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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 05:55 AM
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What would anyone recommend on programmers.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 07:16 AM
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Most people on here like SCT with Spartan tunes
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 08:24 AM
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The SCT Xcal's are the most popular.

I would not recommend heavy towing with a 'tuned' 6.0 due to the likelihood of head gasket, EGR and oil cooler issues.

Have you added gauges (EGT, water temp, oil temp) or a coolant filter yet? Any other engine mods?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 09:37 AM
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Hi Kepler,

I thought the SCT's were made for towing? Not sure what you mean.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Kepler4
The SCT Xcal's are the most popular.

I would not recommend heavy towing with a 'tuned' 6.0 due to the likelihood of head gasket, EGR and oil cooler issues.

Have you added gauges (EGT, water temp, oil temp) or a coolant filter yet? Any other engine mods?
I popped both heads with a SCT canned performance tune, I had 3 tons in the box and over boosted.So I have to look in the mirror to see the problem for that one.Funny thing is I still only put the tow tune in when I hook up the 24 foot trailer, but motor is a little more robust now after I got my mitts into it.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by joe blow
Hi Kepler,

I thought the SCT's were made for towing? Not sure what you mean.
SCT produces the X-Cal Flash Tuner, you can use canned tunes from SCT or Custom tuning for your application. Head studs are recommended for high performance tuning. Custom towing or mild street files are available. Do not use HP files for towing.

International used robots to torque the head bolts, technicians have found bolts loose upon inspection. With the reputation International engine assembly had for work in 03-04 with the introduction of the 6.0L, I would recommend head studs for any application.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by joe blow
Hi Kepler,

I thought the SCT's were made for towing? Not sure what you mean.
SCTs were made for tunes. The tunes can be made for a towing application. Unless you are extremely diligent in your monitoring of your truck's vitals and are on your best behavior with a performance tune, I wouldn't suggest using a performance tune to haul heavy loads rather in the bed of the truck or on a trailer.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by joe blow
Hi Kepler,

I thought the SCT's were made for towing? Not sure what you mean.
It depends on the tune, how much you're towing and where you're towing. The person selling you the tune, or providing the tune, won't be there if/when you have engine issues nor should you expect them to be. Once you tune you're on your own!

I pull 12.5K with a loaded truck over the Grapevine Grade and won't do it tuned ever again. I've had blown HG's, blown EGR cooler and more recently a blown oil cooler. I'm done with tuning.

I just don't feel it's necessary to roll the dice with this engine anymore. It's too expensive even with warranty coverage and I really don't want to risk becoming my own warranty station.

That's my opinion based on my experiences.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Kepler4
I pull 12.5K with a loaded truck over the Grapevine Grade and won't do it tuned ever again. I've had blown HG's, blown EGR cooler

I thought you had ARP studs in there and you had done an EGR delete?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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I got ARP's after the HG's blew last year. The oil cooler blew out sometime this year and it started overheating while towing again.

The EGR is still in there as I'm not sure how long I'll keep this truck. I don't want to risk getting caught removing smog equipment either by the dealer or Kalifornia.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Kepler4
The EGR is still in there as I'm not sure how long I'll keep this truck. I don't want to risk getting caught removing smog equipment either by the dealer or Kalifornia.

Your not removing it. It's basically doing block off plates around it. Now you can weld it shut or you can let it open and close like it's supposed to. You just have to have the flow parameters changed to where even though it's opening and closing it's basically supposed to do nothing outside opening and closing. Not sensing if there is sufficient or insufficient flow.

If they are going to be looking that far into it, there is something else wrong with the truck. You don't pull one of these vgt turbos for the hell of it that's for sure.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Kepler4
I
I pull 12.5K with a loaded truck over the Grapevine Grade and won't do it tuned ever again. I've had blown HG's, blown EGR cooler and more recently a blown oil cooler. I'm done with tuning.

I just don't feel it's necessary to roll the dice with this engine anymore. It's too expensive even with warranty coverage and I really don't want to risk becoming my own warranty station.

That's my opinion based on my experiences.
that's like the opposite of me. i bought my truck stock and all the same stuff you mentioned and the turbo overboosted and blew within 1000 miles of eachother. and now i'm studded, tuned, and all is good (but i don't tow the weight you do and i use pretty safe tunes) ...
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 12:16 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by biscuit's king
What would anyone recommend on programmers.
what are you looking to do with your truck (power,economy,towing) and what mods do you have (exhaust,gauges)????

i have only used the SCT X3 and have a pillar of 3 gauges.

SCT is what most people use because of its custom tuning abilities and that its the best thing out right now.

Spartan is coming out with there own tuner and it will be able to tune the FICM giving more opertunity to make power or gain mileage.

For my SCT i have used Spartan's custom tunes and also just got a custom tune from Innovative. Both companies have great products and I am very happy with the shifting and power of my new XStreet Tune and their quick service.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 12:51 PM
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2008 f-250 5.4 l gas

i use to get 10 mpg now drop to 8.9 did anyone know way that hapen?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by razvan
i use to get 10 mpg now drop to 8.9 did anyone know way that hapen?
There are a lot of variables that could contribute to that. If everthing remained the same and you only experianced a loss of mpg due to the recent wks then I would suggest it was because of winter fuel being out on the market now. However, like I said there are alot of factors that go into that without knowing more it would be anybody's guess.
 
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