How do you choose which programmer and chip?

[apollonater]

Just bought an 04 F350 with a 6.0. I am going to be hauling my work trailer and want to chip and program for more power and better mileage. With all the companies and options how do I choose? Also looking for an exhaust. Something with good sound but not annoying. Any ideas? What other mods am I going to want?

[motoxracer42]

every answer your going to get is going to be sct. as far as exhaust just get rid of that cat at least.

[Rubenk]

Well you started on the right path to choosing! You asked on a site with lots of knowledgable people and plenty of people have tried.

My vote goes to an SCT Xcal3 with a custom tune from someone reputable. (I have an xcal2 with a cale from BTS tune.)

The reason most choose a custom tune over a "chip" is because most of them dont tune the trannies, where a custom SCT tune will.

[stk1130]

Originally Posted by Rubenk

Well you started on the right path to choosing!
The reason most choose a custom tune over a "chip" is because most of them dont tune the trannies, where a custom SCT tune will.

Sorry for what might be a dumb question, but does that make it less like to blow the trannie?

[Goose350]

Get a custom tuned SCT and for the exhaust, get a 4" turbo back and get whatever is the cheapest. They are all pretty much the same.

[shu873]

Originally Posted by stk1130

Sorry for what might be a dumb question, but does that make it less like to blow the trannie?

The 5R110 trans is electronically controlled, where as older style trannies are mechanical. The SCT can program the transmission strategy, increase line pressures, etc electronically. Other programmers and modules don't re-program the transmission they just add more power to the motor. When you put more power through a transmission that's not been upgraded to handle it you will burn it up faster..