I'm getting new tunes and my truck has a strategy VXCF9H7. The tuner has mentioned it's not a common strategy for a F250-350. Mine is an F350. Anyone know what this strategy means, how is it different? Thanks

It is the latest strategy I believe.

Many people say that it has been de-tuned with this strategy (less power, less fuel economy)

Does a custom tune use that strategy or can they use which ever one they prefer as you are "flashing" the ECM?

Custom tunes do not completely re-write the strategy. They only change part of the programming. That is whyt a few places offer the ability to load an older strategy before loading the custom tunes. Supposedly you get better performance and fuel economy by doing that.

Your best bet is to roll back the strategy and stay clear of the dealer from that point forward. You can actually roll back the ECM and the FICM. Places like PHP have pretty muchch mastered the art of rollback, and they can guide you to an optimal strategy.

I'm in the opposite situation, needing to find a newer model ECM and IDM for my Early-'99. Although I did a thorough table by table update of my strategy compared to a 2003 model and it's awesome. The same could be done with your strategy, but if both the ECM and FICM are late strategies, the rollback is best.

I had [email protected]KEM write my current tune with inferred EBP for my Powermax turbo and it has been flawless. Excellent throttle response, pulls hard and no smoke. It runs so good on this tune, that I have not touched it in years. This goes against the stategy rollback theory. I think every truck has a unique set of circumstances, and do agree that different strategies perform better or worse in different yr model trucks/mods. When I would run using EBP the truck dosen't run right, even after cleaning the tube and sensor. For my situation, inferred EBP works best and has been trouble free.

To possibly help answer Levis question about the different strategies, I remember somewhere there was a list of all the 6.0L strategies throughout the yrs, but I can't seem to find it. I'll keep looking and post it if I come across it.

Harry

The 2003 PCM CAL will all start with VXA.
The 2004 PCM CAL will start with VXB.
The 2005-2007 PCM CAL will start with VXC.

There were MANY running changes. I have a Ford document from Aug 2003 that lists 5 running changes in the calibration for the 2003.

I had another file saved that I thought had a more complete list (as harry mentioned). I can't seem to find it either - so if you find yours Harry - PLEASE post it!

Here is somewhat of an explanation from PHP on the calibration (strategy) process:

Question:
I thought that that no matter the strategy, that if you have a tuner with a custom tune, it takes over and thats what the truck runs on?

Answer from PHP:
For the most part, you'd be correct... if all there was to the tuning was the maps and parameters and such. The problem is that the ECM runs a "program" which can control things in a different manner. It's much like having Windows and running Microsoft Word versus Wordpad. In some sense they are both word processors and do the same thing, but one has more/different features and how they achieve the results is different. The ECM isn't that much different and even something as changing/adding one function can change the way the software compiles and even how it runs.

From my recollection the VXCF4** strategies gave the best performance in the 05-07 vehicles.

Here is an old post from Vivian (Quick Tricks):

VXCF is the family of computers and all F-Series 2005-2007 will have a VXCF strategy (the Excursions are different). However, what determines your computer code/tear tag, for custom tuning, is the last 3 digits/letters. There are good and bad strategies where some accept power more readily than others.

What is a reflash? A reflash is a correction Ford has made in the computer that is causing them warranty $$. The higher the 5th digit, the newer the strategy. In the case of the VXCF9 - Ford introduced this strategy to try to protect the FICM because they have had to replace so many! Whether it does what it's supposed to, or not, I don't know and I don't think Ford knows either. I spoke with a gentleman last week who has been running the VXCF9 for 1 year, 1 1/2 years and his FICM just went out

As far as whether it's a good code depends on what you had before (complete 7 numbers/letters) and what you become after the flash. There are good VXCF4, 7 and 9 and there are bad. I wouldn't even consider going back to a 0 or 1.

As far as fuel mileage and hp, all the trucks are different. I don't believe the older strategies, in general, give you more hp or save more fuel - that pretty much depends on you and your truck.

VXAN0 (2003MY)
VXAP1 (2003MY)
VXAP2 (2003MY)

VXBC9 (2004MY)

VXCF0 (2005MY)

VXCF1 (2006MY)

VXCF4 (2005,2006,2007MY)
VXCF5 (2005,2006,2007MY)
VXCF7 (2005,2006,2007MY)
VXCF9 (2005,2006,2007MY)

The first 3 digits of the strategy will determine the group years of trucks.
However, what determines your computer code/tear tag, for custom tuning, is the last 3 digits/letters. There are good and bad strategies where some accept power more readily than others.

Got the tunes. They are written for power max and BPD oil cooler. Can't wait to try. Will update this week. Thx guys