For the past couple of weeks I have read thru many of the threads here and on another web site trying to research “tuner” information. My goal is to stretch my mileage and firm up the trany shifts but do not plan on a large list of mods other than a cold air intake and exhaust; down the road maybe taller tires about 33’s, but no other major mods.

With that in mind I am down to these two ways to go : The Edge and Xcal ll and tunes from Troyer Performance.

Since I plan only on minimal mods for my 04 S/cab 4X4 5.4 3V, I think I may get buy with an Edge tuner, since I am not trying to squeeze every bit or performance hp that I can find. I am again mainly looking for Mpg’s with a trick shift and for towing an enclosed trailer a couple of time a year. My gut tells me that for the dollar I may be better suited for the “can tunes” that come with the “Edge” and probably would not benefit as much from the higher cost of the “Xcal ll” and Troyer Performance Custom Tunes. My cost is based on being able to purchase the “Edge” at around $300 and the Xcal ll will be more than that.

Also not sure of what is all involved in the “custom tunes” from Troyer but they seem to be a company that I would like to do business with, but I am just trying to be logical about this… There is certainly a great deal of post here to convince me of that Troyer is a dedicated company.

I would appreciate you’re impute...

 

I have very little mods (intake, exhaust and 33's) on my 4.6 but I went with the TP Xcal2. Also, I'm not sure what price you're using for the Xcal2 but with your membership here, you'll get a discount off of the list price on the Troyer website. If you haven't already, give them a call on Mon morning and talk with his awesome staff.

Getting the custom tunes is easy, they'll send you some worksheets to fill out. They are basic questions and take very little time to complete and fax back.
The only drawback to the custom tunes is the wait time, but it is worth the wait and then some.

Good luck on making your desicion and good luck on your purchase.

 

I’ve been running TP’s tunes on my 04 since 04 and have never had a problem; best thing I ever done to the truck

 

Last October I decided to go with Xcal2 and Troyer Tunes. I have "my tunes for my truck". Just the way I want them and not a "one size fits all" tune.

Like you, I probably will not do extensive mods but I know that if I choose to go to mod route that Troyer can make adjustments to my tunes to make it all work to give me the best performance without damage to my truck. I know for sure that I don't have the skill level to go about punching buttons to make changes on my tuner - I want Mike Troyer to set up my tunes for me because he is the best.

Best of luck no matter which tuner you choose.

Kenny

 

To JP… Not sure what the price is, and was going to call Monday to get that info along with some other questions that I have. Such as with these “custom tunes” what other necessary steps do I need to take etc? I seen post here about dyno tuning and additional cost for “custom tunes” so you are correct, I do not have all the info. I don’t want to discuss pricing here but the basic question boils down to paying $1 for a good apple and $4 for a great apple… Cost per outcome . I was getting the impression that “custom tunes” were for highly modified trucks.

To Budha… I do understand there is a wait time but did they send you the tuner with the “caned” tunes to play with until the “custom tunes” were completed or did you have to wait for everything… It would be great if they sent you the tuner with the “canned tunes” to play with and then email you the “custom tunes”.

 

Cruisin… That is a great point: If you do additional mods to the truck after the tunes were installed, Troyer can tweak the “tune” for your truck. A very good point.

 

The dyno tuning is for fine tuning moderate-highly modified trucks. These SCT Xcal2's don't have canned tunes, they are only loaded with the custom tunes. You get 3 custom tunes from Troyer with the initial purchase, but you can order additional tunes. I chose 93oct performance, 93oct towing and 87oct performance.

Custom tunes can be used on a stock truck and then adjusted when adding on additional mods.

 

Budha… You have corrected me on that point. I remember reading about the Scal 9400 and the 9415 ( I believe that is the 2 models of the Scal tuner). I was looking at getting the 9415 which I believe has 3 “caned tunes’ and then simply upgrading or converting it to make it a 9400 for the “custom tunes” from Troyer… My mistake; I read on an earlier post that the two were very similar and the 9415 could be made, by a simply software download or equivalent, the same as the 9400…

 

You've stumbled on a debate bigger than the FX4 vs Lariat bit.

I personally have a bone stock truck and still went with the XCAL. It isn't as flashy and doesnt' have the cool pod to monitor live stats.

However, I wanted tunes but safe ones. I'm sure the Edge is nice but I felt more comfortable with TP tunes even though I have no plans on heavy modifications.

 

I went with Edge for the gauges and did not want to wait. I love it.

 

No-Tyme,

If you're interested in custom tunes with the Xcal2, you may also want to checkout Bamachips (www.bamachips.com). I have both Troyer & Bamachips tunes. 90% of the time, I use Bamachips 89 Torque tune. Reason being is that, in my experience, the "driveability" of Troyer's tunes leaves a little to be desired. This is especially true at lower speeds... But for all out performance, I agree that TP is da' Man!

 

Bamorris2... That is pretty much how I drive my truck is slow. Not that I don't get on the expressway or run 60 plus here in the sticks, but I say with much certainty that I have years on most of the guys that post here on this forum… I don’t lead foot around town for the most part. I don't do off road and use my truck for transportation mostly, as I have always own a truck. I don't like the feeling I get in my wife's Grand Prix but it is a stretch better on gas. I occasionally like to put a youngster in the dust if challenged at a light or if I want to just make a statement to a GM product.

An area with great concern is that fact that I am increasing the air intake into the motor and I don’t want the “caned tunes” if I run a chance of running lean… So I posted my dilemma hoping to get opinions from others and try to make my decision soon.

 

Bamorris2... That is pretty much how I drive my truck is slow. Not that I don't get on the expressway or run 60 plus here in the sticks, but I say with much certainty that I have years on most of the guys that post here on this forum… I don’t lead foot around town for the most part. I don't do off road and use my truck for transportation mostly, as I have always own a truck. I don't like the feeling I get in my wife's Grand Prix but it is a stretch better on gas. I occasionally like to put a youngster in the dust if challenged at a light or if I want to just make a statement to a GM product.

An area with great concern is that fact that I am increasing the air intake into the motor and I don’t want the “caned tunes” if I run a chance of running lean… So I posted my dilemma hoping to get opinions from others and try to make my decision soon.

 

no-tyme -let me chime in here, my van weighs over 8k lbs-i drive in the idle to 3500 rpm range - so i use the meat of the torque zone if you will for my driving- my van is a work vehicle - not a pickup i hot rod in-the part throttle tq my tunes give me - especially the 93 tolw is night and day- i also have a 06 1 ton thats around 6500 lbs- not loaded down as much-it doesn't even hold a candle to my 04 - i need to get a tuner for that as well- my .02$ phil

 

Phil... There is no doubt that I need to cal Troyer and get the full story on what they can do for me. But the kid in me says "I can't wait to see the difference"...

Somewhere in the back of my mine I hear a little voice saying: Good things come to those who wait!