Program selection help please
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Program selection help please
I have just purchased a 2006 F250 diesel truck. It will be towing a 10,000 lb fifth wheel RV on weekends and the occasional vacation. The rest of the time it will be my daily driver. I have read about chip programs that add in an exhaust brake while in tow/haul mode. That sounds like good thing to me but I want your opinion please. Is there 1 program that would be best for my situation or would it be better to leave it alone? An improvement in fuel mileage when not towing would be a big plus. Thanks for your help. By the way, this is my first diesel.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
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The PSD/TorqShift combo already provides an exhaust brake when the Tow/Haul mode is engaged.
You'll get differeing opinions on this one. Personally, the truck has enough power for me stock. A tuner has the ability to make massive power... some people have done this and been just fine, others have blown head gaskets, transmissions, and other expensive parts. If Ford finds you tuned, you're likely to lose your warranty.
Since you're doing extensive towing, you might consider putting your money elsewhere, like into a set of auxiliary gauges. EGT, trans temp, and boost, more than likely, to ensure you don't burn things up.
A tuner's going to run you $400 or so. It'll take a long time to "pay it off" in fuel savings, and you're risking a $12K engine and a $5K transmission. Not worth it, IMO.
You'll get differeing opinions on this one. Personally, the truck has enough power for me stock. A tuner has the ability to make massive power... some people have done this and been just fine, others have blown head gaskets, transmissions, and other expensive parts. If Ford finds you tuned, you're likely to lose your warranty.
Since you're doing extensive towing, you might consider putting your money elsewhere, like into a set of auxiliary gauges. EGT, trans temp, and boost, more than likely, to ensure you don't burn things up.
A tuner's going to run you $400 or so. It'll take a long time to "pay it off" in fuel savings, and you're risking a $12K engine and a $5K transmission. Not worth it, IMO.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 438
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From: Colorado Springs
You can get more power out of your truck, but everything has a cost. Based upon your description above, and needing it as a daily driver too, I'd suggest giving it a year and then see what you need. Maybe gauges to monitor temps, exhaust to help with EGTs, and then incrementally up from there. As your truck is new, don't compromise your ability to get warranty stuff done right away by modifying it. I've played with the tuners, but realized it has enough power stock and is much more consistent running this way. And, I don't have to worry about "getting caught" or paying for engine repairs myself.
Mark
Mark
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
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From: Republic of Texas
Yes there are . . .
To answer your question, the SCT Xcal2 programmer has a jake brake tow tune that does what you are looking for. You can also turn off the EGR value too. They affer custom tunes as well as box unit tunes.
As you can see there already pro's and con's being discussed by those of us out here. Here is the SCT website for your interest as well as a site to purchase one for $379.00 in Houston, TX by one of their top tuners.
www.sctflash.com
www.dynojoe.com
Think it through and enjoy your truck!
As you can see there already pro's and con's being discussed by those of us out here. Here is the SCT website for your interest as well as a site to purchase one for $379.00 in Houston, TX by one of their top tuners.
www.sctflash.com
www.dynojoe.com
Think it through and enjoy your truck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
Welcome to FTE and the 6.0 forum Cam_Man595
When you get a chance you might want to cruise over to our Tech Folder for some great 6.0 info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303583
Please take a few moments to read our site guidelines as well.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html
IMO, Utilizing programmers for MPG gains is a bad investment. If you are going to buy a tuner, do it because you just want to. But, the potential MPG gain makes for a good justification presentation to the significant other....
When you get a chance you might want to cruise over to our Tech Folder for some great 6.0 info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303583
Please take a few moments to read our site guidelines as well.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html
IMO, Utilizing programmers for MPG gains is a bad investment. If you are going to buy a tuner, do it because you just want to. But, the potential MPG gain makes for a good justification presentation to the significant other....
