Well guys, I am finally thinking about ordering some custom tunes. I am interested in one of each, economy/towing/performance. I drive alot of highway on the weekends back home to Tampa and am looking to try and improve MPG. I also tow a 5500lb boat/trailer when im there. What tunes do ya'll recommend?


JK

 

economy tunes will not yield max power- may be better than stock , but the the improved mileage? if any is offset by the cost-i personally run 93 tow or 93 perf myself...

 

cant really advise you on towing,but I am running Troyer 93 perf. and could not be happier.the fun is worth the extra 30 cents per gallon I started out on 87 perf. then tried the 93 and never looked back truck runs MUCH better on good gas.especially on the top end ,I guess you could just consider 87 as an economy tune??.good luck to you I hope you are as satisfied as I have been.

 

Check out VMP tuning. Justin can hook you up and he's in FL. Much quicker turn around than Troyer.

 

Shoot....I shouldve specified that I have a PHP Gryphon programmer. What tunes do you recommened for it?

 

In my opinion, you should get a custom tow tune and then just tell Bill that you want to maximize power and economy for when you are not towing. I'd get two tunes, not three.

UNLESS - you're one of these guys that feels the need to race someone at a stoplight now and then. If you do, and are willing to fill up with 91+ octane gas for those times, then you need a 91+ octane performance tune too.

- Jack

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Not trying to hijack a thread but I am going to be ordering a Gryphon for my 03 I just picked very soon and had this same question about what tunes to get. I had planned on getting 91+ performance, 87 performance and an 87 economy just in case gas goes back up to $4.00+ again. I dont tow so I dont think I would need a tow tune. So I guess from the responses I am seeing here, would an 87 economy tune be a waste of money?

Also, J&J, I noticed you said to get 2 tunes and not 3. Just curious why that is. Should I just go with an 87 perf & 91+ perf and leave the canned tow tune? I am totally new to these new tuners and am trying to catch back up. I had a Superchips 1715 on my 01 I had about 6 years ago.

Thanks!

 

It's just my sense of his driving needs. In my case, I tow or I don't and most of my truck driving is on the highway. I long ago decided I didn't need to race anyone or even race myself for the "thrills". BLACKEDOUT seemed to have a similar driving style.

To experience the "rush" of a performance tune, you'd really want it set up for high octane gas, and that's a lot of bother to run your tank nearly empty on regular and then fill up with high octane just for a few giggles.

Of course, you could ALWAYS use 91+ octane gas for everything. In this case, the tow tune would be written for the expensive stuff too. In my case, I decided the price differential would not be made up in the increased mileage, so I opted against it.

And finally, there's probably not a huge difference in the way a truck performs using a performance tune relative to an economy tune. If you get better performance, you just might end up with better mileage. It's mostly the way you drive the beast.

And, maybe I'm just lazy. If I tow the trailer someplace and then go off driving without it for a day, I just leave the tow tune installed. I simply don't see the need for more than two tunes.

If I didn't tow, I'd probably just have one tune! But, I honestly believe any good custom tune beats the stock tune all to pieces. I think my programmer would be worth it just for one GOOD tune.

- Jack

 

I kept the canned tow tunes for the few times I need to tow. Went with an 87 Perf and a 93 Perm. I have run the 87 Perf almost exclusively for 37,000 miles. I agree on the hassle of running the tank down low to swith from 87 to 93. The 87 delivers all I need. It is great.

 

Thanks Jack for clearing that up! Sounds like its just kinda different for everyone and their preferences and driving styles.

Thanks Bluejay! I think I may go the same route you went on the tunes.

Hopefully life will give those folks over at PHP a break and life will get back to normal for them. I'll probably place my order as soon as they are back in the office.

 

Figure out what octane you want to run and stick with those tunes.

 

Well I'd like to stick with 87, however if the gains from tunes of higher octane lvls are far more superior...it may be worth it?

 

higher octane 93 tunes are head and shoulders over 87 octane tunes, plain and simple-? to ask yourself-do you need maximum power and willing to pay for the extra octane

 

I have a Gryphon, waiting on my 87 perf and 91 perf custom tunes now. I am running level 2 tow tune right now, it definitly has more low-end grunt.. for towing.