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It was time to add some power. This was the area I debated on the most, programer or chip? After reading and talking to people who had used both I finally decided on a chip Reason being is that the chips have offer more controls that are changed, like torque converter lockup and tranny shifting to name a couple things. The programers like the Evo, Predator, or SCMT off code reading abilities but I wanted the ability to change settings without getting the programmer out and plugging it in. Having an Excursion makes it more of a challenge with the chips because of the PATS, Passive Anti Theft System that Ford puts on the Excursions. It uses a code in the ECM that is checked on start up, when the chip is active it can throw that code off. After talking to a couple chip makers I was told that the TS chip will work with the PATS. The Theft light does blink a little longer on start up but thats it.
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First thing is to remove the PCM from the truck. On the 99-03 7.3’s its next to the parking brake. 6.0’s is under the hood between the fender and battery. There are 4 bolts on the computer and one 10mm bolt unter the hood in the single plug under the brake booster.
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Remove the 10mm bolt under the hood first. You will probably have to move the intake tube to get down to it. Then undo the ones on the PCM and take the computer to a clean place to open it up.
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The bolts come out and the top and bottom come off the housing. The plug on the open end of the PCM is were the chip will plug in. BUT first it has to be cleaned.
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The terminals on the computer board are covered in a waxy crap from the factory and it has to be totally removed on both sides. Alcohol, the rubbing kind, and some Q-Tips and a cloth are needed to clean up also.
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Almost all the problems with installing a chip come from the board not being cleaned off. Like I was told, work on it until you think you have it clean, then do it some more. Just dont go to far, you want to make the copper shiny but not remove it.
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Once its ready plug the flip chip into the board.
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Plug the switch into the chip and then put the computer back together. Feed the cord through the black plastic holder and its ready to go back in.
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Now put the computer back in with the cable pulled through the housing.
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Next decide on where the knob is going to go. I went with just to the left of the column. Its easy to get to but out of site so I’m not tempted to play with it all the time.
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There it is installed. All the way to the left is the first position. I went with Stock, High Idle, 50, 70, 100, and 140 HP modes. First impressions are WOW!!!!
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The 70 is what I have been driving on every day so far. The 100 is very fast and the 140 is just wicked fast. Those top two the EGT’s jump pretty fast, the 50 and 70 keep the EGT’s reasonable and the boost just fly’s on all of them. The spool up is great and the drivability is really good on all the HP settings, it made my X drive like a new vehicle. Now its time for a full exhaust system. The turbo stall is very pronounced with open intake now, so a wheel or ATS housing is next up on the list also.
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