I am thinking about a programer for FICM, any thoughts with Power Hungry Performance or Innovative's Programer?

 

Can't go wrong with either. I like the fact that Bill @ PHP can do roll backs too.

 

Thanks, I am leaning toward Power Hungry because of the option of ECM rollback, but getting mixed thoughts from programers some like later flash, I know Bill does not but with his programer I can decide on rollback later.

 

Running the Atlas 40 with TruckSourceDiesel tuning makes me a happy camper!!

 

I really want the gryphon!

 

Yea I am going to order one and probably try tunes from a couple places.

 

I am confused by the "rollback" issue. I assume there is a "base code" (VXAP1xx, VXAP2xx, VXBC7xx, VXBC9xx, VXCF7xx, or VXCF9xx) that varies between different build dates of the trucks, and that most tunes are just modifications to this base code. Looking at the PHP site talking about the rolling back the PCM/TCM it says that the earlier base codes had a better tuning strategy. They said that any custom tuning you have for your PCM tunner would no longer work and you would need a new custom tune. What about the "pre-loaded" tunes in for example an SCT livewire TS?

Here is how I think it works... tell me if I am correct. The SCT has the pre-loaded tunes for each base tune, and when you hook it up to your truck it says to itself "ahhh, VXCF7xx" and makes the pre-loaded tunes for that base code available to you without you as the customer ever knowing it.

If I get a previous generation base code, won't it be looking for a fuel heater and EGR throttle valve that I don't have in my 2006 truck?

Thanks for any clarification,

Keith

 

No, canned tunes do nothing of the sort, they're generic and don't focus on any one strategy. Only custom tuning does that, which is why we all usually recommend custom tuning. I wouldn't even run SCT's canned tuning.

The earlier rollbacks were real nice, better mileage, smoother running etc. No matter what roll back you go with, I would always recommend custom tuning.

 

I don't think Bill would load such a base strategy onto your PCM. He would use a VXCF4 based tune since that would be a strategy that fits your motor configuration and found to be one of the better strategy codes.

Essentially thru the model years he picks the better strategies that fit the different year motors. This software wouldn't conflict with the actual hardware under the hood.

 

I bought a IDP FICM tuner and found out a couple of things afterwords that if I had know before would have sent me to bill... My IDP tune doesn't have ANY inductive heating built into the programming. When I loaded the program it banged and clanged like It was running a couple cylinders short. The good part is that; this has alerted me to the fact that I have a stiction issue... But, not having inductive heating makes cold starts ROUGH!!! IDP has offered me a update that has mild inductive heating but, the link doesn't work. The kicker is that, they say that I will not see the same milage increase as I see currently (which is .01mpg). Plus, I cannot return to stock

If I had it to do over again, I would have got the gryphyn... They build in mild inductive heating, you can select power levels, and you can return your FICM to stock if you want to.