Looking for chip, so some questions...

[MtPaul401]

I've been reading great things about PHP chips on the Powerstroke forums and have been thinking seriously about the phoenix 6 position chip. I need some info, since the chip thing is greek to me.
I have a late 99 F350 powerstroke with an automatic. Mods that came with the truck are:
Banks big head turbo
Banks stinger plus chip
Banks transcommand
4" exhaust
I added:
diy Napa 6637 intake
HPX crossover line

This is my daily driver for work and I somtimes haul some heavy loads, up to 1800 lbs or so. I tow rarely, maybe 6 or 7 times a year just a camper, probably weighs under 5000 lbs.

My questions are (possibly dumb but...):
any problems from having the Banks chip in?
can I just put the by pass plug in the trans command and call it good?
I'm currently getting around 16 mpg around town, about 17 on the hwy, will I see gains with this chip? I'd like to get better, of course, if possible which is one reason I'm looking.

I was looking at the available tunes and thinking about this setup with probably 4 settings for my budget:
Stock or modified stock
80 hp light tow - I'm assuming that would work for hauling..
65 or 80 daily driver
maybe 80 or 100 hp performance
which one of the last two work best on the highway?

If it makes a difference, I live in Montana so have some mountain driving.

Thanks for your help.

[cleatus12r]

Originally Posted by MtPaul401

I've been reading great things about PHP chips on the Powerstroke forums and have been thinking seriously about the phoenix 6 position chip. I need some info, since the chip thing is greek to me.
I have a late 99 F350 powerstroke with an automatic. Mods that came with the truck are:
Banks big head turbo
Banks stinger plus chip
Banks transcommand
4" exhaust
I added:
diy Napa 6637 intake
HPX crossover line

This is my daily driver for work and I somtimes haul some heavy loads, up to 1800 lbs or so. I tow rarely, maybe 6 or 7 times a year just a camper, probably weighs under 5000 lbs. So you likely won't need a dedicated towing tune as long as you have a minimum of a pyrometer or EGT gauge (I don't see that listed in the modifications you have.)

My questions are (possibly dumb but...):
any problems from having the Banks chip in? No. The Banks programming on the Stinger kit hasn't hurt anything.
can I just put the by pass plug in the trans command and call it good?I've had good luck with 3 trucks by using the bypass plug but I have HEARD that it doesn't always work to simply install the plug. The best you can do is try.
I'm currently getting around 16 mpg around town, about 17 on the hwy, will I see gains with this chip? I'd like to get better, of course, if possible which is one reason I'm looking.17 is pretty dang good. There may not be much room for improvement in that department.

I was looking at the available tunes and thinking about this setup with probably 4 settings for my budget:
Stock or modified stock You will definitely get a modified stock program if you have a 99.5 truck. The programs will be based on a better PCM code than you have now unless you specify otherwise.
80 hp light tow - I'm assuming that would work for hauling..Unless you have (or plan on having) a pyrometer, I wouldn't get the 80 tow. Exhaust gas temperatures can get mighty high in a hurry with an additional 80 HP on tap. I'd recommend the 65 HP towing anyway.
65 or 80 daily driver My opinion on this matter is that you will be happier with the 80 HP program since the two will run so much alike in daily driving situations that you might as well go with the 80 HP.
maybe 80 or 100 hp performance I suggest the 100 HP program. If you don't get it, you will wonder what it's like. You MAY end up daily driving in the 100 HP program anyway if you like the way it drives compared to the 80 HP daily program....it's all personal preference. Back when I was driving with other tuners' calibrations, I would always leave the truck in a towing program because the shifting is more to my liking.
which one of the last two work best on the highway? See above; it's personal preference.

If it makes a difference, I live in Montana so have some mountain driving.Welcome to the forum. Where are you located? If you're in the south-central area, maybe I can give you a call and I can give you first hand experience with some of Bill's tunes.

Thanks for your help.

See replies in RED.

[MtPaul401]

Thanks for the quick reply. I forgot to list my guages - I have Banks EGT and
Boost.
Basically I want to make my truck run better, it runs good now but I want to get the most out of it. I'm especially interested in improving highway driving as much as possible. You know how it is here in MT, anywhere you go pretty much you're looking at 2-3 hours on the road.

