About the intake, I really gave a look at my stock intake and decided it was good enough for my needs, so I only ordered a Magnaflow 4" turboback exhaust and be done with it for now.

As for the programmer, I really think the Performance tune is enough for me for now... will see in the future if I ever need more, I may either get a custom tune from innovative or if I have some spare time tune it myself with pro-racer package...

My point in this post was only to know what the 'towing' mode did since I did not see a 'good' improvement from using it (well I used it for a total of 5 minutes... and never used it again)...

My favorite until I get my EGT gauge is Street!

Can't wait to really do some tests in performance tune!

 

mulot30th...If you actually used it for 5 total minutes...give it a try for an entire day. It really takes some driving time for your truck to get it's patterns learned from what your foot is doing. By the way...Who did you get your SCT from maybe I missed that?

 

I have tried my truck several time in the tow mode and I honestly think it has less power. I no longer run it either which kinda makes me mad as that is why I bought the thing. The street and performance tunes are pretty good, but I still think mine isn't up to snuff like it should be. Anyone know if the latest update has made any changes to the 6.0 tuning? I think it is Ver 10

 

AzBaddBoy...the tow mode is supposed to have less power than any other tunes. It's generally around 50-60hp added. The other tunes have 80 and 100 approximate HP.

Now if you are saying that it has less than your stock HP then that's another issue. You need to communicate this to the place you purchased from so they can send you an updated tune. What you can do is hookup the tuner and read the strategy before you call them so that they can email you the correct files and then give it another try.

When you get the tune right you will know it...

 

I think I have the same tuner for my 2005 X 6.0 (Strtegic Flash model 9415)

I'm with you on the question about the Tow mode - It may be working correctly, but does not feel like much if any change. Part two of this question that I have not seen anyone else discuss is: Once you re-flash with the tow program, should it be in "tow mode" all the time or are you still required to press the tow/haul button on the gear selector? Mine seems like no change (or slight) unless you hit the "tow" button, then very similar to stock tow mode, although notice some different shift points. Nowhere in the SCT manual does it go into detail about tow mode, and use of the tow/haul button. Anyone else research this?

For the most part I leave mine in "street" flash and still use the tow/haul button when towing, but I'm only towing about a 4k lb boat currently. I'll sweat it more when I have a TT in the 8k range this Fall.

I'm also with you on the Street flash, it's a great boost if you want it, or you can drive gently to conserve some fuel. Nice to be able to up the shift pressure for each shift also. Very noticeable benefit, would like to try Performance, but no EGT gauge or exh mods yet, so haven't loaded that one.

 

Correct, it feels like less power than STOCK. Mine is a SF model so my tunes are straight from SCT. Originally all the files had less power. I proved it wasn't just me by using a G-tech. They all seriously plummed black smoke too. SCT didn't know what to do. They got back to me a day later and said I talked to so and so and they said try this. They gave me the file called "No power" It is like night and day from the out of the box files, but Tow still doesn't seem right. I felt like I was bothering them so gave up.

 

The problem is the place I purchased it have nothing to do with the towing tune in my SF Strategy they just received it from SCT as it it right now... I have updated to the latest files from their website, and will have to try the tow mode again... I think the version I had was like 10 (when I tried the towing mode) and I could not really feel a difference from stock, while the street AND performance mode, I can really notice it right after the flash, not like 2 hours of driving after.

 

The tow mode is for descending hills or when your truck is searching for gears. The Torque-Shift is not like the old 4R100 transmission with lock/unlock for the converter.

 

mulot30th...It actually does matter in some ways where you got it from only because if it was an Xcalibrator2 it coulld possibly have changes in the Tow mode. From what I see now in your last post and going back to the other posts...I misunderstood that you have the SF Strategy. This is why you have Tow, Performance and Street. If it was a custom tuner (Xcal2) it could have any name the Custom Tuner setup.

One thing that you do have is the latest version if you have version 10 loaded. Other thing is that if when you load the Performance tune or the Street Tune to your truck and they work at all...Then your Tow mode is also working correctly, but Tow mode has much less HP(60-70hp) and more transmission functions related for Towing. Basically if you are not Towing anything the Tow mode will not feel like much improvement although your transmission will be doing what it needs to when if feels whatever you are towing. Your other tunes in order is (90-00hp) and your highest tune is (120hp).

It is very important to know what your stock strategy is. This is read when the vehicle is "Returned to Stock". If you haven't read this before it is very easy to do and will help to know this. There is a ReFlash out right now from FORD that causes the tunes to not be effective, but this means that the NONE of the tunes would work. SCT is currently working on a fix for this and they will post it to their website when it is ready.

To wrap this up for you...The only reason to use the Tow tune is when you are going to Tow something only...the extra power will be there, but not as noticeable at Street or Performance because they are doing completly different things with the transmission. The tune Street(90-100hp) would be your safest tune to use since you are waiting on an EGT setup. Later you can go to the Performance tune and get the full 120hp benefit. I don't know if you said you have an aftermarket exhaust or not. It would be a smart investment.

AzBadBoy & 2005X...If they sent you a tune called "NoPower" that sounds like one of the tunes they came up with directly after a FORD ReFlash. It's good to keep them named seperate. You also won't notice much difference in Tow mode until you Tow something and you DO NOT have to use the Tow/Haul switch if you don't want to. If you are towing and want to try it while the Tow tune is loaded it won't hurt anything. Each person is different on how they feel their truck needs to shift and sound while towing. That's what is so good about the SCT being able to be custom tuned at anytime.

Maximum4x4... is correct on the Torque-Shift. This was the part I was reffering to about a Custom Tow Tune that can change the lock/unlock
Hopefully this answers both of your questions...

I suggest that every SCT or FlashPaq owner knows what their "Stock" strategy code is so they can tell when it is ever changed. Just tape a post-it to the back of the tuner and write the strategy and the date you read it down and leave room for others in the future.

 

The SCT Tow tune gives you better transmission file for shifting and just a little more HP than stock. If you were to tow a heavy trailer using the extreme settings your added fuel and aggressive transmission files used for racing would send the EGT's beyond safe levels and hole through your piston.

That is why you have specific programs written for Towing, Street, Racing or pulling a sled at your county fair. Each file has a purpose and intended use.

 

thank you guys for the very great explanation

 

Hope it helped..It woudln't have taken so long if I would have read the post a couple times before responding. Now you probably know more than you origninally asked(grin).

 

No problem!!!

 

I have run Tow mode several times for at least a week at a time. I have also towed various trailers (toy hauler, 16ft enclosed) and it seems (seat of the pants) like it has less power. Next time I tow I will plug in the g-tech to see if my feelings are correct. I figured it was due to the reflash like you mentioned and was just waiting patiently until SCT gets enough complaints and figures it out. I just noticed the Ver 10 a couple days ago and have not had a chance to update yet. I am running 9 I believe. Thanks for the help

 

Sorry for the mis information, I just checked and I was running version 9 and Upgraded to version 10, but never tried the tow mode in version 10 yet.