What info

[nelstone74]

I have been checking everything out on the site (nice work,very informative) I was wondering what info you need to make a chip. I guess what I am really getting at is on a scale of "canned tune" to "live tune" where does the standard calibration type of tune fall?

[cleatus12r]

The standard response in most forums is that the custom-tuned chip is the way to go...just short of actual live tuning.

I take the stand that most everything out there is good, but you need to start with a good base file. Here is an example:

My brother has a 99.5 Powerstroke. His PCM code is MRT2. An Edge Evolution programmer works ok with it, but it retains the factory shift and torque converter strategy.....which is absolute garbage (and in all honesty, I can't believe that the SD trucks sold as good as they did with that garbage tuning from the factory). The truck ran better, but still shifted like total crap. This is normal, because the Evo simply inputs modified binary into the PCM and retains all of the stock binary that isn't changed in the tuning. When I put it in my PMT1-equipped truck, it shifts great....just like the base PMT1 file should.


I certainly wouldn't be upset if I had an Evolution programmer as my only chioce, but having driven my brother's truck with it....well, it's not for everyone.

Most tuners will use a "good" base file for their custom calibrations. PMT1 happens to be a favorite among 99-01 automatic trucks because it works well. It's surprising because there weren't a lot of trucks manufactured with that PCM code....and it happens to rock.

As far as canned/custom/live tuning is concerned, most custom tuning is prepared from tricks gleaned from live tuning. If there is a big demand for certain operations from a lot of people during live tuning, those parameters will be changed for the custom tunes that are available to everyone. "Canned" tunes usually don't get real in-depth. More fuel, maybe more ICP or timing, maybe slightly higher shift points, and raised TV pressure for increased shift firmness. Nothing is really "personal".

Live tuning? Hmmmm. Make the truck do what you want when you want it to......as long as the software can accomplish it!

On Edit:
Most "canned tunes" (be they from a programmer or chip) for the 7.3L are old as dirt. The aftermarket doesn't really pay too much attention to the 7.3L anymore since it's a dinosaur. What they were running 8 years ago still works so why pay some programmer to go change it? Custom tuners work with these all the time, constantly making a better product because of feedback on what works or what other aftermarket products are installed on the truck.

[nelstone74]

I know from what I have seen (I mostly read the FTE forum) that for my truck ,97 F350 7.3, that a custum chip is the way to go. I am trying to understand how custom a chip would be (without live tuning) for me.

Belive me that if time and funds allowed I would be at the nearest live tune session with a fully loaded trailer hooked up so the truck could be set up just right. But in all reality thats not going to happen any time soon so here I am trying to basically evaluate what you get for the dollars you spend so I can decide if it is worth it.

[cleatus12r]

If you have an automatic transmission, DEFINITELY get custom tuning.

If you have a manual, it's really not THAT necessary.

For daily-driven, near stock rigs, the most that .......most.....of the customers are going to want is improved shifting and better response. ANY off-the shelf programmer, module, or chip will help a manual transmission truck gain response and power.

However, the magic comes with tuning an automatic transmission truck. A programmer or module (or generic chip) will not address shifting strategy or torque converter lockup scheduling. The programmer or chip may delay shifts slightly or make them more firm, but changing the entire strategy just won't happen. And for towing, having the RIGHT strategy is key. You have a 97, so it's possible (if you have an auto) that you already have TDE1, and if so, you MIGHT be happy with a programmer. A module (such as the Edge Juice or other ICP fooler) will do NOTHING for the transmission....and is possibly worse for it. I will get into why if you'd like.

[kokopellimotorsports]

Cody,

You could get into "why" for me and I am sure allot of other people on this forum. I read your stuff on the sniper forum and found it very helpful. As I posted in another thread I want to get my tech section of my website built up, so anything you want to write about would be great for me. Hopefully you will let me use it on my website.

Ty

[nelstone74]

Here is what I have and how I use.
1. 1997 F350 DRW Cab and chasis with flatbed
2. 7.3 psd
3. Automatic trans, bigger cooler installed.
4. 3" down pipe to 3.5" pipe factory muffler
5. DIY intake with 6637 filter
6. trans temp guage in test port of trans, pyro guage in left side manifold
7. I am the second owner it was a fleet vehicle that I got of a lot which was purchased at the auction from what I could tell it was maintained well and not used hard it had a serice body on it when I got it and looked like the hitch had never been used.
8. My oil analysis from Blackstone labs have come back "within range"

This truck is not a daily driver or a race truck it is a work truck. About 75% of the time I pull a bumper pull car trailer, flatbed gooseneck or a livestock gooseneck trailer.

The empty truck weight is approx 7300# and I try to keep the GCVW to under 30,000#. Hauling round bales is usually when I get the 30,000# mark and that load is 10' wide and about 12 high, which grabs a lot of air.

SO what would be best for me

Really I am only considering a chip from three places 1. PHP 2. TW 3. DP

[cleatus12r]

Originally Posted by kokopellimotorsports

Cody,

You could get into "why" for me and I am sure allot of other people on this forum. I read your stuff on the sniper forum and found it very helpful. As I posted in another thread I want to get my tech section of my website built up, so anything you want to write about would be great for me. Hopefully you will let me use it on my website.

Ty

Ty,

Sure thing, man. It comes out of my head and there's no copyright on it, so feel free to use it.

Why a fueling-box style module is a bad thing for a E4OD/4R100:

The factory programming is set up for a specific torque input into the transmission. The programmers spent a lot of money to get the accelerator pedal position (APP), EPC (electronic pressure control) system ("line pressure"), shift speed calibrations, etc. just right so that maximum life expectancy was achieved.

Aftermarket programming is one thing...it can take into account the increased power output of the engine for a given APP. This helps the shift duration feel stock or firm depending on torque input. Also, the road speed at which the shift occurs can be altered for a given APP.

When a fueling box is added to the 7.3L PSD, the sensor input to the PCM for injection pressure is corrupt. Essentially, the PCM "sees" a lower pressure than what is actually there. The Ford PCM programming allows it to command a higher injection pressure regulator (IPR) duty cycle to increase the pressure output of the high pressure oil pump to what is desired, even though the pressure is actually good. This raised injection pressure has an effect on a few tuning variables in the PCM, but the power increases caused by it are not applied to the transmission shifting parameters.

The higher injection pressures will cause a more responsive accelerator pedal. This means that for any given engine speed or load, the APP voltage input to the PCM will be lower. The PCM bases it's EPC, shift scheduling, and calculated torque on APP (indirectly through MFD or "mass fuel desired"). So, the PCM thinks the actual engine torque is lower than stock for any given accelerator pedal input even though the opposite is true.

More power with earlier/softer shifts and lower line pressure equals bad news. Some folks can run around with these devices and have no problems....it all depends on driving style. They are not something that should be used for heavy towing or racing. Yes, they operate as designed and usually add a couple MPG. They work well, but are better suited to manual transmission trucks.

I hope this helps a bit.

EDIT:

By fueling box, I am talking about the Edge Juice, Banks 6-gun, Dr. Performance/Workhorse, Dfuser 18K, etc.