OHHKAY - IMO, they should be called "generic" tunes, since they serve the masses. Since the tune on the PCM is what you get when you buy the vehicle "stock", then that single tune deserves the name "stock tune" or "OEM tune" (except if there's a TSB that results in a flash, it would have to be called a "TSB tune").

Oh heck! I'm going to stick with "canned tunes" for the things that come with programmers and stock tune for the single tune that comes on the truck when you buy it. Besides, I can't spell "manufactured", :o or did I just do it?

(And, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?)

- Jack

 

I couldn't find any tunes in cans, but I found some in the fresh food section.

 

Tunes in the fresh food section? Are you sure you weren't confused by your ipod? Wonder if they'd be in the frozen section? That way they could be microwaved to individual tastes, i.e., "customized". Yum!

- Jack

 

so how does it change the shift points? like smoother or harder firmer shifts

 

Wakes up your tranny. Now you know its going to shift you are not waiting for it to shift. Cleaner, sharper, more firmer shifting.

 

There's three (4?) things you can change in the shift department.

"Firmness" relates to the time between clutch release and clutch lockup again during a gear change. The factory setting for this delay is quite long, due to Ford's idea that people want the shift to be super smooth so that it won't spill their coffee. You can reduce or extend this delay according to your liking. Reducing the delay means less slip which is better on the transmission (as long as you don't go crazy on it which would put more strain on the drivetrain).

You can adjust the WOT shift points - the RPM at which an upshift occurs when you've got the go pedal mashed and you are accelerating. Ford has set these points lower than optimum for best acceleration.

You can adjust the part throttle shift points too, to happen at a lower or higher speed depending on where you would like these to occur. Reducing the speed values can improve your fuel economy.

The fourth isn't exactly a shift adjustment, but you can change the Torque Converter lock/unlock speeds at part throttle too. Reducing the speeds can again help with fuel economy.

While this is not a "user adjustment", the downshift you want when passing will start much faster when you have even a canned tune in your PCM.

Hope this answered your question.

- Jack

 

I cook my own tunes and fresh ingredients are always the best!

 

I think you've got me on this one! (But, of course there's something to be said for partaking of the largesse of a "Master Chef"!).

- Jack

 

jack thanks for the advide but that leads to ask, are custom tunes then really worth your money?

 

Yes, I am sure they are worth if over the stock tune especially on our Ford trucks..
btw, I found some "caned tunas" by the register

 

haha thats funny, but i should wait to get custom tunes untill im done modding my truck right?

 

Depends on the mods and your truck. Some mods need tuning to get the most out of them. For example on your 04 you would not want a CAI without a tune for it or you could run lean.

 

how about cams and an exhaust? will a gryphon allow me to adjust speedometer for bigger tires?

 

You're getting into some pretty serious changes here. Usually, an exhaust doesn't effect the tune (although I seem to recall at least one exception, and I cannot remember what that was). Cam? I don't know, but I suspect the tune would need to account for any change in that area.

I think you need to talk to Bill. Make sure he knows everything you plan to do.

Yes - the Gryphon has Custom Option settings you can play with to adjust the speedometer for bigger tires.

- Jack

 

Yes you'd need to get a tune for a cam ..