Best Flash

6speedsd · Feb 5, 2014

I've seen this discussed from time to time, but never really found any solid answers. I'm not sure what flash my truck has. The last time it was at Ford that I know of was back in 07. That's the latest date shown on an Oasis report anyways. If the previous owner had it back between that time and when I bought it is unknown. I've heard lots of people mention the Inductive Heat flash for cold weather starts. But what I'm wondering is if that is the best one to have?

I have cold weather running issues. I THINK it's just a couple sticking injectors, but before I start replacing them, I'd like to see if a more recent flash helps the issue. If I were to get the truck reflashed, what would be the best one to get? I don't want to take it to the dealer and let them just reflash to the latest one they have if it isn't the best or most effective one.

Is there a way to find out what is on the truck now? Like will the strategy tell me anything?

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 5, 2014

Get a ficm tune. That will give you the best all em all plus huge performance gains

6speedsd · Feb 5, 2014

I've actually considered doing that. Been looking at the IDP Handheld programmer for a while now. Been meaning to talk to Eric about it but never have gotten around to it.

So basically a custom FICM tune rolls it all together? The best of the factory flashes, plus a performance tune as well?

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 5, 2014

Yeah pretty much, but Id go PHP. Now I dont have either one, yet... Im getting the PHP FICM tunes soon, but based on my research I decided to go with PHP. Reason for me mainly is that the guys I use for my tunes, Gearheads, work with PHP directly hence my decision.

6speedsd · Feb 5, 2014

I have both Eric's and Matt's tunes. I know I'm probably one of the few, but I actually prefer Eric's. Nothing against Matt at all, but my truck seems to run better on Eric's. That's why I was considering going with IDP for the FICM tunes as well.

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 5, 2014

Then yah go with Innovative

05stroker350 · Feb 5, 2014

I have the PHP Atlas 80 tune. Little bit better throttle response. Also made my truck smokier. I think it was worth the $150 though.

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 6, 2014

Yeah. Depending what your ecm strategy ( I think its called ) it will mesh better with the ficm tunes. But since you're running IDs tunes, their ficm tunes mesh well. Also don't think higher the ficm tune the better. The lower tune may give better results than their hottest ficm tune

Twan · Feb 6, 2014

I've had both inovative and PHP FICM tuners. I personal like the PHP because I can return to stock and it seems to work best with my injectors, lets the motor boost up more at low rpm to keep egts down. Can't really tell if the throttle response is better, it's not a day and night. It was worth buying to me.

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 6, 2014

A stock truck will notice more. And a truck with a terrible stock strategy will notice more too

6speedsd · Feb 6, 2014

Well I'm definitely looking to add any smoke... I do too much city driving for that. There are already enough peckerheaded people around here smoking out intersections. And I'm not really looking to do this for a big bump in power. But it would be nice to have the best of all flashes rolled into one, with a little extra power to boot.

If I pull the strategy off the truck, what will it tell me? Is that basically the whole truck? PCM, ECM, FICM.... or is the strategy more about one or the other? Sorry, not really sure how to ask that question so it makes sense. All of that is latin to me.

MrOneEyedBoh · Feb 6, 2014

Nothing lol. It will just tell you which one you have that's it. Then ID will mesh it with your ecm strategy

6speedsd · Feb 6, 2014

Ah ok. Thanks.

mind if I smoke · Feb 6, 2014

I have also wandered what flash is better. I had the atlas 80 but when I went to bigger injectors it ran like crap. I tried the 40 but it still didn't run all that great so I just had it flashed back to stock. It runs best under the stock ficm tune but I don't think mine has the heating cycle on it. Is there a way to check and if I don't is there a way to add that in?

6speedsd · Feb 6, 2014

I talked to Eric at IDP today. He basically said he has one FICM tune that has Inductive Heat, and is fine for stock up to 225cc injectors, but has another that doesn't have the IH flash, but it will fuel heavy for larger injectors, but is also great for stock to mild sets.