Help with deciding settings on 6-position

[aaron ford]

I will be ordering a 6 position Phoenix around the 21st of Aug. I am trying to figure out what settings to chose.

I saw a previous post that OBS trucks are limited to 65HP tunes. What determines this limit? Oil? Injectors? EGT's?

Also what are the differences between FS, DD, Perf and Tow? I have read that throttle tip in and shift points are changed, but which would way to go in hilly terrain? Low speeds on the hilly twisty one lane to work?
I also tow 7K a few times a year through Appalachia.

1997 F350 4x4, 3.55 gears, Automatic, TDE1

Mods include: Cold Air Intake, New 17 Degree HPOP, 1.00A/R, 3"DP, No Kitty, 140V IDM, EBPV Delete, Full Gauges

Thanks for any help. Don't want to screw this one up.

Aaron

[cleatus12r]

Originally Posted by aaron ford

I saw a previous post that OBS trucks are limited to 65HP tunes. What determines this limit? Oil? Injectors? EGT's?

The "limit" on power output for the 95-97 trucks comes from the comparatively lower fuel injector output capability versus the 99-03 trucks. So you are right when you suspect the injectors for this limit. EGT? Hardly. With a 3" downpipe, it's REALLY hard to get above 1200 degrees even with a fairly radical tune.

You have a great start with your truck as far as modifications go. Especially with the 17 degree HPOP which opens up a larger arena for larger injectors down the line.

Originally Posted by aaron ford

Also what are the differences between FS, DD, Perf and Tow? I have read that throttle tip in and shift points are changed, but which would way to go in hilly terrain? Low speeds on the hilly twisty one lane to work?
I also tow 7K a few times a year through Appalachia.

Fuel Sipper's only real obvious trait is that it alters the amount of injection on throttle tip in. It's a great-running tune but runs like stock with less throttle input at 1/2 throttle or less....especially when the engine isn't up to operating temperature. However, it will improve economy as long as you don't drag race from light to light with it....it almost HAS to. More transparent are the injection "timing" and the injection control pressure in the cruise rpm/load ranges.

Daily Driver tunes are designed to take the mundane out of every day usage. Your accelerator pedal is responsive, your power goes up, the shifts aren't quite as mushy, etc. Your truck becomes more fun to drive to work (and face it, we all need help with putting "fun" in work).

Performance? Firm, later shifts, early torque converter lockup under load, and lots of power to put to the ground.

On hilly terrain, I'd recommend towing tunes....even while empty. These trucks shift VERY early under light-load conditions. The problem is that unless your programs are designed to shift a little later than stock, you will be in and out of certain gears at certain speeds. Fuel Sipper and some Daily Driver tunes don't change the shift speeds much (if at all) so hilly terrain may not be the best usage of these programs.

[aaron ford]

Originally Posted by aaron ford

Mods include: Cold Air Intake, New 17 Degree HPOP, 1.00A/R, 3"DP, No Kitty, 140V IDM, EBPV Delete, Full Gauges



Aaron

Most mods were made during repairs... Sneaks under the SWMBO's nose this way.

Cold Air Intake, Stock hose split
New 17 Degree HPOP, HPOP failed
1.00A/R, Turbo failed
EBPV Delete, Actuator failed


3"DP, No Kitty, and Full Gauges were installed after I started towing.
Aux tranny cooler was installed after I read said gauges,
The IDM was done for cheap fun.

I will likely forgo the Fuel Sipper as my tranny shifts way too soon as it is. We spend a lot of time searching for the right gear only to upshift immediately when the proper gear is found. Perhaps a Perf, two Tows, and a Whisper would work well.

Thanks,

Aaron

[Power Hungry]

Originally Posted by aaron ford

Most mods were made during repairs... Sneaks under the SWMBO's nose this way.

I will likely forgo the Fuel Sipper as my tranny shifts way too soon as it is. We spend a lot of time searching for the right gear only to upshift immediately when the proper gear is found. Perhaps a Perf, two Tows, and a Whisper would work well.

Be careful, Aaron... Corey is a SWMBO and might give you a little grief about circumventing your SWMBO.

If shifts are already early, then the Fuel Sipper is definitely out. With your mods, 25T, 40T and 65P are what you'll get the best use out of. The Whisper Mode is handy, and we'll throw a stock and No Start on at no charge as well. This gets you to the $309.00 mark and also nets you the sale price if you act fast.

Take care.

