No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that there are a lot of other parameters to consider in a tune. Shifting, downshifting, shifting firmness, lock/unlock and a whole slew of other items. Things like how fast your PCM goes into open loop, fly by wire sensitivity and other issues. My Roush has a boost by pass that uses input from the IMRC. Changing those parameters makes a big difference on when boost comes into play.

If you want to tune for maximum performance and ignore everything else, then a dyno tune is for you. But if you want a reliable daily driver, that's not finicky based on fuel with good drivability, I don't think you can go wrong with a mail order tune. Actually, I have the SCT software to tune my truck. VMP took the Roush tune, tweaked it and I've been playing with it ever since. Troyer was unwilling to provide me his secrets. At this point between Troyer and VMP, I seem to be getting better mileage with Troyer's tune, but since we've had cooler temps, I haven't been driving conservatively with my switch back to the VMP tune.

I've been tuning my own stuff for a while, so I'm not new to this. Granted this is my first boosted application and PCMs continue to get more complicated. But I'm a lot happier with my transmission functions with my VMP modified tune. I just think there's more to a tune than maximum horsepower. I don't know about you, but I don't spend a lot less time at WOT than other throttle inputs.

All I'm saying is figure out if dyno numbers are more important then drivability and plan accordingly.

 

I do not race, except for maybe off the stoplight from time to time. This is my daileydriver and therefore I am looking for a good reliable tune that is good on the tranny and gas, but still has enough power for fun, and to make sure I win the stoplight races. I care more about reliability then the final numbers. I just always thought that a dyno tune would be more complete because they are there testing my truck then a custom mail order tune would be. When at a dyno they can test everything there where as Troyer cant do that. Do dyno shops tune for driveability over horsepower? Also, what did you custom tunes cost. Thanks for all of the help by the way.

 

I can't speak for all dyno tunes, but that's the only advantage I can see over a reputable tuner is the ability of a dyno to tune for maximum power. Most of these tuners have their own dynos and have tuned multiple vehicles. That's not to say a tuner with a dyno wouldn't do a good job, but I'd quiz them on just what you'll get for your $300 and what sort of experience they have with trucks. There's not a great deal of difference in pcm strategies, but how a vehicle performs with a 50% weight penalty over a mustang is something you can't ignore.

My truck is a daily driver too. There is a huge difference in drivability between Roush's tune and either one from Troyer or VMP. Since I already have a couple of Xcal2s, Troyer's 3 tunes were $300 and VMP's tune, which I got in a coupe days was around $150, a portion of which was for expedited delivery. Troyer's tune took about six weeks, but I had been talking with them for a few months before I finally installed the supercharger. I don't know if that secured me a place in line, but I have seen posts of six month waits. I like the ability to further tweak VMP's tune as far as transmission functions. Troyer's isn't bad, but I like the ability to alter the transmission setting to what I prefer. If I didn't have the SCT software, I'd probably be very happy with Troyer's tune as delivered.

 

I know my tune on the dyno wasn't just for power. That was just icing on the cake. In fact i don't know anyone who dyno tunes a street machine for just power and leaves everything else on the table. If they do take your machine and leave. We changed a number of things including TC lockup, shift points under normal throttle and full, as well as firmness, rev limit, speed limit just to name a few. Throttle sensitivity is a big one with the drive by wire. There are numerous parameters to adjust or play with to make the vehicle to your liking.

 

It sounds like you had a reputable tuner tune your truck. Once they have your money, you can leave if you want, but what have you got? All I'm saying is check out the guy's qualifications. Talk to his customers. I read posts from both of these guys, so I know they don't just talk the talk. Just because you have a dyno doesn't mean you know what you're doing. Do you know if your tuner does mail-order tunes? Pass his name on and give the OP another option.

Interesting you mention the drive by wire setting. I have a 2008 and thought it was responsive in stock form. Neither Roush or VPM altered the factory setting. But I have heard that was big complaint when DBW came out. I guess Ford finally addressed the issue in the stock settings.

 

Here is what it says about the guy who would do my dyno tune if I have it done. This is what it says on their web site:

Our primary tuning technician is John Garner who is primarily known for his custom 1990 Mustang GT that has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, and 5.0 Mustang & Super Ford Magazine. John won the inaugural 5.0 King of the Street competition, won Most Legit Street car at the Hot Rod Pump Gas Drags, and was the first (and only) car to ever run 9's in the Car Craft Real Street Eliminator. John has also been the "secret tuner" behind many shops across the nation to solve complex tuning problems with high end exotics and full on race cars when the existing tuning staff was unable to resolve tuning issues. He has operated dynos across the united states and is sponsored by many product vendors including Vortech Superchargers, AEM, Baer Brakes, and more. The shop as a whole has tuning experience for nearly every aftermarket tuning system from Fel-Pro, FAST, and AEM to tuning factory processors like Ford EEC-IV & EEC-V, LS1 Edit, and Honda tuning. We have the experience to tune your vehicle.

I got in contact with him and he says he has done several projects similar to mine, so it shouldnt take more then 2 hours to tune

 

Oh, and I'm also now looking at JDM and Hux Racing for custom tunes. Any thoughts on them.

 

I did. Caleb Skinner of Fast Lane Motorsports did it. You hit the nail on the head. Talk to them and find out what they know. Your tuner should have plenty of questions for you as well. He should be finding out everything you have done to alter the vehicle and what you want out of it. Then offer you some options as to things he can change to make your driving experince more satisfying. Oh yeah make sure you find this stuff out before you give'em any $$$

As for the drive by wire settings. They are a pain to get right if your building a tune from scratch. But in stock form i do recall hearing a lot grumbling about the trucks seeming to hesitate.

 

JDM and Hux should both be able to fix you up. FatherFord is using a JDM tune and Hux Racing tuned mcdover's GT500 powerplant. I've heard of John Garner in Car Craft or Hot Rod. As long as your tuner tells you what he's going to do beyond setting the transfer function for proper A/F readings.

Twinscrewd, I don't think you posted the tuner in this thread prior to your post above. I may have seen that tuner mentioned in another thread, but didn't make the connection.

 

I've been very happy with my handicapped JDM tune. People send their lightnings and mustangs all over the country to the JDM shop for all work including tune.

I'm trying to catch senior next time he heads down here to Houston to tune my truck on the dyno for max power.

 

Hux Racing doesn't write custom tunes. They contract with Jon Lund for the tunes and remote dyno tune on their Dynojet. Pretty good setup if you're fairly local to East Alabama, if not, you can remote tune it through Lund on a dyno that is local to you.

 

How does this work?

 

Quick question... What is wrong with the tune that comes from Whipple? I am just wondering why so many people deciede to get a custom or dyno tune instead of sticking with the Whipple tune? Also, is it possible to load the Whipple tune into my Diablo and have someone who knows what they are doing play around with some parameters? The reason I ask is because I might just stick with the Whipple tune if its not that bad, or at least till summer.

 

The whipple tune just plain sucks.

I would not be surprised if a good tune drops a truck a full second or more in the quarter over a whipple tune.

 

So what exactly is wrong with the Whipple tune? Is it just not as aggressive as a custom or dyno tune? I dont race so I'm wondering if Whipple tune would be fine for awhile? Just checking all options.