Just programmed my FICM with PHP tunes - now a question

TexasA&M · #1 Thu, October 27th, 2011, 01:04 PM

Howdy everyone -

For those of you who have tuned their FICM, how much of a difference did you notice when you take off from a stop?

I just programmed mine at lunch today, and when I took it for a test drive, I am not really noticing a difference. Maybe my expectations were too high or something, but I was expecting it to be a dramatic change. I'm currently running Gearheads SRL tune on my truck, so that may be masking some of the benefits of the FICM tune since the SRL already had pretty good take off. I will be switching back to stock this weekend to pull my travel trailer, so maybe I will notice more difference then.

Anyhow, just wondering what my expectations should be. FYI, this is a 2006 F250 that previously had the ARZ2AL01 FICM strategy.

Thanks,

- Steve

***Jackpine*** · #2 Thu, October 27th, 2011, 04:40 PM

I'm hardly an expert on diesels, but it sounds like you're "piggybacking" tunes? That won't work. Any PHP tune is built off the stock tune in your truck and won't play nice with someone else's tune. And, if you're NOT piggybacking, but are comparing the PHP tune to some other tune, I would not expect to "feel" a huge difference. But, you can be assured the PHP tune is safe for your truck and is probably getting the best out of it without putting some component under stress.

- Jack

TexasA&M · #3 Fri, October 28th, 2011, 10:12 AM

I'm talking specifically about the FICM tune, which is 100% compatible with other ECM tunes (either PHP's or some other vendor). I was expecting specific benefits from the FICM tuning and am just wondering if my expectations were too high.

F-127 · #4 Sat, October 29th, 2011, 01:12 PM

Stock FICM, stock ECM/TCM is probably going to see the most notable change. Since your started with a tuned ECM/TCM, the change is probably going to be less noticable. Below is a graph showing change from your FICM file to the modified PHP one(probably not the same ECM strat).

http://www.gopowerhungry.com/images/...2AL10_0_HP.jpg

It might also be worth noting that those with the later ECM/TCM strategies may not see as much of a gain as the older ones. What ECM/TCM strat do you have?

SICKS-O · #5 Sun, November 6th, 2011, 12:09 AM

that graph shows ARZ2AL10 which is the most up to date FICM calibration for a late 04 model year 6.0. ARZ2AL01 is the first generation inductive heat flash for 05-07s.

@ TEXASA&M, depending on your ECM calibration it could be holding you back as well. ECM calibrations are equally as important as the FICM cal.

TexasA&M · #6 Wed, March 7th, 2012, 10:46 AM

Well, after driving for 4 months with the programmed FICM, I have to say that I am wholly disappointed with the product. I have not noticed any improvement in throttle response or mpg.

I do see now that there are some other options for the tunes and am thinking of trying one of them out. Can anyone tell me what the differences are? I have seen the graph, but I need to know what the downsides are. If there are no downsides, why would anyone choose one of the less powerful options over the Hercules?