Just out of curiosity, I've read a lot about this custom tuning, but is it a simple programmer or chip that one can install him/herself, or do you have to take it somewhere to have it done?

 

The short answer is that it's a programmer, and after you provide someone like Troyer with some information, and a little dough, of course, they will load some custom tunes in one and send it to ya...Kevin

 

What he said, but it can be a chip too, and you the consumer can install either yourself!

 

Installed Xcalibrater last week, It was very simple just plug it in and follow the direction.

 

If he has a 2004 F-150 then he can NOT install a chip. He has to go with one of the available tuning devices, be it 1714 or some other brand. That is the choices he has. The 1714 or Hypertech Predator and the SCT Xcalibrator all plug into the OBD-II port under the dash.

But I recomend the Xcalibrator to get a custom tune into his PCM. And I recomend Mike Troyer to do that tuning.

Definately the best BANG for his buck. You purchase the programmer from the dealer (Troyer Performance) and after a consultation with Mike or his crew he builds the three custome tunes and sends you the Xcalibrator to put those tunes into your PCM.

 

If you don't mind me asking, how much power gain are we talkin here? I don't wanna get something that totally blows the engine or anything like that. Plus, I still got 16,000 miles left on my warranty. Don't wanna do anything that will mess that up...right now...hehehe

 

Hi incubud,

If you'll use the SEARCH feature here, you can easily look up anything you want to know on this - it's all been covered literally hundreds of times before. The Webmaster provides the SEARCH feature for this precise purpose, so that anyone can look up things that are discussed frequently, instead of clogging the boards with repetitive posts & the time spent typing out the same info again & again, as everyone who comes here wants to know the exact same things, basically - this is just a quick FYI so you'll know, & now I'll get you some usable info..............

How much power you gain from pour custom tuning (which is what will get you the best results) depends on what type of tuning we do, for what level of octane, and which engine you have in your vehicle, etc., etc. - each vehicle can also vary a bit, especially in the new body style trucks with the 5.4 3V and it's sophisticated knock sensor system. So it's not any one set number that can be quoted, in other words. The best thing to do is to give us a call at our number listed below & we can go over all the details with you on your individual vehicle.

Just some brief info in general..............

Of *course* we're not going to damage your powertrain with our custom tuning - we'd be out of business overnight if that happened. We have specialized in the performance of these trucks for many years, tuning them longer & with more R&D than anyone else (well, other than Ford themselves) in the F-150 platform. What we do will *not* shorten your engine's service life, and there are many years of posts right here on F-150 Online from our customers you can read that will attest to that.

For example, let's say you have the new 300 Hp 5.4 3V engine - well, on a premium gas tune, they will gain anywhere from a low of about 26 HP at the wheels to as much as over 35 HP at the rear wheels - that will vary based on not only each individual vehicle but also your local fuel quality. Not just the octane number, but also as important is the actual energy (BTU) content - the better quality fuels will support higher power levels and generally deliver better fuel mileage, too. Perhaps one of the best ways to tell you what to expect is express it in terms of percentages - figure that our performance tuning is going to net you somewhere between a 10%-13% increase in peak HP, and anywhere from about 12%-17% more torque, making it by far the single best bang for the buck performance enhancement.

When we did our initial round of R&D tuning, our 2004 F-150 5,4 3V 300 HP SuperCrew Lariat 4x4 made 219 HP & 287 lbs./ft. of torque at the rear wheels in bone-stock trim. Then with nothing more than our tuning, the dyno showed 247 HP & 350 lbs./ft. of torque at the rear wheels - pretty darn respectable. We immediately rolled it off the dyno & did a top-speed run - now in the Lariats with a center console shifter there is the word "Lariat" at the bottom center of the speedometer, long after the speedo stops at 120 mph - well, in our truck I wrapped the needle all the way around past 120 and on to the letter "I" in Lariat at the bottom center of the speedometer. It was *still* pulling at that point, but I had to let off as I was in some gusty side-winds and loosing control of the vehicle - the stock suspension & tires aren't made for those kinds of speeds anyway, of course. So I don't know just how fast it would have gone ultimately, but more than I could control the vehicle at under those conditions. We figure an easy 135+ MPH, and that's on a 6200 lb. (when empty) 4x4 Lariat SuperCrew - no gimmicks, the tailgate was up, no tonneau cover to keep the wind off the tailgate, the mirrors were fully extended, etc.

Here's a link to our website where our tuning products are, and for that 2004 truck what you want to read about specifically is our Part# 9300, the Xcalibrator - that's the one we can load our *custom* tuning into to get you the very best results - here's the link: http://www.troyerperformance.com/cgi...chips%3BFoMoCo

That info should help you for now, & please don't hesitate to give us a call at our number listed below to go over any of this, or to place your order for our custom tuning for your new truck - you will absolutely *love* the improvement in immediate throttle response, something these newer trucks especially are sadly lacking in - as well as the gains in peak power, part-throttle torque, driveability, must better shifting in the automatics, etc., etc.

Best of luck whatever you decide, & hope to hear from you!

 

I bought an SCT 6600 chip for my Expy and was quoted by a very well known and seemingly respected SC distributor that there was a 38hp difference between a 87-tow tune and the 91-performance tune in my chip. There is absolutely NO seat of the pants difference in performance between any of the settings in fact the stock setting seems crisper than even the 91-performance tune. Be careful. As stated above 10%-13% in peak horsepower for my truck would be around 25 hp as I have a 97 Expy 5.4 with listed stock hp of 230. However when I called them about purchasing my 6600 I was told there was 38hp difference between their 87-tow and 91-performance setting. You would think it would be even more between stock and 91-performance setting. Now the 10%-13% listed above may be for your specific vehicle and may be documented however my quoted 38 hp increase yielded me NO seat of the pants improvement in fact the stock setting seems better than the custom tune settings.

 

I think there is something wrong with it!!!I am going to have to call Mike about it!!

Has anyone else had a problem leaving stop lights? It seems with my tune installed there is a loud noise and alot of smoke and sometimes the back of my truck goes sideways!!!

If anyone can help let me know!!






Thanks alot Mike

 

Hi RayJay,

Pretty funny - you almost had me there for a minute!

Have fun & don't get any tickets!

 

Double-post, sorry! Darned message server..............

 

Pretty funny, RayJay - you almost had me there for a minute!

Have fun & don't get any tickets!

 

Sorry Mike i had to do it !!!!



looks like your up late what a r u looking for all that snow?

i have baby duty!!!


My tune has been great , had to go to the dealer and felt like i was in 2nd gear with the stock tune back on ,but now back to the fun (learning curve takes no time now!!! its GREAT

 

Quick question. Does the Xcalibrator also provide the other functions of the 1714 like adjusting speedo for change in tire size?