If Ford detunes the 6.0 motors (as some have said by 75-100 HP), would a tuner actually increase the longevity of the motor (normal driving/towing use only; no drag racing).

By the way, does anyone know if the stock '03 had more actual RW HP/Torque than say an '06 or '07?

Thanks,
Hank.

 

all 6.0s are rated the same power. as far as the power output, international detuned these puppies not ford. IH trucks run about 2/3 what the powerstrokes do.

 

I am likely one of the biggest opponents of power adding modifications that you'll find on this site, but even I will agree that longevity and reliability all depends on who has his/her foot on the accelerator.

 

i would have thought just the opposite??
doesn't Ford add a tuner to the stock IH motor after they receive it from IH?

 

I'm confused...Are you saying that the motor from international comes detuned and then Ford increases the power about a 1/3?

My question regarding an '03 vs an '06/'07 was that due to warranty claims has Ford changed the programming on the STOCK vehicle (detuned it) over the past few years (I've heard others say that they got better MPG on their '03/'04 until it was reflashed). I just don't believe my '06 has the HP/TQE as what it is RATED for.

 

the 03s and early 04s have a different strategy due to the original configuration of these engines. alot was corrected and tweaked, but the power has always been rated the same.

 

I think the consensus of the "tuning community" is that the 03/04's have more topend power than the 05/06/07's due to computer strategies, but the later models have more low end grunt. You're not missing HP/TQ in the later models--they just won't run as fast as quickly. It also takes more to tweak the topend in the later models.

 

Remember, Int'l builds the motor and Ford installs the electronics and programming strategy.

The 6.0L motor is built to meet a balance of strength, weight, longevity and HP/Torque. Int'l runs these motors at a lower HP & Torque rating than Ford and uses a larger oil pan.

Ford basically added to this (with INt'l's blessing) and was looking to offer more HP & Torque than what the old 7.3L motyor had. Basically, Ford tuned it for you and many still are unhappy.

Anytime a tuner is used, it will create one or more of the following: heat, pressure, stress and much more. There is no way Ford or Int'l could see this coming and built their motor to achive a certain HP/Torque spec. Anytime over spec one operates their motor, then a certain amount of "life" will be used up and/or other problems will arise.

If Ford bumped up the motor by 100HP the motor would be much heavier and more expensive (and they would sell less)... but then people would still want to "tune" these motors and add another 100HP... so either way.... Ford never wins.

This is why Ford is starting to make the PCM non-flashable, and it is with a non-Ford tuner or program, then it will store a code in case warrenty work is ever needed.

The bottom line is that all tuners create more heat and pressure and other things beyond the design limit of the 6.0L. If your lucky, then your truck runs great... if your not... then hopefully you have the cash to "pay to play".... becuase Ford doesn't have the money to pay for others mistakes.

Longivity is a function of running the motor within design limits and doing all maintanence on or before schedule and driving it like a normal person. If you want speed and power... buy a Mustang or a Ford GT.

 

I had asked a similar question here yesterday and the had a dee dee dee moment (see mind of mencia on comedy central) It may cost me mpg but wouldn't running in tow/haul mode have a similar effect without the heat, pressure & stress concerns?

Thinking out loud

 

Running in tow/haul just changes the PCM programming to tell the motor and tranny to shift at different points and keep the RPM's at a higher range than normal. However, in high gear... the RPM's are the same as without tow/haul mode.

As well, fuel delivery is still the same and just a function of many different inputs. Whether in tow/haul or not, your running Ford's programing and the air/fuel mixture is the same and EGT's are within design limits.

It's when tuners, cold air intakes and larger exhausts are used that things do begin to go wrong. SOme cold air intakes throw off the mass air-flow sensor. Companies have now figured out this issue, but for a while people had problems. Larger exhausts and downpipes allow for too much air flow and the turbo and various sensors are looking for some back-pressure to assist with the variable vane turbo.

Tuners make power by increasing the fuel and air and this creates more heat and pressure than the stock motor was DESIGNED for.

 

Thanks Bum,

I had an itch and needed it scratched. So afar as I can tell adding any/all the performance mods to this motor wil increase power etc but most likely negatively effects the reliability to a certain extent.

Is that an accurate deduction?

 

Adding a bigger exhaust is a GOOD thing. A/M air box is a BAD thing. The factory programming is not necessarily the best tuning for your motor--it has EPA constraints after all. Responsibility with the GO pedal is the key to longevity with this motor. Sometimes it needs run hard, sometimes not.

 

I would agree mostly....

However, a larger exhaust may or may not help anything.

A CAT back may help to a certain degree.

A turbo back would help even more, but then you violate EPA standards and possible warrenty issues with Ford?

With a stock motor, the stock exhaust is adequate. I am surprised that the number of people that put on aluminum systems when the stock one is stainless. One's EGT's will be the same or very close (maybe a slight cooler) with a CAT back... and in my book not worth the expense and hassle.

I just bought a big stainless tip to put over my exhaust and no one would know the difference unless they looked underneath.

 

I had a tuner on my truck for about 1500 miles, and although the power increase was kinda nice, I wen't back to stock tune. The truck runs great and I don't think I wan't to damage such a terrific truck for the sake of some extra performance which I don't really need. I will, however, stay with the 4" turbo back exhaust - no cat.

 

My goal was to increase mileage of my truck. The Hypertech sofware running in Stage 3 increases my MPG by atleast 2-3 MPG. That is real money when you drive 20k per year. I was not unahppy with the perfromance of stock, but I sure love the extra fuel savings. ~$800 per year!!!!