I really think we could use a sticky on the Good, The Bad, and the Ugly with regard to tuners for these trucks. I have just seen a resurgence of this topic in particular and I just think it would be best to have a well thought out post on the broad strokes of this subject.

Anybody else think so or should I just shut up and learn to deal with it?

 

if we stick around long enough, we all start to see some of the same topics recycle.
most just ask questions without doing a search or going to the sticky threads first.
I think a do's and dont's folder would include more topics such as who has the best tunes and aftermarket air filters, coolant filters and other recommendations but as I think about it might be too cluttered with too much info and feedback.

 

I know the Tech Folder is loaded with almost every Q&A possible. Most new users do not realize or read through the Tech Folder when they get here. Catch-22 situation, redundant questions to us is reality for a new user needing an answer.

 

powerstroke.org has a few stickys on this subject...like whats the best tuner, unlock your box before reloading tunes, return to stock before dealer reflash, etc... There's needs an update. It is confusing to some what the different nuances are between XCal2, X3, SF3, and Livewire.

 

Tex is correct regarding the number of recent threads on this topic. It would be nice to simply refer to a "sticky" in the Tech Folder.

 

As a ford tech, we are trained to diagnose problems in vehicles in stock configuration. Believe it or not, EVERYTHING you do to a 6.0 changes the way the electronics behave. My opinion, if there is to be a sticky, put it in the tuner forum that is lower on the list. If you want accurate diagnostics from a Ford tech, come to the 6.0 forum. If you want advice on tuners and mods, go to the appropriate forum, (Rant over).

 

I understand that, however, there really aren't that many people that "float" down there in the tuner forum(trust me, I tend to do more gasser related answers then even diesel ones, luckly I seem to answer about custom v. off the shelf, so it's not a total stretch for me) especially the newbies that would benefit from a sticky like this. Also I tend to think of it like the General Diesel forum around here. The 6.0 forum is dedicated(atleast me my mind) to everything that is 6.0, that would included tuning the vehicle. We all know(or atleast have the chance to know) about the peculiar quirks of the 6.0 as it relates to tuning. Something that doesn't apply to to the vast majority of the people that are in the Tuner Forum. I think if we were to put it down in the Tuner forum it would be "lost" as that forum applies to everything gas, diesel, chips, modules, and tuners. I don't think the 6.0 population that goes down there is going to know that information is there in that forum. Also statistically speaking, I see more tuner related questions about the 6.0 here then I do in the Tuner forum, so it won't reach a good portion of it's targeted audience and I would question even doing it in the first place if that is what is going to happen.


I've done this long enough and done enough of my own computer diagnostics on this truck that I knew that it's true from first hand experience(both good and bad).

 

touché

well said.

 

I guess I must be missing something here. How do y'all figure that it doesn't fit being in the 6.0 forum as it would be dealing with specifically tuning and the 6.0? Not just tuning alone mind you, that would be different, but tuning as it relates to the 6.0.

I don't recall the 6.0 forum being setup for stock or stock type questions etc? I don't expect ford techs to be able to chime in as much or to the extent that they would for a stock truck. They are trained and certified for stock trucks, not modified ones. In which case, the resident techs can skim over those topics, I do it all the time on topics that I don't know anything about, no shame in that.

Also think about this, this would be with regard to tuning as it applies to the 6.0, something that has a connection to the vast majority of people that frequent this forum as most are owners of 6.0 vehicles, would that be the case if it was put in general forum of Tuners? You also have to remember, that there are more people with specific knowledge of this engine in this forum then that of the majority of those in the Tuner forum. No offense to those guys down there, but I have seen a few advocate questionable tuner devices when the occasional 6.0 subject comes up.

If this was a general do and don't list of tuning, then I would agree with y'all, but it isn't. It is the do and don'ts of tuning as it applies to the 6.0. It is narrowly tailored to fit this subject. Some of us know from experience that what does or doesn't work with the 6.0, doesn't mean that it applies the same way to the 7.3, 6.4, or 5.4 etc, so it(in my mind) wouldn't fit in as well in the general Tuning forum as the general Tuning forum also deals with those engines as well. In fact, I see more v8s and v10s down in that forum then I do diesels. There are the occasional questions, but not much. Also those that are diesel tend not to have the response level as those that are gasser related.

So given that the subject would be narrowly focused on tuning with regard to the 6.0 and that the vast majority of the population of 6.0 owners is in this forum, statistically speaking if you were going to put it somewhere it would have a better chance of helping out more people in this forum then it would be in the General Diesel forum, Superduty Forum, and/or the Tuner forum. Think about it this way, odds are were are you going to get the most revelant help? In the general forums that apply to alot of different vehicles or in a forum for a specific vehicle(or engine in this case)?

Edit: I forgot to add this, and I think it would explain a little bit about where I'm coming from.

When I was doing the modest engine build that I had done. I actually posted a couple of times in the general engine building forums and you know there wasn't anyone that actually could help me specifically with the 6.0. In general terms, they could, but not in specific terms. That is pretty much how it is in the Tuner forum, the Superduty Forum, and the General Diesel forums. They can help in general terms, sometimes, all they actually end up doing is spreading misleading information with regard how to deal with things on the 6.0. That is why I think it would be better served to be put in the forum that has people that deal with this engine and knows more about the ins and outs of the engine.

 

Were I was coming from was the fact that I completly forgot that there was a tuner forum and I felt that it should be used for its intended purpose, to talk about tuning issues, so the more post in that forum, the more a person can do a search for specific tuner information whereas in this 6 liter forum when a person does a 'word search' here in this board regarding tuning info they may get too many threads of generalization to weed through to find significant tuner/tuning information.
I also agree with what you are saying about 6.0 tuner talk because I know as well as you that this forum (for the 6.0 ) has significantly more daily traffic.
I just think it's a good idea to use the tuner forum for its intention which would help retain its contribution to FTE guests and members alike which may help reduce redundancy on this topic.
Just like when we tell someone to check out the stickys first, a person can just mention the Tuner forum.
cheers.

 

I think a sticky regarding tuners will end up being too political. For example, if it says anything except "dont do it", I won't like it. And if it says anything but SCT, there will be others who disagree, and if it disrespects the Edge with Attitude, there will be another group who is offended. Etc, etc.

There are enough threads out there already, and they each include just about every opinion possible, so I say let the search engine sort it all out. Bottom line is, there is no right answer. Sticky's should be limited to correct answers.

 

Theres a tuner forum? Man I gotta get out more. I spend 99% of my FTE time here, where the water's nice. I have to agree with Tex, there has been alot of new members lately and a Sticky could easily be linked for the person asking the question. I have seen Tex answer the same questions about several topics over and over, graciously too! It would save guys like he and Bismic and several others from typing the same info repeatedly. I vote "yes"

 

I'm actually starting to get that way. I used to do the rounds with the Superduty forum, then the General Diesel, then here and then finally the Chips and Tuner forum.

The Superduty forum is getting to be just about dead to me(not literally dead as in lack of traffic) with how they do things.