I am ready to buy a Phoenix, but I have many questions.
First this is the run down on my truck.
2000 F350 4x4 7.3 PSD w/Auto
Mods:
DIY 6637 Induction
Stock Exhaust w/Walker BTM Muffler
Triple Pod w/Pyro, Boost, & Tranny Temp.
33" Tires
Truck Use:
Not daily driver but sees about 4500 miles a year.
Tows a 6500 lb. trailer from time to time.
What I Want:
Better shifting.
More power without killing the truck.
Better fuel mileage.
Now to my questions, I have listed what I "think" the tunes should be on my chip. These selections are followed by questions... lots of questions...
#1 Stock - Do I even need this? Why/When would I use this? My state has no emissions testing BTW. Can't I just unplug the chip if needed, or is this unpractical? Would continual plugging and unplugging wear the chip/ECM out?
The reason for having a stock tune for most people is to diagnose problems, so if the truck is doing something funny, it can be nice to make sure it is not a tune that got messed up
#2 XXhp Tow - I don't know which one. My trailer weight is about 6500 lbs, however, I live in a very mountianous area. Many long, steep grades. Should I do the 80hp or 65hp tow? What is the difference between the 2 beside the obvious hp difference... shift points maybe?
The difference between any tune of the same hp is timing and shift points, I have a manual, so for me there isn't much difference at all, so I just got different hp levels, and I decide the shift points. for 6500 lbs you are going to be ok with the 80 hp, but I would pick the 65 hp for just in case you have to tow more than planned at some point.
#3 XXhp Daily Driver - Once again not sure which one. Does one offer more economy than the other?
both daily drivers will be fairly similar, i haven't heard of anyone stating a large difference, so this is kinda up to you
#4 XXhp Performance - You guessed it, don't know. Torn between 80hp and 100hp. What is the difference between a 80hp DD tune and a 80hp performance tune? What is the difference between a 100hp performance tune and a 100hp race tune?
Again the differences will be the timing and shift points
#5 XXhp Race - 3 options here again, still no idea. Can I really get 140hp out of a tune? Will the 140hp even be usable without the egt's going through the roof? Is the 100hp or 120hp more realistic?
with a 2000 you will be able to get the 140 out of your truck, but with different years, like my 2002, I can't. Also the difference between 120 and 140 might just be smoke, depending on your altitude. I have a 120, and if feels a little faster than my 80, but it smokes a lot more. I just moved to texas, and I haven't driven my truck without the trailer on it yet, so now I might see and feel the difference. If you are going to have it just for fun, then you should be just fine with any tune, but to see the biggest difference I would get the 140 if I were you.
#6 High Idle X,XXXrpm - Not sure here either. I idle my tuck to operate a winch from time to time and occasionally while making quick stops running errands. So, what RPM and why?
Not a clue.... I have never had a winch, and I would assume the idle speed would be dependent on if it was a hydraulic winch or an electric winch. Also keep in mind that the high idle can be used with another tune, meaning you can have a 80DD with high idle, or a 65 tow with whisper mode.
I mainly want more power, any economy picked up is a bonus. I just don't want to put some tunes in that will never be used, because they run too hot or are not practical. My thoughts are that I will mostly use the daily driver setting around town, obviously the tow tune while towing, the performance tune when running late for work
, and the race tune when I feel the urge.
If you have read this far, you deserve a medal and thank you for your time. All reponses are greatly appreciated. I just want to do this once and get it right on the first try. Maybe I'm over thinking this whole thing? Is there really a big difference between the daily driver, performance, and race tunes? Thanks!