[aaron ford]

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

If shifts are already early, then the Fuel Sipper is definitely out. With your mods, 25T, 40T and 65P are what you'll get the best use out of.

I do not see a 65P on the order form. Did I miss it?

Thanks again,

Aaron

[Power Hungry]

Nope, you didn't miss it. It's not on the form. If you just indicate in the comments box for the 65P program, that'll cover you.

Take care.

[AZStang]

Hello,

I just recently found PHP and am impressed with what everyone is saying. I debated about starting a new thread or just jumping in here since I have an almost identical truck and mods as Aaron. I have a couple questions and apologize Aaron if this gets off track any.

My truck is a 1996 F350 Crew Cab, 4x4, Auto, 4.10. Like Aaron, my mods include a Tymar intake, 1.0 exhaust housing, IDM mod, 3"-4" down pipe with 4" MBRP exhaust and muffler - no cat. I have also had my PCM flashed to the latest and greatest stock tune (TDE1?) by Jody at DP-Tuner. Where Aaron and I differ is I still have the EBPV and stock HPOP (shows 2,600 psi on AE if it matters.). Also, my transmission has had a performance rebuild and the shifts are already really firm. Unfortunately though, I believe the torque converter is a close to stock unit from Axiom. I bought it this way though, so I am not exactly sure. It looks like I may be towing a 27' travel trailer on some trips coming up this fall. Otherwise I run mostly around town empty.

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

With your mods, 25T, 40T and 65P are what you'll get the best use out of. The Whisper Mode is handy, and we'll throw a stock and No Start on at no charge as well. This gets you to the $309.00 mark and also nets you the sale price if you act fast.

Now the questions:

1. Would this be your recommendation for my setup as well?

2. I'm assuming we can re-burn for big oil and injectors if I ever get there?

3. Even though the transmission rebuild on my truck was done by a no-name shop, I have spoken with the guy that did it and he assured me that all the best high quality parts were used in it's construction. (Except for the torque converter apparently!) I have the parts list of what went into it if needed. Anyway, my main concern with a chip is that it will shorten the life of the transmission. Just looking for your thoughts on this.

4. What kind of switches to you offer? Do you have one that fits in a 2 1/16" gauge opening?

Thanks,
Shawn

[cleatus12r]

Originally Posted by AZStang

I have also had my PCM flashed to the latest and greatest stock tune (TDE1?) by Jody at DP-Tuner. .....That's considered good!

Also, my transmission has had a performance rebuild and the shifts are already really firm. I tuned a truck tonight that has some kind of shift-enhancement changes made to it. The customer bought it that way and HATES how firm it shifts....I tuned the harshness right out of it.



Now the questions:

1. Would this be your recommendation for my setup as well? I can't see why any changes would need to be made. The stock programming doesn't command more than 2500 PSI under load on a stock TDE1 anyway. It may be a little lower once the injectors are commanded to stroke farther/longer though.

2. I'm assuming we can re-burn for big oil and injectors if I ever get there? Yes, and then at that point, you will need a higher capacity HPOP.

3. Anyway, my main concern with a chip is that it will shorten the life of the transmission. Just looking for your thoughts on this. I hate to sound like a pessimist, but just driving a 7.3L with an E4OD (or 4R100) behind it is asking for a breakdown. No, seriously, there are a lot of instances in the aftermarket programming that are actually better for the transmission.....especially while towing or with more power. Those shifts that Ford didn't want the customer to feel....those are bad for the transmission. There really aren't any hard parts that you need to worry about with sub-350 HP levels.....just try not to do too many full-throttle 1-2 upshifts because the weak link IS that shift.

4. What kind of switches to you offer? Do you have one that fits in a 2 1/16" gauge opening? I'm not going to answer for Bill, but I assume the only chip/switch combination PHP offers is the TS 6-position with a rotary knob switch.

Thanks,
Shawn

Hope this helps!

[Power Hungry]

Thanks for jumping on that, Cody! You are correct on all instances.

To further clarify on the switches, the only one we currently carry is the TS-Performance 6-position rotary knob switch. We will be looking into some different switching options in the future but nothing in the works yet.

Finally, don't hesitate to start a new thread. One advantage is to that is that sometimes it's easy to get a post lost in another thread. If you start your own, it help make your questions more visible.

Take care

[aaron ford]

I do not mind one bit. I placed my order yesterday afternoon and am awaiting some PHP tunes in my mailbox as we speak.

1-2 shift is the weak one, eh?

Good to know!

Aaron