Custom Tuning vs Plug-in Boxes for efficiency/fuel economy

[neil]

I'm familiar with the SCT tuners and custom written tunes...and all that can be accomplished. What I'm looking for is a one-time tune that will give me maximum efficiency and fuel economy. I want the engine to run its best (as optimal as an original engine should) and not be tuned to emission parameters which I think are harmful to this engine in the long run. I do not seek increased HP/torque (at all) but if thats a result of the tuning I want, OK....as we probably aren't talking much. Can I accomplish this with a plug-n-play box or should I go ahead and invest in a SCT flash tuner and have a custom tune written?

Or is anything Ford offering now worth a shot? I have my original 2005 tune to my knowledge with 85000 miles. There is no OASIS report of any reflashing. In fact the OASIS is pretty boring to read.

[Six0~Stroker]

Ok, the first thing you should get for the 6.0 is a monitor to watch ECT, EOT, FICM, FUEL Pressure, Tranny Temp, and more...

The most common is a Scangauge2, Edge CS, Edge CTS insights! CTS is the most popular.
Or you can go mechanical. (not worth it IMO)

Then when you find out the health of your motor is good you can tune it. You will get the BEST results with a SCT tuner with a custom tune written for your vehicle. It will also actually tune your tranny along with the engine to work better together (Plug n play tuners do NOT causing tranny failures down the road)

Hope this helps

[jerg_064]

I think the problem people find with plug 'n play boxes is they mess up the transmission shift patterns for the auto guys and that can lead to destruction. So it's an at your own risk sorta thing.

Don't remember his name, but there's a guy on here running a Superchips pack (pretty sure) that claims pretty good MPG. Maybe he'll pop in or someone will know who I'm talking about. IIRC, Superchips does include tranny programing.

[neil]

Understood so far. Thanks!

[Six0~Stroker]

Superchips might be "good enough" but IMHO Why not do it correctly and SAFELY the first time.... Trust me, You will sleep better at night

[neil]

My tuning needs would be completely non-performance by design. I absolutely am not looking to build horsepower or torque. The factory figures are perfectly fine with me. Fuel economy, efficiency and longevity are my goals. I also want a clean exhaust...ie: black smoke is neat, but I don't want it. I don't want the boat or anything else I tow covered in residue.

[Six0~Stroker]

It's been proven that the higher the HP the better MPG's you will be getting

[jerg_064]

I was wrong, it was Hypertech.......

As far as SCT goes, it seems people running Vivian's tunes claim the best mileage I've seen.

[Six0~Stroker]

Every truck react differently to all tunes

Everyone Around me is running Matt's tunes and love them... I bought them and the next day I was back to Eric's tunes

[Lilpooh]

IMO, if your looking to gain MPG on a stock truck look into FICM programming and ECM rollback.

You may think you have the original ECM strategy, but the prior owner may have had it updated while out of warranty. So have it checked first.