bunch of questions about gryphon for 04-08 f150 5.4

kymudder08 · #1 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 05:35 PM

ok, so im in the market for a programmer and some guys on a couple online forums reccomended the gryphon, especially for the custom tunes. so i checked out the main site and looked around and the price is great compared to others so that was a plus. the big problem is i know NOTHING about programmers, how to used them, how to install custom tunes to the programmer, etc...

can you guys help explain those to me? i read on the main site but it all looks like a foreign language talkin about pegasus and stuff. i have another question. i dont have any performance upgrades YET except for a flowmaster 40series on stock input tubing w/ a little bigger out tubing. i plan on getting a volant cold air intake, an MBRP dual catback, 33-34"x12.50 tires, and thats all i can think performance wise. so if i get the gryphon and list all those things above to get the custom tune, will i still have the stock canned tunes that i can use in the meantime before i get the mods? will the catback exhaust make the truck run anydifferent w/ the stock canned tunes? i have been told that a cold air intake will make the truck run lean w/o the tune. what does "canned tune" mean exactly? how many tunes come on the gryphon? when you get a custom tune, is it just ONE setting and added w/ the stock tunes?

also, i looked at the order form and it looks REALLY confusing. is there anyway i can get a mockup of what exactly is supposed to go in the spaces on the orderform? and i dont order online bc im affraid of IDtheft, so is there anyway i can order buy phone and print the form off and send it by fax?

thanks guys. like i said, im programmer dumb and if i think of anything else ill let 'em fly

***Jackpine*** · #2 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 08:38 PM

They're ALL reasonable questions, kymudder08 - let's see if I can answer at least a few of them.

You CAN fill out, print and FAX the order form if that is what you want to do. You can certainly talk to Corey or Bill before you order, but it may be hard to reach them - they are constantly fielding calls. I think they accept most any kind of payment - credit card, check or paypal.

You did a pretty good job describing your proposed mods here. Just put that information on the form. If you're unsure of anything, leave it blank or show it as "stock".

The Gryphon is EASY to use and install! All you really have to do is read the manual. Honest - installation takes maybe 10 minutes (no tools) and programming takes about 5 minutes. Once you do it, you'll wonder what you were worried about.

It comes with three "generic" (canned) tunes for different driving needs.

1. Transmission only - no modifications to the engine but improved shifting.
2. 87 Octane Tow - modifications to shifting and improved fueling/timing strategies for towing loads in the 5-6K range.
3. 93 Octane Performance - Use this only with 91-93 octane fuel. Timing is advanced, fueling is modified, transmission shift parameters are changed.

When I got mine, I used the 87 Octane Tow tune until I got custom tunes.

Each Custom tune will replace one of the "canned" tunes. I have a custom 87 octane, daily driver tune in place of the Level 1 transmission only tune and a custom 87 octane towing tune in place of the canned Level 2 tow tune. I still have the canned 93 octane tune and never use it.

Pegasus is simply a computer program you download to your PC and you use it to put tunes into your Gryphon. Pegasus is free.

The exhaust mods will probably do very little for the performance of your truck and it should not effect any tune. It may sound nice though.

The intake CAN make your truck run lean, especially if it's a 2004-2005 model. A custom tune can account for this.

Putting larger tires on your truck effectively reduces the gear ratio. It will seem more sluggish. A Gryphon with custom tunes can restore some of that "lost power" feeling.

Hope this all makes sense!

- Jack

kymudder08 · #3 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 09:14 PM

thanks, that helps ALOT. so you can only have 3 tunes on the programmer at once? say i get 1 custom tune, when i remove one of the other tunes and put in the custom tune, will i ever be able to get the canned tune back if need be? how can i turn it back to stock settings for when i go to the dealership for warrenty work? does the canned tunes improve fuel economy? if i get a custom tune for a catback exhaust and a cold air intake, then later on down the road i get bigger than stock tires. will i be able to use that same custom tune and just change the tire size on the programmer or will i have to buy a new tune? do tunes cost more if you buy them AFTER you buy the tuner rather than the same time you buy the tuner? cuz ik that some other companies charge like $30 for a tune the same time you buy a programmer and double that after the fact. how does the programmer mount in the truck? suction cup to the window or do i buy some kind of dash mounted system?

