Superchips 6.0 Microtuner Thread
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Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
The tuner will tell you to go to the Ford dealer for an update when you plug it in and attempt to program it.
This will not require the tuner to come to superchips. You will simply need to take your truck to Ford to have the latest flash installed.
Once you get back home, you can install our tuning!
This will not require the tuner to come to superchips. You will simply need to take your truck to Ford to have the latest flash installed.
Once you get back home, you can install our tuning!
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SCMT will charge you 200.00 to update it if you are not the original owner and they told me that I must have a receipt. I sold mine on ebay and purchased a new one from Motorhaven. SCMT told me the 200.00 would get me one year of updates if needed. If you purchase it new with receipt, you get lifetime updates, except you have to pay shipping except for the first 30 days. When I bought my new one, it needed an update, so I had to send it right back to SCMT, they updated it and sent it back next day air to me. Hope this helps.
Joe
Joe
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by jimth
Who is SCMT? I am the original owner. I bought the truck 1/04. It has a build date 0f 9/03. 2004 F350 SC Dually.
I understand you are the original owner of the truck, but how did you acquire the tuner?
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Just re-posting this from last page so it won't get lost in the shuffle, Vic! Also, can you find out (from your doublesupersecretsources) whether the 1805 will do this if the 1704 won't? Thanks!!
Originally Posted by Planecrazy
Hi Vic/Jim!
Here's a question for you that I think will greatly interest everyone on the forum ...
I just picked my Excursion up from the dealer, and got into a nice conversation with the tech who worked on the truck today. I asked him some general questions about the X, specifically about long term issues to watch for. Among other things, he mentioned that the tranny might wear out sooner than expected because of a programming change that Ford made in response to customer complaints that the brakes were wearing out too quickly.
Apparently instead of explaining to these people that they were driving an 8000 pound vehicle, and that the brakes were going to wear more quickly than in a regular vehicle, Ford decided to program the tranny to allow for more engine braking. The tech told me that this takes a predictable "hit" on fuel mileage, which we all want more of. He also told me that at least one company makes a product that corrects for this. My question is: Does the 1704's revised tranny program also correct for this, in addition to changing the shift points, and if not, do you think Superchips might make the adjustment for us if enough of us ask?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge and wisdom!
Steve
Here's a question for you that I think will greatly interest everyone on the forum ...
I just picked my Excursion up from the dealer, and got into a nice conversation with the tech who worked on the truck today. I asked him some general questions about the X, specifically about long term issues to watch for. Among other things, he mentioned that the tranny might wear out sooner than expected because of a programming change that Ford made in response to customer complaints that the brakes were wearing out too quickly.
Apparently instead of explaining to these people that they were driving an 8000 pound vehicle, and that the brakes were going to wear more quickly than in a regular vehicle, Ford decided to program the tranny to allow for more engine braking. The tech told me that this takes a predictable "hit" on fuel mileage, which we all want more of. He also told me that at least one company makes a product that corrects for this. My question is: Does the 1704's revised tranny program also correct for this, in addition to changing the shift points, and if not, do you think Superchips might make the adjustment for us if enough of us ask?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge and wisdom!
Steve
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Colorado
I think the tech might be referring to the torque converter locking clutch. Driving my 03 F-250 6.0, when I let off the accelerator, at highway speed, the engine would drop to a fast idle. My 06 doesn’t, it only drops a few hundred rpm. This would indicate to me that the torque converter remains locked. It does allow for a little engine breaking. As there are after market devices that do this for older models and advertise that longer transmission life is one of the benefits, I would wonder if the tech was on the right track.
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Common sense and physics would lead one to believe that anytime you add drag and stress to a transmission vs disengaging it you would be shortening its life, nevermind the hit on fuel economy.
I'm more apt to take the word of a Ford mechanic whose been around long enough to "know the score" than the marketing claims of a company that wants to sell me aftermarket add-ons. The Ford tech had no reason to lie to me, especially since I had asked him specifically what kinds of things to keep a watch for in the long term...
The big question is whether we can correct for the change with our SCMT 1704 or 1805...
Regards,
Steve
PS BTW, I would guess that the claims of longer tranny life being made by aftermarket lockup device manufacturers refers to the benefit gained while power is being applied, not when you lift off the gas. After all, a lockup torque converter is more efficient at converting engine power to the wheels because it's eliminating slippage (and friction) at speed with steady throttle being applied. When you're off the throttle, however, you really don't want the engine dragging and killing your fuel economy...
I'm more apt to take the word of a Ford mechanic whose been around long enough to "know the score" than the marketing claims of a company that wants to sell me aftermarket add-ons. The Ford tech had no reason to lie to me, especially since I had asked him specifically what kinds of things to keep a watch for in the long term...
The big question is whether we can correct for the change with our SCMT 1704 or 1805...
Regards,
Steve
PS BTW, I would guess that the claims of longer tranny life being made by aftermarket lockup device manufacturers refers to the benefit gained while power is being applied, not when you lift off the gas. After all, a lockup torque converter is more efficient at converting engine power to the wheels because it's eliminating slippage (and friction) at speed with steady throttle being applied. When you're off the throttle, however, you really don't want the engine dragging and killing your fuel economy...
Last edited by Planecrazy; Jan 4, 2006 at 11:23 AM.
