Ficm install

amarillo250 · Apr 15, 2012

OK call me stupid but I just wanna make sure I dont mess this up. I just got my FICM from KEM and everybody tells me it is straight forward, unscrew the degas bottle and then take the old FICM off and put the new one in place and screw back on the degas bottle. I know my luck and is there anything that I have to watch or check for before I get myself in a mess? I will try to make a nice write up from this and post data before and after the switch.:ford:
Thanks for every input.

Frank

G Racing · Apr 15, 2012

Just be sure that the harness snaps and locks into the ficm when you plug it back in. If not they will slide out while you are driving down the road.

06-sixoh · Apr 15, 2012

gotta love youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSQ9lxr2oN4

amarillo250 · Apr 15, 2012

great thanks and I'm on it

96stacked&smoken · Apr 15, 2012

Good info i wondered how to test one.

windrunner408 · Apr 15, 2012

If you have large hands like I do the clips can be a real PITA other than that it is straight forward.

06-sixoh · Apr 15, 2012

+1 on big hands. I tested mine a while back, when the truck wouldnt start, and it was a bit of a PITA, but not unbearable.

slc dzl · Apr 15, 2012

Those clips SUCK and when they break zip ties work pretty well
For holding them in.

wetnsloppy4x · Apr 16, 2012

slc dzl said:
Those clips SUCK and when they break zip ties work pretty well
For holding them in.

I must agree with this statement. The big one on mine is a MFer. I have long skinny hands and fingers where I can reach around both sides of the FICM and press the plugs in, but can I get the big one to seat? Fuuuukk no.

01PSD · Apr 16, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNrMiYLZ5jw&feature=related
This guy removes a few more things, but it's a good video as well.

01PSD · Apr 16, 2012

We'll actually be testing my brother's in the morning, been sounding like it's running on 5 or 6 cylinders for the past week or so after initial start-up and take off.

HaysKSFirefighter · Apr 16, 2012

I just use a mid size snap on pry bar wedged in there to get the plug to seat...it can be a pain that's for sure....just hope your plugs don't fall apart when you remove them...that's a b!tch

wetnsloppy4x · Apr 16, 2012

HaysKSFirefighter said:
I just use a mid size snap on pry bar wedged in there to get the plug to seat...it can be a pain that's for sure....just hope your plugs don't fall apart when you remove them...that's a b!tch

I tried that too. I tried a block of wood also.

Maybe my whole problem was I used one of my OTC prybars instead of one of my SnapOn bars.

oke:
Believe me, I thought about using the BiggestFH I could find at one point.:hammer:

HaysKSFirefighter · Apr 16, 2012

LOL...It's all in the brand..the plugs know to respect the tool LOL

06-sixoh · Apr 16, 2012

wetnsloppy4x said:
Believe me, I thought about using the BiggestFH I could find at one point.:hammer:

Now your talking roughneck... :thumbup:

amarillo250 · Apr 18, 2012

The plugs are a bitch that I can say. It is a total different truck now!!!!! The difference is amazing and I'll do some date log in the next couple days and post them here.

amarillo250 · Apr 19, 2012

first day with the new Ficm. Amazing the difference this makes. Up to know the numbers are real promissing, mpg 2mls more, egt 50-100 down, the response is real straight forward and pulls better out of the hole. Tomorrow I'll tow a trailer, 5th. wheel camper ca. 8k and try the Kem tow tune for the first time. What a night and day difference this makes, why didnt I do that first????:fustrate:

amarillo250 · Apr 21, 2012

I got the tow done and have to say it was a piece of cake, sometimes I was looking back just to check the camper was still there. It towed real good, so to say, the temps where real manageble and the truck pulled that Little camper like it wasnt there. I hat to watch my foot a couple of times with the right pedale there on take off because the camper was not so heavy or the truck is to strong, dont know.
My only thing right now is to see how the truck does with a real load like 13+K and what the temps do on that.
This FICM I have is well spend money and I love what it does together with the other mods.
Note to myself, next mod is more cold air like Apex manifold and Intercooler from Mike.