Hello..

What about the tow capable (hp numbers) premium gas program? I live in the hills of South Dakota and my return home trip is all up hill..

Should I still go with the no-tow program or the tow program?
Thanks...

 

Hi Mike,

Because the computer obviously has an EEPROM, I can use the max program and then when I need to tow, reprogram the chip as often as I need to right?

Thanks,

Patrick

 

Hi TerryK67,

The power gains from the tow-safe program for premium gas are generally going to run anywhere from about 15-20 HP (larger engines gain more only because they make more power to start with) and another 30+ lbs./ft. of torque - then the "max" performance program is going to make another 10 HP more over that.

Just in case anyone is wondering, you don't have to use the tow-0safe program instead of the "max" performance tune just because you live in the mountains - you only need to use the tow-safe program when *towing* - for that that info is worth.

I hope that info helps, Terry!

 

Hi Patrick,

Yes indeed, it is a flash prom (EEPROM), so it can be flashed at will.

Personally, I don't like to flash the PCM a dozen times a month of course, but there is no set limit to how many times you can do that - like your PC's bios chip.

Sure, you can run on the "max" performance tune & then drop back to stock or another performance program when you need to, and then return back to "max," etc. multiple times - no problem!

 

Thanks for the reply...it does help.....I just want to make sure that I don't "f-up" my new truck by trying to sqeeze every ounce of power out of it. Thanks for taking the time to reply to this and all the other questions...it really does help!!

Terry..

 

Hi Terry,

You're very welcome, anytime - & enjoy that nice new F-150!

 

I installed the tuner and I notice a torque improvement at stop lights but nothing stellar. Will I see more as the adaptive process notices I have changed the program?

 

Just in case anyone is wondering, you don't have to use the tow-safe program instead of the "max" performance tune just because you live in the mountains

Thanks Mike,

For answering that question. I know, in the past, you have said that the "tow safe" program is only needed when you tow. I still wondered if climbing mountains would put too much load on my motor, resulting in dangerously high EGTs. (perhaps some of us obsess
about the well being of the "baby") My mind is at ease. Thank you Dr. Spock.

Bill

 

Hi Bill,

Nice to see you, as always!

Some people wonder about that specific point, particularly those with the heavier 4x4's, w/towing & ORP(FX4) packages, etc. - those being the heavier 5500-6000 lb. configurations - about running thru the mountains on the "max" performance tune - and generally speaking, as long as they aren't *towing* that isn't a problem. In fact, we've been doing that for some time in one of our F-150's.

Now I probably wouldn't take our 6000 lb. '01 4x4 Lariat ORP and run it @ WOT up a 10,000 ft. mountain on the "max" performance tune, but I'd certainly take it up that mountain with that program at a more "normal" pace.

With regard to EGT's & the stock pistons, one of the nice things about the stock pistons is that because they are the hypereutectic style, they have a relatively high silica content - so they can take a good deal of heat. What they *don't* like is a lot of *cylinder pressure* - like from high-boost blowers & nitrous. So they generally stand up well to heat from going up grades, etc. Though almost no gas engine owners do this, you could install an EGT gauge and see just what they are under various conditions. Very few people do that on gasoline motors of course, it's usually the turbo-diesels that use them.

I do feel that a better oil is needed to help these motors stand up to extreme conditions - we recommend using full synthetic (we use Mobil 1 since it's so easy to find & it's an excellent full synthetic) in a weight of 10W-30 and changing at not more than 3000 mile intervals. This protects better than the thinner 5W30 and 5W20 oils the automakers use - they use those ultra-light oils just to help them meet the federal C.A.F.E. mandates for fuel mileage. We feel more comfortable with the better protection of 10W-30 full synthetic oils, especially in higher stress areas like the piston rings, bearings, camshafts, etc.

OK, now I'm rambling.............so I gotta run.

Thanks for your post,