VMP or Bill?

Smokewagun · #1 05-01-2008, 08:22 AM

All this reading is making me dizzy! I had Troyer with my 2007 F-150 Supercrew, and THOUGHT I was going with them on my 2008 when it gets here, but after reading all these posts and seeing that Troyer will deliver tunes 3/4 of the way through my towing season, I'm thinking about going elsewhere. I too, had the poor shifting issues with my last TP tunes, but they were my first gasser tunes, and I was like a kid in a candy store. The 93 Performance tune was absolutely nuts. I loved it.

I still have my Xcal2, but now am thinking I would like the Edge (Gryphon) display for towing purposes. I will get, regardless of who it it, daily driving performance tunes (with economy, if possible) and towing tunes. I'm not sure if I will go with 93 octanes like I did with TP. With TP's, I noticed enough difference to warrant the higher octane, and the economy I generated for daily driving offset the fuel cost, too.

So, who in the !@#$% am I supposed to go with now that you have all confused me so? I was going to get the 3.5" AF1 and the MBRP Cool Duals with my tunes from Troyer, but now I'm thinking I'll have to "piece it out" independently and try to get close to the $1,000 I thought I was going to spend originally. It aso looks like I'll go with the 3" AF1 just for the idling issues and the fact that by the time I get to the dyno, it will be time to trade off again.

Bottom line, I want good performance, but for a daily driver I also want the economy. I won't get a tune that is a dog just to gain economy. Then, I want some good tunes for towing my 6,000# travel trailer without sacrificing my engine or transmission. All right, fire away.

ThumperMX113 · #2 05-01-2008, 09:10 AM

Is this for a F150 or the F250 in your signature and profile? Irregardless, give Justin a chance. Since you've already got the Xcal2 from when you had Troyer tunes. It'd save you a whole lot of coin since you'd only have to spend $50 per tune. If you want some gauges buy a Scan Gauge, it'd still be cheaper. Good luck with whatever you choose.

07 Lariat · #3 05-01-2008, 10:16 AM

I would recommend VMP. I got the X-Cal 3 from them with 87 perf, 87 tow, and 87 mileage. Haven't tried the towing tune yet, but am very happy with the other ones. BTW the 87 mileage tune, feels "Normal" until the torque converter locks up in OD, at that point there is a slight loss of power. Nothing that should scare you away from getting this tune though. At WOT it feels like the 87 perf tune. Around town, still has lots of power. And has picked up about 1.7 mpg on the highway for me.

Smokewagun · #4 05-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumperMX113

Is this for a F150 or the F250 in your signature and profile? Irregardless, give Justin a chance. Since you've already got the Xcal2 from when you had Troyer tunes. It'd save you a whole lot of coin since you'd only have to spend $50 per tune. If you want some gauges buy a Scan Gauge, it'd still be cheaper. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I have a 2008 F-150 Screw on order. It will be for that truck. I already have the Scan Gauge II, so I am set there, too. Now, for the AF1 and the MBRP. It looks like I'll still be money ahead. Thanks.

Smoke

ThumperMX113 · #5 05-01-2008, 11:30 AM

I'd order the 3.0" AF1 as well. The MBRP is an awesome exhaust system.

Smokewagun · #6 05-01-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 Lariat

I would recommend VMP. I got the X-Cal 3 from them with 87 perf, 87 tow, and 87 mileage. Haven't tried the towing tune yet, but am very happy with the other ones. BTW the 87 mileage tune, feels "Normal" until the torque converter locks up in OD, at that point there is a slight loss of power. Nothing that should scare you away from getting this tune though. At WOT it feels like the 87 perf tune. Around town, still has lots of power. And has picked up about 1.7 mpg on the highway for me.

What is this toprque converter "lock up" thing doing for me - or not doing? Have you tried the 87 performance to see what it does for mileage? How about the tow tune for towing... does it increase power, or just change shift points? Thanks,

Smoke

mSaLL150 · #7 05-01-2008, 11:48 AM

If i were you, i would go with TP tunes, 3" AF1 and the Roush Offroad exhaust.

ThumperMX113 · #8 05-01-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mSaLL150

If i were you, i would go with TP tunes, 3" AF1 and the Roush Offroad exhaust.

