what engine mods would ya recommend before tuning i know nothing about new diesels

 

It would really help if we knew about your truck. Year, configuration, how you use it, and what you are looking to gain with programming and mods.

 

is there a site for sct?

 

SCT Automotive Performance Products That should be it.

 

I am looking to purchase a 06 or 07, 6.0. I have noticed a lag in acceleration with this F-250. Will the tuner help with this and also improve the MPG at the same time.

 

i'm a little confused but will still try to help...maybe it's my brain or you didn't post enough info but here i go.

so i assume you test drove a 06 or 07 truck and it seemed to lag a little bit.
please don't take this the wrong way or anything but have you had experience with diesels before? diesels drive totally different than gas engines. and they do have TURBO lag which is experienced mainly at take off from a dead stop or cruzing and then hammering the accelerator.
if thats the case that is pretty normal with all diesels and our 6.0's aswell.

if you know alot about diesels and this isn't the case i would not program any truck until i got this issue fixed under warranty by ford diesel techs. programers can void your warranty and if the truck really had an issue (which these engines can) you will have to fix that issue with you own cash and then think about programers.

now that i think i cleared it up for you a little bit back to your question.

YES and YES.
Yes a properly tuned programer will drastically cut down on turbo lag.
&
Yes a properly tuned programer can increase MPG's if your driving habits stay the same.

You have many options with custom tuning on the SCT and also with the new FICM tuning available (Spartans new phalanx) turbo lag, torque, hp, and fuel mileage can all increase.

 

Alright, after searching a bit, I decided to jump on this post with my questions.

I have a 2003 PSD that seems to run quite well. At about 30K I introduced a Predator tuner that I found on eBay for quite the deal. Since I have NO mods whatsoever, I use it on Stage II and have kept it on that for about 3 years straight. I even tow a racecar trailer that weighs in at about 8,500lbs loaded...still keep it on stage II...which is about 60hp...no problems...through the mountains, in the cold, in the heat.

I'm starting to consider getting an SCT tuner and some decent exhaust system. The exhaust systems can be quiet pricey, which is a pretty big turn-off and a friend suggested staying with an "aluminized" steel setup...with a 3.5" or 4" down pipe, cat. delete - 4" tubing with a muffler and a decent looking tip.

I think I know enough about the SCT tuner to make a decision but may hold off on that for now...making an exhaust system a priority so I can use a "higher" tune. If anything, I could use the 100hp mode on my Predator if I'm not towing.

Does anyone have a decent priced exhaust system they would suggest? Diamond-Eye, Borla, Banks, MBRP and Magnaflow all seem to come up. I do want to do the down pipe and all...get rid of the cat. etc. as I'm at 116K mi.

Any suggestions/experience with aftermarket exhaust and what I should expect? I do NOT want to truck to become loud as hell and I'm not interested in a 5" tip either, kind of want to keep it reasonable.

Thanks in advance for any input you can give me on exhaust and advice on going with an SCT tuner down the road.

I don't have head gasket issues and I am going to block off the EGR cooler before I go with a different tune.

 

about the exhaust prices i would check out MKO aluminized because of your budget and also MBRP (what i use 4" turbo back w/ MBRP muffler). your stock system is stainless so aluminized is a down grade but if you live in a state with mellow weather and don't get your EGT's up super hot you should be fine.

An exhaust sounds like something you need because you tow and if you want an SCT and even if you go with a standard economy tune that usually adds 100hp and the street tunes are more than that...something to think about

With any tuner you should have gauges (not sure if your programer has them built in) but gauges are not super cheap but way worth it if you tow and are getting into the hotter programs. you have a race car and probably now important gauges are.

 

the best prices i've found on exhaust and gauges were at dfuser.com. i picked up a 4" T409 stainles turbo back w/cat delete, three gauges(EGT, boost and trans temp) with a gauge pod for about $1,100.

right now he has a special going on with an Xcal 3 w/custom tunes, 4" T409 stainless turbo back magnaflow exhaust, intake and three gauge setup for $1,300. you really can't beat that. you should check it out.

