I own a 97 SC XLT 4.6 auto. Bought it new in 97, and it now has 66k miles. I added an Edlebrock cat back the same year I bought it. I have recently added Street and Performance cold air intake and the Helix spacer. This really helped with the mpg. I have been running 91 octane for some time now, just because it cut all the pinging out. Local Shell station does the super for regular price on Tuesdays, and I have to fill up every two weeks. Last week I changed the ring and pinion to 4.11. I'm looking for programming to improve the performance and towing, and to correct the speedo. I have a 77 Bronco I want to tow on a trailer. I want something I can change from towing mode back to normal or performance mode when I'm not towing. I use the truck as a commuter 90% more than I plan to tow with it.

 

to F150online JDixon

The Xcalibrator (9300 or the 9400) would do an excellent job for you. You’ll get three custom tunes done specifically for your trucks PCM code. It’s a hand held tuner you plug into your OBD port. You will be able to switch between the three custom tunes anytime you want as often as you like in a matter of minutes. It also preserves your stock tune, which you can return to at any time also.

I got one any my custom tunes are

87-octane – Performance
93-octane – Tow-Preferred
93-octane – Max-Performance

The Xcalibrator will make a huge difference in the drivability of your truck, and correct your speedo too.

Search around this forum for more info on the Xcalibrator and then give Troyer Performance a call and talk to Mike about your truck and what you want out of it. He’s the man you want doing the custom tunes for you because
Mike’s the tune maestro!

 

Sounds like exactly what I wanted to hear thanks.

 

Hi JDixon,

Those pre-2000 4.6's are indeed prone to detonate on the stock factory tune on 87 octane - many owners have to use premium even on the stock tune (which is supposed to be for 87 octane) just to quell the detonation. Ford didn't do a very good job on those 4.6 engine calibrations. We fix that in our custom tuning, too.

By the way - your speedometer CANNOT be corrected via the PCM's tuning, that function is not present in the PCM until the 1999 model year in the F-150. So the way to calibrate your speedometer is easy, just like it's traditionally been done, with the correct speedometer gear in the tailshaft of the transmission in a little door there. You just need to know the number of teeth you'll need and then you can order the correct gear from any Ford dealer for under $20 - it's a simple 10 minute install, too.

Or, you can simply take it to any speedometer shop and they can do it for you on the spot - they'll determine the amount of error and install the correct gear for you - that service usually costs anywhere from $75 - $125 or so, just to give you an idea. Bottom line, because you have a 1997 F-150 (this also applies to the 1998's) you will need to recalibrate the speedo via the speedo gear, that cannot be done via tuning.

Glad you installed the 4.10 gearing, that will certainly help that trucks' performance and towing ability quite a bit - nice move!

Please feel free to give us ac all to go over all of this in proper detail, we can get this taken care of for you in a multiple-tune product loaded with a set of 3 different custom tunes that will give you everything from maximum all-out performance to the best possible towing ability, highway cruising, etc.

Good luck!

 

Thanks Mike. I work at a dealership in the body shop. Had one of the techs check out the speedo, and he told me the same thing. He wasn't sure so he looked into and that's what he came to. Will definatley be giving you a call soon. 3 tunes you mentioned sound like the ticket, yeah that's the ticket.

 

You're very welcome, & glad to hear you work at a dealership where you have easy access to good techs and could get that info.

Good luck & talk to you soon!