to keep things simple.
Superchips has a toll free number if you have questions.

888-CAR-CHIP

 

Vic - Is there a simple explanation as to why the 05s don't seem on average to get as good mileage as the earlier models?

 

I will get this through:

I'm trying to make this work...

This is not a tech thread.
This is a discussion thread, so please do not direct questions to me that should be answered by Superchips.
My presence here is going to be much different than before to keep things simple.
Superchips has a toll free number if you have questions.

888-CAR-CHIP

Ask questions on the thread, but please do not direct them specifically at me.
Most can be answered by "everyone" or by reading threads or the history of this thread. If I see something cuckoo or way out of whack, I'll make a clarification.
If an answer is not found, please use the phone.

I will not get involved in tech questions directed at me, I will not get into tuner wars, and I will very carefully choose the subjects I openly discuss (example: comparing different tuning products is a nono. Do it among yourselves if you like, but please keep me out of it).

 

I have been following this thread for quite awhile now. I think its obvious that Vic is intimate with SCMT. I also can feel his frustration because it always seems the threads become aimed at him. But Vic is probably his own worst enemy. You can't blame people for wanting information from the "horses mouth". Vic steps up to the plate and makes a statement about his product then people ask him to qualify it. Then Vic gets irritated. Well his time on here probably is off the clock and he is wondering why he has to work at home. I think its been a pretty good thread. I have learned alot. Because of the anonymous nature of boards like this you have to take everything with a grain of salt. People here have learned to trust Vic and a few other posters like PSD for good, hard core information. In return they get bombarded with questions, the same ones, over and over. Fame comes with a price, I'm afraid. I think it will help the matter if you have a question, attempt to answer it by researching earlier posts. Other than that, if the heats too much, than maybe they need to get out of the kitchen! Maybe SCMT can assign a tech to this board and pay them for their trouble? Or maybe they can start their own board. I think they d be selling alot of tuners this way.

Anyways, Vic, thanks for all the input on the board, you have definately shown a bunch of light on this subject. I will be purchasing a tuner for my truck in the future, I just want to get past this shakedown mileage.

 

Hell, some people were rompin' on their trucks at 100 miles =o)

I appreciate your comments.

Questions should be posted in general, but I think it's the challenging of ~any and all info~ given that becomes frustrating. There is a lot of jumping to conclusions and demands.

The ideal situation is like I've got it on a few other boards...
I'll make a comment, provide some data, and others will look at it, comment, cross examine, but not hammer me for more info if I don't post on the same subject again.
It is only on this site that this is occurring, and I can't put my finger on exactly why.

I really like it here, which is why I feel it is worth the effort to address this.
It may be that I made almost a habit of answering everything for awhile, but I simply just can't do it anymore.

There are some very intelligent individuals posting in here, and I encourage everyone to do some of their own testing, provide data, look for advice, search the net, search the forums, and come up with some solutions/ideas.

I got a very long (but well documented) message from a member today and am working on a response. I just can't do it all of the time.

The 6.0 is definitely a great engine, but a "problem child" of irritating design flaws. I (and others) am working on something that everyone will be very intrigued with IF/when it's done. I'm not talking product, but information that, once fully gathered and shared, will be very valuable to 6.0L owners..