I really need help choosing a programmer/tuner.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 237
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From: Rockford Illinois
I really need help choosing a programmer/tuner.
I'm looking to get a programmer for my 6.0L F350. The more research I do, the more confused I get. I was planning on getting an SCT Livewire which seemed to have a lot of power for a good price. began reading posts on how unreliable they are. Most people seem to not like the Banks products. Bully Dog seems to be pretty expensive. Now I'm leaning towards an SCT Xcal II or maybe a Diablo Sport Programmer. Any and all thoughts, ideas, and opinions would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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From: Las Vega$
re-read those posts my friend. i dont think anyone here will tell you that the SCT is unreliable, just that the livewire portion of it has had some bugs. get yourself an SCT and good set of gauges and you will be MORE than happy my friend.
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From: Las Vega$
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Posting Guru
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From: Denver, Co
There is a never ending stream of posts to be found within this forum regarding the 6.0L and other users experience with various tuners & performance chips. Some are notoriously bad for tearing apart transmissions, blowing head gaskets, etc.
If you seriously sit down, search and read through the tuner/chip threads just within the 6.0L forum over the past couple of years, you will see that the SCT XCal II with custom tunes from either Eric at Innovative Diesel or Matt at Spartan Diesel Technologies are the favorites within the 6.0L community. You will also see quite a bit of evidence as to why that has come to be the tuners (the men) & the tuner (the handheld device) of choice.
As LVTitan stated, get gauges if you are going to go with a chip/tuner.
If you seriously sit down, search and read through the tuner/chip threads just within the 6.0L forum over the past couple of years, you will see that the SCT XCal II with custom tunes from either Eric at Innovative Diesel or Matt at Spartan Diesel Technologies are the favorites within the 6.0L community. You will also see quite a bit of evidence as to why that has come to be the tuners (the men) & the tuner (the handheld device) of choice.
As LVTitan stated, get gauges if you are going to go with a chip/tuner.
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I have a predator sport tuner that I received from the previous owner when I bought the truck. I use it ONLY to read and remove codes (when I caused them). I ran their economy tune when I first got the truck, but, while they are faster, the shifts were all over the place, and the forum responses from the techs at times were scarey to me. I am saving up for a tuner, but, it will only be after I do my "essential mods" (front intake done, exhaust (to include down-pipe) underway, Oil-by pass underway, Coolant by-pass underway. In reseach digital gauges (new Dashque (matts thing), Bullydog PSD, Quadzilla Commander, MSD Dashhawk); Fuel line crossover with regulated return and a front 2.5 in leveling kit). The PREDATOR will produce horsepower and torque, and there are those that love it. I will probably never use the tuner portion of it again. It DOES do a great job with the thrown codes. It also will remove your RPM and Speed limits if you feel they are too conservative. rc
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2007
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From: Northern Ontario, Canada
I highly recommend SCT XCal2 with custom tunes. I support Matt at Spartan Diesel Technologies but Eric at Innovative Diesel is suppoed to be a great tuner as well. I would not get any preloaded tunes. All you have to do is tell the tuner your driving style, how you use your truck (tow, race,etc.) and they send you the tunes you need! As well, if you do not like the way something is working on your new tune, just let them know and they will change it and send you the updated tune. Matt is also working on a online database where we will be able to download any of his tunes instead of requesting them and having them e-mailed.
I have had mine for about a month now, and LOVE IT! More power, stiffer shifts, better MPG (approx +3 to 4 on Super Economy). I wish I would have waited to get the package deal that Spartan Diesel will be putting out soon with the DashDAQ monitor and SCT XCal2. Now I have to buy the DashDAQ seperate. Its all worth it in the end.
I have had mine for about a month now, and LOVE IT! More power, stiffer shifts, better MPG (approx +3 to 4 on Super Economy). I wish I would have waited to get the package deal that Spartan Diesel will be putting out soon with the DashDAQ monitor and SCT XCal2. Now I have to buy the DashDAQ seperate. Its all worth it in the end.
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Originally Posted by tttario
I have had mine for about a month now, and LOVE IT! More power, stiffer shifts, better MPG (approx +3 to 4 on Super Economy).
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Forney TX
While I don't have a tuner yet I've done quite a bit of research and it seems that the SCT Xcal2 from Matt or Eric are the safest and most respected. Personally I'm sold on Matt at Spartan Diesel Technologies and I'm just waiting for the DashDAQ before I pull the trigger and order.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2007
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From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by cyrexpl
While I don't have a tuner yet I've done quite a bit of research and it seems that the SCT Xcal2 from Matt or Eric are the safest and most respected. Personally I'm sold on Matt at Spartan Diesel Technologies and I'm just waiting for the DashDAQ before I pull the trigger and order.
Matt, you got any pics of that truck with decals yet??????
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Ok that makes sense - thanks trible t. I could be wrong but I think Storm is handling the decals and such. BTW, I am running the Agg Street Econ atm without any gauges. After talking to Matt, I am not worried about it. I do plan on getting DashDAQ once it is out and tested. Until then ill just haula$$ without it.
Last edited by sbrou14; Aug 24, 2007 at 03:43 PM.