I would like some comments from those of you who have a "canned" tuner. I am not interested in getting a custom tuner like the XCal at this time (I have my reasons & that may change in time). But, I would like some feedback from those of you who do have a Superchips, Edge, Hypertec, etc. microtuner. How do like what you have?

 

Diablo u7151: I had it for roughly 4mo (i think) and its performance was adequate, had firm positive shifts. i got on a dyno and it did NOTHING in horsepower/torque. I thought i felt something in performance but i was proved wrong in the power department. But the trans was great.

Edge eef2400: A month and a half, but has only worked for the last 2 weeks. It sucks. Harsh shifts. Using the built in performance tests [0-60] stock ran 8.65 and with the edge performance on 91 octane ran 8.33, whoop-de-do.

But now my custom SCT tune is winning the heart of my truck just before valentines day [date my truck was born]

So i don't see what you are getting at with your reasons but if you are trying to get the most for your money your wasting your money with canned tunes.

 

That is what I want from a tuner. I do not race (any kind), set my cruise control at the POSTED speed, tow my 2000lb(boat, motor, gear, gas) bass boat, and run my kids around town. I just want my truck to shift firmer, not feel sluggish when you step on the gas, and not shift into OD so soon (around 35mph now). Many have posted that there is not much difference between the XCal and a Superchips 1745. But, even with the special group buy price, the difference is $80, not the $25-30 many have posted. I just can't justify $80 when all I want is what I stated above. That is my reasons. Thanks again for any input.

 

I have both the diablo predator and now the edge, the diablo was ok, but I am very happy with my edge for both performance and the fact that I tow and haul alot which is where the guage features come in handy for me. Asinatra is still bitter about his edge experience and the delay in a version that worked well with his pcm for his 4.6, which he has every right to be I might add.
Best thing you can do is search the forums on all the different programmers, base your decision on what you believe to be the facts and not opinions, cause your gonna find alot of each on here. Keep in mind that very few people are gonna say they made the wrong choice in choosing a programmers and will go out of their way to defend it. It seems that the most popular programmers are the Edge and the SCT either tuned by Troyer or Bamachips. Good luck.

 

I have a Superchips 1745 that I bought for my '05 Screw XLT 4x4 and I have been happy with it. It really pepped things up, even with the 87 octane tune.

If I had to do it over, I would probably be less impulsive and consider a Troyer-tuned Xcal2, but I've already spent my money and I don't have any major regrets. (I did get my 1745 from Troyer, though, and I found them to be nice folks to deal with.)

 

I have the 1715 Superchip and I like it. Like you when I was sitting on the fence and didn’t think I needed the custom tune, so I went with the 1715. Now after reading all the post here I hope to get in on the group buy from Troyer.

I first got a tuner because I went from a Bass boat (long story) to towing a Pontoon boat and towing it is like towing a brick wall, it’s not too aerodynamic

Also Note that you will not be towing with an 87 Octane unless it's a custom tune, the Superchip requires 91 Octane for towing.

 

According to Superchips, the new 1745, designed for the 2005 F150, has 3 tunes: 87 octane towing, 91-93 octane towing, 91-93 non towing. So, this tuner should do all I want from a tuner. Plus, I don't have to worry about spending another $200 to dyno my truck after I load the XCal to make sure all is correct. The way I see it, the XCal will really end up costing me about $270 more than I paid for the 1745. That's a big difference when you consider the XCal would be doing almost the same thing the 1745 will do.

 

An off the shelf tuner is going to do little to nothing regulating overdrive and torque converter lockup for towing purposes. Custom tuning specifically address those concerns for towing and heavy-duty towing

 

The wisest thing you could do would be to call Troyer Performance as they sell most of the tuners that are available. I'm sure Mike would be happy to discuss the pros and cons of each (even if you don't end up buying form him). As other have stated "canned" tunes were their first choice and after getting one they wanted to move up to "custom" tunes. Good luck with what ever you get.
Mike's contact information:
Troyer Performance/Performance Products, Inc.
Truck & SUV Performance Specialists
Supercharging & Custom Tuning Experts - America's Oldest Superchips Distributor & 1st Superchips Custom Tuning Dealer
Web Site: www.TroyerPerformance.com
(540) 862-9515
Email: Sales@TroyerPerformance.com

 

As someone who didn't believe in custom tuning for relatively stock vehicles, I would have told you before that the 1745 would be fine. However, I talked today to Mike at TP for an hour and a half. We discussed several factors in the tuning process. What you may want to consider is the purchase of the xcal2b (i think its b) because it comes with canned tunes like the 1745 but can be flashed to take custom tunes should you ever decide to go that way. Then you don't have to spend another $300 and some change for a new tuner, instead simply flashing the unit to accept a tune from Mike. If you really don't want to do that, there are several tuners out there, like diablo edge hypertech banks superchips and so forth. You'll have to dig through lots of forums to find end user info on each one. But if you call and talk to mike, I think he'll educate you on whats best for you and your wallet.

 

I had an earlyer version of the 1715 with only one tune(91-93 towing I believe. I have a new 1715 comming tomorrow and I liked the olde one but i don't tow all the time and i thought that I would like the 91-93 perf tune better.

If all you are looking for is firmer shifts and a very slight perf. up grade. I would go with the superchips 1745 and forget about all of the other sales pitches.

 

I have an edge and you have probably seen my posts but i'll say it again. The edge is the single best thing i have done for my truck. I had a Superchips 1714 and went to the edge. I picked up almost 2 mpg hwy and a ton of power over the superchips hi performance product. If you are towing, you can set the edge to monitor the trans temps and other stuff. I wouldnt even consider the 1745..... It would be the Edge or the xcal2 for me.

 

I have an Edge. Sounds like you are pretty much same kind of operator as I am.

I bought the Edge during the group buy because I thought that it was easy install, provided function beyond 'extra HP', was priced right, and I didn't have to wait or pay to make some changes.. it was 'updateable for problems and function' over the web for no charge ! ....and to boot there was a chance that if I got a little MPG increase the unit would pay for itself over the long haul. Usually if it sounds too good to be true you haven't heard all the words..

I believe that I took a chance with a new product and had zero problems. I recommend the product. I've put on over 5,000 miles since I got the Edge and I'm happy... a truck that I thought had enough power before is now more fun to drive. Running on the interstate the truck doesn't shift in and out of OD.. in CC on the grades that the stock program did..



I'm basically a skeptic and I only went into this trying to make my F150 shift better. This is the first 'auto' tranny I have had in 45 years for my personal transportation. My last truck was a 4x4 5-speed and the traffic was just killing my knees.

I got my money's worth...

Jack

 

I just installed a 1715 in my 02 s'crew 5.4L (I had an older versionwith out the high perf tune) On the high perf tune, i can be rolling about 15-20 mph and matt it and brake the tires lose. I'm not sure what every one is talking about them having little to no diff, the truck shifts better, has better throtel response and is more fun to drive.

Don't listen to all the houpla, do what you think is better. As far as the superchips canned tuners are concerned, you have a recommendation from me.

 

I have a 1714 SC on for over 1 year on 04 5.4.
I,m 100% satisfied with it.

Norm