Hey everyone,

2007 f250 Lariat, 95 000kms. 4'' turbo back straight pipe to a stack.

I have decided that I am going to try a SCT X3 custom tuned by Eric at Innovative. Now let me get this straight, when I order this (SCT Diesel Part # SCTX3IDP - SCT X3 Programmer- IDP Custom Tuned - Diesel Performance Parts) it will come with 3 custom tunes for no extra cost? How do I go about telling them what kind of tunes I would like?

Next are gauges. I have the factory boost gauge and factory tranny temp gauge. I have been told the tranny temp gauge isn't all that accurate, but it still gives me a basic idea of my tranny temp. So i would like fuel pressure, and EGTs. What would be my third one? Who is a good company to buy gauges from? I'm not sure I like the triple gauge pod on the pillar, but that's where I would put them if that is my only option.

Lastly (even though this should be first), am I relatively safe running this SCT custom tuned programmer in my truck? I cannot afford to install head studs which i know are key, but i imagine i can do something like a coolant filter...
I am not going to go through with this if I am taking a risk.

Thanks alot.

 

You're smart to put the gauges in first, but I didn't and many don't...but you will definately need them. The OEM boost gauge is about the only gauge you can use...if going with pillar gauges get EGT, Tranny, ECT....what it sounds like with you not want to lose your pillar post grab handle, you can use a multi-PID gauge and get EGT, BOOST, Tranny, ECT, EOT, Volts...etc.. You want to be able to keep an eye on the temps between ECT/EOT ratio...shouldn't be more than 15*F difference. EGT's as stated...probably the MOST important. Edge make a guage only setup called the INSIGHT...works great and is probably the easiest to install and cheaper and less time consuming than traditional pillar gauges. When you add up all the gauges you would like (let alone the ones you Need)...thats alot of time and money.

If you pick up the SCT from Eric just let him know what your plans are for the truck...if just daily driver, do you tow anything, do you have any other mods...exhaust, EGR delete, etc.. or do you plan them...this is good info for him to know. Also, if you know anyone with a tuner...ask them to hook it up to your PDBII DLC and give you your current strategy code...thery're just getting a reading...copy that code down...you will need it. Your tune writer will need it. Enjoy.

 

Thanks moyockPowerstroke.

Thing is I would like to get 3 gauges other than my tranny temp, because I already have that. Like I said I know it may not be accurate but it still gives me a basic idea correct? As for the pillar, it's not that i dont want to loose the handle i'm just not sure I like the look, however I think it's growing on me.

Now i'm completely new to diesels so your going to have to explain what the ECT/EOT is. Does anyone else recommend the Edge Insight? Looks like it would save quite a bit of money...

Is plugging in a tuner the only way to find out my current strategy code?

 

Factory trans gauge is almost useless
engine oil/coolant temp
As far as I know, yes. Thats how I got mine. Welcome to FTE!
I have a triple pod (EGT,Trans, Boost) but some guys use that and like it. Personal preferance I guess.

 

Okay now why exactly is the factory trans temp gauge no good? What is an aftermarket one going to tell me that the factory one isnt? I'm just not too keen on having two trans temp gauges when i could have spent the money to monitor something that isnt currently monitored by the truck.

Hmm well that sucks because i don't know anyone with a tuner....

How come this code is needed?

Also, what are your opinions on the risk of using a tuner like this with no current reliability upgrades? (possibly a coolant filter sometime soon)

 

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset ;"> Originally Posted by D8chumley
Factory trans gauge is almost useless
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->Okay now why exactly is the factory trans temp gauge no good? What is an aftermarket one going to tell me that the factory one isnt? I'm just not too keen on having two trans temp gauges when i could have spent the money to monitor something that isnt currently monitored by the truck.

<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote --> Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset ;"> Originally Posted by D8chumley
As far as I know, yes. Thats how I got mine. Welcome to FTE!
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->Hmm well that sucks because i don't know anyone with a tuner....

How come this code is needed?

