Hi Guys,

I also just spent the last week fighting my way through this entire thread only to be disappointed in finding that nobody in all these months has managed to get an unbiased comparison together.

I am especially interested because I'm on the verge of buying a new vehicle and am torn between buying something like a Toyota Sienna AWD and a new Excursion. My specific needs include hauling three carseats, a medium to large sized dog crate (and still having room for several adults), and occasionally hauling various things and a small trailer. I'd love to go diesel if I could be assured of getting reasonable mileage (considering the Sienna's mileage is likely to be a lot less than the 27mpg they claim on the highway with my load requirements). Prior to finding this thread I had heard of X's getting as high as 21mpg, but it sounds like reality is generally a lot less.

Truthfully, it seems the Sienna will fill my needs most of the time, but I was thinking more long-term, and I love the idea of getting a vehicle that will actually be "FUN" despite the size and utility. I also love the idea that I might someday use or even make biodiesel for my own vehicle and do my part to reduce our dependance on foreign oil...

Now getting to the specifics relating to the SCMT and why I'm posting all this here...

1. Months ago Vic mentioned being on the verge of changing the transmission shift points to accomodate those who are light on the throttle (as I would try to be most of the time), and who would prefer a more "civilized" upshift. In recent months it seems a LOT of people have posted concerns about the abrupt shifting at higher than desired rpms. My first question is: With all this recent feedback is there a chance you'll be changing it so that new units are smoother out of the box rather than doing it over and over on an individual basis?

2. Lots of posts regarding the ease/convenience of internet upgrades of competitive products ... Nobody has voiced this next thought so I will, and I'm interested in your "take" on it, Vic ... It would seem to me that Superchips could save themselves a "boatload" of money (not to mention costs to their customers) in shipping costs if they were to implement online upgrades. What is the feasability of creating a "link cable" to a computer (and an associated program of course) that would allow the SCMT to plug in and save individual "flash" info to the computer and thus allow transmission back to you (and updates/custom tunes back to us)?

Obviously a "next generation" SCMT could be designed with this feature in mind, but it would be great if the existing ODBII socket could be used to allow for this on existing units. Having never held a SCMT in my hands I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that the ODBII is the only access port on the current units.

3. Do you folks have any plans to market a version which would allow for use on more than one vehicle? It seems to me that Superchips could make an additional boatload of money (and save loyal customers money at the same time) by creating a SCMT that, for example, allowed a fleet owner with ten identical vehicles to store multiple vehicle data (by vin code perhaps?) and tune all ten from that one unit after purchasing a "multi-license" user code. I personally don't have need of such a tuner, but I could see where it would really benefit companies running more than one vehicle.

4. I've seen you constantly make reference to 03 strategy vehicles and 04 strategy vehicles, as well as mention that the 03's are actually more powerful than the 04's (and presumably the 05's). My question is ... are the 03's physically different than the 04's or is the "strategy" purely in the flashes that were available then vs. now? Can an 04 or newer be flashed to an earlier "strategy" resulting in the additional power you mention? At the end of the day, does any of this really result in a noticeable difference when the SCMT tune is applied?

Thanks in advance for all the answers! I think I should also mention that I haven't even bothered to check out the Predator thread, both because the driveability issues seem to favor the SCMT (that would be important to me) based on what I've read here, as well as the negative tone the Predator guys brought to this thread when they weighed in. Still, the advantages of being able to troubleshoot/update over the web is a very compelling feature, as well as the ability to save stock tunes to one's computer.

Keep up the awesome support -- it's very much appreciated!

Steve

 

Yo Steve,

You most likely remember reading my post earlier and just to jolt things a little started my own...Microtuner warfare.. I did get a couple of good posts on it and a PM and even chatted of the forum with a few guys. I do have a couple of good on and off the record comments.... BUT for the time being making the decision about the Subaru Vs. Ex. is the most important factor.

Depending on your budget, the Ex with the 6.0 diesel is the way to go. You will love the drive and the rumble, promise!!!! You may get the 21 mpg kind of mileage and maybe even a twinge better with the tuner but if you worry about the mpg than go for a minivan (like my wife ). And my opinion is go with the SCMT for your application (and I do have reasons for it, good ones).

Claude

 

Has anyone here using the superchips tuner 1704 experienced surging while towing a load (11,000 lbs.) around 2800-3000 rpms?

03 f250 2wd, reflashed this year in may along with the ficm and 4 injectors replaced. It had a re-flash during dec. of 03 with the flash that took away pilot injection and cured the starting/idling problems experienced with my truck. The truck is an early 03 build.

Vic if you stumble across this thread, I talked to someone at superchips today and was told of an updated actuator for 05 that are currently being used on the 03/04 to correct this problem. If that is the case, is this a warranty issue? Has anone had this relplaced with Ford picking up the bill? I have had a intercooler hose blow off, and want to get all the warranty work done in one shot, plus I am getting close to the end of warranty. 32,850 on the odometer.

Ryan

 

The actuator is in fact covered under warranty.

There is NOT a TSB on it, but it is covered by Ford.

Many 03 trucks had a mild surging issue that was accentuated with any tuning.
I have yet to see a case wherethe actuator kit hasn't cured the problem.

