1 Custom Tune or Tuner with 3 tunes
#1
1 Custom Tune or Tuner with 3 tunes
I've researched the forums and heard people happy with their custom tune, and happy with their "bought" tunes. I'm trying to decide whether it would be better to go with 1 custom tune (by dyno) or the a tuner (Superchips, Edge, etc) that comes with 2/3 tunes.
Here are some of the decision points:
Custom tune is approximately $100 more expensive and locks me into just one "tune". This tune would need to be multipurpose (performance, but still able to tow)
Custom tune can only be reflashed by the company that tunes it. No returning to stock tune for dealership trips, and have to visit the company if dealership reflashes my computer.
Going with <insert favorite tuner here> gives me a choice of 3 tunes and lets me restore the stock tune.
Custom tune would be designed specifically for my truck, and would be tweaked per dyno results, so I know I'd be getting the most applicable tune for my truck (even if it were dual purpose).
Even though I've got a higher count of pros for the going with the Superchips, I've heard and read that the dyno tunes are worlds apart from the "canned" tunes.
Does anyone have a working knowledge of having tried both, or have any other inputs that would help me decide between the two?
My truck is 4x4 F150 w/ 5.4. AF1 FIPK and Flowmaster 40 series SIDO exhaust with Royal Purple fluids (oil, rear diff, tranny)
Thanks
Tom
Here are some of the decision points:
Custom tune is approximately $100 more expensive and locks me into just one "tune". This tune would need to be multipurpose (performance, but still able to tow)
Custom tune can only be reflashed by the company that tunes it. No returning to stock tune for dealership trips, and have to visit the company if dealership reflashes my computer.
Going with <insert favorite tuner here> gives me a choice of 3 tunes and lets me restore the stock tune.
Custom tune would be designed specifically for my truck, and would be tweaked per dyno results, so I know I'd be getting the most applicable tune for my truck (even if it were dual purpose).
Even though I've got a higher count of pros for the going with the Superchips, I've heard and read that the dyno tunes are worlds apart from the "canned" tunes.
Does anyone have a working knowledge of having tried both, or have any other inputs that would help me decide between the two?
My truck is 4x4 F150 w/ 5.4. AF1 FIPK and Flowmaster 40 series SIDO exhaust with Royal Purple fluids (oil, rear diff, tranny)
Thanks
Tom
Last edited by TTEF150; 02-22-2009 at 02:27 PM. Reason: added specs
#2
#3
#7
It is multi-function, but rarely. My routine is daily driving. Once in a blue moon, I need to tow something so I'd like to retain that functionality.
Trending Topics
#8
I think you answered your own question then. I don't think one tune will be enough, which rules out dyno tuning and a single PCM reflash. Please don't get me wrong -- live tuning will always be best; however, there are many tuners out there who have the experience to write excellent custom tunes based on previous dyno testing. Good luck with your decision!
#9
I've researched the forums and heard people happy with their custom tune, and happy with their "bought" tunes. I'm trying to decide whether it would be better to go with 1 custom tune (by dyno) or the a tuner (Superchips, Edge, etc) that comes with 2/3 tunes.
Here are some of the decision points:
Custom tune is approximately $100 more expensive and locks me into just one "tune". This tune would need to be multipurpose (performance, but still able to tow)
Custom tune can only be reflashed by the company that tunes it. No returning to stock tune for dealership trips, and have to visit the company if dealership reflashes my computer.
Going with <insert favorite tuner here> gives me a choice of 3 tunes and lets me restore the stock tune.
Custom tune would be designed specifically for my truck, and would be tweaked per dyno results, so I know I'd be getting the most applicable tune for my truck (even if it were dual purpose).
Even though I've got a higher count of pros for the going with the Superchips, I've heard and read that the dyno tunes are worlds apart from the "canned" tunes.
Does anyone have a working knowledge of having tried both, or have any other inputs that would help me decide between the two?
My truck is 4x4 F150 w/ 5.4. AF1 FIPK and Flowmaster 40 series SIDO exhaust with Royal Purple fluids (oil, rear diff, tranny)
Thanks
Tom
Here are some of the decision points:
Custom tune is approximately $100 more expensive and locks me into just one "tune". This tune would need to be multipurpose (performance, but still able to tow)
Custom tune can only be reflashed by the company that tunes it. No returning to stock tune for dealership trips, and have to visit the company if dealership reflashes my computer.
Going with <insert favorite tuner here> gives me a choice of 3 tunes and lets me restore the stock tune.
Custom tune would be designed specifically for my truck, and would be tweaked per dyno results, so I know I'd be getting the most applicable tune for my truck (even if it were dual purpose).
Even though I've got a higher count of pros for the going with the Superchips, I've heard and read that the dyno tunes are worlds apart from the "canned" tunes.
Does anyone have a working knowledge of having tried both, or have any other inputs that would help me decide between the two?
My truck is 4x4 F150 w/ 5.4. AF1 FIPK and Flowmaster 40 series SIDO exhaust with Royal Purple fluids (oil, rear diff, tranny)
Thanks
Tom
The Xcal3 works much the same way, other than you do not have the canned tunes to start with. But, again, you have your cusrtom tunes and always keep the stock tune.
__________________
Jim
Jim
#10
Really? So on my Gryphon and Livewire(not that I ever even used the canned SCT tunes) w/ only one custom tune loaded on it the other canned ones are gone? Not my understanding of the set up.
#12
once the programmer is set to custom tuning the "canned" tunes are deleted (at least on my SCT xcal2) and the only thing it saves is the custom tunes and your stock tune
I am not 100% on the exact way the gryphon works but bluejay and groovy chick are the ones to talk to
Last edited by stoffer; 02-23-2009 at 10:41 AM.
#13
Just to further clarify, When you buy a Gryphon, it has 3 canned tunes in it and space for your stock tune. You do not have to replace all the canned tunes if you buy custom tunes. You may replace 1, 2 or all 3. If you only replace 1, with a custom tune, you retain the original 2 remsining canned tunes. I replaced Level 1 and level 3 with custom tunes and retained level 2 for towing.
__________________
Jim
Jim
#14
Then, you can order up to 3 custom tunes that will replace the canned tunes. You always have your stock tunes.
The Xcal3 works much the same way, other than you do not have the canned tunes to start with. But, again, you have your cusrtom tunes and always keep the stock tune.
The Xcal3 works much the same way, other than you do not have the canned tunes to start with. But, again, you have your cusrtom tunes and always keep the stock tune.
From the sound of it, the dyno tune will always produce the most applicable custom tune and to get the best "multi-tune" setup, I'd need to pay someone to write multiple tunes (tow, perf, etc). Most likely, due to cost restrictions, I'll end up going with a tuner for now.
#15
I do understand that the tuners come with "custom tunes", but was just wondering how an "ordered" custom tune would compare to one written in real time specifically for my truck.
From the sound of it, the dyno tune will always produce the most applicable custom tune and to get the best "multi-tune" setup, I'd need to pay someone to write multiple tunes (tow, perf, etc). Most likely, due to cost restrictions, I'll end up going with a tuner for now.
From the sound of it, the dyno tune will always produce the most applicable custom tune and to get the best "multi-tune" setup, I'd need to pay someone to write multiple tunes (tow, perf, etc). Most likely, due to cost restrictions, I'll end up going with a tuner for now.
On the other hand, I think any of the three tuners usually recommended on this site can get very close with their off the shelf tune. I know I am very happy with mine.
__________________
Jim
Jim