Also, what are your opinions on the risk of using a tuner like this with no current reliability upgrades? (possibly a coolant filter sometime soon)

 

By the time it shows you its HOT it is already too late. My factory gauge will start to register @ 5 min after starting the truck. My REAL gauge may not register until 15 min. It will tell me EXACTLY what the temp is, not just somewhere betw. C and H. I believe the coolant gauge exhibits the same qualities. You will find many here will tell you that most of the fact. gauges are nothing more than a glorified idiot light with the exception of the boost gauge in the 05-up.
A call to one of the preferred tuners around here will net you all the info you need, but the quick and dirty is the X3 comes with 3 "canned" tunes for you to run until the rest of the process is completed. When you get your X3 you will plug it into the OBD port and the tuner will generate a list on its screen. One of these prompts is Get Strategy, which is what you need to receive your custom tunes. Once you provide your tuner of choice your strategy he will be able to get you the proper tunes for the strategy of YOUR truck. Without looking, theres prob. at least 4-5 different strategies for these trucks, and different tunes for each one respectively.
Before you "tune" your truck, it is ADVISABLE you at least have gauges to monitor what it's doing. Surely you can understand the importance of monitoring things such as EGT, boost, trans temp, etc...If you overboost you run the risk of "popping" the head gaskets, a tranny will set you back in the neighborhood of $5k. Need I say more? It is your truck and ultimately your choice. I'll see if I can find the Spartan archived tunes so you can see how many different tunes there can be for each different strategy.

 

Index of /~amon/tunes Heres just a sampling of tunes you can get and this is just from Spartan, who doesn't deal in SCT anymore. My truck, for example, is strategy VXBC9. The first 5 digits is how your strategy is identified.

 

Okay, now have you experienced a situation where your aftermarket gauge is showing very hot tranny temps, and the factory one not?? I'm still not quite convinced haha.

So i guess ill just order the programmer first, record the strategy, and run the canned tunes until i receive my custom ones. are these canned tunes safe to run?

Also, what kind of information will i get from an Edge Insight? I see for an extra $75 you can your EGTs. What else does it tell you?

 

You're killin' me here. No, highest trans temp I've seen was 150ish, maybe 160? Factory gauge shows right in the middle.
As far as I know, yes. I've never run them, only custom tunes. Can't help with Edge Insight. BTW, you are aware you will have to pay for the custom tunes, right? That is, unless you just run the Spartan archive tunes I linked. Thats all I have run, I've tried ASE- @120hp (not recommended w/o studs) MSE, @100 hp, same for studs. I run Stock+ as a daily tune, @20 hp with mucho improved shifting with all these tunes. I only run enough to make up for the 37" tires and 6.5" lift. Can't afford to press my luck with the HG's right now, as I don't have studs.

 

From the bottom of the page from the Innovative link you provided

 

I didn't believe the people either about tranny temp, but it is true. The stock gauge sits in the same spot until tranny is already too hot. If you have spent time in a Chevy, their gauge is correct and takes way longer to reach temp than the water temp. My stock gauge on my Ford gets to temp in less than five minutes then doesn't budge while I have seen my AM gauge go from 100 to 180 degrees. Water temp is accurate til 180 degrees then won't budge until around 240 or so degrees.

I do have a question though. I have pulled the strategy, but I am curious what it means? Or what causes one truck to be different from another?

 

I have the Edge Insight - It will monitor just about every parameter your truck has sensors for, I like it because its compact, an easy install and programmable to show whatever you want to on the screen.

I second D8, factory gauges are useless, I tow heavy sometimes and if I was using the factory gauges as a guide I would have (easily) overheated the truck (in my trucks defense, I was pulling up a 5 mile 6% grade in 110 deg temps).

 

Alright, now would you recommend the Insight to me? Will it tell me fuel pressure, EGTs, tranny temp, ECT/EOT ect?...What are some other major thigs it will tell me?

It just seems like it's too good to be true haha. If the Insight monitors tons of parameters for a very cheap price, why would anyone go with a gauge pod and but each gauge seperately?

Also, what is involved in therms of installation of the Insight?

Thanks for all the help.

 

I dont belive any of the insite , live wire will give you fuel presure. The reason I say that is the truck itself has no fuel pressure senor and as such the pid is not available on the factor scan tools.

But I have a question. If you dont ever tow anything is a trans gauge still needed?