Best 5.4l programmer?
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I'm happy with my Diablosport Predator. I have noticed a difference even when adjusted for 87 octane. Another bonus is when there are updates to the program, they can easily be downloaded on your PC and transfered to the unit without having to send it back or taking it to a local retailer(if one is even in your area) for updates. Check out www.motorhaven.com for the best deals on programmers.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
No, You can only use it on 1 truck at a time. They store the stock program and are locked to the Vin # until you reload the stock program back into the truck.
If the F250 is a SuperDuty, then it would use a different part number.
If the F250 is a SuperDuty, then it would use a different part number.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
The shifts are much crisper now, they won't snap your neck, the the slippage between the gears is gone as well as the torque modulation (where the computer backs off the timing between gears to make the shifts even smoother). Throttle response and low end power are also noticable. It does tow easier now even set back to 87 octane. On 93 it is really noticable. Unfortunately, right after I got it, gas priced shot thru the roof, so I had to back it down for the cheaper 87 octane. The better fuel curve and timing advance curve in the 87 octane set-up is still more powerful than stock.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Thanks, that's great LxMan1 I am going to invest into one. I pull a 6200# loaded travel trailer. My 5.4L don't have a problem pulling it, just the hills are a little slower than what I would prefer it to pull the hills. I'd also prefer the more crisp shifts rather than the soft shifts, more crisp, less heat. Thanks again.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Ketchikan, AK.
LXMan1, i have a 99f250 5.4L, 3.73's with 33's. i feel like mine is just a little doggy now, but not that bad. do you think i would notice a difference too? what would it do for my fuel mileage? i average 10 where i live, we have an average speed limit of 35, and only about 50 miles of main road, lots of hills. i would like to gain another couple miles per gallon if i could.... we still pay 2.75 for 87!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Matt,
A tuner would also give you the ability to adjust your speedo for larger tires. That tire size adjustment should improve your mileage a bit. Getting a couple of miles per gallon may be nearly impossible, though. After improvements such as the tuner, an FIPK, a 75mm TB, exhaust - I still can only get 14 mpg commuting average. If I really get on it or tow - I do get much lower... nothing but 60-70 mph - I get better
Overall it's 14 no matter what the mods are.
-Kerry
A tuner would also give you the ability to adjust your speedo for larger tires. That tire size adjustment should improve your mileage a bit. Getting a couple of miles per gallon may be nearly impossible, though. After improvements such as the tuner, an FIPK, a 75mm TB, exhaust - I still can only get 14 mpg commuting average. If I really get on it or tow - I do get much lower... nothing but 60-70 mph - I get better
Overall it's 14 no matter what the mods are.
-Kerry
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
I forgot to tell you Matt... I have the Predator programmer, as well. In fact, I just reinstalled the DiabloSport HP canned tune after my TB and spacer porting and upgrade.
I changed the timing parameters to run with 87, per the manual. On the Predator you lower the timing retarding percentage until you get an engine knock then raise it a bit. 0% is what it starts out with for 91, book recommends 15% lowering to a low of 5% on 87. I still didn't have a knock, so right now I'm at 4% in the lower rpm range (1.5K-3k iirc) and 3% in the higher (3k-6k iirc) just 'cause... by the way, my manual says one thing about the rpm range, the tuner itself says something else.
-Kerry
I changed the timing parameters to run with 87, per the manual. On the Predator you lower the timing retarding percentage until you get an engine knock then raise it a bit. 0% is what it starts out with for 91, book recommends 15% lowering to a low of 5% on 87. I still didn't have a knock, so right now I'm at 4% in the lower rpm range (1.5K-3k iirc) and 3% in the higher (3k-6k iirc) just 'cause... by the way, my manual says one thing about the rpm range, the tuner itself says something else.
-Kerry
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Thanks for letting me know the reason, Jimmy. I got my tuner with the most current, ver 8r2, programming.
I guess they still need to update the book to match the firmware, go figure
.
I like the lower rpm tunability as I spend more time below 2000rpm, than above it. Fuel mileage likes it when I do that.
-Kerry
I guess they still need to update the book to match the firmware, go figure
.I like the lower rpm tunability as I spend more time below 2000rpm, than above it. Fuel mileage likes it when I do that.
-Kerry