Question for Those Running the FP Procal 4

[DGE1993]

I'm currently looking down the barrel of doing the M210 front axle upgrade along with regearing at the same time. (Parts are sitting in the garage waiting for a warm day) I also have the Hoss 3.0 steering rack planned for a future mod somewhere in the not so distant future. After reading multiple threads I could probably fumble my way through forscan to do the computer side of all of them, but the convenience of the Procal is starting to look a lot more tempting.

My question is this: if I use the tuner do I have to run premium fuel? I live in a rural area that has maybe one gas station with premium and on my commute to work the station I have to use doesn't sell it at all.

I have experience with tuners in the past, my old tuner on my 06 F150 had different options and files you could upload and I was able to build a tune to regear but not change anything else.

Does the Procal give you similar options or even just the ability to tell the rig that you have swapped out these parts?

Sponsored

 

[UncleBrad]

I'm currently looking down the barrel of doing the M210 front axle upgrade along with regearing at the same time. (Parts are sitting in the garage waiting for a warm day) I also have the Hoss 3.0 steering rack planned for a future mod somewhere in the not so distant future. After reading multiple threads I could probably fumble my way through forscan to do the computer side of all of them, but the convenience of the Procal is starting to look a lot more tempting.

My question is this: if I use the tuner do I have to run premium fuel? I live in a rural area that has maybe one gas station with premium and on my commute to work the station I have to use doesn't sell it at all.

I have experience with tuners in the past, my old tuner on my 06 F150 had different options and files you could upload and I was able to build a tune to regear but not change anything else.

Does the Procal give you similar options or even just the ability to tell the rig that you have swapped out these parts?

Yes, running the ProCal4 tune requires higher octane fuel. I can't remember, but I think it's either 89 or 91 is the minimum with my 2.3L tune. I run only top tier, 93 octane in mine. Reality: in any turbocharged, direct-injected, high compression engine you should be running good quality, high octane gas anyway. In addition to reduced better combustion, reduced carbon buildup and blow-by you will realize better fuel economy.

 

[DGE1993]

Yes, running the ProCal4 tune requires higher octane fuel. I can't remember, but I think it's either 89 or 91 is the minimum with my 2.3L tune. I run only top tier, 93 octane in mine. Reality: in any turbocharged, direct-injected, high compression engine you should be running good quality, high octane gas anyway. In addition to reduced better combustion, reduced carbon buildup and blow-by you will realize better fuel economy.

Well darn.... I guess I'm gonna have to just hope I can accomplish my goals through forscan.

 

[Oldhippie]

You “must” use 91+…you might get lucky and program steering rack…nothing with front end swap…waste of your money….

 

[crenca]

Don’t they sell the ProCal separate and without the tune?

Even if they don’t, you don’t have to flash the tune, you could leave the tune stock and use the other functionality of the ProCal….

 

[DGE1993]

Don’t they sell the ProCal separate and without the tune?

Even if they don’t, you don’t have to flash the tune, you could leave the tune stock and use the other functionality of the ProCal….

That's what I am trying to figure out. Can I use it to just do the M190 FAD delete when I swap in the m210? Change the things needed to not throw the check engine light without uploading the performance side of the tune

 

[crenca]

Change the things needed to not throw the check engine light without uploading the performance side of the tune

paging @Brian_B , as he has both the ProCal and has done the 190 to 210 change…. if I recall correctly, I think he had to use forscan for the FAD delete.

 

[brkdncr]

One of the procal sellers/tuners was on here long ago and said that you don’t need to run premium fuel, but it defeats the purpose of the remap as you won’t get the numbers you’re buying it for.

 

[Brian_B]

You “must” use 91+…you might get lucky and program steering rack…nothing with front end swap…waste of your money….

The ProCal module does do the "official" FAD delete. But getting it to work... I think it piggybacks with the tune file -- the last time I downloaded the tune it asked me about a m210 upgrade (but that was a long while ago and I won't connect my ProCal to the internet ever again). I did my FAD delete via FDRS, but honestly I am not sure how I did it and I'm stuck with a <3MPH 4H shift limitation now and I don't know that I could replicate it. @Snacktime has a better method, but I don't know all the particulars. I think it involves replacing the AWD module as well. As for the steering rack, @BigMeatsBronco has an excellent write-up around here somewhere, it requires both FDRS and Forscan though.

The one thing the module is good for - calibrating the speedometer and changing gear ratio. It is easier to use the module than Forscan. Pretty much anything else though... it's junk.

As for the actual tune - yes, you really should use at least 91 octane. A tank of lower grade fuel every once in a while ~probably~ won't hurt anything, but (in my opinion) you are playing russian roulette if you decide to run it full time. Some people here swear its fine to run 87 because their truck hasn't exploded yet, but knowing how the ECM knock strategy works and seeing the damage that long-term low impact pre-ignition can do, I won't do it.

Many tunes do include the option to change the strategy. ProCal does not - it's all or nothing. You can uninstall and re-install it at any time (with the ODB dongle), without hooking back up to the internet, but it takes about 5 minutes or so and several "Key on, Key off" cycles. Not a simple switch.

 

[Brian_B]

The old school alternative to the FAD delete (either via ProCal or Snack hacks) is to just unhook the FAD motor from the m190 and ziptie it up near the windshield washer tank. As long as it's plugged in it won't throw a code.

 

[DGE1993]

The ProCal module does do the "official" FAD delete. But getting it to work... I think it piggybacks with the tune file -- the last time I downloaded the tune it asked me about a m210 upgrade (but that was a long while ago and I won't connect my ProCal to the internet ever again). I did my FAD delete via FDRS, but honestly I am not sure how I did it and I'm stuck with a <3MPH 4H shift limitation now and I don't know that I could replicate it. @Snacktime has a better method, but I don't know all the particulars. I think it involves replacing the AWD module as well. As for the steering rack, @BigMeatsBronco has an excellent write-up around here somewhere, it requires both FDRS and Forscan though.

The one thing the module is good for - calibrating the speedometer and changing gear ratio. It is easier to use the module than Forscan. Pretty much anything else though... it's junk.

As for the actual tune - yes, you really should use at least 91 octane. A tank of lower grade fuel every once in a while ~probably~ won't hurt anything, but (in my opinion) you are playing russian roulette if you decide to run it full time. Some people here swear its fine to run 87 because their truck hasn't exploded yet, but knowing how the ECM knock strategy works and seeing the damage that long-term low impact pre-ignition can do, I won't do it.

Many tunes do include the option to change the strategy. ProCal does not - it's all or nothing. You can uninstall and re-install it at any time (with the ODB dongle), without hooking back up to the internet, but it takes about 5 minutes or so and several "Key on, Key off" cycles. Not a simple switch.

I've read up on the thread where Snacktime talks about switching the AWD out for one with an Advance transfercase, and I've actually already picked up a used one to replicate his process. But being a manual trans bronco I'm worried that I will run into issues that those with an auto trans don't. I was hoping I could use the Procal as a backup plan if I ran into issues I couldn't bypass and threw in the towel.

Sponsored