F450 - Black Maxx perfomance tuner help

Carneyval_Vagabonds · 04-05-2015, 11:54 AM

I just bought a 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty Diesel to haul our new Forest River Vengeance Toyhauler. The Truck has a Black Maxx performance tuner on it, and I have no idea how to use this. I found a manual for the Black Maxx online, but it is just the basics and I don't understand most of what I'm reading.

The check engine light is coming on with an EGR Code that I can clear with the Black Maxx, but check engine light keeps coming back. Also the cruise control is not working, and occassionally I have limited accelaration(getting on the expressway). From what I have been reading I think these things can all be solved via the Black Maxx, but I have no idea how.

Does anyone else haul a fiver with a F450 that has this Black Maxx Device that could maybe give me some idea how to use this device, or point me to a good tutorial?

I really appreciate any help.

Helmsey · 04-05-2015, 02:04 PM

The first thing I would want to find out is if the truck is running any sort of "custom tuning" or if the Black Maxx is using the stock tunes on it.
Was this truck purchased from an individual or a dealer? Either way I'd try and get in touch with the previous owner and find out exactly what they have done to it. Ask if any of the emissions equipment has been removed\modified and go from there.

Blackhat6mike · 04-05-2015, 02:47 PM

I also have a tuner, but it's a Bully Dog unit. These tuners can get 700 HP out of the new Powerstroke motors when tuned to extreme mode.
Sounds like you have a tune already installed in the PCM that needs to be taken back to "stock tune". Whatever "custom tune" that is installed, stays installed until changed.
I have no clue how your brand of tuner works, but you probably need to contact the maker or someone with the same brand, and find out. Correcting any DCTs is a button away, but if it keeps happening, you have a problem that needs fixing fast.

Carneyval_Vagabonds · 04-05-2015, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the pointers!

I may have found the fix for this. Found out that there are 3 stock Tunes (tuning packages) that are predefined to select from. Found my way through the menu and installed the MILD tune, then it prompted me for a transmission tune which the middle one was pre-selected o I chose it.

Seems to have solved the problems, I have consistent power now, no check engine lights, and the cruise works! And I have some amazing power now... this thing is great!

I will drive on it for awhile and follow up to this post in a couple weeks with my experience.

Scott

fast murray · 04-05-2015, 05:17 PM

Check out a powerstroke forum on the web. They'll likely have a spot for performance tuning and a bunch of guys that are sharp with that stuff. There are some things to know about tuners before you just start pushing buttons and stabbing the skinny pedal.

Ford Idaho · 04-05-2015, 05:25 PM

Some tuners have been known to take out NOX sensors so be careful.

Mattpopp · 04-13-2015, 04:43 PM

When it limited the Acceleration it was actually Detuning the engine. You can set a few different parameters to attempt to keep the engine in a safe operating limits. Usually the only parameter that people set is the EGT's. My guess is that there is a Low Limit set for the Exhaust Gas Temp's. When the Black Maxx was set to a higher performance tune the engine calibrations change to use more fuel in simple terms. More fuel equals more heat.

Now I have no clue what your defueling limits are set to. So it could be defueling way earlier in the safe range or it could have been set to protect the engine from melting a piston.

The people that made the Black Maxx, H&S are out of business for about two years now. If you run into trouble you may be SOL. So be careful and people are finding their pickups getting broke into just for a Mini or Black Maxx these days. Even though they are VIN locked there is still a way around it to the Maxx Cal software.

Keeping it in the mild tune is the best bet if you have no clue on how it works and how it effects your engine. Along with keeping the transmission tuning on as well.

My guess to, your truck has had the emissions deleted if the Black Maxx is on it. Over the next few years states will be really tightening up on removing emissions. People in TX are already getting nailed for removing their emissions and threaten with hefty fines if not reinstalled. Which, I dont care, getting ready to delete the emissions from mine.

OldCoot · 04-13-2015, 04:55 PM

Safest thing to do is take it to a reputable mechanic/dealer and have it removed and put back stock.

rattleNsmoke · 04-13-2015, 05:02 PM

Try the FTE(Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum)the 6.4L diesel engine message board. As mentioned, there are a LOT of guys out there that are sharp and a lot have custom tunes installed. Good luck and do yourself a favor and install a decent Boost and pyrometer gauge if somebody hasn't done so already. Both parameters are CRITICAL when towing heavy custom tuned. If your EGR and DPF are gonzo, congrats! You don't need that garbage on there anyways. Your truck will thank you.

Mattpopp · 04-13-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Safest thing to do is take it to a reputable mechanic/dealer and have it removed and put back stock.

If it had the emissions deleted I am sure he does not have the parts. Doing what you recommend will cost me $5000 to $8000 at the Ford house to have all of that replaced.

He would be better off going to a reputable Diesel Performance shop. They would probably be able to find somebody to swap out the parts for free as long as the donor got the Black Maxx. Or the shop will probably have the parts laying around to do a heads up trade and install it.

Mattpopp · 04-13-2015, 05:05 PM

Black Maxx is worth $1500 to $2000 these days

OldCoot · 04-13-2015, 05:21 PM

I guess I just don't understand, if the big diesels are so great, why do people spend so much souping them up to get more torque, hp, etc. You still can't or shouldn't pull any faster than the 65mph on ST tires and you sure aren't going to out drag anyone while you're towing.

rattleNsmoke · 04-13-2015, 05:52 PM

Coot, a lot has to do with the mileage gains when the EPA stuff is removed and, if anything, waking up a potent diesel motor that's been choked down due to Gov't restrictions. Less skinny pedal effort to get a heavy trailer rolling equals better fuel economy. At least that's the way I see it right, wrong or indifferent. Modern 6.4L diesel's are not the coal burners of old as you know. They burn ultra clean diesel and actually need cetane booster with lubricants to keep from scoring vital components. Gone are the days when you'd see a semi belching out black smoke when hauling a load. You and I come from a simpler era when 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. It's not broke, just choked. Cheers!

OldCoot · 04-13-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

Coot, a lot has to do with the mileage gains when the EPA stuff is removed and, if anything, waking up a potent diesel motor that's been choked down due to Gov't restrictions. Less skinny pedal effort to get a heavy trailer rolling equals better fuel economy. At least that's the way I see it right, wrong or indifferent. Modern 6.4L diesel's are not the coal burners of old as you know. They burn ultra clean diesel and actually need cetane booster with lubricants to keep from scoring vital components. Gone are the days when you'd see a semi belching out black smoke when hauling a load. You and I come from a simpler era when 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. It's not broke, just choked. Cheers!

And how long will it take to recoup the $2,000-$4,000 spent at a rate of 2 -3 mpg while towing? That's like trying to recoup $10,000 extra for a diesel to gain 8 mpg paying $0.50-$1.00 extra per gal. Have to drive those suckers many, many miles to get it back. Oh, well, we had our fun back in the 50's-80's souping up cars, but we didn't try to justify it, it was just FUN!

rattleNsmoke · 04-13-2015, 06:23 PM

And FUN it was. I had a running tab at the local used tire store buying up Wide track ovals N50's and M60's every week end just to burn them up at the local strip. Hell, fuel was .30\gal and engine rebuilds were weekend rituals. Getting back to diesel's, Dad had a construction company that had several diesel Mack's and IH. If the motors were running good, they'd belch black showing they had lubrication. If they blew bluish, an injector pump went south. Much different today.

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