Cold weather tunes ?

[fordota]

I've been running Matt's SRL for a about a month and now that its getting cold it smokes quit a bit on start up. I tried Matt's tow tune and it doesn't smoke as much, but my fuel mileage dropped about 2 mpg. Is it best to just put the truck back to the stock tune for the winter, run one of the SCT canned tunes, or run the SRL? Also in about 35 degree weather with normal driving I can't get the water temp over 182. Most of the time it runs 178. With it plugged in for 4 hours the temp gets to 100 then falls quickly when started. Letting it warm up for 10 minutes before driving it only gets to 125-130. I changed thermostats and the temps are exactly the same. Should I get a cold weather front? Thanks in advance for the help. I'm still new to 6.0's and want to make sure I'm doing what I can to make it last.

[work&play]

How cold are your temps ?
I have no problems with my SRL tune in CT

[Dave]

Get a cold front. I run race tunes year round. You shouldnt be dropping ECT at idle when you start your truck either.

[hawkeyediesel]

When starting your truck after having plugged your water temp is going to fall some. Mine can drop 10 to 20 degrees, depending on how cold it is outside. I assume it does this because your circulating the warm water out of the block, into the radiator, thus drawing cooler water into the block from the radiator. To me, this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Having a operating temp of 182 seems pretty low. But if it is really, really cold, I could see that. But even in -15F to -20F temps my truck will get to 185 or so without a cold weather front.

[dieselmatt]

Originally Posted by Dave

You shouldnt be dropping ECT at idle when you start your truck either.

In my truck I see a slight drop in ECT when the truck is started. It is usually about 5-10*. The reason for the drop is because there is coolant that the block heater just can't heat. It is completely normal to experience this slight drop. That being said, a large drop of 30* or more would NOT be normal.

My temps will usually get up to about 182 -185 on my highway drive of 11 miles to work in 25* weather.

[Buzzyt517]

Originally Posted by fordota

I've been running Matt's SRL for a about a month and now that its getting cold it smokes quit a bit on start up. I tried Matt's tow tune and it doesn't smoke as much, but my fuel mileage dropped about 2 mpg. Is it best to just put the truck back to the stock tune for the winter, run one of the SCT canned tunes, or run the SRL? Also in about 35 degree weather with normal driving I can't get the water temp over 182. Most of the time it runs 178. With it plugged in for 4 hours the temp gets to 100 then falls quickly when started. Letting it warm up for 10 minutes before driving it only gets to 125-130. I changed thermostats and the temps are exactly the same. Should I get a cold weather front? Thanks in advance for the help. I'm still new to 6.0's and want to make sure I'm doing what I can to make it last.

When you replaced the thermostat did you use a Ford oem T stat. I know some of the aftermarket ones have different temps on them? just a thought.

[stroker007]

yea vivian told me not to run hot tunes in the winter. she said run her street tue when its cold out.. explanation for that?

[travisH3]

I run srl year round, it makes snow plowing a heck of alot more fun. :

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by stroker007

yea vivian told me not to run hot tunes in the winter. she said run her street tue when its cold out.. explanation for that?

It'll make more boost in the colder weather. I run my hot tunes all year round but I'm studded and I pay attention to what the truck is doing. I seldom need to go beyond 25psi or so.

[Country Mav]

Originally Posted by PGreenSVT

It'll make more boost in the colder weather. I run my hot tunes all year round but I'm studded and I pay attention to what the truck is doing. I seldom need to go beyond 25psi or so.

That seems to be a good idea. For everyday driving and probably pulling, I don't think I ever go much past 20-25 either. But when that little twitch gets into my right foot, it tends to boost a little more. Back on topic, I was wondering about the cold weather and tunes myself. Thanks for the info y'all!