FICM Tuning

[Beef52751]

I'm looking for more power like everyone else I was wondering if having my ficm tuned would give me any more power? Is there any reason to get it tuned besides power? My truck starts and runs fine, gets 14.5 MPG while i abuse it and easily 16.5 MPG if i drive like a sane person. So what are the benefits for it and what is it going to cost me?
Thanks
Bryan

[shu873]

You might see an extra 1mpg or so from the FICM tune. A little more throttle response and a bit more fuel on the top end. I see you're running Spartan files on your X3 from your sig. I'm assuming they're the free tunes? I'd suggest you try an X street or race from Innovative or a race file from Matt R. at Gearhead. You'll be glad you did. I'd do that before worrying about the FICM flash.

[Beef52751]

I Plan on getting the SRL+ tune in short order but i want to get most of my aftermarket parts on before ordering a custom tune so i don't have to get it retuned. and i wasn't sure if a FICM tune would my tune.
Thanks for the input

[shu873]

You won't have to update your tunes once you get your FICM modded.

[steeltech65]

I have been running a tuned FICM from Innovative for over a year. If you looking for more power than it's not for you. What I noticed and like about the tuning is better fuel economy ~ 1-1.5 mpg and much quicker throttle responce. I do plug it in right now. Otherwise, it starts pretty rough when its 9 degrees in the morning. Sweet all Iowa guys on this thread at the moment.

[shu873]

Mine started rough last winter too. Last year was the first year with a tuned FICM for me. I run 5w-40 syn oil already, but I added in 2 bottles of Rev X and the bad starts went away completely. Plugged in it was no problem, but sitting in a cold parking lot over night I had injector stiction pretty bad. Truck shook and missed until it was warmed up, then all was well.

I just changed my oil a week ago and have not added in any Rev X this time around. I want to see if the problem comes back.

[theswoleguy]

pardon my ignorance, what is the difference between a tune ficm and say my tunes from eric that go into the SCT? same different? would i get anything from doing so?

btw the best mpg i have ever gotten from my truck in its current state is 11.2. math calculated not overhead lie-o-meter. suggestions?

[steeltech65]

The difference between the two is the SCT Tuner reporgrams the PCM and the FICM is reprogrammed via a special program that is not available in a handheld programmer. They are two completely different modules. The biggest difference with a tuned FICM is better throttle responce. You will not get a large power increase from a tuned FICM. Thats about the extent of my knowledge. I not sure why your mileage is that low. I never seen that low of mileage even towing a 10K load into a headwind. I would hook up AE to your truck and see if any values are off.

[theswoleguy]

Originally Posted by steeltech65

The difference between the two is the SCT Tuner reporgrams the PCM and the FICM is reprogrammed via a special program that is not available in a handheld programmer. They are two completely different modules. The biggest difference with a tuned FICM is better throttle responce. You will not get a large power increase from a tuned FICM. Thats about the extent of my knowledge. I not sure why your mileage is that low. I never seen that low of mileage even towing a 10K load into a headwind. I would hook up AE to your truck and see if any values are off.

sounds interesting i might want to do it...

ya dude the fuel mileage is the suck, something bad... i get like 11.9 unloaded and i know my wheels n tires are heavy but one dude says he has toyos (same as mine) on 22s and getting AMAZING fuel mileage compared to me...what is AE?

[Lilpooh]

AE is Autoenginuity software that can do almost everything that the dealership can do with there scanner. Here is a link.
AutoEnginuity® - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics