Tunes with 6 spd's - Need Advice

GooseNgo · #1 Wed, July 22nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

I am considering a PHP Phoenix chip but not clear on differences or direction related to "tow" tunes vs "performance" tunes with a manual transmission truck. My limited research leads me to believe that I just need to focus on performance tunes since the tow tunes mainly adjust shift points in auto trannys....is this correct?

I have a 2003 7.3L F350 CrewCab 4X4 6 spd dually flatbed and typically pull 7K to 15K loads routinely. I've got a cold air intake and 4" exhaust and pyrometer. Any help with choices would be greatly appreaciated...my first list is:

1. Anti-Theft
2. Stock Calibration
3. 1000 rpm High Idle
4. 25 hp - performance
5. 80 hp - performance
6. 120 hp - performance

Thanks for all the feedback!

GooseNgo

***cleatus12r*** · #2 Wed, July 22nd, 2009, 05:23 PM

You're on the right track!

I can't find fault in your choices except that PHP may not sell you a 120HP tune for your truck. This is due to the connecting rods used in the later 7.3L engines that aren't nearly as robust as the previous design/materials.

I don't know if I would have such a large gap in tunes (25 to 80HP) either. I tow a lot with my truck and a 40-ish horsepower tune is going to work better than the 25. I'm not saying that there's no use for a 25 HP tune, but I usually gross in the 15-20K range and tunes in the 40 HP area work well for me.

In all, I would recommend 40 and 80. The 100 would also be a good choice for those "legally sanctioned" events that don't occur on public roadways.

My friend has a 99.5 6-speed truck and really only uses a 100-ish HP tune. It's the only one he wants to drive with because it's responsive (not touchy) and has great driveability. Out of the entire library of tunes I have developed for it, he only uses two. When towing, he's in the 50 HP range but he doesn't gross more than about 11K at any time.

You're going to have to worry about turbo surge once you tune it and start pulling though....so a turbocharger upgrade or part upgrade is going to be in order. Also, I have noticed that the 02-03 trucks seem to get weak High Pressure Oil Pumps long before the earlier trucks (lower attainable pressure at a lower mileage/age). That may become a concern in the higher-HP tunes as well.

Bill has GREAT tunes that work well on manual trucks as far as pedal feel and response go. They're not touchy but you can definitely feel a difference.

GooseNgo · #3 Wed, July 22nd, 2009, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the feedback...forgot to mention I just put a Wicked Wheel in and replaced the factory up-pipes with the IH bellowed type(whew...had a leaky donut and didn't want to go through that replacement every other year).

I don't have a lead foot but I like to gooseNgo when need be. As for the HPOP, the pressures are good currently but I have a 97 that has the Adrenaline pump on it and I've debated on moving it over to the 2003...just wasn't looking forward to all the disassembly. Getting ready to sell the 97.

So you think the 40-80-100 would be a better setup?

With the $40 off for the next couple of days, I need to pull the trigger..

GooseNgo

***cleatus12r*** · #4 Wed, July 22nd, 2009, 06:00 PM

I've done about a dozen up-pipe replacements in the last 6 months....they get REAL tiring after a while. The funny part is that mine have been leaking for better than a year but I'm so busy with everyone else's junk (term of endearment) that I haven't wanted to even look at my garbage.

In all seriousness, I would definitely transplant the Adrenaline. Your EGTs and towing performance with the AD injectors will be exceptional.

I believe that you would be happier with a minimum of 40 HP. 25 HP can be had for free on a cool day given the right atmospheric conditions. Besides, there is always "stock" if you can't maintain sub-1200 degree EGT with the 40 HP.....I however doubt there will be an issue.

Get it done!