This is the alleged part # for the actuator kit:

3C3Z6F089AA

 

Wow, quick response, thanks Vic. Well I guess it's time to make an appointment with the dealership. Is there a flash involved in the new actuator? If so will it be a better flash version?


Ryan

 

Hi Vic,

Did you miss my somewhat long post of questions above? I realize you may be in the process of composing a response (as opposed to the quick answer you just left regarding injectors), so if that's the case just disregard this reminder.

Otherwise, consider this my public service reminder that I'm greatly anticipating your response!

Thanks again and enjoy SEMA you lucky son-of-a-gun!,
Steve

 

Vic,

One of my employees just bought a regular cab, short bed, Dodge with a Hemi. He has all ready started to trash talk. Can I take him with my 04 CC,with SCMT and turbo back exhaust, or should I keep my mouth shut. Sonic

 

feed his ego with...
Wow - heard good thing about those.... can we have a friendly comparison to see how mine will do against yours?

Put in the extreme performance tune for a day or so before...
run your fuel down to about a 1/4 of a tank...
put some power service cetane booster in your tank...

Practice this a few times to get the feel of it...
Power brake @ start to about 1800 rpms to get boost up
(and IN 4x4 HI if you have it...)
floor it just before go, dump brake and hold on !!!!

I think you'll do fine !!! since a stock 6.0L driven right may take him

then grin all the way back as he sulks back with his tail between his legs

but remember - this is NOT a race truck
it just happens to do all right

 

If you are running HP mode talk some trash. I would put money on it.

 

I just wanted to thank you for the hints Tried them out the other day and while they worked better than OK I have a major problem now.... My 13 yr old son was in the truck when I tested your launch sequence (that is what it truely is!) and NOW he won't stop bugging me to "do it again Dad"!!! Darn, I see new tires on the horizon and a horse throat from telling him no because of the cost of fuel and rubber. I think we need a warning lable telling people to be sure that you are alone in the truck "pre-launch" or you will never hear the end of it.

 

U want me to predict the outcome of a race? How am I gonna do that?

If your truck is a 4x4, leave it in 4WHigh and load the brake to 2000-2200 RPM. Release the brake and leave your foot on the floor constantly.

Hemis aren't fast, but the 6.0 isn't exactly "fast" either.
It''s damn fast for a truck (and especially a diesel one), but it's still only a 14 second machine when tuned and driven correctly.

 

Many of those questions have been touched on throughout this thread.
I have VERY limited time in here, so rarely can I compose a large response.

A few quick answers to some of your questions:

-The new units shift softer out of the box. If you find it too firm, I can adjust it.

-There are no plans to make a multi truck programmer.

-Internet updates...this has been discussed a bit in this thread. I want
tuners to be internet ready so they can be updated without sending them
in. It isn't going to happen right now, but I will always push for it.

-03 vs 04 strategy- you can not flash an 04 strategy truck to an 03.

As for which vehicle you should buy...that's up to you.

Of course I would say the Diesel Excursion.

One thing is for certain, if you get an Excursion, don't get the gas engine!
It'll kill you on fuel costs and won't get out of it's own way.

 

Vic is correct about the gas powered X - don't get it unless you get the diesel. We have an X at work with 5.4 gasser - awful mileage! My dealer drives an X with 6.0 and loves it and reports much better mileage than I get on my 6.0 SD.

 

I just bought an '05 Honda Odyssey a couple weeks back and am really happy with it. It was a toss up between the Toyota and the Honda but the changes to the '05 Ody were enough to stack the deck in it's favor.

So I've got the F-250 with 6.0 and the mini-van. I needed the truck to haul my bikes on short trips and my toyhauler on longer outings.

Considered the X but didn't want to have to trailer the bikes everywhere on the short day trips.

We are currently seeing about 22 mpg on the Ody on the short highway trips with two adults and two kids in the Van. For running around town the mini is much more practical and the creature comforts are much nicer than the F-250. The X is a different beast though and I think that it's creature comforts are probably pretty good too.

My F-250 stock is a bit quicker than the Ody, but with the SCMT tuner installed there's no comparison. I get 17 to 19 mpg on the highway with the truck.

Either way you go, your getting a fine vehicle. If you even think that you are going to be doing some towing, I'd lean towards the X. If you will just be driving around town mostly, the mini-van is much easier to park

 

I appreciate all the responses!

My reason for interest in the Sienna verses the Odessey stems from the fact that the Honda isn't offered with AWD, and I won't buy another new vehicle without it (The Sorento "opened" my eyes!)

The ONLY X I've been considering is the diesel one, for the reasons I mentioned in my original post.

I tow a flatbed with anything from a Suzuki GS1100G to assorted "stuff," but would never really tax the towing capabilities of either vehicle (no plans to go over 3500 pounds in the foreseeable future.) I realize that the hauling/towing capabilities of the X are overkill for my needs, but since it's the only large SUV offered with a diesel it made it to my "short list" by default.

The Sienna makes much more sense overall from a practicality standpoint, but from an "I want to have some fun too!" standpoint the X with the SCMT scores huge points. Now if only FORD had been smart enough to duplicate the interior amenities from the Expedition in the Excursion (or offer a diesel option in the smaller lighter Expedition) it would be a "no Brainer!"

Thanks Again,
Steve