Tankcar
Santee, California USA
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Joined: 09/22/2004
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Hi.
I to am an owner of a V-10/488ci. 1996 Dodge Ram 2500hd, 8,800lbs rated, with 253,000+ org. miles. Problem area trans., & brakes. Trans. is now aamcos problem, brakes well they are still mine, but working on it. After 253,111 miles I need have the rear axel overhauled. And I'm installing limited slip as part of the repair. The engine is the same as I got it, just normal maintenance. Oil pressure still the same as in 1996, mpg has drop from 14 to 11.9. It tow's a 1996, 31' alpinlite 5-whl, double slides.
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Thor31A
MD
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Joined: 08/07/2011
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carringb wrote:Wanna like it even more? Throw a tuner on it. The V10 is probably the most electronically detuned non-turno engine out there, which means it gains the most when you put a tuner on it. I have Diablo Predator but it seams 5-Star tuning is the way to go for the V10. They can even give you OD lockout.
Do you have to run higher octane fuel? I like this idea, but don't want the higher fuel costs. I am sure Ford left some HP/TQ on the table when they set up these drive trains. Question is, how much and is it cost effective to retune?
FYI, I am running a 31 foot class C on a 2011 F450 V10 chassis
Thanks
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Thor31A wrote:
Do you have to run higher octane fuel? I like this idea, but don't want the higher fuel costs. I am sure Ford left some HP/TQ on the table when they set up these drive trains. Question is, how much and is it cost effective to retune?
FYI, I am running a 31 foot class C on a 2011 F450 V10 chassis
Thanks
No, but there is even a little more power available with higher octane. I run an 87-octane performance tune. The gains with this tune over stock were very pleasing. But the gains between the 87-performance tune to the 92-octane tune weren't as great,, and to me not worth the extra fuel cost.
One downside is my spark plugs don't last as long. I have to change them around 65,000 vs 95,000 on the factory severe service schedule. The tuner ups spark voltage by increasing dwell time, and the extra spark wears the spark plugs faster. I tried Iridium plugs last time to see if that will bring service life back up.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 300,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Thor31A wrote:
Do you have to run higher octane fuel? I like this idea, but don't want the higher fuel costs. I am sure Ford left some HP/TQ on the table when they set up these drive trains. Question is, how much and is it cost effective to retune?
FYI, I am running a 31 foot class C on a 2011 F450 V10 chassis
Thanks
No, but there is even a little more power available with higher octane. I run an 87-octane performance tune. The gains with this tune over stock were very pleasing. But the gains between the 87-performance tune to the 92-octane tune weren't as great,, and to me not worth the extra fuel cost.
As far as cost effective goes.... That is completely subjective. I don't like slowing down, and I like being able to pass cars when I'm climbing mountain passes. I'm also running really heavy. I've done the tuner, plus the complete Banks PowerPack. That was nearly $2,000 between the two. To me, it was well worth it. My van is still faster off the line than a new 6.7L Ford pickup, and it also out-pulls my Cummins 6.7L work truck when towing in the hills.
The main downside is my spark plugs don't last as long. I have to change them around 65,000 vs 95,000 on the factory severe service schedule. The tuner ups spark voltage by increasing dwell time, and the extra spark wears the spark plugs faster. I tried Iridium plugs last time to see if that will bring service life back up. I suspect I may also need to change my coils at some point, since they are the originals. I also have to periodically clean the MAF sensor since the air filter oil contaminates it.
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Greentreena
British Columbia
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Joined: 01/23/2008
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I think the ford V10 is one of fords best engines, very few people post problems with them.
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Mega Cab 4x4 SRW
Hijacker Auto Slide/ P3
2006 Triple E Topaz 310RBXL
Wife, 2 kids and Murphy the dog
Pictures
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Ford Man
Tennessee
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Joined: 04/30/2005
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Great Engines. I owned 5 of them a 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, and a 2010. Now I am the proud owner of a 2011 F350 Crew Cab DRW 6.7 PSD with 3:73 and getting 12.9 MPG towing. With the V10 engine and 4:30 gear I would get about 7.5 to 8.5 MPG.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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I too would go with the 5-star tuner. I don`t have one, but I`m going to try and convince the wife that I need one for my B-day next year! for me just changing the shift points while towing would be a huge improvement! the trans is just a dog with the Ford tune.
Wife Kim 
Son Brandon 10yrs
Daughter Marissa 9yrs
Dog Shadow 
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear Hellwig sway bar
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller.
A bad day of camping is
better than a good day at work!
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shenandoahvalley
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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Joined: 02/09/2007
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After towing about 450 miles we are getting just about exactly 9 mpg. Now I got another problem...this new truck seems to want to pull into the RV dealers...I think it is looking for something bigger to pull...anyone have a cure for that?
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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shenandoahvalley wrote:Traded my old '02 F250, 5.4, 3:73 on an '08 F250, V10; 4:10 and what a difference in the towing power. The old truck was constantly dropping down in the gears at the slightest hill. The new one rarely drops down a gear and is much easier to drive. MPH in the old truck was around 9.5 towing and the new one is around 9 in very hilly country. Wish I had traded three years ago.
Excellent choice and the only one better is the 7.3L Ford diesel, but you will be happy with the performance and sad at the mpg, but that is the trade off now.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
ALL TRAILER MODS>>ETERNABOND INSTALL>>RAINKAP INSTALL
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Shogun
Winnipeg
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Joined: 06/28/2008
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shenandoahvalley wrote:After towing about 450 miles we are getting just about exactly 9 mpg. Now I got another problem...this new truck seems to want to pull into the RV dealers...I think it is looking for something bigger to pull...anyone have a cure for that?
I had the same problem. The truck kept saying "I can tow that".
Finally had to listen to the truck along with my rice krispies and we ended up with a bigger trailer. Very happy with that decision.
Spree 318bhs. Blue Ox Sway Pro WD hitch.
Primary tow vehicle 2008 F350 V10 Crew cab.
Back-up tow vehicle 2005 4Runner V8 Limited.
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