Light Tow in 65hp DD or 80hp Performance Tune?

Canister · #1 Sun, February 21st, 2010, 02:26 PM

Can I tow about 2500lbs in the 65hp DD tune or 80hp Performance tune?. That's the max I'll be towing and I don't want to waste a spot on my chip for a tow tune if I don't need it. Or should I just tow in stock for that amount of weight?

Robert6401 · #2 Sun, February 21st, 2010, 02:58 PM

After 3 days of driving my truck with 25T, 40T, 65T, 80DD, and 100Perf, I think you should understand that you aren't really sacrificing much by throwing a tow tune in there. I actually like the way the truck shifts better in the tow tunes than any of the other ones. If I were you I would go ahead and get the 80Tow tune, you won't be losing anything by doing that and I think you will be gaining a lot.

***cleatus12r*** · #3 Sun, February 21st, 2010, 03:00 PM

Do you have a pyrometer?

That will determine whether or not you can really "safely" tow in a certain program.

Canister · #4 Sun, February 21st, 2010, 04:37 PM

I have pyro, boost and Aeroforce Interceptor (Scangauge). How different are the shift strategies between the 80hp tow and 80hp Performance? I'm trying to go as mild/safe as possible with my tune choices because my truck has 280,000 miles on it. So if its not advisable to tow in those tunes I'll get the tow tune.

***cleatus12r*** · #5 Sun, February 21st, 2010, 05:27 PM

As far as the shift strategies go, I am not 100% sure, but I will say that probably the only difference you'll feel will be slightly later shifts for a given accelerator pedal input. By slightly, I'll venture a guess of 2-5 MPH.

Shift feel will probably remain about the same between the two as will the absolute power output. The acceleration in the towing tune will probably be slightly less linear with a stronger-feeling midrange.

Canister · #6 Mon, February 22nd, 2010, 09:19 AM

Here are the tunes I think I'm going to go with.

Stock
65hp DD
80hp Perf
80hp Tow
High Idle 1100 rpm
No Start

Just trying to stay conservative with the tunes. I've also considered getting the F.U. set up without the chip because I already have one to reburn. Does the F.U set up allow you to reburn for a different PCM code if I sell my truck and get another one?

Any suggestions?

***cleatus12r*** · #7 Mon, February 22nd, 2010, 02:25 PM

If you do decide to get the FU package, you will need to have your chip formatted to work with Bill's burner (unless it is already one of Bill's chips). He can do that for you.

As for the different PCM code, yes, it will still work. However you will have to let Bill know that you changed trucks and he will have to get into your personal file on his end to load new tunes into the server for you.

Canister · #8 Mon, February 22nd, 2010, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the reply. Trying to get all the info I can before I decide what to do.

Powerstroke2000 · #9 Mon, March 1st, 2010, 02:23 AM

I'm new here, and thought I would ask my questions here, rather than bother Bill with them at this time.

I've got a '95 Ford Powerstroke, and have ran a TS Performance 4 position chip now for about 6 - 8 years, and I'm thinking I might like to have some changes made. I just had my pro-built tranny with the HD Tugger kit and Precision triple disk billet torque convertor maintained, and they also put a new solenoid in, so I'd now like to get a chip to get my shift strategies to work in unison with the power needed for the task at hand.
I've got the Tymar intake, full gauges, IDM mod, Mini-Me injectors, 5" exhaust and the above mentioned TS chip with 2 custom programs I like, albeit tranny shift mods are needed.

Now, my question is... can Bill reburn my current TS chip with his own programs (or work with and improve what is already there) thus staying with my current 4 positions, or spend the $$ and go to a different chipset with different programming?

I'm seeing chips with generic TS programs (6 positions) for reasonable prices, but after having custom tunes for several years making me wonder if it would be money well spent?

I should mention I'm quite happy with my current rear wheel HP output currently at 395 HP on the dyno, so being in the 400 range or just over is about perfect for my uses. I've built my truck for towing purposes mainly, and I drive by my pyrometer anyway, but I'm still running with my stock turbo, which I know is holding me back on lowering my EGT's at the moment. I'm thinking of going with a D66 turbo upgrade soon, and one day may change to an aftermarket fuel system, but hoping it won't be needed.
At the moment my higher tunes can truly churn out the "smoke" as well, which I'm hoping I can attain less with both "tunes" and a "turbo" upgrade.

Thanks in advance...