I have a 2003 F350 4x4 with a 5.4 and 4.10 rear end. I have added a k&n filter and a jba catback exhaust. First of all what I wanted to know was what are the best settings for my truck (I don't tow) and would neglecting to install a different thermostat as specified in the manual damage my engine?

 

and I also would like to add that I am only interested in the regular fuel tuning

 

If your not going to run the 93 oct tune, then you don't need the 160 tstat. The 160 tstat keeps the engine cooler and allows the tuner to advance the timing a little more. If it advances the timing and you don't have it, the knock sensor should retard the ignition before you burn a piston.

 

installed the tuning today, and drove it about 40 or 50 miles since then, and I'm pretty much happy with the lower octane tuning. The shift firmness is a really nice feature and the tuning gave my jba muffler a nicer sound.

 

by the way, would I damage my engine running the low octane or the OEM program by installing the thermostat? and would it even make any sense to do so? what I mean is, does colder temperature have an adverse effect on the life of your engine?
because I used to have an 84 Deville years ago that only ran without a thermostat, with it installed it would overheat. needless to say, my hard earned cash spent on a new heater core was useless...

 

Fords like a little heat, with out the 93 tune, I wouldn't recommend a 160 tstat. 160 holds the computer in open loop more because it always belives the engine to be cold. I don't know if it still holds true for the modular motors, but it's unnecessary to have one.

 

one thing, though, I just upgraded to larger than stock tires, and I do hear a bit of pinging when going up hills. should i return the program back to stock and just keep the shift firmness?

 

stick with the stock stat.....and go for the 93 octane program.
your mileage will go up slightly, mine did, and i end up paying like 3 cents more a gallon, after MPG savings, for the premium.

 

is your performance that much better, though, because there's a pretty steep price difference between regular and premium here in new jersey, and I have a 4:10 rear end with 285/75/r16s

 

and another question, do you get pinging at all?

 

no pinging at all....my butt dyno tells me i have better pick up....they just got a dyno in yorkville, ny, and i'm going to get her on it one of these days, but nothing to compare it to....

 

Define "Hills"? Are you loaded/towing? I've got 35s and 4.10s, if I'm driving under 45 or going up a grade, I lockout the OD with the switch. Sounds like it's lugging and the motor needs to get back up into the power band.

 

I'm not talking about much of a load, maybe some tools, but no trailer. The actual sound is experienced at faster speeds, like let's say 60-65 on the highway. Once I hit a bit of grade and ofcourse give it more gas to maintain my speed it starts making these weird noises, and it has been doing this more often since we've been having warmer weather. Besides the look, which is bad-***, if I would have known how much power 285/75/r16 all terrain tires would rob from my trucks engine I would have stuck to stock. (which was already kind of grandpa-ish even though I have 4:10 rear, catback, and high flow filter). I guess only a supercharger would give me a noticable fix, but I don't know if it's worth investing that kind of money on a 2003 work truck that has almost 70000 miles, mostly non highway, there's few in northern new jersey.

Maybe headers? or high octane? i don't know

 

like i said, the Power Programmer with 93 octane makes a difference....

 

The tuner is going to help out with the trans shifting pattern and allow it to downshift better when it needs it and also control when it shifts into OD and back out when it needs it. Much better than Ford's stock strategy. The higher octane programming will add that much more power to it. I think for the price, the tuner is gonna help the trans out, which will give you the best bang. I really liked my Edge Evolution I had on my 06 F150. It made a world if difference in performance (yeah, there are better, custom tuners available) I picked that one because of the display feature. It worked for me. Good luck and let us know what you finally settle with. If it doesn't work out, you can always list it and try something else. It's not like a major truck mod that's hard to undo.