Somethings been negging at me since I replaced the TFI-IV Ignition Module in 'Salt'.
What is the potential hazord in going to Ford to buy a TFI-IV Ignition Module (where they ask you for your VIN and Engine Calibration i.e. 08-22F-R11) vs going to NAPA to buy that module (but they don't ask for the VIN or calibration, just the year, make & model of the car)?
the difference is, your car runs fine no matter where the TFI module comes from, but you pay 4 times the price at Ford.
Thank-you for helping me to put my mind at ease; I tend to believe that you are correct.
I am still curious though; what is the significance of that calibration number and why is it important on some levels, but not on others?
Although the one from Advance/Autozone may leave you stranded in a year.
lol... why?
It is something I would like to learn about.
From perusing forums I've found anecdotal evidence that non-Motorcraft TFIs are less reliable than the OEM variety.
All parts are NOT created equal....with that being said, you get what ya pay for.
The Ford piece maybe 3 times more expensive than elsewhere...
But it will probably last longer.
You guys are not exactly putting my mind at ease... I did get the new module for dirt cheap and it did make me wonder... but is this becuase of that engine calibration?
Should I go through the hassel and more money to buy the Ford TFI-IV Ignition Module (Motorcraft) or just stick with the NAPA (some aftermarket special)?
got mine from napa back in '03. only put about 300 miles a year on it. so it doesn't get a lot of abuse
But what of the engine calibration... what significance is that with the TFI?
I take that back. It was back in 98 that i replaced it.
the computer was in 03
there's a lot of miles on the tfi (couple few 1000) still never had a problem. only trying to get the old one off. who knew you needed a special tool. lol
still never heard of the calibration
The engine calibration number is located (usually) on the driver's side door. It's usually in the form (on Cougar X and Pepper) of 08-22F-R11. It's on the door of all my EFI or SEFI cars! As ANYONE ever heard of this?
I have calibration stickers on both my '88 XR-7 and my '88 Sport and never really understood why...my '88 Base 5.0 didn't have it. Aftermarket electrical parts usually don't last as long as OEM's...this much is true...but my cougar has a cheap aftermarket TFI module on it that looks like it 5yrs old...ignition system works fine in that.
My guess is the engine calibration concerns the actual bin file (or however you want to describe it) that is loaded into the ECU.
This has no bearing on your TFI module. TFI is TFI is TFI. It doesn't care how many cylinders your engine has, if it is SD/MAF, or if it is SO/HO or if it came from Ford or NAPA.
Okay, this makes sense. I like JeremyB's 'BIN' theory. Does anyone know, if that is indeed the case, what components on the EEC do rely on that Calibration?
Really the computer/injectors is the only thing set up for a particular car. For example if you pull the SO out of your car and replace it with a HO all you need to change is the injectors and computer. Every other sensor is the same. Many of the EEC sensors are used in many differnt cars. It keeps the cost down if one TFI module works in many cars vs. it's only able to be used in one type of car ;)