I drive my truck loads. 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 superb–however I knew it might do it higher.
Longtime autocross builder Sam Strano really helpful an SCT tuner for our Club Spec Mustang challenge automobile. That is smart, as the category permits for aftermarket tunes. Once we talked to the parents at SCT about our challenge plans, they really helpful a tuner for a tow rig–one thing within the fleet that would use some assist.
Enter the SCT Livewire TS+, a plug-and-play tuner that promised a character improve for the outdated Ford.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 financial 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 fireplace it up.
The system walks you thru the tune-loading course of in minutes. You decide your technique–tow, avenue, 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 below 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 keep watch over coolant, oil and transmission temps? Increase strain? EGTs? It’s all proper there on the contact display. No further gauges, no drilling pods into your sprint. And if one thing does go sideways on the highway, you’ve acquired full code-reading and clearing performance constructed in.
The gas financial system positive factors 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 system doesn’t modify or delete emissions whereas complying with the Clear Air Act.
The unit retails for $599. Are the positive factors price that worth? Relies upon by yourself private truck math.
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Fascinating. 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 way of 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 up to now, and most of it got here from modified shift factors. The 2000 Grand Cherokee used to carry a excessive gear so long as potential 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 preserve pace with out often going into max rev freakout mode. So significantly better. And sure, our tune got here with an EO 🙂
In the event you suppose SCT canned tunes rock your socks, one thing from Blessed Efficiency or Modern Diesel would blow your socks clear off! The SCT is mainly the identical tune they’ve been working for the reason that 6.0 got here out, among 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 financial 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 does not need his 6.0 to be subsequent on the record, pull the tune off till its no less than studded. You’ll be able to 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.
A minimum of 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 obligation cycle
Injection Stress
Injector Obligation 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 manner nicer piece than the canned SCT stuff
The gas MPG being reported is probably going not correct, particularly if utilizing the inventory Ford readout. This stuff 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.
As a contented proprietor of a inventory 6.0 my finest reasoning is that the 6.0 will final a very long time if left inventory. As quickly as you begin asking for extra, you will run into points.
enjoyable whereas it lasted and different favourite songs!
additionally, get a coolant filter asap. The sand that comes out of the block casting and into the coolant is what appears to clog stuff and trigger issues.
I did a large flush, reverse flush, strain flush over the course of some days whereas working some totally different chemical flushed by way of it.
I acquired some coolant drain valves which made it loads simpler and faster.
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