2008 PowerStroke Questions/Recommendations

[CWT]

I recently purchased a 2008 F-350 with the 6.4L Diesel. I am looking to purchase a tuner and have a few questions.

1. The mileage on the new EPA Diesels is bad. I am looking for a small increase in mileage 1-2 MPG. It looks like the Predator can give me this.

2. Will this give power across the RPM range. Specifically I would like better low speed throttle response. With all the high tech, Twin Sequential Variable Vane Turbos, I would expect better response than my old 7.3L.

3. What is the safe limit in the tow program. One of your competitors safe limit is 6,000 lbs. That isn't real towing. My to rig is about 10,000 lbs.

4. What is the effect on EGT. I am looking for something with reasonable EGT. I am not looking to replace turbos on a regular basis. I am looking for a good safe tuning.

I have always heard good things about Diablo Sport so you are on my short list. I guess I am asking you to sell me the rest of the way.
Thanks,

[WildBill]

If you are only looking for 1-2 MPG increase, you're doing pretty good right now. I was looking to double mine. At one point I was as low as 9 MPG, or 400 km/tank. In the summer time I have effectively raised that to 750 km/tank with the predator, setting the cruise and less idle time. As far as the "twin turbo, more power, blah blah blah, yeah. I miss my 7.3. As well as quite a few guys I've talked to. I am quite happy with my predator as I too pull trailers. Not as heavy as yours, but I have had no issues with the 80 hp setting. You just have to realize you have to back out of it once in awhile and not try to break any land speed records. (And a very expensive motor in the process!) Hope this helps and good luck with your new 1 ton.

[mikel]

I recently purchased a 2008 F-350 with the 6.4L Diesel. I am looking to purchase a tuner and have a few questions.

1. The mileage on the new EPA Diesels is bad. I am looking for a small increase in mileage 1-2 MPG. It looks like the Predator can give me this.

2. Will this give power across the RPM range. Specifically I would like better low speed throttle response. With all the high tech, Twin Sequential Variable Vane Turbos, I would expect better response than my old 7.3L.

3. What is the safe limit in the tow program. One of your competitors safe limit is 6,000 lbs. That isn't real towing. My to rig is about 10,000 lbs.

4. What is the effect on EGT. I am looking for something with reasonable EGT. I am not looking to replace turbos on a regular basis. I am looking for a good safe tuning.

I have always heard good things about Diablo Sport so you are on my short list. I guess I am asking you to sell me the rest of the way.
Thanks,

Our 6.4 tuner is hands down the best on the market.

1. We have had users report gains of 2-5 MPG, with 3-4 being the average with the economy tune installed.

2. Yes. Throttle response is improved greatly, and the truck feels like it lost a few thousand pounds.

3. Our towing tune is designed to allow you to tow up to the factories max weight limit for your vehicle.

4. Our tuning is as safe as you can get.
Even our extreme tune is not pushing the envelope of what the 6.4 is capable of.
Obviously EGTs should be monitored in a performance application, or when there will be heavy towing, but there is nothing unsafe about the tunes.

For more info, please check out the recent 4 way tuner shootout in Diesel Tech Magazine, where we blew the 6.4 competition out of the water.

Thanks

[sohfast94]

http://www.diablosport.com/index.php?mo ... ay&pid=154

No magic. No tricks... this was a blind test that I wasn't even aware of with a tool off the shelf.

[robbydiesel]

get it and enjoy it. best programmer for the money if you want to stay mostly stock, gain gas mileage, and power. i have gone from 11.9 to 15.5 in the city. i have only tried 80 horse for mileage, and it runs flawlessly.

[CWT]

Thanks for all the info. It looks like I can get all I want and more. With the kinds of mileage gains your talking about the unit will pay for itself in about 3 months. I have a couple of other questions.

1. How long does the tune process take? I had a Hypertech unit for my old truck (05 F-150). The tune process was an incrediblely long 30 minutes.

2. I see a lot of posts with tune issues. Am I going to have issues. I have Ford's latest program as of 1-21-09. I want the tune to go in with no issues and the truck to run fine. I have too many other things to do to mess with a truck that doesn't run right.

Thanks for all the help. You are on my shorter list now.

[mikel]

1. The tune takes about 5-6 minutes to install, as it has to write the PCM and TCM separately.

2. The issues are related to unsupported calibrations as part of the latest recall from Ford.
We are working on tunes for these new calibrations now and will have an update dont to support them shortly.

[Traction450]

Great information everyone!

If the Tow Tune is designed to allow factor spec towing what adjustments should be made for the 50HP, 80HP tunes? Do you have a set limitation on weight based on the specific tune installed? I ask because I don't yet have anything to monitor my EGT's and my towing duties are varied from a 16' flatbed, 16' enclosed trailer to a 40' fifth wheel. I am assuming if I want to run a higher tune for the lower towing duties I will certainly have to change it for the higher towing duties, just trying to find that threshold. Can I run the 80HP for both 16’ trailers and the tow tune for the larger one? Can I run the 50HP for all three? Should I just run the Tow Tune all the time? I am trying to find the sweet spot for the best MPG benefits and power gains. Thanks!

[sohfast94]

You can run the 80hp with the two 16' without a problem as long as you're not overloading them... The 6.4L has two on-board EGT gauges and if it get's to hot It will go into reduced engine power... I would use the 50hp on the 5th wheel though.

[Traction450]

Thank you, if i add the extreme puck will that allow me to switch between the two settings or does it dial up and down at different intervals?

[mikel]

With the puck you could keep a lower power tune in and dial it up when you need more power...