I was just wondering what everybody thought about the Edge juice with attitude and the Banks six-gun. Which is better? Does either of them promote problems or anything like that? I have an 04 6.0 automatic with 27,000 on it and the engine and turbo was just replaced 4,000 miles ago. Thanks ahead of time.

 

6.0superduty,

First off all tuners can cause problems on stock trucks. That being said the tuner of choice around here is SCT with custom tunes for your truck. Between the Edge and the Banks, the Edge seems to cause more problems than the Banks. The Banks system has caused problems also. There are better buys for the money than the Banks System. You can purchas an SCT and MBRP or Silverline exhaust for less money than the Banks System and it will out perform the Banks System and have less problems.

Contact LIPD they are a site sponser for more questions on the SCT as they are the experts in the field. www.lidiesel.com

Hope this helps

 

I'll take what BlackHat said and go one step further. If you read through 5 years worth of threads in the 6.0 forum, the one thing you will find in common is how very individual these trucks can be. With the Banks and Edge, you are stuck with what they write as a canned file, meaning that its the exact same file for every truck. The only time you get an update is usually after an issue exists or a new flash is released by Ford. THis means usually you get the pleasure of waiting for a week or so and then try the new updated programming to see if it will work with the flash. LIPD can email you any file you want, and Matt is constantly working on different tunes for different trucks. He literally has control over every parameter that the ecm and tcm controls on your truck. You don't like the 2-3 shift, but all the others, no problem, Matt can spit you another tune and you keep working with him til everything is like you like it. Many options he can give you with an SCT are not available with the ones aforementioned, the edge and bullydog are probably the 2 worst enemies of the torqshift transmission, they absolutly address no where near the ammount of tuning that the SCT does trans wise. Matt has several tunes that he has 2 versions of, one using RPM based shifting, and hte other using MPH based shifting. Some trucks like one better than the other, and vice versa. With the fuel boxes you get what you get and thats it, nothing custom about it. Matt has even went to customers houses an custom tuned or addressed problems onthe spot. That you cannot get with any of the others, although that is pretty much just an LIPD thing. It is still flexability, meaning the next mod won't interfere or leave you stuck with lesser programming than you need.

 

mrxlh is correct in that with SCT you can change files, however in my case I just switched over to a Banks Six Gun and love it. My mileage is up 2+ mpg and egt is down by over 1500 deg. Check this link for a Banks forum that may help a bit with your decision. In either case I think you will be very happy (Banks or SCT)
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/60...nks-6-gun.html

 

What unit did you switch from?

 

I went from a Superchips to the Banks. My Superchips was not able to download from the internet like the newer units. Each time I had a reflash done I had to send the tuner back in to once again work with the truck. The Banks does not have that problem as it does not rely on changing the trucks flash program. SCT will allow you to change via new downloadable files so that should not be a problem either.

 

The issue with the Banks is that it does not recalibrate the transmission control module in any way; not even through the commanded torque tables in the PCM.

Matter of simple fact is that additional torque added that the TCM is not aware of (by means of ANY inline fuel device; be it Banks, Edge, or anything that does not download through the OBDII port) will reduce transmission life directly proportional to the additional power it is adding.

The reason that the Banks unit never needs to be updated is that it is indifferent to the calibration or specific strategy of the truck- the only way this is possible is to make very limited changes across universal fuel tables. IMO- to be taken for exactly what its worth, limited and unspecific changes are an improper way to modifiy or tune a 6.0 engine.

 

Yes- the information is true, but it does utilize the TC control and temp control to defuel if needed. Also it will limit if trans slip is noted. Very different from the SCT and other "tuners." Banks does plug into the OBDII port but does not download trans files. I went with banks due to the simple fact that it does not truely push the trucks limits and right now that is what I am looking for. If I was looking for pure power I would have looked at teh SCT.

 

Not different at all.

The SCT will de-rate with overtemp on both Engine Oil Temperature and Engine Coolant Temperature. There are factory torque reduction based on input/output shaft speed correlation problems (transmission slippage) that we modify to work with our files, and the fuel and timing are modified by both altitude and ambient air temperatures to maintain reasonable EGT's. As far as the transmission itself is concerned; we use a much higher psi/ft-lb line pressure and shift duty cycle than stock, reducing slip levels below stock- something an inline device is simply incapable of doing since it cannot directly access the TCM.

All SCT files do not push the trucks limits;Most do not and a few do, as we offer them anywhere from a 35 horsepower Heavy Tow tune to our nearly 170 horsepower Ultra Comp files. The range is broad, however all of them are far more thorough in calibration than an inline device.

 

Matt,

Great info indeed. I myself have never been a big fan of the inline plug in devices that only change a few parameters and ignore others. I personally feel that Banks products are way overpriced for what you get. There are better options for less money than the Banks systems.

 

Just curious, what kind of EGT tempertures where you running prior to the Banks 6 Gun? 1500 degree drop, you had to be seeing some extreme EGT temperatures with your other tuner. With temperatures that high you should have seen some seriously damaged parts. What was your previous tuner?

 

Thanks for all of the inputs from everybody. From what I undestand, the SCT is a "programmer" as compared to the Banks six-gun which is a "chip"? I am just looking for about 100 extra horse and 200 ftlbs. I also wouldn't mind some extra mpgs! But who doesent? Anyways, when you want to change the tune with the SCT, does it have a switch in the truck or do you download through the OBD-II connector? I like the quick adjustability of the switch. Also, how safe is the SCT compared to the Banks or the Edge. I have heard a lot of bad things about the Edge and not too much about the Banks. My boss has a Duramax with the Banks and has not a problem yet.

 

P.S.- Does the SCT produce good black smoke? I would also like some of that!

 

Only an extra 100Hp & 200 Lbft (Note sarcasam) This is not a basic econo tune request. If you are wanting to increase your HP & Torque you also need to address the transmission programming, and add gauages (EGT minimum) and look at upgrading the exhaust to help with the EGT temps.

With the SCT you upload the program you want through the OBDII port. The quick flip of a switch between levels of tune in the Banks or Edge systems is one the things that leads to problems in the 6.0 PSD.

[QUOTE=6.0superduty]Also, how safe is the SCT compared to the Banks or the Edge. I have heard a lot of bad things about the Edge and not too much about the Banks.[/QUOTE

SCT is much safer than the Banks and any other programmer on the market. Problem with the Banks system is it does not properly address the reprogramming of the transmission which is needed when you increase Hp & Torque to prevent tranny problems.

A Duramax is not a 6.0 and programmer of choice for the 6.0 is the SCT.

They all produce black smoke when they overfuel the engine. Black Smoke is Not a good thing, it means you are dumping more fuel in the engine than it can use.

Sounds like you need to do a little more reading and research on the 6.0 before you go throughing a programmer on it. The process if done haphazardly will lead to engine and tranny problems you may not like and can get expensive in a hurry. Do yourself a favor and talk to Matt LIPD for more information. He is the Leading expert on Modifying the 6.0.

Good luck

 

Blackhat620- Superchips prior. Had temps aroune 1490-1530 without towing. The Banks product has not reached over 1300 yet (with 5" turbo back exhaust in both cases). Great post above! I really like the SCT options as some of my friends have their product and run without problems in most cases. I have seen almost every tuner or chip out there have some problem but I believe that many times it is associated with the truck not being properly equiped (gauges, exhaust, transmission, etc..).