6.0 Phalanx Tuning Possibilities

[pstrang]

Matt et. al.,

I have some requests/questions about the future possibilities of upgrading to a Phalanx tuner. Since the investment is > 2X the cost of SCT custom tuning, more info would be appreciated. I'm not so much after big HP, just features and more customizations.

1) Since Ford added the injector purging, then inductive heating to their strategies, I was told the memory section that was previously used for a/m pilot injection tuning has been used for this. Some SCT custom tuners have figured out other ways to enable pilot injection, but it seems at the expense of extra fuel being sent at idle (lots of smoke as a result). Will the Phalanx and its ability to reflash the FICM allow a more efficient pilot injection?

2) Can you confirm that the Phalanx allows reflashing the TCM as well as the PCM and FICM? A number of problems I've had with custom tuning in the past have been chalked up to having a "troublesome" or "limited" TCM strategy. Can we assume the Phalanx for 6.0 will also solve these issues? Will we be able to get a much more behaved tranny control strategy?

3) The Phalanx data logging capabilities is exciting. The SCT is quite limiting, but somewhat functional. However, one major drawback to the SCT is its inability to data log from ECM #2 which is used for a number of tranny function PIDs. The SCT will log ECM #2 PIDs with a laptop and LiveLink, but not onto the on-device datalogging. Does the Phalanx for 6.0 allow datalogging, real-time display, PIDs from both ECM #1 and #2?

4) I've used the SCT TowTune from you and others. I like the turbo exhaust brake, but only while towing. I like to run one tune for all my uses, but don't want the turbo brake enabled all the time (even though I haven't heard anyone indicating damage may be caused by this yet). But since the Phalanx is able to reflash more modules in the truck's computer system, can you add this capability: enable turbo exhaust braking ONLY when in TOW/HAUL mode? or even go off of some discrete input to the PCM to turn the turbo break on or off (i.e. similar to a high idle switch)?

5) Finally, since the Phalanx is quite costly, do you plan on providing a mail-in service for reflashing of FICM/TCMs? IOW, could we send you our modules for reprogramming and still continue to use our SCT custom tuners.

Thanks for the feedback! :) Congrats on an awesome new product!

[anmetcalf]

You are bring up alot of very good points/questions and I am looking forward to the response to them.

Another I have to add is about the EGTs. I have been holding off on a dashhawk/sct combo for the Phalanx unit. But I am curious as to hot this unit is going to read the EGTs, and what I need to do to make it read them? Also what is it going to cost to add the hardware for the EGTs?

When I sent an email I asked this very question but have never recieved a response and have yet to see this question addressed anywhere.

[tex25025]

1) Since Ford added the injector purging, then inductive heating to their strategies, I was told the memory section that was previously used for a/m pilot injection tuning has been used for this. Some SCT custom tuners have figured out other ways to enable pilot injection, but it seems at the expense of extra fuel being sent at idle (lots of smoke as a result). Will the Phalanx and its ability to reflash the FICM allow a more efficient pilot injection?

I have his FICM tuning(however it was put on my truck thru other means) and I don't have the issue with smoking at idle unless one of my injectors is going(like it did once). I can tell you since I was a beta tester for his FICM tuning before the Phalanx and I don't have any problem I'm willing to bet you won't have any problems with the phalanx.



2) Can you confirm that the Phalanx allows reflashing the TCM as well as the PCM and FICM? A number of problems I've had with custom tuning in the past have been chalked up to having a "troublesome" or "limited" TCM strategy. Can we assume the Phalanx for 6.0 will also solve these issues? Will we be able to get a much more behaved tranny control strategy?

I should be able to tell you after I've beta tested it for awhile, but as of right now I don't know if it behave better or not.


3) The Phalanx data logging capabilities is exciting. The SCT is quite limiting, but somewhat functional. However, one major drawback to the SCT is its inability to data log from ECM #2 which is used for a number of tranny function PIDs. The SCT will log ECM #2 PIDs with a laptop and LiveLink, but not onto the on-device datalogging. Does the Phalanx for 6.0 allow datalogging, real-time display, PIDs from both ECM #1 and #2?

Another question that requires beta testing. I've only seen "datalogging capabilities" listed and it didn't go into anymore detail then that.



4) I've used the SCT TowTune from you and others. I like the turbo exhaust brake, but only while towing. I like to run one tune for all my uses, but don't want the turbo brake enabled all the time (even though I haven't heard anyone indicating damage may be caused by this yet). But since the Phalanx is able to reflash more modules in the truck's computer system, can you add this capability: enable turbo exhaust braking ONLY when in TOW/HAUL mode? or even go off of some discrete input to the PCM to turn the turbo break on or off (i.e. similar to a high idle switch)?

That is beyond the sophistication of the aftermarket products at this time. I asked Matt that exact question before I went to a non-vgt turbo. Unless he has managed to up the sophistication of the dashdaq(or rather drewtech managed to up the sophistication), it won't be able to do it. Even if the dashdaq was able to, I don't know if the computer on the truck is sophisticated to do it as well(but that is just supposition on my part).



5) Finally, since the Phalanx is quite costly, do you plan on providing a mail-in service for reflashing of FICM/TCMs? IOW, could we send you our modules for reprogramming and still continue to use our SCT custom tuners.



Unless he forced the FICM tuning(as he did with me when I was beta testing his FICM tuning) into the factory module directly, I think(I don't know for sure) that when you take the module off that it defaults to stock programming.


Another I have to add is about the EGTs. I have been holding off on a dashhawk/sct combo for the Phalanx unit. But I am curious as to hot this unit is going to read the EGTs, and what I need to do to make it read them? Also what is it going to cost to add the hardware for the EGTs?

On Matt's website for the Phalanx for the 6.4, it says that you can upgrade additional analog sensors and have them read the dashdaq. Now it doesn't say which analog sensors or how much they cost. Sorry, but that's all that I was able to find out.

[pstrang]

Matt,

I'd still like to hear your take on the above questions too. And I thought of another.

Many recall that the SCT screws up the cruise control. When you cancel the cruise, you are subsequently launched into the windshield. :eek: Even custom tuning couldn't solve this issue. I've found that if I accelerate before I tap off the cruise, or even hit the coast button, then cancel the cruise, I can get a smooth disabling, otherwise, it is quite violent.

Have you noticed this issue with the Phalanx 6.0L?

Thanks!

[Patrick@HPD]

I don't know, but it makes me wish I still a 6.0 in the stables. We have been selling the phalanx, and love it. Dang thing is so easy. We have lost some billable hours on installs, but customers love how easy it disappears.

[NuttyProfessor]

Matt,

Many recall that the SCT screws up the cruise control. When you cancel the cruise, you are subsequently launched into the windshield. :eek: Even custom tuning couldn't solve this issue. I've found that if I accelerate before I tap off the cruise, or even hit the coast button, then cancel the cruise, I can get a smooth disabling, otherwise, it is quite violent.

Have you noticed this issue with the Phalanx 6.0L?

Thanks!

No issues with the cruise on our tuning, that problem is caused by incorrect tuning.