Xcal3 custom tuned by a reputable tuner like VMP Tuning.

LOL, it's a joke. These PCMs cannot be "chipped". It's just a scam.

 

If the topic is still about programmers, the best to buy is from Edge Products. Dash mount and many options, you can see everything when your driving. I bought mine on Ebay for $275 4 years ago. Edge is supposed to add 35 HP. Didn't really notice a great difference when I added it because I added it at the same time as my Banks headers and my throttle body spacer. If you have the money, might as well buy it.

 

You will see a plethora of recommendations here with multiple citations referencing the Edge and Gryphon products. You can elect to use a handheld programmer which does NOT stay in the truck or you can spend the few extra bucks and get something that rides int he cab with you. I wouldn't get your hopes up about the gas mileage increase. I have seen a marked increase in mileage with the handheld Diablo Predator I recently purchased. I have a 41 mile commute each way via freeways and a toll road. Where as I was pulling into the parking lot averaging 17.5-18, I am at a consistent 19 mpg right now.....until I put my foot in it. Which is why I got the programmer, to wake the truck up. So my suggestion is to get a programmer for performance and not mileage. Adjust your driving habits and you will reap the gains of the programmer. Keep your foot in it and smile away, just not while you are at the pump lol. On a side note I am posting the truck for sale in lieu of my commute. It does feel a little egregious to drive the beast on such a commute. I purchased her while I was with my previous company which employed a gratuitous virtual office schedule and yet the office was only 4 miles from my residence. Got it for thousands under loan value. I find myself in an interesting predicament with gas prices on the rise and yet I am not upside down on the truck. At the end of the day I like to put my foot in it and a car would be more "practical" if you will...just another 2 cents to consider.

 

With regards to “Chips” and “Tuners”, years ago it was the best that most could do to enhance the ignition timing, fuel curve, transmission shift points, etc. It was (and still is) very important that a person verifies that the “Tuner” is ASE certified in both ECM and Transmission programming and IMHO be have current certification by the OEM whose vehicle you want to modify. There are plenty of persons who advertise their programs to be the best and even offer custom tunes, but in all reality, very few actually have credentials in these areas- but that’s not to say that some of these “geniuses” haven’t really caused damage to a few vehicles- just jump over to flatratetech.com and read just some of the comments from the MSE techs!. Perhaps what is equally important is the parameters that can be adjusted are set by the OEM vehicle software…so there is really no “magic” in what they are doing anyway.

IMHO, if you live near any major city there are excellent tuning specialists with dynos who for the same price (if not less) will tune your vehicle taking into consideration your specific needs including environmental conditions, for your specific vehicle. IMHO, the best bang for the buck!

If you are comfortable and understand how to tune a vehicle, you can also do this yourself. There are several software programs available, that “Speak Common English” that will allow you to tune your vehicles ECM. One company is HP Tuners, they have a website….they offer two core programs, one for those who are doing dyno tuning and one for the home-garage mechanic (which is priced at about the same as most of the “canned tunes on the market) …this version limits the span of adjustments as a safeguard against doing something outside of the oem scope……basically, keeps you from doing something “too stupid by accident” (grin)- but you must have an understanding of how/why you are adjusting fuel mixture and ignition timing