JWBFX4 · #4 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kymudder08

thanks, that helps ALOT. so you can only have 3 tunes on the programmer at once? say i get 1 custom tune, when i remove one of the other tunes and put in the custom tune, will i ever be able to get the canned tune back if need be? how can i turn it back to stock settings for when i go to the dealership for warrenty work? does the canned tunes improve fuel economy? if i get a custom tune for a catback exhaust and a cold air intake, then later on down the road i get bigger than stock tires. will i be able to use that same custom tune and just change the tire size on the programmer or will i have to buy a new tune? do tunes cost more if you buy them AFTER you buy the tuner rather than the same time you buy the tuner? cuz ik that some other companies charge like $30 for a tune the same time you buy a programmer and double that after the fact. how does the programmer mount in the truck? suction cup to the window or do i buy some kind of dash mounted system?

If you put one custom tune on...then the canned tune that you replaced will be gone.

You turn it back to stock just like you program it to a level...very simple operation.

Yes you can use the same tune and just go into custom settings and change the tire size to what you need.

I am not sure, but I do think the tunes are higher if you wait to after the purchase.

I think I answered all the questions...maybe not good enough though

***Longshot270*** · #5 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 10:05 PM

I just got my programmer yesterday but I pick stuff up pretty quick. I cranked my truck for the first time with it at about noon today and have already knocked a few seconds off my 0-60 by tweaking the level 1 (tranny only) file.(currently 3 seconds down from stock w/stopwatch and 1 or 2 from canned lvl. 1).

To adjust for aftermarket parts and tires make a note on your order form about the performance mods and current tires because you can go back and change tire and gear sizes in the tuning menu.

Mounting is the easiest part, it comes with its own little holder ("pod") that Edge charges and extra $45 for, to mount the pod you just push it onto the flat plastic by the driver side pillar and then the programmer just pops into that. Its easy to put in and take off so no worries there.

The main thing to do is like JandJ said, read the manual. I actually downloaded a copy before I filled out my order form so I would know what to expect. Its easier to work than I expected, and it looks good. Just set the truck back to stock before going to the dealership.

I did my research and the edge came up on top and the gryphon is an improvement on that. So even if my custom tune doesn't come in, Im still happy because I'm still getting a deal.

***Jackpine*** · #6 Tue, July 28th, 2009, 11:57 PM

Do you still have questions? These guys are trying to put me out of business!

- Jack

kymudder08 · #7 Wed, July 29th, 2009, 02:54 PM

so you can change the tire size on the custom tunes? what does the level 1 tranny tune and level 2 tow tune mean? like do the levels mean what mode, such as level 1 is the first tune, level 2 is 2nd tune, etc? what custom tunes would you reccomend for me, heres some info that you may need:
most i would tow at this current point in time is a 6k lbs bumper pull camper
only performance mods i would add is a CAI, full catback exhaust, and maybe some aftermarket filters.
i dont ever use any fuel other than 87 octane so any tune using other fuels is useless to me.
my driving style is moderate to normal. my truck has never seen RPMs over 3k and usally never over 2500 RPM. i drive w/ sense, unlike most other kids my age. lol. i drive for a living so i have do be a sensable driver so that bad habbits dont go to the job.
if theres anymore info that i should add just LMK.

so how much is just the programmer w/ canned tunes? is the pod an extra $45 or does it come w/ the tuner? cuz the way you said it, it sounds as if you were saying that edge charges extra for it and when you buy it its just added into the cost of the tuner itself. im deffinately getting a gryphon when im ready to purchase bc of the many great things that i have read and heard about it.