OK. I've been reading about tuners and custom tunes, canned tunnes, etc. I'm an old shade tree mechanic from the early 70's, so please bear with me. What exactly does a tuner do? What are canned tunes or custom tunes? Do custom tunes come with a tuner when you buy one? Which tuner is recommended for our trucks? What kind of money are we talking about here?
I have an 04 F-150 that I have done some slight modifications to. If I can get more power out of that thing by tuning, I'm open to that. Depending on the price of a tuner/tunes, I will have to determine if it's worth it.
I really enjoy this forum and have learned much from it. I appreciate any responses you guys may have.

 

to the forum zing77

I use TP's custom tunes and like um

 

I use Bill's tunes from Power Hungry Performance. He sells the Gryphon. Most tuners come with canned(off the shelf) tunes and then can be custom tuned by a programmer to the special mods you might have. They add 25 to 35 HP, plus much improved shifting and are well worth every penny. You can even get tunes for better gas mileage.

 

what they do is change the code in your trucks computer.. a new code will change the shifts, power distribution, and throttle response is instant also...

 

A tuner is the best mod you can do. I'd get a Xcal2 or Xcal3 with custom tunes from VMP Tuning. It's $395 or $400 for the tuner and three custom tuners. The tunes will be created off of your current computer code and the mods you have done. Much better driveability, power, mileage, etc compared to a canned tune. Also if you get rid of your truck and buy another 95+ Ford with a ODBII port you can buy a new tune and use the tuner. Tunes are only $59 and you can download the tune from the computer to the device.

http://www.vmptuning.com/store/index...parent=66&pg=1

 

I second that.

 

Sort of like the guy with the lab coat in the police garage on CHiPs?

 

Fifty - All but the white lab coat.

Another question - I see you guys have been talking a lot about Bill at PHP. How does that work? Do you have to order a specific tuner to get custom tunes from him or can you use any tuner? I see Bill has an ad for Gryphon tuners on his website. Is this a good tuner?

 

Bill deals with the gryphon for our trucks...If you've ever heard of the Edge Evolution, he was a main guy for that and wrote the tunes for it...He now sells the gryphon(same thing as edge) that can be custom tuned....My vote goes for PHP, as Bill and Corey are great people to work with...I also like the gauges that come with the gryphon as opposed to other tuners where u got to purchase them separately

 

ill third that

 

I've got the same truck as the OP and have been wondering the same thing. What do ya'll mean when you say it comes wth 3 custom tunes for your truck? You have to but the actual tuner and then take it to someone to get it tuned?


Not trying to hijack the thread, just figured i wouldn't post a whole other thread about the same topics

 

You decide on what you want. Performance, Tow, Octane, Fuel Economy. The tune would be wrote just for YOUR truck taking in to consideration any other mods such as intake that you might have.

 

The tuner itself as well as the custom tunes would be bought from the same place. In my case VMPTuning.com. Check out the link I posted earlier. If you know your PCM code than the tuner can send the programmer with the tunes loaded on it already or email them whichever you prefer. However if you don't know your PCM code than the tuner will send you your programmer so that you can read the PCM code to give to him. Once he's got it, he'll compose your tunes and email them to you. Loading them from email to the tuner is simple. Just download a program from SCT called Live Load and save the tune onto your computer. Live Load is a VERY easy program to use. I don't think they could of done a better job designed it to be flat out simple to use.

 

^^ cool thats what i needed to know, thank you

how do you find out the PCM code?

 

Its on the computer located under the hood on the passengers side firewall. Four digits on a white sticker, example ABP4 . A lot of 04's were reflashed by a dealership so they might want you to hook up the programmer and read your strategy code, which they will be able to tell the PCM code from that.