OK, before you all gang up on me, I know there are many posts about the Superchips programmer. But, I am not about to browse through all of them to find out the answer to my question. All I want to know is if anybody has had mechanical failure due to the programmer. I'm not gonna blame Superchips about anything at all, but I have the programmer and have been using it for about 6 months. My observation has been that it has enhanced my performance so much that I am afraid that it will do damage down the road. It is that good, especially in stage 3 mode. I use the #1 setting to tow my 12,000 pound trailer with great results and I use the #2 setting around town. If I happen to hit the highway for long mileage I will use #3. But, the performance has been so great, especially the way the tranny responds I am worried about long-term results. I do not usually street race, but I have on a seldom occasion raced a ricer with myself usually being the winner. Now, a 7,450 pound truck (I have weighed it) winning or keeping pace over a 2,500 pound 4 cylinder is impressive. Probably 40% of my mileage is towing and it is important to me, so losing my tow vehicle is a big deal. What have you all experienced as far as longevity on your 7.3's and tranny's while using the Superchips programmer?

 

I've been using the SC Tuner on my '99 for about a year and a half, no adverse effects at all. I tow a toy hauler loaded with dirtbikes & quads, again with no adverse effects. I just bought a SC Tuner for my '05 6.0 PSD. So far, it works great in that truck as well. My '05 has an automatic trans and I'm running the tuner on the tow/perf setting with great results, shifts great, great power gains, very noticable improvement.

 

Thanks for the response IM1096. But, I am looking for some hard core towing. It seems to me that you are towing something lightweight? My trailer is 40 feet long with a 3,500 pound racecar inside, plus all the essentials. Generator, tools, fuel and extra parts. But, the fact that you have used yours for a year and a half makes me feel better regardless. Because the tow/perf setting is pretty stout in itself and you've used it for 18 months.

 

I'm towing a 32" fifth wheel toyhauler travel trailer with 6 dirtdikes at 325 pounds each, 55 gallon water drum & pressure washer, tools, generator, 35 gallons in the fuel station, 100 gallons of water for the trailer, race gear, extra parts, etc. It's no lightweight tow. I will say that while towing I'm well over the 6000lb limit on the tow/perf setting and do switch to the tow/safe setting. I don't want to destroy my drivetrain either. I do like the SC Tuner though, like I said no problems so far..... knock on wood!

 

My apologies. You do have a large load and I am sure the altitude does not help right? I remember that I could tell the difference just towing through the mountains of northern GA and western SC.

 

JJFIVEOH,

It's a great product and we sell a lot of their different tuners with very few customer issues. Here's the deal though, and I wish all the manufactureres would place more emphasis on it, you NEED gauges to add any tuner to a truck, much less one that tows much weight at all. With gauges you KNOW what is going on as it happens and can adjust for it as well. I wouldn't reccomend anyone tow over 5000-7000 LBS on anything above the low settings unless they have gauges, much less at altitude. This will also tell you if you need an intake and exhaust system to lower EGT's to run at that level or allow you to use a higher level of HP too. I have a 6.0 and have had many 7.3's and I constantly run in the high HP levels because I can see what's happening and when. I also have intake and exhaust and because of that I can tow heavy and be safe EGT wise.

Just an FYI.

Mark @ DPPI

 

I have been running my SCMT for 2 years now. I run around town on the high setting. During the summer, I tow my 32' fifth wheel on the tow setting. I do run gauges and can get the temps up to 1200* if I really push it. I have found no problems with running the tuner, but I will say if I would ever have one I think it would be the transmission. I think on a modified truck the transmission becomes the weakest link. Just my 2 cents.

 

I purchased a used 2000 ex with 167000 that was used for towing (7-10000lbs)from il to penn monthly, programmer was installed at around 25000 and has been running every since. truck still runs great, now has 175000. preformance is great, mileage is good as long as I stay out of the pedal. (Hypertech)

 

Did you find that with exhaust and intake work that you got lower EGT's? Superchips recommend only running their programmer with a stock setup. Not that I fully believe that, but just curious how much of a difference it made. I am towing at sea level, but it does get quite hot here.

 

I ran a SC Tuner for about 2 years and 40,000+ miles,,Although my truck only pulls about 5000lbs,it does it every day,, and thinks its much heavier the way my right foor stays in it .
I did suffer from PMR Failure at about 60,000 miles,Doubt seriously the tuner had anything to do with it..
I liked the SC Tuner way better than the Diablo i have now,performance wise anyway..

 

Update..... I just acquired a 40' fifth wheel toyhauler, fully equipped, all the bells & whistles, weighs in at over 9500lbs empty. I towed it home through the mountains here in No. Nevada, 5000'+ elev. and was extremely happy with the SC Tuner and the performance of my truck. I understand this is the forum for 7.3 PSD, but this is my '05 6.0 and I will state again the great results I've experienced from the SC Tuner in both the 7.3 and 6.0 PSD trucks....

 

I had a SCMT 1705 for about a year and a half. I towed in tow-perf a 24' travel trailer and flatbed behind that with 4 wheelers through the mountains with no trouble. I have guages so I could tow in the middle setting. When you get used to the power, get a DP Tuner Chip so you can switch on the fly. The power and switchability is awesome.