If he did that he wouldn't get his tunes until half way through his towing season. Thus he's looking else where ...

mSaLL150 · #9 05-01-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumperMX113

If he did that he wouldn't get his tunes until half way through his towing season. Thus he's looking else where ...

nah, he already has TP tunes. Troyer charges a fee to change the strategy code on them, and also the changes for the intake and other small parameters. It wouldnt take that long to receive those updates to the tunes he already has...(i think... however for a whole new vehicles it may be different, i'd call to find out).

To the OP: Call Troyer and talk to Mike personally, explain your towing season dilemma and that you need the updates done, see what he can do for ya

Smokewagun · #10 05-01-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mSaLL150

If i were you, i would go with TP tunes, 3" AF1 and the Roush Offroad exhaust.

I ran the 3.5" AF1 on my 2007 F-150 Screw with TP's tunes when I had it over a year ago. I loved it - of course I ran tuned. Back then, I'd like to think I "spearheaded" the Roush Off Road movement... I had major issues with the Magnaflow kit that didn't fit my 6.5 foot bed, so I gambled with the Roush. After that, alot of people fell in line behind. Now, it seems to be "the" exhaust kit to buy. Unfortunately, I think I'd go nuts listening to those pipes blasting against the flying brick TT I tow when camping. Fir that reason, I am looking to the MBRP side exit duals. I want duals - not a single. FTR, the Roush is to date my exhaust of choice.

07 Lariat · #11 05-01-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokewagun

What is this toprque converter "lock up" thing doing for me - or not doing? Have you tried the 87 performance to see what it does for mileage? How about the tow tune for towing... does it increase power, or just change shift points? Thanks,

Smoke

The torque converter lock up prevents all slippage in the torque converter when it's in OD. I'm sure you're diesel does it to, on a cold morning it'll shift into OD then after a mile or two seems like it "shifts" again, that is actually the torque converter locking up. It stays unlocked to help with warm up and locks to conserve fuel.
I haven't used the tow tune at all yet, and the 87 perf tune I just used for a few days, then switched to 87 mileage. Next road trip I'm planning on using the 87 perf tune and checking mileage. Honestly, after using the 87 perf for a few days, then switching to 87 mileage, couldn't tell any difference in the way it ran other than the 'very' slight power loss on the highway. Took off from a start, ran around town, and WOT seemed the same to me. I'm sure if you e-mail Justin, he would explain the differences to you.

Smokewagun · #12 05-01-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mSaLL150

nah, he already has TP tunes. Troyer charges a fee to change the strategy code on them, and also the changes for the intake and other small parameters. It wouldnt take that long to receive those updates to the tunes he already has...(i think... however for a whole new vehicles it may be different, i'd call to find out).

To the OP: Call Troyer and talk to Mike personally, explain your towing season dilemma and that you need the updates done, see what he can do for ya

Good points suggested as my new 2008 truck - yes, all new vehicle - will still have the 5.4L like I had before. I'm sure the strategies are different, though. I have talked to Crystal at TP, who is very familiar with me, and she never mentioned updating old tunes. Maybe they'll do it seing it is basically the same truck and engine. When I mentioned their delivery schedule and my towing season being over by the time I got the tunes, they did say that they "hoped" the rush of orderes were over by then and they could get down to a resonable time frame. If I recall correctly, last time it took 5-7 weeks for me.

Part of my purchase still looks to customer service. Troyer was great for me, and without them, Magnaflow would have hung me out to dry with their crappy fitting system on my 2007 Screw - even though they do not recommend any system for the 6-1/2 foot bed Screw today because of it. I'm sure VMP or Bill have good service as well, I just don't know them well enough... yet. That's why I'm asking around for experiences.

ThumperMX113 · #13 05-01-2008, 02:27 PM

I don't think Troyer is going to create a whole new tune for a new vehicle. It's only for vehicles that had been reflashed at the dealer level. I guess the OP could just say that's what happened but that wouldn't be ethical.

mSaLL150 · #14 05-01-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumperMX113

It's only for vehicles that had been reflashed at the dealer level.

I wouldn't be so sure. Have you talked to Troyer about this? (Im going to go out on a limb and say no).

ThumperMX113 · #15 05-01-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mSaLL150

I wouldn't be so sure. Have you talked to Troyer about this? (Im going to go out on a limb and say no).

I said "I don't think" meaning that it's my assumption ...