Questions before I buy

[sbxworship]

I'm pretty much sold on getting a phoenix, but I have a few questions first.

My biggest concern is that I have no additional gauges. I don't want to damage the truck due to excessive egt's, but I don't think I'm going to be able to afford the chip right now if I have to get gauges first... Would skipping the gauges be a big mistake?

Also, will the 140hp setting typically damage anything besides other people's egos? I want to get as much power as I can, but not at the price of catastrophe.

Btw - I drive a 97 f350 w/e40d; mods include 3"dp, 4" exh, k&n intake, stage 1's, and a b&m shift kit.

Thanks for the help!

[Robert6401]

Man, I had the same frustrations. It took me a while to be able to get a chip, but I knew that not having gauges was asking for problems. Especially if you're talking about wanting to go with the 140hp tune. I know it sucks, but it you really want to "get as much power as I can," then you are going to have to have some gauges to monitor things. Either that or just don't worry about what you're doing to the truck and see how long it lasts. I have been piecing together my mods for 5 years, and just finally got a chip this past March. You've got the exhaust, which is a step in the right direction, now get the gauges, and then you'll be ready for the chip.

[cleatus12r]

Originally Posted by sbxworship

I'm pretty much sold on getting a phoenix, but I have a few questions first.

My biggest concern is that I have no additional gauges. I don't want to damage the truck due to excessive egt's, but I don't think I'm going to be able to afford the chip right now if I have to get gauges first... Would skipping the gauges be a big mistake?

Also, will the 140hp setting typically damage anything besides other people's egos? I want to get as much power as I can, but not at the price of catastrophe.

Btw - I drive a 97 f350 w/e40d; mods include 3"dp, 4" exh, k&n intake, stage 1's, and a b&m shift kit.

Thanks for the help!

Your transmission will hate life if you actually use a calibration that is capable of 100+ HP. By "use", I mean actually USE the added power all the time. Stage 1s are going to be able to get your EGTs into the danger zone. If you don't try pulling loads with any programs above 60 HP, you should be ok....just don't lug the engine. Try to keep the RPMs as high as possible.

With Stage 1's you really should have a pyrometer. If you were running stock injectors, you could run whatever HP you wanted.....because 65-80 extra HP is all you would get anyway.

[sbxworship]

thanks for the advice guys. the worst part is that before I got the stage 1's (most recent mod), I had a bullydog chip. I wasn't a big fan of that, because I heard what a good tuner was capable of, but now that I'm running stock it's driving me crazy not having the power I'm used to. Regardless, I'm going to be smart, play it safe, and get the gauges first. Thanks

[X JBM X]

I have the chip and no gauges.

I don't use my truck for hauling or towing anything though, and most of the time I drive with a very light foot (gotta love those MPG's)

So, for the amount of time I truly push the pedal down, it doesn't justify spending the extra few hundred bucks on gauges.

I guess it depends on what you pull and how you drive.

[PowerStrokeCAM]

Originally Posted by cleatus12r

Your transmission will hate life if you actually use a calibration that is capable of 100+ HP. By "use", I mean actually USE the added power all the time. Stage 1s are going to be able to get your EGTs into the danger zone. If you don't try pulling loads with any programs above 60 HP, you should be ok....just don't lug the engine. Try to keep the RPMs as high as possible.

With Stage 1's you really should have a pyrometer. If you were running stock injectors, you could run whatever HP you wanted.....because 65-80 extra HP is all you would get anyway.

Why would you want him to keep the Rpms as high as possible?

[cleatus12r]

More airflow through the engine makes for lower EGTs.

Lugging the engine with low boost levels while towing causes higher EGT.