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i'm sorry, I misunderstood your question. I am the original owner of the truck. I don't have a microtuner yet. I would like to purchase one but I have a DAX1 PCM and the truck was reflashed in October of 2004. I am trying to find out how I can get the dealer to replace the DAX1 wit a DAX0 so I can use the microtuner. Past posts I read stated that you needed a DAX0 PCM.
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by jimth
i'm sorry, I misunderstood your question. I am the original owner of the truck. I don't have a microtuner yet. I would like to purchase one but I have a DAX1 PCM and the truck was reflashed in October of 2004. I am trying to find out how I can get the dealer to replace the DAX1 wit a DAX0 so I can use the microtuner. Past posts I read stated that you needed a DAX0 PCM.
They will, however, reflash you to the latest revision, which you can use with a microtuner. You can use any flash after October 2002, this includes many, many box codes.
re DAX1 vs DAX0 PCM
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by jimth
Per previous posts I read you had to have a DAX0 PCM not a DAX1. Is this the case as my truck is labeled as DAX1?
I forget which is the nono (I don't know why I forget, but I do), but in either case, if you go to ford for the latest flash, they will not give you a DAXo or DAX1, the will flash you to a much newer program whch will be tunable.
If you are againt the idea if going to the dealer for an update, call superchips and ask to speak with the calibrator working on the 1704 stuff. Tell them Jim doesn't remember if DAX0 or DAX1 was on the black list, and you would like them to tell you.
If you aren't succesful, I can call myself.
Maybe I'll just do that. LOL
I'll let you know tomorrow.
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Hi Vic,
Would you please go back several posts and answer my "Tranny tuning" question? I'm confident you already know the answer, at least where it concerns the 1704. I'm sure the group will be interested to know about anything that might positively impact on fuel economy!
Thanks in advance!
Steve
Would you please go back several posts and answer my "Tranny tuning" question? I'm confident you already know the answer, at least where it concerns the 1704. I'm sure the group will be interested to know about anything that might positively impact on fuel economy!
Thanks in advance!
Steve
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Originally Posted by Vic_Ferrari
One of the two is on the "do not tune" list, but regardless, both are OLD calibrations.
I forget which is the nono (I don't know why I forget, but I do), but in either case, if you go to ford for the latest flash, they will not give you a DAXo or DAX1, the will flash you to a much newer program whch will be tunable.
If you are againt the idea if going to the dealer for an update, call superchips and ask to speak with the calibrator working on the 1704 stuff. Tell them Jim doesn't remember if DAX0 or DAX1 was on the black list, and you would like them to tell you.
If you aren't succesful, I can call myself.
Maybe I'll just do that. LOL
I'll let you know tomorrow.
I forget which is the nono (I don't know why I forget, but I do), but in either case, if you go to ford for the latest flash, they will not give you a DAXo or DAX1, the will flash you to a much newer program whch will be tunable.
If you are againt the idea if going to the dealer for an update, call superchips and ask to speak with the calibrator working on the 1704 stuff. Tell them Jim doesn't remember if DAX0 or DAX1 was on the black list, and you would like them to tell you.
If you aren't succesful, I can call myself.
Maybe I'll just do that. LOL
I'll let you know tomorrow.
What started this whole discussion for me was a posting at thread 44 where you stated the DAX1 is not supported. I didn't want to purchase the 1704A if I needed to get the PCM replaced also since I have the DAX1.
Here is what Superchips tedhincal supported respnded to me with:
The 1704-A tuner should program up through the 05 model year. If you have been back to the dealer and got the computer reflashed to some repair or warranty work and the tuner gives you and E-6D code, then it will have to come into us to be upgraded before it will work. Need to call on our toll free line, 888-227-2447, get an RA # so you can send it to us to get updated.
Thanks.
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by jimth
Vic:
What started this whole discussion for me was a posting at thread 44 where you stated the DAX1 is not supported. I didn't want to purchase the 1704A if I needed to get the PCM replaced also since I have the DAX1.
Here is what Superchips tedhincal supported respnded to me with:
The 1704-A tuner should program up through the 05 model year. If you have been back to the dealer and got the computer reflashed to some repair or warranty work and the tuner gives you and E-6D code, then it will have to come into us to be upgraded before it will work. Need to call on our toll free line, 888-227-2447, get an RA # so you can send it to us to get updated.
Thanks.
What started this whole discussion for me was a posting at thread 44 where you stated the DAX1 is not supported. I didn't want to purchase the 1704A if I needed to get the PCM replaced also since I have the DAX1.
Here is what Superchips tedhincal supported respnded to me with:
The 1704-A tuner should program up through the 05 model year. If you have been back to the dealer and got the computer reflashed to some repair or warranty work and the tuner gives you and E-6D code, then it will have to come into us to be upgraded before it will work. Need to call on our toll free line, 888-227-2447, get an RA # so you can send it to us to get updated.
Thanks.
I still don't think you understand...your PCM does not need to be replaced, only REFLASHED.
The Ford dealer can give you a software update in literally 10 minutes. There is no change of hardware.
DAX1 is on the Black list, so if you are set on keeping DAX1 no matter what, you are out of luck with using the tuner.
I recommend you take your truck to Ford, let the update your computer (again, they aren't changing your pcm, just the calibration), then install your superchips tuner when they are done.
Another thing:
Just because your PCM says DAX1 on it, doesn't mean its a DAX1.
It may have been (in fact it is likely that it has been) reflashed to a newer calibrations, such as TEC2.
Your solution is simple:
#1 Go to Ford and make sure your calibration is the latest
#2 Install your tuner
no further action is required.