Ok, I know a lot’s been posted about tuners already. I also know there’s a separate forum for tuners. But I wanted to keep it where more F150 users would possibly respond.

I’m very easy on my truck. 2005 Scab, 4.6, auto, 3.55 axle. Stock everything (except radio). I don’t romp down much at all. Mostly city driving. Hardly ever get over 45mph. Have never been over 60 (going up to Mt. Rainer).

I know there’s a lot of talk about how the Xcal is better but that also seems way more complicated. I’m really looking for something simple to use that doesn’t involve updating custom programs with email, etc. Just want something to pep-up it up a bit. Already checked on reflash and was told that I have the latest updates.

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1. Would a Superchips 1745 Tuner help me much?

2. I downloaded the 1745 manual and it says that some vehicles require disabling the fuel system. Has anyone that owes the same truck I do have to disable the fuel system? If so was it hard to do? Was it hard to enable the fuel system after the program was loaded? What did you have to do to disable and enable it?

3. If I loaded a tuning program and later something happened to the tuner would I ever be able to go back to the stock program? I’m assuming that I wouldn’t since it would have been erased by the 1745. Probably not a big worry but sometimes solid state items do stop working and I’m guessing this is solid state (had a Playstation memory card that stop reading anything. All data was lost).

4. Does the adaptive transmission and other ‘learning’ parts of the truck override any of the 1745’s settings? Does it still ‘learn’ with a 1745 tuning program installed?

5. Is it possible to damage anything on the truck by using the 1745?

6. Is there anything I else I should be concerned about the 1745?


Thanks

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Let me see if I can help as I've had this very device. By the way, the Xcal 2 is actually very easy to use and it's installed the same way as the 1745

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1. Would a Superchips 1745 Tuner help me much? Anything would help , as unfortunately our trucks aren't tuned towards much performance from the factory. Superchips is a household name, can't go wrong. Support is excellent, at least from my experience.
2. I downloaded the 1745 manual and it says that some vehicles require disabling the fuel system. Has anyone that owes the same truck I do have to disable the fuel system? If so was it hard to do? Was it hard to enable the fuel system after the program was loaded? What did you have to do to disable and enable it? No worries here, this step was not applicable when I installed my 1745.
3. If I loaded a tuning program and later something happened to the tuner would I ever be able to go back to the stock program? I’m assuming that I wouldn’t since it would have been erased by the 1745. Probably not a big worry but sometimes solid state items do stop working and I’m guessing this is solid state (had a Playstation memory card that stop reading anything. All data was lost). Absolutely, you will notice when installing the 1745 that it first saves your stock program, THEN loads the 1745 program. Going back to stock is the same steps and just as easy as loading the 1745 to begin with.

4. Does the adaptive transmission and other ‘learning’ parts of the truck override any of the 1745’s settings? Does it still ‘learn’ with a 1745 tuning program installed? No, the 1745 settings are dominant, however, when the 1745 is installed, adaptation and re-learning will work the same way with the 1745 as it did with your stock tune, in other words, re-learning will now fall within the framework of your new hi performance tune. You will actually, see more improvements as your mileage increases and as your truck is "cycled" meaning repeated ignition starts and stops over time.

5. Is it possible to damage anything on the truck by using the 1745? Well yes, however, a big yes if you start playing with the default Superchips settings, i.e. changing rpms, shiftpoints, etc. Leave those ALONE. Nothing if anything can be gained from changing factory parameters. I would suggest ONLY if the shift firmness is a little to aggressive or hard, you can dial down the shift pressure a notch or two. That would be it. Also, damage can occur if you don't use the minimum octance requirement of the tune you are utilizing. It's key you follow that and use quality gas, no cheaping out here, not worth it. Lastly, I have noticed fuel starvation (stock and 1745) when flooring it with less than a quarter tank or so, as a result, I would not advise doing this with the 1745 unless you have a least a half a tank or around that.
6. Is there anything I else I should be concerned about the 1745? Not as far as I can tell. That about covers the big things. Once piece of advice though, is to carry the 1745 tuner with you in the truck at all times. You never know when you may be stranded and need a tow to the dealer. This will enable you to go back to stock then and there, with no worries. Good luck!

Thanks

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Just curious, what kind of gas mileage do you get driving like that. I know some people who claim to baby it but don't see much of an improvement in gas mileage, but I am willing to bet they were born with a heavy foot and just don't know what taking it easy is.

 

Josiah, not sure I follow you. Help me out on this one. Did I insinuate somewhere about a particular driving style?

 

So far not good. 13.3 - 13.8. Just went over 1300 miles though, so maybe it's not broken in yet.

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Screw it, I'm officially flooring it everywhere.

And Fx4&Excursion, all I am saying is a few guys on these forums say they baby their truck to get better gas mileage, and they see little or no improvement, but I was willing to bet they didn't baby it like this guy does, hence my question. We in the same ballpark now?

 

I now have about 1200 miles on my new 05 Screw FX4. My last two fillups I have gotten 17.04 and 17.31 miles to the gallon. Durning both of those tanks my truck never went above about 2100 rpms while driving except once because of some jackass in an Avalanche. That time it went to about 5500 in first and I swear the gas gauge moved after I let off the it.

The way I look at it is these trucks are not fast period. This includes the lightning. So why do you need to slam your foot down to half throttle to take off. I have a 2004 Honda RC51(track) and 2005 CBR1000RR(street) for speed.