Which performance chip?

[IESuperduty]

Hi. New guy here. Just bought a used, 2006, F250 4X4 Lariat with 6.0 PSD. Truck has 105,000 miles and seems to run really well. This is my first diesel. SoCal here, so I'll need to leave all emissions in place as they now do visual smog checks on diesels here.

I'd like to boost performance modestly to assist with towing. Truck won't be a daily driver (I use a motorcycle for that), and will mostly be used to tow my travel trailer (8500 GVWR), and occasionally a couple of 4 wheelers in the bed of the truck, and of course for 4 wheeling.

Not looking for scorching performance or to put undue stress on the motor, so something in the 25-75 hp range would probably be plenty.

Truck appears to be bone stock with the exception of slightly larger tires and rims. The previous owner also installed a very nice K&N replacement air filter system.

I searched a bit and came across the Edge juice, Superchips Micro tuner and the Banks.

Any advice for a newbie?

[06powerstroke06]

Use the search feature on the site.

[the06wildebeast]

If ya want some quick info research the SCT tuners. They're the best with custom tunes and allow you to tune the transmission along with the motor, which for tuning is key. Also before you tune it get yourself a set of gauges to monitor that 6.0, good to know where your starting from.

[IESuperduty]

Originally Posted by the06wildebeast

If ya want some quick info research the SCT tuners. They're the best with custom tunes and allow you to tune the transmission along with the motor, which for tuning is key. Also before you tune it get yourself a set of gauges to monitor that 6.0, good to know where your starting from.

Thanks for the helpful response. I did some searches and read some threads where SCT was highly recommended. I found the SCT-9600 for $500 or so, but am not finding a lot about what their "Stage 1-3" mean other than their published HP and torque gains.

My truck has a very nice K&N replacement air filter and box system, but I highly doubt I'd ever bother to change out the factory exhaust. I've never done that on other trucks or vehicles.

Given that my goal isn't blistering performance, but just better fuel mileage and increased power on those occasions when I need it, is this the best choice?

[the06wildebeast]

With you towing a 4" exhaust would really help keep your exhaust gas temps down. That's a huge deal on a 6.0. SCT is the way to go for sure. I've got the 9600 livewire and its great. If you do go ahead and get it be sure to get the EGT (exhaust gas temp) probe. Then you can get a set of custom tunes from a place like innovative diesel. They'll write tunes however you'd like. On another note I'd ditch that K&N they're known to dust engines. Hope that helps. Oh, if your looking for a good article to read, at the top of the forum the 6.0 help page, read THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT OWNING A 6.0. that'll help