DP Tuner in my F350

[skyguy]

Late summer I added a trio of gauges, pillar style, to my F350, in anticipation of adding a computer chip further down the road. I added the ISS Pro set - turbo-boost, exhaust temp, and transmission temp.

The install took most of a day - nothing real complicated, just took my time, made sure I read and re-read the instructions, and got everything right the first time. The only tricky part was the exhaust sensor - that goes in just before the turbo, and you need to be careful about leaving and iron bits in the exhaust that could kill the turbo! Since my brother-in-law is a machinist, I lured him with a couple of beers (after the job was done)!

The gauges are eye openers - didn't realize how hot the exhaust gasses get towing! Handy too for making sure the turbo is cool before shutting the engine off.

Then I conned Santa into delivering the DP Tuner computer set for Christmas. I had to wait a week to get weather warm enough outside to do the install. Again, the install was easy and straight forward, only 3 bolts, altho the first was in a pretty tight spot, even for my small hands. (There always has to be one, right?) After talking with Jody, the owner of DP-Tuner, I opted for a 40 horse towing increase, 80 horse econ increase, and a decel mode - $45 for an exhaust decelerator in lieu of one of the $1000 brands.

Just took my test drive - no towing. The 40 horse upgrade makes the ruck go zoom. The 80 horse increase makes the truck go ZOOOOM - yeee haaw!

Will let u know how the towing goes, may be a couple months

 

[Riverman]

Could you please forward the mailing address to YOUR Santa.

 

[Cyncwby]

I did the piro/boost gauges, 4" exhaust, air filter and a 60 hp "BD tow chip" to my '02 PSD a couple of months after I bought it. Pulling a big G/N horse trailer then........yes it does make a very nice difference. 110k later still runs like a dream, and NO transmission problems.

 

[Rrloren]

You might find the 80 horse tune a bit much for your tranny when towing , I'd use it only when not towing. The 40 hp should work well when you tow. Watch the EGT's when going up the mountains.

 

[caissiel]

I use the E-Con at all settings and found a gain of about 20% while towing. The truck has been flawless as far as heat is concern, but I only allow 206 deg F water temperature and then shift down. And that is not often with it is on max power.

 

[skyguy]

You might find the 80 horse tune a bit much for your tranny when towing , I'd use it only when not towing. The 40 hp should work well when you tow. Watch the EGT's when going up the mountains.

Yep, the 80 is definitely NOT for towing anything more than a couple lawnmowers.

The 40 is a tow mode, and will keep a close eye on the gauges!

Al

 

[bighorn3370]

When I installed the gauges in my truck, Ford performance specialists suggested putting grease in the drillbit flute to hold the metal shavings. Then use a magnet to remove any other metal in the pipe.

 

[caissiel]

I used grease to hold on the the bits and also on the tap, you get as much bits with the tap, even more because the hole is exposed all the time. I then started the engine and pushed the rest of the bits through the hole after drilling and tapping.

 

[theharveys]

A couple months ago, I pulled the Super Chips Gold chip out of my 2000 F550 with a 7.3 Powerstroke and had a Dr. Performance (http://www.drperformance.com/index.asp) module installed in the truck. It provides 90 additional horsepower and 180 extra foot pounds of torque. I am very happy with how the truck now really jumps when I press the throttle.
The cool thing about this module is that it does not make the extra power by adding fuel to the cylinders, which is the leading cause of hot exhaust as all the extra fuel does not get burned in the cylinder. Some of it actually burns in the exhaust manifold as evidenced by black smoke coming out the tailpipe.
The Dr. Performance module changes the programming for the injectors and better manages the oxygen content in the cylinder to produce a more complete burn and thus, more power. I get to use all 90 additional horsepower and 180 extra foot pounds of torque, when towing.
Dr Performance does not even recommend an EGT gauge when you install their module because it does not raise the EGT any higher than stock.
I have an EGT gauge on my truck and I can attest to the fact that the exhaust gas temperatures are about 200 degrees cooler at almost every speed then they were with the Super Chips chip.
The other day, (just testing...you understand ), I floored the accelerator and was amazed at how fast the truck accelerated. I checked the mirrors and was surprised that I did not see any black smoke.
I would highly recommend this module.

 

[caissiel]

In all the traveling I did with my F250, I never saw any black smoke on the right side of the trailer, like I was getting with my previous trucks.

 

[escs36]

i recommend PHP, power hungry performance, for tuning related to towing. i would stick to 20 hp, 40 hp max. otherwise, you are a prisoner to watching that EGT gauge.

 

[hcriddle]

I just added an Edge Juice with Attitude tuner to my F250. I towed my Big Horn a couple of days ago for the first time and while in tow mode I get a transmission warning light. The transmission temps never move and there is no different feel to the shifting other than the tranny shifts at a different setting like it is supposed to. When I drop it back to stock the light goes out and it pulls fine. Any ideas here before I call Edge?