I was kinda leaning toward the 100 hp performance myself. I've never heard anyone say "Boy, I wish I had less power."
If I get a tow tune, what's the difference between the 65 and 80 hp?

I'll have to look at the Banks website or Powerstroke forums and see if there's a write up on how to remove the transcommand module if that's an issue or possible issue.
Thanks for your help!
Oh, I live in the Bitterroot Valley.

[cleatus12r]

You're a fair distance away from me then. It's not hard in this state!

The only perceivable difference in the 65 and 80 HP tow programs is going to be the balls-out, foot-to-the-wood power. Oh, and the higher EGTs due to the increased fueling.

[soutthpaw]

If ya can make a trip (excuse) to see Cody and let him do some custom tuning for ya I think it will be well worth it for ya....

[MtPaul401]

I'm looking at the order form and I don't know what some of the abbreviations are or where to find some of the info....I'm still fairly new to the diesel world so don't have a lot of background here....
where do I measure my exhaust down pipe to get the proper diameter?
what's intercooled?
how do I find out my max boost PSI?
what's flow rate CC mean?
how do I find out stall RPM, or is that part of a mod torque converter?

Thanks!

[907DAVE]

Originally Posted by MtPaul401

I'm looking at the order form and I don't know what some of the abbreviations are or where to find some of the info....I'm still fairly new to the diesel world so don't have a lot of background here....

where do I measure my exhaust down pipe to get the proper diameter?You can measure it right at the turbo, stock is 3.5"

what's intercooled? Intercoolers are widely used on turbo/ supercharges engines to cool the air before it enters the engine.

how do I find out my max boost PSI?Boost gauge or a scan tool/ scan gauge can find out max boost, stock is around 16 psi.

what's flow rate CC mean? This is a term used to describe aftermarket injectors and how much fuel they can deliver.

how do I find out stall RPM, or is that part of a mod torque converter?You can figure out what your stall is by standing on the brake and the accelerator at the same time in gear and watch what the RPM climb to.


Thanks!

I went Cleatus style...........see replies in blue.

I would not worry about filling out any these if the vehicle is stock. They are mainly used for modified vehicles.

[MtPaul401]

OK, so I finally got my truck figured out for what's on it. Looks like this:
Banks big head wastegate control
Banks stinger plus chip - will be removed, of course
Banks transcommand - will be removed
4" exhaust
3.5" downpipe
boost guage
EGT guage
3:73 gear ratio
I added:
Napa 6637 intake
HPX crossover line

From what I can figure out I have the stock Garrett turbo on it, GTP38. The exhaust side housing has 1.00 A/R on it, is this stock too?
My question is I've read that the stock turbos will go boom if pushing too much boost. With WOT I get 24 lbs right now with the above setup. So, will this chip be a good idea still or too hot? Will I get out of it what I'm looking for with the fairly stock setup?
I figure if I get it I'll get these settings:
65 HP moderate tow - based on Cody's recommend
80 HP daily driver - again based on Cody's wisdom
100 performance - see above

[cleatus12r]

I talked to a guy this morning from Deleware. He's running a fairly similar setup to yours. I did tell him that he will notice a BIG difference in towing between the NVK5 PCM code he presently has and the PMT1 he would be getting. Unless you have changed your PCM, you're still using the original PCM code as well (since the Banks chip is a 2-bank jobbie).

You can always adjust the wastegate to keep tabs on the boost. I'm going to say that you really shouldn't have an issue with boost levels.

You have a really solid foundation there and I know that you'll notice an immediate improvement. Banks has some decent tuning for sure, but until you try something totally different, you'll never know how good it can be. Besides, being able to change the truck's overall personality with the flick of the wrist is something that Banks doesn't let you do.

Oh, and I wouldn't call it wisdom. But thanks for the compliment!

[MtPaul401]

Sounds good then. What would be a good 4th position to have? I'll fill up 2 places with the mod stock and anti theft, way as well go for 6 positions I guess. Not sure I'd use a 4th position but who knows....

BTW, thanks for all the answers to some probably dumb questions,I'm pretty ignorant about so much of this stuff.