Does anyone recommend a tuner for a V-10? What is the best out there for the X?

Thanks, Bryan

 

Bryan... I was about to post a similar question as well. I did some research, but it is really hard to tell which of the available power programmers are best. I am waiting for a reply from the members as well...


Andy

 

When I bought my X, I had a SuperChips 1715 from my F150 that I kept. With the F150, 5.4l, it made a noticible difference. When I tried on the V10, I could really tell any difference.

I've heard that the SCT works better with the v10.

 

lets find out,I want to buy one but wich is going to give the best results is A good question. i was looking at the diablo programmer.

 

I've used a Hypertech and had decent results with the truck in stock configuration... it shaved a full second off my 0-60 time (which for an 8,000lb truck is impressive!). Only problem I noticed was that on either the low or high octane settings, I'd get some engine knock when pulling a 7500lb trailer up a steep grade at full throttle at ~4,000 feet elevation. Saw no mileage improvement with it though.

Recently installed a Banks Power Pack (intake, headers, y-pipe, cat-back) and according to Hypertech, their programmer isnt calibrated to work with headers (so its available if anybody wants it) so I bought an SCT Livewire and had a custom tune done. Havent had it long enough to really test it yet (only about a week). It sure programs a lot faster than the Hypertech did though! It includes programs for 87, 91 and 93 octane, as well as settings for towing and economy... and has several user-adjustable settings. Other than a low quality screen, it seems to be a decent unit.

I'd also looked at Diablo, but found out from a factory rep that the programmer they have specific to the V-10 does NOT have any user-adjustable options, nor will it allow you to monitor any PID's -- it programs only. That application is the only one that doesnt have the full features. I guess they're working on an update, but there is no word on a release date.

FWIW,
Mike

 

how do you like the banks set up? is it to loud??

 

I've got the superchips tuner and noticed a smoother shift point, slightly better fuel milage but the dyno noticed big difference in the HP and TQ

 

sewerat, you said the dyno noticed a big diff in hp and tq? do you have some #'s? thanks.

 

this is from when i had it done...

"Well i had the Ex put up on the dyno today to find out what she'll put down to the ground. With all the small stuff i have done to it as far as tuning it, with the superchips tuner in 87 octane mod it put out 225.9 hp & 290.9 ft.lbs torque. with the tuner set for performance it put out 239.6hp & 330.2ft.lbs. Not to shabby for a first attempt at some hp gains. Once i get the sheets scaned I'll post em up here as well."

 

jackrista:

Well, I'm impressed with the workmanship on the Banks Powerpack, but I'm extremely disappointed in the fact that I gained nothing performance-wise. Same 0-60 times empty and with an 8,000lb trailer both before and after the install. :-( I'm a bit disappointed in the exhaust tone also -- its not loud by any stretch, but makes it sound like a 4-banger. *gag* :-(

Banks says that for me to not "notice" a performance gain is "unusual"... but everything else on the truck checks out ok, so I dunno what the deal is. Definitely suffering from buyers remorse.

Mike

 

Your Banks sounds like a 4-banger?! Have you heard my sound clip? Does it sound similar?



On subject: The Diablo tuner is a nice tuner and one I would buy if in the market. I had a SuperChips and liked it but would want to try the more aggressive Diablo.

 

Yup... thats what it sounds like. It doesnt flutter nearly as bad as when I had the Y-pipe I got off of eBay before the Banks system. I could have sworn I had an exhaust leak. That was quite annoying, actually.

I guess maybe "4-banger" is a bad description of the Banks system... its just not a throaty big-power sound. The tone is just different than I've ever heard on a big engine -- softer, more hollow sounding. I wasnt looking for 'loud'... but I did have hopes that it'd be a bit more 'manly' than it is. The .wav file of the Banks exhaust sound on their website is nothing like the real system -- its more what I wish mine sounded like.

Mike

 

The V10 certainly has a sound all it's own. I like the idle rumble and the sound when it spools up. I certainly wouldn't compare it to a 4-banger, IMHO.

 

Does the livewire work with the V-10? Otherwise I will go with the superchips I guess.


Bryan

 

shadowdd:

The Livewire does work for the V-10. I've got one and other than it having kinda crappy screen quality (I guess they're all like that), its a good unit. Gives you more flexibility and monitoring capability than most tuners.

Mike