what do youmean by pcm code

 

Wanna trade?

 

Hmm......Kris the tuner. what ya gonna call them "Strokin it Tunes"?

Don't forget us little guys when you become rich & famous......

 

Get the DP-Tuner and you won't bother with the sniper.

 

It's located on the PCM of your truck. Tells the custom tune programmer like Jody at DP what your truck originally is programmed to run. He customizes the tuner based on this code and other modification that you have done to the truck. this is a huge advantage over the off-the-shelf tuners with the one-size-fits-all tunes.

 

I'm certainly not knocking anyone who tunes for a living, and I'm certainly not trying to belittle anyone who is fantastic at it (Your husband is one of them!!). I love my DP-Tuner and still go back to it occasionally. I wanted a challenge and the opportunity to find a small customer base in my area....not to compete with the professionals.

The thing with PCMX (Sniper's version anyway) is that the learning curve is kind of steep when dealing with a few of the scalars/tables because there are no explanations of what units of measure one happens to be dealing with at the time (not to mention all of the spelling errors). It was of no consequense to me due to my background, but something in "layman's terms" would be great for the beginner.

Tuning in hex.....I think that Jody mentioned something about that over at the 'nation. THAT is the way to gain nearly complete control over what's going on in that "magic box", and I'm sure after the number of years he's been doing this, that control is his (the electronic aspect anyway). The limited numbers of template tables is kind of a PITA, but tuning in hex is the way around that.

To the OP,
Tuning your own vehicle can be fun, frustrating, and educational. Mostly frustrating at first...especially with the flash-tuning option that Sniper has since it takes so long to change tunes you have created. Once you get the hang of what is going on between your right foot and the injector nozzle with a detour through "HPOS-ville" (high pressure oil system), it becomes kind of addicting changing little things to see if you notice a difference. However, the Special Forces program is REALLY generalized and not personal at all and allows you to change shift points, throttle response, and timing. Small shift point/firmness changes can be made, the throttle response on the 75/100 HP tunes is too sensitive....even on 0% sensitivity change, and the bottom-end smoke is kind of annoying. Some of the tunes make excessive smoke (the Gale Banks in me thinks that there should be a way around that under normal driving conditions) and cause the SES light to come on because they call for 3045 Injection control PSI...even on the 100 HP setting. With a stock HPOP, that ain't happenin'. With the Special Forces, you can't change desired ICP or IPR DC %.

I say to go with what's been said by the others. If you're looking for the best bang for the buck, hit up a professional tuner. Their tunes can't be beat for the power, mileage, and happiness you'll experience.

I LOVE being able to tune my own truck and also a few others. The Sniper software allows me to do what I want, when I want (for 90% of the things I will ever need). Are there better programs, probably. However, for most people, that's all they need. I'm more than happy with it...I just have to beg my wife for some "me" time to sit in front of the computer for a few hours. I think at this point, I'd be really happy with an emulator for some drive-time!!

 

Cody, i love the sound of that. Not to knock DP Tuner in any way, but i would love to customize my tuning. I can learn quick, i have a basic knowledge of what is required in the PCM to make what work, and i think that would be fun to do, especially the trans shift points. PM me some info, the model you have, the price, etc. Thanks.

 

so do you think the dp is a all around better tune then the special forces that i have played with for whati have and done to the truck with exhaust and cold air intake im just not sure about the settings on the trannyand if im doing the best that it can do

 

Way better. Which do you think fits you better? A suit that someone tailored based on your specifications or something off the rack? Of course, the DP-Tuner programs are 2nd best only to the live tunes where they have your truck there and make runs and tune it on the way.

 

I see it this way, when I was rebuilding old Mustangs, I did almost all the work myself. I could have jobbed it out but didn't. If you have the ability/and or patience to carry out the task, then you answered your own question. Call it pride, sense of accomplishment, whatever. BUT, since I know nothing about tuning or have any desire to figure it out, DP got my vote and $$. I love it and never once doubted my decision. If you can do it, go for it. If not, you won't go wrong with Jody's work. My .02 cents.

 

Here is how I look at it. You are doing experiments on YOUR OWN truck. I know somebody who tuned his own EPROM and it got better and better till KABOOM! Well, it does take a few mistakes to learn all the nuances of the job. Most of which cannot be easily explained. So, if you are going to make a career out of it, fair enough. OTOH, if you are doing it once in a few years, how will you recoup the money and time you spent?

 

why is dp that much better is everything alreaDYset so you dont have to change it reguards to hp and tranny or

 

if you have a 7.3 why are there different pcm codes

 

Tuning for a living is certianly not what Jody and I envisioned ourselves doing when we grew up, but we have made a business out of it. We have alot of fun doing it and have made alot friends along the way. I would not trade it for the world. We are not the first to do this and I am certain we won't be the last. I think its great people are taking the initiative to learn how to tune. It is something you have to be dedicated to. The best advice I can give is to spend every bit of your spare time learning and experimenting and then when you feel comfortable with what you are doing go for it. You will never know if its for you unless you try it. There were alot of the original version mislabled and it took Jody alot of time to figure out what was wrongly mislabled. So when people say that Jody uses the same thing that everyone else does it makes me chuckle. The base may be the same, but his is his and theirs is theirs.

I know you have probably read over on PSN that Jody and I will be coming out with our own software version that will allow gearheads to be able to tune their own trucks. This will not allow you to tune for other trucks but mearly refine what you have and make ajustments needed when you want to. Ours will be a completely different venue to what is already available. I have no idea when this will be completed. We have other products coming out soon. That is our focus right now. When it is available hopefully you can try it out and let us know how it compares.

Be safe out there.

Diane

 

Well, they write custom files based on what you have not a one size fits all. Also they now have a chip you can download new tunes should your needs change. Think of a suit you bought 20 years ago. You changed a bunch and it does not fit you anymore. So, either squeeze into it or it might look like a flour sack would be what happens if you try to wear that. OTOH, it is nice to have a suit tailored to your body changes.

Ford has different strategies for their products. For instance a Republik of Kalifornia vehicle or Excursions have a Glow Plug Module instead of a relay. It is more sensitive to sensors being removed.