I drive my truck lots. Cross-country, again roads, steep grades–you identify it.
The rig is a 2007 Ford F-350, and it spends most of its life dragging a trailer loaded with my LS-swapped RX-7 to Gridlife occasions throughout the nation. It’s not a present queen. It’s a working truck. And like most 6.0L Energy Strokes, it does the job simply wonderful–however I knew it may do it higher.
Longtime autocross builder Sam Strano really useful an SCT tuner for our Club Spec Mustang undertaking automotive. That is sensible, as the category permits for aftermarket tunes. Once we talked to the oldsters at SCT about our undertaking plans, they really useful a tuner for a tow rig–one thing within the fleet that might use some assist.
Enter the SCT Livewire TS+, a plug-and-play tuner that promised a character improve for the previous Ford. We’re not speaking wild race tunes or rolling coal. These guarantees had been about drivability: clear throttle response, smarter transmission habits and an precise enchancment in economic system.
Set up was silly easy: Plug into the OBD–II port, route the cable cleanly behind the sprint, mount the contact display (I used the included windshield suction cup for now) and hearth it up.
The machine walks you thru the tune-loading course of in minutes. You decide your technique–tow, road, efficiency–and let it do its factor. After a fast reflash, we fired it up.
I selected a conservative customized tow tune. The distinction in throttle really feel was quick–no extra laggy pedal, no extra gear searching when pulling grades. The 5R110 automated now shifts extra intuitively, particularly when towing. It downshifts once I need it to, holds gears longer beneath load, and doesn’t play guessing video games once I’m merging onto the freeway. The time period I’d use is “confidence-inspiring.”
The Livewire TS+ additionally turns the truck right into a rolling diagnostics and information hub. Have to regulate coolant, oil and transmission temps? Increase stress? EGTs? It’s all proper there on the contact display. No additional gauges, no drilling pods into your sprint. And if one thing does go sideways on the street, you’ve obtained full code-reading and clearing performance constructed in.
The gas economic system beneficial properties had been a welcome bonus. Earlier than the tuner, I averaged about 20 mpg on the freeway and 15 within the metropolis. The truck has now seen as a lot as 23 mpg on the freeway, whereas metropolis driving will get constantly round 16 or 17 mpg. SCT states that the machine doesn’t modify or delete emissions whereas complying with the Clear Air Act.
The unit retails for $599. Are the beneficial properties value that value? Relies upon by yourself private truck math.
Feedback
Attention-grabbing. SCT (aka Superchips) has an EO for the Livewire TS, however the TS+ is not talked about in it. I’m wondering if they are going by the method or in the event that they’re merely stating their compliance with confidence?
I’ve seen a substantial enchancment in real-world efficiency utilizing a Superchip programmer previously, and most of it got here from modified shift factors. The 2000 Grand Cherokee used to carry a excessive gear so long as doable then drop down 2-3 gears – anybody who’s pushed an older automated is aware of the trick. It is an actual ache when climbing lengthy passes. Now it drops down one gear sooner so it is capable of keep velocity with out sometimes going into max rev freakout mode. So significantly better. And sure, our tune got here with an EO 🙂
In case you suppose SCT canned tunes rock your socks, one thing from Blessed Efficiency or Progressive Diesel would blow your socks clear off! The SCT is principally the identical tune they’ve been operating because the 6.0 got here out, a number of the new youngsters on the block have some very nice stuff.
Additionally – see you in hell, head gaskets.
We put in a Bullydog tuner on our 7.3 E450. Noticeably extra energy and a 14% gas economic system enhance(from 7 as much as 8). I feel it has like 3 or 4 modes and we used the Tow mode as a result of that was the van’s goal.
David S. Wallens stated:
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
I feel James has ruined sufficient engines this yr, to be trustworthy….
If he would not need his 6.0 to be subsequent on the listing, pull the tune off till its a minimum of studded. You may swap studs with out taking the heads off, onesy twosy methodology. Its a bit hillfolk, but it surely does work. The inventory TTY bolts are the achilles of the 6.0.
No less than its an 07, they did have some updates in 05-07 to make issues final a bit higher. For monitoring on the 6.0, you wanna watch the next:
ECT
EOT
(Delta between ECT and EOT should not exceed 15 levels)
Increase
IPR responsibility cycle
Injection Strain
Injector Responsibility Cycle
FICM Voltage
Truthfully – in case you are within the return window, ship it again, get one from Blessed Efficiency for much less cash with their tunes on it, its a means nicer piece than the canned SCT stuff
The gas MPG being reported is probably going not correct, particularly if utilizing the inventory Ford readout. These items recreation the pc and it messes with the way in which they calculate mileage
Supply: Me. 6.0 Diesel proprietor, former 7.3 Diesel proprietor, and common nimrod.
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