Forum Discussion

Anson's avatar
Anson
Explorer
Aug 25, 2014

Tuners 2005 F350 4X4

is anyone running a SCT programmer or The Edge, im looking at getting one just to use in tow mode and economy, and to be able to watch the gauges a lot more closely. I have underboosted the truck and have to clean the turbo this week, so im thinking at least with gauges I can watch boost and egt's and temps.
  • I would not put a tuner on a 6.0L Powerstroke. First you need to address the cooler, turbo and head bolt issues.

    Ken
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    TXiceman wrote:
    I would not put a tuner on a 6.0L Powerstroke. First you need to address the cooler, turbo and head bolt issues.

    Ken


    If only for monitoring the engine, fine, BUT I would not turn it up.
  • Anson wrote:
    is anyone running a SCT programmer or The Edge, im looking at getting one just to use in tow mode and economy, and to be able to watch the gauges a lot more closely. I have underboosted the truck and have to clean the turbo this week, so im thinking at least with gauges I can watch boost and egt's and temps.


    Go to powestroke.org and post your question there. Very informative forum. If you want a tuner, go with the SCT and get custom tunes from innovative diesel. As far as monitoring, go with the Edge CTS or CS. I run the SCT and monitor with Edge CTS.
  • I run the SCT Livewire which is both a monitor and stores custom tunes. I run tunes from Innovative Diesel and like them. There are others such as Elite and Matt at Gearhead among others that I have read good remarks about. My Livewire stores multiple tunes and you can switch them anytime (except on the go).

    I have read that canned tunes are not only bad on the engine (blow headgaskets) but can cause premature trans failure. I have the tow +40hp tune, stock without EGR, street and extreme street. I run and tow (up to 10K) with the street tune and get identical mileage that I did before when it was bone stock but it IS indeed a different truck. I occasional try the extreme street but it has a lot more power on tap and has a more aggressive exhaust tone and too much power if I have to loan out the truck. The monitor function is really flexible because you can choose from many layouts and you can pick which parameter you want to monitor and where on the layout.

    Here's a rundown on tuners

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWJ-l_udw7s

    Here's a rundown on the Livewire

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXNYOdox48g
  • Get a hold of Mike @ 5Star.....he does a great job of setting up any SCT tuner you want or need.
  • A major problem with the 6.0L was the head bolts, which in an overboost condition would lead to a blown head gasket, and eventually a cracked cylinder head. The 6.0L only has 4 head bolts per cylinder vs. 6 head bolts in the earlier 7.3 engines. The fix is to "stud" the 6.0 block and change the head gasket--requiring a full engine disassembly.

    Ford issued numerous PCM recalibrations, and fuel injector, driveability and quality control problems were experienced. Fuel Injection Control Module problems caused by weak batteries caused problems when voltage in the fuel injection circuit didn't get multiplied from 12 to 48-50 volts to fire the injectors.

    Ford also had problems with the EGR systems.

    This is not the engine to chip to higher horsepower levels without substantial and expensive repairs to fix the problems inherent with poor engineering of this engine.
  • Thanks everyone for the heads up, I will prob hold off until I change the head bolts