I wanted to get the latest on the tuners for the V10 and I heard that the Predator or Diablo (not sure) was soon to be out but need some info on this. If I chip it will I have to run premium all the time? I tow a lot so I want to be able to increase the tranny pressure and get better shifts. Which one have you guys used and what do you guys suggest? Thanks for the help in advance! I think I am leaning toward the tuner.

 

You can get a chip, that you can switch from hot rod, to stock config. The bad thing is what if you have 3/4 a tank of regular and want to hit the power/towing switch ? If you had two tanks you could keep reg in one and super in the other I guess. A tuner is the same way, you can go back and forth. I know that the tuner plugs into your OBD II port and takes 30 or so minutes to flash your stock chip whereas a chip either replaces or piggybacks your stock chip and works immediately. The switch chip has a small wire which of course has to be mounted somewhere, but that's not that big of a deal. The tuner gives more options, and more flexibility, but to me it's like going to a restaurant with 400 things to choose from, it's too much. Give me steak, or fish, or chicken. Hell I'll cover them with ketchup or Memphis bar-b-q sauce anyway, so what does it matter ? Heh Heh ?

 

Don't hold your breath on the predator tuner. The V10 is a very small market. Diablo has most of thier efforts elsewhere. They have been on Diablo website as (V10 engines to be added soon) for over a year now. The owner of this site does not think it will be any time soon.

Basically, chips are cheaper and give more power. You can get a chip with multiple settings. Seeing you tow alot, the 87 octane tune would be best. If you tow in a performance setting, 93 octane, you will get detonation.

Tuners are more expensive but like ken said, are infanitely adjustable. Tuners are what most people seem to go for. It is easy to go back and forth between tunes. Also, a tuner can read error codes. Plus, some states make it tough to get a inspection sticker is there are any thrown codes. Which a chip and tuner are likely to do. These codes dont indicate that something is wrong, but just show that it is not set to factory peramiters. My state of Massachusetts would fail you for this. So when You go to the inspection station set the PCM back to stock tune mode and everything will be fine. It is alot easir to do this with a tuner than a chip. Diablo chips do have a toggle to switch from one to another. A tuner will work with every vehicle without any prior info. A chip needs to have the PCM code installed into it before it is installed. The code is on the door jamb. My truck with 40k miles, the sticker is long gone. Have know idea how to get the code then.

My choice is to get a tuner. The superchips mirotuner works with all vehicles. Very few have problems. Chips have been known to give problems on install (dead vehicle) and make the truck act funny.

Post something in the chips and tuners forum and Ken (webmaster) the owner of this site will give you some more info.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I may look into the tuner then from the info you gave me.

 

I see Hypertech has a commercial on TV,,for a tuner that works well with 87 octane ??
I never looked into it,,could be a good thing though ?

 

Not many here in these forums have hypertech. Most have Superchips Mircotuner (scmt) or the new predator tuner. Predator gives you the best bang for the buck. The downside is there are limited applications ie no V10. The scmt is the only alternative. There are three power settings 87 octane suitable for towing. A 93 octane tow/performance, and a 93 octane performance setting. Now the 93 octane tow/performace is misleading. It only can be used for light towing. less than 4,000#'s. The 87 setting gives you the tranny shift firmness and not much else. These tuners advance the timing to take advantage for higher octane fuels. That is were the power is.

Best of all the owenr of this site, owns Motorhaven. They carry SCMT and predator. On the SCMT, it's $399 minus $60 instant rebate. And if you are a site supporter you can give Motorhaven a call for a added discount.

 

I'll probably catch a ton of flack for this post or worse, get called a liar but anyway...I've had a Hypertech tuner on my truck for the last 30k+ miles (truck currently at about 142k). '99 F350 CC Dually 4.30 A/T. Started out on the middle tune-up, according to Hypertech, running 87 octane with no problems. Tried the big tune-up, the one requiring the 93 octane. LOVED the difference! It REALLY wakes the truck up. I couldn't stand to go back to the lower setting. I started out on straight 93 and occasionally mixed a half tank or so of regular unleaded in. Finally got up the nerve to run it straight- 87 octane on big tune-up. Checked plugs...no detonation found (I'm very familiar at plug-reading as I drag race an '87 Ranger, 351W on n2o...low 10 second truck). Never a ping, never any plug deposits, no over heating, etc.
Now for the best part. My truck has a trailer behind it more often than not. I haul the big rolls of hay that stick way up high when double stacked. I gross anywhere from 24-26,500 lbs on every load. The truck has been running like this flawlessly, knock on wood, for probably the last 25,000 miles. I would think if it was going to cause a problem, it would have surfaced long ago. The truck shifts better, will run with most half-tons when I'm empty and only once or twice have I added any oil between 3,000 mile intervals.
You can have the PSD's (including the 3 from my past and my Dad's F550 PSD CC 4x4 and a host of other PSD's he's owned). If it blows up tomorrow, I'll fix it or get another one just like it. You'll never convince me of the advantages of an oil-burner, stock or whatever. Regular maintenance alone pretty much negates any increase in fuel mileage they MAY have over the V-10.
Back to the chip/tuner issue. I have no reason to lie about my Hypertech. My buddy recently bought him an F250 CC 4x4 V-10 and after I let him run my tuner on his truck a few days he had to have one of his own. I do know from experience with Diablo chips in 4.6 Mustangs that they run a more aggressive timing curve and are more prone to detonation than the Superchips or Hypertechs in that application.
Just my .02!
Randy

 

Dude, we don't have much of the "you're a liar" around here, we're all nice people. If someone tells me something, I tend to believe it. I too have heard the Hypertech tuner will ping stories, but I like to hear from someone who actually HAS the product, or try it myself. I'm glad you're happy with yours, thanks for the post, Ken

 

Thanks for the positive response. I don't see a lot of people using them on here but I love mine. To each his own I guess.

 

Do they help with fuel mileage at all, I see them advertised and they all claim to add fuel mileage, I was just wondering. I know that nothing but my foot is going to determne any real results, But I was just curiouse anyway. I am getting the itch to do something to my v 10 ex. Dont know weather to start in the interior or engine. Thanx.

 

They do help with milage in the 93 octane settings. Not much at all in the 87 setting. That setting is more for the tranny shift firmness. If you want more power you need to run the 93 octane tune. What you will gain in MPG you will lose in higher prices at the pump. It is about a wash. I much rather pay the same money per month and have some extra zip to the engine. You just have to becareful about not using the zippy motor too much or else you will lose in the end.

 

This is just one guys opinion. I have a 2002 250 4x4 crewcab long bed and live in Ca. I tow a 12500-13500 toy hauler. I have a superchips programmer, and let me say its a piece of crap. I ran my truck out to Cal City fully loaded down this weekend with the program at stock for the first time since i've owned the truck and trailer. The truck run better then its ever run before. When I would run in tow mode on the programmer before I had alot of pinging even running 91 octane and octane boost. After I got back I left the computer stock and found that the truck actually ran better even when not towing. This is just my two cents but, save your money and by some nice rims or headers to get rid of the y-pipe. I will never waste my money on another tuner again.

 

Just one note about towing with the scmt. According to superchips, you cannot tow over 4,000# even in the tow mode. So pinging with 12500# trailor. Yes it would happen. Did you try 93 octane?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...light=towing+4

It's a thread about scmt and towing. Webmaster is the guru on these things.

 

the v 10 has plenty of power for me, not like I couldnt use more, but the more I have, the more I will use, Just trying to justify the price of a programer, but if I have to use 93 to get a slight mpg increase plus the price of the programer, then I think I will save my money. Thanks for the input.