Chip or Programmer???
 

I was recently having issues with my truck and have determined the PCM went bad and had to be replaced. I have ordered New PCM that will be stock with all upgrades from Ford and flashed to the VIN of my truck and ready to plug and play.



I had installed on my truck the Gold Superchip... until my PCM went bad. And liked the additional power. I have an AFE intake and 4'' straight pipe exhaust. 35'' tires. On average I was getting around 18 HWY and 15 City. Now that I am forced to start my programming over with a stock PCM I want your opinions on which upgrade to go with as I am hesitant to go back with the superchip because of the way it is installed on the back of the PCM and not for certain if it caused the damage to my PCM.

I have 203,xxx miles on my truck. Truck is a daily driver and also used as work horse farm truck needed for towing up to 8,000lbs.

A custom tuned TS 6pos is the best thing you can run

Its a no brainer: TS chip you can choose your setting on the fly... or like my old programmer you can wait 20-30 minutes. I've been running PHP tunes for a few months and have been very happy with them so far on their Phoenix chip which is just another version of the TS. Most of the good tuners use TS chips so stick with that style in case your not happy with what you get...you can always try someone else. The one warning I will give you is do not get a canned tune TS chip...from the manufacturer...go custom and you will be happy.

So are you saying you don’t recommend getting a TS6 chip that comes already with settings from a place like XDP? I’ve heard others talk about the programming from Tony Wildman TS6 chip. Any thoughts?

TS6 is a good one. If you want cheaper and able to read trouble codes, get a superchip programmer. Ive ran them for years. I run the "performance tow" setting with improved mpg's. Just don't keep your foot in it too long with a load.

Also, what about a digital gauge or gauges. I was running the Gold superchip performance tow for the last 100k miles with no gauges. Are they really necessary or can you just watch the rpms and listen to the motor as not to over do it.

Just don't over do it with a load.

extra power without gauges is not a good idea, there cheap a new engine isn't. i don't like digital gauges, the analog ones are quicker to read. i prefer isspro gauges, they are high quality and are made in Oregon.

a TS chip from XDP have TS tunes on it. there OK but a custom tuned chip is leaps and bounds better in every way.

I can tell you this is not a true statement, at least the made in OR part. I not only have a full set of 8 Isspro gauges in my '67 W200 but I live within striking distance of Isspro. I have been there several times over the last few years and did not know where to get into the building one time. I ran into a guy right away when I got in and without any hesitation he helped with what I was there for. I ended up talking with him a bit in his office and it turns out he was the president of the company. :tu: VERY good service. BUT, of the 8 gauges in the PW at least 6 (and maybe all of them) are made somewhere other than the US of A. Isspro does tell me they still are very good gauges. And no, they don't normally deal with walk ins. :nope: :hellox:

How old are the gauges? I walked right in there and they were more then happy to help me. I have also personally seen with my own 2 eyes the gauges being built in there factory. But I guess I must be seeing things?