I don't understand this whole thing yet but i am learning a lot from you guys so thank you.

I want to get a chip or tuner (don't no the difference yet)
I don't really want to do too much mods yet however i did order 5" stacks and i am doing the f-650 dash conversion for some gauges.

I tow a skid steer almost everyday in the summer and plow in the winter. Other than that i don't do much but drive. haha. any ideas?

 

Before anybody gets to the whole "custom tuning is the ONLY way to go" thing....

Get whatever you can afford. All the power you're going to get out of a stock injector/turbo truck is available from just about anyone. The only real difference you'll feel is with the transmission operation....provided you have an automatic transmission. I wish I had more time to type, but I have company that just showed up. PM me if you need specifics.

 

not sure how to send a pm. but when you get free time you can hook me up with specifics because i honestly don't even know how to install one or how they work. yea i'm new!

 

I tried a programmer was better but not good,bout a year ago got a DP Tuner chip and wonder why I didn't do it five years before

 

I'll elaborate a bit more on the chip vs programmer thing.

A chip plugs into the back of the PCM. The only way to reach it is to unbolt the PCM, remove it from the housing, clean off the contacts, and install the chip. For most people, this is a one time install. Once the chip is in, you are set to go.

A programmer plugs into the OBD-II port. There is no real "install" of hardware as there is with a chip. It's just something you plug into an existing port, then follow the directions that pop up on the screen of the programmer.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Once a chip is installed, it is a switch-on-the-fly applications. Changing tunes is as simple as turning a **** or pressing a button. You can change tunes while driving down the road. There is no need to shut off the engine. However, with a programmer, you must shut the engine off and download a tune to the PCM. This can take several minutes each time you want to change tunes. If you switch often between towing and daily driver tunes, this is very cumbersome and time consuming. A chip wins in this department.

Many programmers come with the capability of scanning codes, and a few can even log some engine parameters. Chips don't have this capability at all, so a programmer wins in this category. However, most programmers are limited in function, and don't have a full range of diagnostic tools needed when certain issues pop up. It's very common to see posts on this and other forums where someone scans their truck to try to track down a problem, and the codes are not helpful at all. It happens from time to time.

The last part in the whole chip vs programmer argument is the availability of tunes. Most programmers come with what we call "generic tunes" that are the same for a span of year models. These tunes are designed strictly for trucks running only the basic mods (intake, exhaust, gauges). Most programmers do not allow custom tunes to be loaded, for example, say you install single shot performance injectors: your standard programmer cannot load tunes to properly run these injectors. Most chips on the other hand offer a much wider array of tuning options, as well as the ability to customize tunes based on just about any modification you add to your truck (transmission tuning, oil tuning, injector tuning, nitrous or propane tuning, etc). This type of tuning can be calibrated to be very specific to the truck, the driver, where you live, and your driving style. So in this category, the chip wins hands down. There are simply more tuning options available.

A handful of programmers do allow a limited number of custom tunes to be loaded, usually only limited to 3 tunes, and no more. Most chips can hold 6 tunes, with one brand (DP-Tuner) capable of holding up to 16 different settings.

So, that explains some of the differences between a chip and a programmer. Most people here prefer chips, for their customization and switch-on-the-fly capabilities. Programmers work fine too, and in certain applications some people can't tell a difference between the performance of a chip vs. a programmer.

 

so it sounds to me that a chip has the upper hand. Now if i go with the chip what do i buy and how do i get it the way i want it set up?

 

why is this one so cheap? any good?

eBay Motors: DIESEL CHIP TUNER 2000 FORD F-250 7.3L POWERSTROKE (item 200304602542 end time Feb-06-09 06:17:58 PST)

 

Depends on what you plan to do. Gauges are a must, especially monitoring EGT's. Boost gauge is another nice one to have, and if you have an automatic transmission, get a trans temp gauge (the one on the dash is nothing more than a glorified dummy light).

Other recommended mods (regardless of whether you choose a chip or programmer) are the intake and exhaust. Sounds like you've got the exhaust covered, so the intake is something you might want to look at. Just a hint, most folks here don't like K&N.

If you have an automatic transmission, many people recommend at least getting an upgraded valve body. The auto is the weakest link, and adding any power (and abusing it) can cause the life of the trans to be short.

If you tow quite a bit, you may experience turbo surge. The cheapest solution is the Wicked Wheel, which can be found for less than $75. It's the compressor wheel off the early 99 trucks, and reduces the amount of turbo surge experienced when towing.

Those mods will get you started down a long, dark path known as PMS (Powerstroke Mod Syndrome). Some of us just can't get enough power, and we keep emptying our wallets out on our trucks. It's addicting.

That ad is very misleading. It's not a chip and it's not a tuner. It's nothing more than a resistor. Placed inline with the ICP sensor, it fools the PCM into thinking that ICP pressure is too low. So the PCM bumps up the pressure, and you get extra fueling. A chip and programmer does way way more than simply bump up ICP pressure. Properly set up tunes take advantage of changes in oil pressure, fueling tables, timing, transmission shift strategies, and more. An ICP mod can't do all of that.

 

If you want links to some of the most recommended chips on this forum, visit these sites:

DP-Tuner

http://www.totaldieselperformance.com/

 

I started with a superchips programmer, then went to the DP tuner. My truck is has a stock turbo and stock injectors, and the DP chip was way better than the superchips tuner could ever be. The tuners will add more power, but aren't even in the same league with the DP or Tony Wildman chips.

 

Normally I would recommend the dp tuner. I want to take the one from my late 99 manual and put in my early 2000 auto, but I have not been able to get any answers out of Jody. Maybe he is just busy with all the new orders ?

 

You'll need it reburned to move it, Jeff...

Remember, Tony does free reburns...

 

not trying to hijack this thread, I sent several emails over the last 2 weeks and left a voicemail for Jody, I knew I might have to get a re-flash, but had other questions on new tunes. I am kinda disappointed, I hope there is a good reason for this.

What about the Tony chips ? Is he Ford only, or will he chip any diesel ?

 

Jody has been out in CA for a little bit best thing to do is try to call him first thing in the mornign you can also send Diane a PM on here. Her Screen name is DP-tuner, they stay busy as well as Tony Wildman they are all hard to get ahold of.

 

Jeff,

Jody had been gone working in California for 10 days. When he returned last Tuedsday to the office he had 150 emails and 50 Vm's to return. He had very little time last week to call people back because of so many emails and orders to process. We have all the VM's written down and he is calling back as many people during the day as he can. I suggst calling him back if you don't hear from him early in the am (8 am EST) to reach him. By mid day he is on the phone non-stop until we close. If you need to place an order Please call my extention 2# and I'll be glad to anwer any questions you may have or email me at diane@dp-tuner.com

Thanks,

Diane