DFUSER.com - Diesel Performance Products Diesel Exhaust Diesel High Performance Part Diesel Intake Diesel Power Chips

 

Thanks for the tip on the Dfuser.com specials...LOVE the yellow truck man! There are a few of those around here and I think they look great. I've always wanted a yellow Porsche 911 and may hold out for one next time I'm "shopping".

AdamBomb, yup, I need to consider an EGT and Boost gauge maybe...but I check EGTs out every now and then on my Predator, it has a live monitoring section...nothing to be concerned about so far. I do think the MBRT and Magnaflow exhaust deals are pretty good.

Are there opinions for one or the other?? I'm thinking stainless as well, perused some on eBay and some other sites, a few of them were sponsors - hard to beat the eBay prices though!

 

Thanks for the reply,
The reason for the question, I have driven other models that did not have that much hesitation that were diesels, it appears that ford has more lag then others. However I am a Ford person and do not want to purchase anything else. Another reason for the question on the tuners, I have seen post here that they are not suited for 6.0 engines, that they will cost you engine repairs.

Thanks
Gary

 

I asked these same questions that you guys are asking a little over a year ago. In all honesty here is the answer you are looking for. I bought my truck with 65k hard miles on it. Bone stock. I blew the oil cooler in stock form, service tech told me to drive it 15 blocks to the dealership, overheated the truck. I had the dealership install ARP studs while they checked the heads for flatness. After that I installed an MBRP 4" turbo-back and kept the converter (for warranty issues). I then put a quadzilla commander and on the truck and monitored the readins for a week. Then I got an SCT xcal 3 from spartan and had Matt send me an economy tune (i believe it is 20 or 25 hp), a heavy tow tune, and his hybrid race tune. I have used all three tunes. I drive around in the economy program, and my mileage on ALL highway driving went up 3 mpg's to 18. Commuting highway driving is around 15.5 mpg. I use the heavy tow tune when I am pulling my camper and enclosed together. Mileage is around 8-12 depending on conditions. I have had to back out of the pedal one time for about 30 minutes to keep the water temp under 235. A ford tech told me if you let the 6.0 run over 235 it can run away from its cooling ability. I played with the hybrid race a few times, and it is wicked fast, but i don't care for the touchiness of the throttle. I had a failed FICM and my turbo rusted up from lack of driving for a while. Other than that no problems, I do need to mention that I drive pretty sane. My wife says I drive like an old farmer. LOL Hope this helps, just my .02

 

Hey racecarhauler,
I purchased the 4" t409 turbo back and love it easy install not very loud
and comes with a liftime warranty

 

Well, I went for it today!

I called a supplier to order an MBRT 4" Turbo Back, 409 Stainless system with tip and got it for $500 delivered.

While we were talking about SCT Tuners, he mentioned they were about to list a "demo" SCT Livewire setup on eBay that they were forwarded about 6mos. ago - I got it for $350 and it had some accessories like a windshield display mount, etc. I figured what the hell and went for that as well - did I do the right thing?

What confused me about it was that he said they were demonstrating it on a 7.3L Powerstroke and he would update it for me before shipping...he understood I had a 6.0 Powerstroke and went on to say that this SAME PROGRAMMER would work on a Mustang (certain years) would still work for a 7.3L PSD and a couple other Fords I think...but only ONE vehicle at a time - I understand that part.

Is it possible the SCT Livewire setup works on all these vehicles?? ...so if I had a Mustang and a 7.3L Powerstroke I could switch it around if I wanted to? Again, I understand it will "VIN Lock" and only program one vehicle at a time...but I found this to be a bit odd. I'll trust what the guy said...for now.

 

I know livewire advertises that they work on several vehicles. I am not sure however that the tuning will work right for you. I have no experience with the livewire, but I have heard from several others that there were some "bugs" with it. Try it and see, or wait here for someone with a little (or a lot) more knowledge than me LOL.