I just picked up an 04 HD edition F-250 with the 6.0 diesel. I am very interested in putting some sort of tuner on it but am getting mixed information from a variety of other Ford owners in the area, Bully Dog vs, Banks vs SCT. I am leading towards the Banks Big Hoss kit at this time. Would appreciate any input on these tuners from present owners.

 

VanAAken smart box 75 or 105hp gain.

 

SCT gets all the love around here. Try a search in this forum for the three and you'll have a full day of reading ahead of you. DO THAT FIRST, and then no matter which one you choose you will be aware of the potential issues involved.


Bill

 

I would say to first park on the decision for a couple of months for two reasons: Read the experiences of others to ensure when you jump, you jump informed (SCT is pretty popular both for power and safety). Also, ensure your truck is in good running condition and doesn't already have a pre-existing condition that a tuner will only exacerbate. If you picked up a used 6.0L, there is a chance it was already tested in this area.

Mark

 

You are joking, right? Do they even make a "box" for the powerstroke? There web presence barely works at all, but what does work shows nothing but small cars.

Got links?

Bill

 

Found it. Fueling box.

http://www.vanaaken.com/usa/index.asp?pagename=sbf

 

SCT is the way to go for the 6.0

 

yeah thats it, i like it it and never had any troubles?. im not well versed on all these tunes? but i also dont want to be bothered with changing shift points etc. all i know is a 105 gain is good for me without having to mess with anything else.
just my .02 cents.

 

Go with the SCT from Spartan Diesel. He will give you a safe tune that will meet your needs. Give him a call and tell him what you want the truck to do. He will then write a tune just for you.

 

no doubt get as far from banks and possible. Sct all the way. out of the three you mentioned sct is the only one that you can talk to someone and they will send you a custom made tune just for what you want. I used to have banks then switched to sct. Check this thread out it will help with your decision.
http://www.FTEs diesel forums.com/fo...hed+from+banks

 

SCT especially if you're running the torqeshift auto..... But gauges and a free flowing exhaust should be added with the tuner.

 

Many of the "popular" tuners have a history of blowing headgaskets on the 6.0L and/or destroying Torqshift transmissions. Do your due diligence, and do some searching. These trucks are just too expensive to buy into the hype spewed by most of the aftermarket companies. There is a very good reason that 'caveat emptor' has withstood the test of hundreds of years.


If I were going to beef up my Super Duty, I would get gauges first. Once those were installed, I would go directly to Matt & his crew at Spartan Diesel Technologies for an SCT XCal III with his custom tunes. The only other recommendable alternative would be Eric at Innovative Diesel. Both Matt & Eric have earned their reputations for their solid custom tunes & customer service.

An aftermarket exhaust is mainly beneficial in lowering EGTs. Aside from that there are no real performance gains...at least not with the usual mods.

An aftermarket intake is a waste of money on the 6.0L, as the stock intake can support upwards of 550 rear wheel horsepower.

 

Hey Marine, Thanks for the input, your thought process is exactly what I believe I am going to do first, guages so I can see what is going on. I am no longer a speed freak like some of these sound like just want to be able to get past someone (now) when I mash the throttle. I live on Oahu, no long roads for high speeds and there are no real bad off road areas here (besides that it is too nice a truck to beat up off roading, that's what we got quads and dirt bikes for). And I'll probably upgrade the stereo for the funfactor with the grandkids. Semper Fi

 

Based on what i've heard, the early 6.0s (2004 models included) have a tendancy to blow head gaskets due to stretching head bolts. The Banks and Bully Dog tuners both have built-in tunes that increase you're power ratings mostly by adjusting your injector pressure, timing, etc, which increases your head pressure, causing your head studs to stretch and gaskets to leak. Banks and Bully Dog both openly admit in their ads that their tuners increase power by adjusting your injectors. Another downside to using Banks and Bully Dog tuners, you can only run the tunes that they come with, whether its safe for your engine or not and in the case of early 6.0s, drastically increasing your head pressure is not safe. This is why SCT gets all the love around Ford guys, almost any SCT dealer can make custom programs based on what you want to do and what kind of vehicle you have. eg: You have an 04 powerstroke and you want more power, so they build you a tune that makes more power without tampering with the injectors very much and instead removing EPA restrictions, adjusting turbo behavior, etc. (And i dont wanna cause a bad rep or anything but i've heard of multiple probs with tunes from a shop who's name starts with Innovative and ends with Diesel)

 

I'm a new member and owner of a PSD,2004. While reading all the threads on Tuners havent really heard anything about running one in the colder climates. I live in northern New York next to the Canadian border it was -34 here this morning.I would like to try one but I'm a little nervouse about it with what I have read about blown Head gaskets on these engines.It sounds like the SCT tuner is favored most with you guys.Is there anything about the SCT and colder weather that I should know. If not does anybody know of a dealer in my area (Syracuse,Watertown New York) any contact info would be great. Thanks,