I purchased the X2 during the group buy. Not because I was unhappy with my truck's performance, rather simply because it sounded like a good idea and I figured why not...can't hurt.

I was always one who thought computer chips, etc aren't generally worth the money after all, all you are doing is tweaking a setting here or there you aren't really upgrading the hardware. Well as a computer tech I can tell you, if you tweaked the right thing here or there you can achieve noticeable improvements without adding hardware and the X2 does just that.

I've never been one who noticed the throttle lag at take off or was unsatisfied with the acceleration on the highway. I've averaged 13.5 to 14.5 MPG and was ok with that too. I've never raced a Hemi nor looked for one, those days are behind me and my stang.

So here are the impressions of a previously satisfied, not overly power hungry owner who bought it just for the heck of it.

Support:

Great so far, Marc was very helpful even called back to go over some items and make some suggestions. I've never talked to Mike but Anita (hope that is right) was great the few times I've talked with her.

Use:

Worked great with no problems. I chose the 87 Tow, 87 Perf, and the 93 Perf, figuring I'll run 87 more than 93.

I loaded the 87 Perf today and went out for some errands which included stop and go traffic and one 2 mile run on a highway.

Observations after load:

Well now I know what the throttle lag was all about. I was never unhappy but when I touched the gas the truck moved immediately. Wow, that's new.

The truck seems to run smoother as it goes through its RPMs and gears with no hesitation.

I opted for the firm transmission rather than hard. I really like the quiet driveability with the truck and didn't want to lose that. I didn't generally feel a difference with normal driving except to say that firmer is the best word to describe it. Didn't feel like it slipped into gear, rather it moved decisively but without the neck snapping roughness of my mustang and its shift kit. However, when I tested the WOT, I definitely noticed the difference, "holy crap hold on....now that was a shift." Plenty for me, wouldn't want the hard.

Highway acceleration was smooth and quick. I looked down and was at 80 on the ramp. It wasn't neck snapping acceleration just a solid "get up and go now" result.

I'll run through this tank and try the 93 perf to see how much of a difference that makes.

Sorry for the length but anyways...that's my .02

For those of you who are power nuts you'll love it because I was pleasantly surprised. Hope your wait isn't too long.

 

Great write up Vader...this is the sort of post people should search for..

Thanks!!

Craig

 

Craig,

Thanks for the feedback\rep.

I thought it might be useful to hear from someone who's never left a burnout or staged my truck at a tree, just a "normal" driver.


(Now my stang...well we had our glory days...not sure how I survived those younger years )

 

Vader,
I thought your write up was excellent. My Xcal2 is in a UPS truck as we speak. I can't wait. My driving style is just like yours, as a matter a fact, I got the same tunes you did thinking my truck will mainly see 87 octane. Thanks for the information!!!
Gary

 

I too am waiting on the XCAL2, by Troyer, for my 2006 KR. Your reasons for purchasing the XCAL2 is exactly my sentiments. Instead of a 'Stang', I had a 70.5 Camaro Z28, split front bumper, 360 stock HP, turbo 400 auto trans, 11:1 compression, 411 posi rear end, Goodyear G50s all around, a set of racing slicks, and on and on... I raced auto-cross back in the day and ate-up many a rich kid driving his daddies mid-seventies Corvette on the streets of Miami. Since reluctantly selling that ride, I've owned 4 Ford pick-ups in the past 30 years. But, like you said, the days of wanting to tear-up the asphalt are far behind me.

 

I'm in the same group as you Vader. Was happy with the truck before, don't really look to out run people. The 87 Max tune is nice. I've got the 91 Max and 91 tow with my 87 Max. Just wanted to improve the every day driving experience. It did just that. Nice write up Vader!

 

Thanks vader716 nice report!

 

Thanks for the down to earth write up. As a new person to this, it is helpful to hear from folks in simple language.

I am trying to educate myself on tuning my 2 F150's (both 2005, 1 XLT, 1 FX4), and I would more information.

You mentioned a group buy for the XCal2...What does that mean?

You said you ordered it with specific choices in tunes...Do you have to order it that way?

What about voiding your truck's warranty when programming?

Thanks again for the info!

 

There are tons of people on here who know more than I but...

Troyer offered a group buy for F150online members in February, just a discount basically.

You get to choose 3 different tunes. Basically purpose and octane you could for example get a 93 tow.

I'm sure if something went wrong with my PCM and they could prove it was related to me flashing it, etc they could void the warranty. I'm not concerned though.

 

I forget the name of the law, but there is one on the books that basically states:

For a manufacturer to void your warranty based on an aftermarket modification, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the modification directly caused the problem. They must provide you that in writing as well. I have a friend in the 4x4 business and one of his customers with a chevy diesel lost his motor at 32000 miles. The dealership saw a hypertech box under the seat and immediately voided the warranty, without even seeing if the tuner in the box was for that truck. Long story short,
$15K for motor replacement, another $32K for my buddy to buy the truck back from the customer, plus $3500 to get the core from the dealer, and it wasn't the tuner but a well known malfunction in the chevy diesel where the cam gear shears off the pin holding it on (known as the runaway motor) Hypertech had offered to pay for the replacement if the dealer would state in writing the programmer caused the problem, they wouldn't. The case is now a $250,000 suit in the Atlanta circuit court.

 

Good write-up Vader and I second your findings. In comparison to the stock setup, it definately feels like someone installed a slap-shifter in my truck, especially at WOT. Nothing like getting the power to the wheels "right now". I especially can't wait to see what additional gains I get after I get all the maintenance items complete (ie. Upstream O2s).

I could definately say after 2 days installed - this was a worth while investment. The TP window sticker will put on my topper window this weekend after a good cleaning and buffing.

I can't wait to install the 87 towing tune and give it a go with the trailer.

Hats off to the gang at Troyer.

 

Great write-up and information! Hmm, making me think I should have just cowboy'd up and done the group buy instead of not doing it.

Guess I'll have to wait for the next group buy to come around and I'll jump on that then.

Duke

 

I concur with the others, Vader, great post!

I too, went with the "Firm" shift.....perfect. I only wonder if I had gotten the "Hard" shift if it'd chirp the tires on the 1-2 upshift!

Krohbar:
I have the same 3 tunes as you....figured if I needed to tow with 87 octane in the tank, I could go back to stock ( ) BTW, we still gotta get more members together here in NE.

I was smiling all day today driving my truck. Friday will be even better

 

Vader's writeup was absolutely excellent - that should be "required" reading for anyone thinking about tuning for their truck, his descriptions were so relevant to virtually every type of vehicle owner.

Very nice job, Vader, & glad you're enjoying our custom tuning!

 

Vader very well put I two was part of the group buy and have been thru 2 tanks and it only gets better Heres to Mike and his staff for all the hard work they do for us