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Just purchased an '08 5.4 supercrew. I do a lot of towing (boat) and would like to monitor transmission temp, among other things. Also, I would like to perhaps program different settings for towing.
I have absolutely NO experience with programming units. I just watched the video for 2004-2008 F-150 Evolution Programmer and I think this might be what I am looking for.
I just want to make sure from some of you that have experience before I purchase. Also, are there any other programming units on the market you would recommend. I guess what caught my eye with this is that it has a unit I can monitor things.
If your truck is completely stock and you plan on keeping it that way, there are several units that offer live displays; Edge, SCT Livewire, and Diablo Trinity.
If you plan on adding any kind of performance mods (intake, headers, cams, etc.), then you need a unit that can be custom tuned for your truck.
Your options are then limited to SCT and Gryphon (re-badged Edge).
There's a lot of good information at F_150_ONLINEdotCOM (no underscores), in the Chips, Tuners, and Programming forums.
I guess right now I will most likely not add performance mods. Perhaps in the future?
With that being said, I am questioning whether or not I would need just a live display, or to get a programmer w/out making mods to the truck. Can I keep it stock and get the programming one mentioned in the original thread? Will I wreck the truck if I did this? Would using the programming unit improve the truck enough to justify the purchase?
Like I said, I really have no experience with these units. I am just looking to improve performance while towing and at the same time monitor temps and such. If I did get this unit, I would need to read quite a bit to understand what one could do and most likely contact the company for help (setting up the best possible scenario).
Go to PHP's website and forums and read about canned and custom tunes.
If you don't have any mods and never planning on adding them, the Edge will be fine. The Edge's performance is limited because they maintain CARB compliance.
For slightly better performance and the possibility of adding mods, get the Gryphon with canned tunes.
Both will come with three canned tunes; 87 performance, 87 towing, and 91/93 performance. As I said above, you can get custom tunes for the Gryphon so you could have...
87 performance
91/93 towing
93 performance
if you wanted.
Even though I am going to keep my 09 Lariat stock, I plan on getting an Edge/PHP CTS with custom 87 performance/MPG, custom 87 towing, and canned 91/93 performance when they are available for the 09/10 MY.
Check out those sites - lots of users and opinions.
I just purchased a 05 F150 5.4 w/towing package. I just checked out the PHP site and plan on installing a Gryphon before I set out towing a travel trailer across country. My question is about installing a K&N air filter. Just wondering if that will affect the Gryphon as would a cold air box, which would require a custom program.
Thanks for a great forum.
Tom
I would not use the K&N air filter. I had one in my 04 and had issues with the MAF. The oil can mess with it. You are better off with a dry element Just my 2 cents..
Believe it or not, the stock paper filter will flow just as much as an aftermarket cotton gauze filter. They also trap more dirt and you don't have to mess with oil. I used to have an obsession with K&N until I removed it and looked in the intake tube.
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