DP Tuner F6 Smart Chip
With our new Terminator HPOS installed, we needed to look at changing our programming to account for the changes our motor would be experiencing from the improved injection pressures. New programming will also be beneficial in optimizing all the components we've installed on the truck to this point. Fine-tuning the programming will sort of dial everything in together, providing the ultimate performance and efficiency.
We've dealt with DP Tuner, a company specializing in 7.3L Power Stroke custom tuning, before with great results. So it was a no brainer when it came time to dial in the tuning in this little project truck. DP Tuner, owned by Jody and Diane Tipton of Hoschton, GA, is committed to improving the tuning options out there for the 7.3L market. While some think it's a dead platform, DP Tuner sees the need for continued support and new products for one of the top selling diesel power plants ever offered in a light-duty diesel pickup.
Their newest product release, the F6 Smart Chip, is a multi-position chip that plugs directly into the truck's PCM and can control over 3,600 parameters in the factory computer, all of which Tipton has access to. By adjusting the factory tuning tables, Tipton can ensure the truck runs and performs to the best of its ability, whether it be a daily driver, tow rig, or hot-rod truck used for drag racing or sled pulling. The new F6 Smart Chip can hold up to 16 positions that can be switched while on-the-fly. No more stopping to retune or reprogram your truck. With just the touch of the button on the unique pod-mounted gauge or standard switch, you can go from stock programming, to your towing program, economy tune, or all the way up to your aggressive race tunes.
The most unique and attractive part to the new F6 is the fact that it is completely internet updateable. Through DP Tuner's online software and drivers, you can install their software on your laptop, enabling Tipton to build and email new tunes to you whenever you may need or want changes made in your tuning. Once the F6 is installed onto your PCM, a USB-style cable will be routed under the dash and mounted next to the OBD II port, allowing you to connect your laptop right into the chip without ever removing it. You can now update your own tunes in just a matter of minutes, no tools and no greasy hands required.
While DP Tuner has a pretty good handle on their base tunes, every truck can react to certain parameter changes differently. For example, let's say once your F6 is installed, you go out on your initial test drive and find your transmission shifts too harshly, or your daily driver tune smokes more than you'd prefer. Just send a quick email to DP Tuner with your thoughts. Jody can make some quick changes to your transmission strategies or fueling tables, and email the new tune right to you. You'll then download the tune onto your laptop, walk out to the truck, plug into the USB cable and upload it into the truck. Done. It really couldn't be any easier or quicker.
While our stock transmission (with over 230,000 miles) is hurting (that's next on the list of upgrades), once it makes it into overdrive it holds quite well. We haven't dared strap down on the dyno yet to get some solid performance numbers, but with our new Terminator HPOS and DP Tuner tuning installed we did do some more data logging. We wanted to see just what kind of improvement was made with the new parts. Well, first of all, the new tuning is simply amazing, off throttle response is near perfect, our transmission is shifting a lot better, and overall drive ability is the best it's ever been. DP Tuner is one of the best in the market when it comes to custom tuning Power Strokes.
After a few strong, hard pulls at wide open throttle, our sustained ICP is right up where it should be, a constant 3200-3300 psi, no matter how long we're in the throttle. Our duty cycle has dropped substantially as well; at just 39 percent capacity our dual oil pumps still have a lot left in them, meaning we are no longer taxing the system to keep up with the truck's ICP needs. The truck pulls strong through the rpm and you can actually feel the increased torque band. We might not have been able to get on a dynometer yet, but the `seat-of-the-pants' meter says there's a huge improvement in performance. We'll update you with fuel mileage updates after we've put some miles on it.
We've about wrapped up the build process on this truck although we still have a few things that need to be installed, including a built transmission from John Wood Automotive and the Eaton Tru-Trac rear differential. But we'll get to that in the next issue.
Stay tuned.