Just bought a used Gryphon....
 

I just purchased a used Gryphon programmer from a local guy. He said Bill did some live tuning with him and his truck. I assumed I could not use these custom tunes....so I downloaded Pegasus and did a firmware and calibration update..There appeared to be 3 version update available so I took the latest one. Hope that was the correct one.

Is it safe to use in my truck now?

Do I need to send in the hex code for future reference? If so, how do I get that code without plugging it into my truck?

Thanks

What truck do you have?
And from what I have seen(im just a new guy here too) you need to plug in the gryphon into your truck to get the hex code, but you only need it if you are going to have Bill do a custom tune for your truck. You can use the gryphon without custom tunes(im doing that now til i can get some more $$) without any damage to the truck versus using stock tunes.
For the version you downloaded i dont know why that wouldnt be the best version to use, so I assume you are fine with using that. I would for sure call PHP for any other questions, they are really great at answering phones now :)

Go ahead and apply any updates for pegasus and then do the gryphon updates. After that it will be safe to plug the programmer into your truck. One of the first screens that come up will have your hex code. Go ahead and write that down. Also fill out your user cp. You do not NEED to have the hex code unless you plan on ordering custom tunes.

We need a teeny bit more information to be able to answer you. Did you and the other guy have the same model year truck "families" - I'm asking, do you and he have 04-08 trucks or, 97-03 trucks? If they are in the same group, I think you are good to go.

Interesting that there were three version updates - the latest would be the ones you want. AND, if you updated the calibrations in Pegasus, you are back to "canned" tunes, and you need to be in this state.

So, assuming you have the same age group trucks, you can simply turn the ignition key in your truck to ON (don't start the engine) and plug the Gryphon in. (The key HAS to be ON when you connect the Gryphon or it won't boot properly.)

From this point, you can program your truck to any of the 3 canned tunes on the Gryphon. I recommend the Level 2 "tow" tune, unless you are using 91+ octane gas. The Level 2 tune is an excellent daily driver tune and I think you'll like how it feels. Don't do any "Custom Tuning" when this is offered. Let it just load the canned tune.

If the Gryphon is from a different year group than your truck, it won't work until Bill does some magic, for a price. Sorry! :shrug:

But, I'm assuming they are from the same year group - so hit [Menu]->[Diagnostics]->[Tech Support]->[Vehicle Info] and ignore any warning messages you might see. I seem to remember you have to get past the first screen you see here by hitting [Enter] and then you see a value of 7 letters and digits ending in ".hex". Mine is "RXCM5E4.HEX" and yours should have a similar form. That's the "hex" code you need.

I think the previous screen had the Gryphon Serial Number, so write that down too. You will need both when you contact PHP for custom tunes.

In the meantime though, just drive the truck on Level 2 and enjoy the improved shifting response, power and possibly better fuel economy!

Edit: I got sidetracked, so these two youngsters beat me to a reply. As you can see, I like to talk more. I also forgot you will see your hex code when you first connect the Gryphon - old age I guess.

- Jack

Thanks for the replies. I tried to call PHP several times yesterday before I went to purchase the tuner, but got no answer.

It is from the same series truck, mine is an 06, his was an 08. I did all the updates on it....and took it out and plugged it into the truck and it seemed to work fine. I have not driven it yet.

Question, are the canned tunes from Gryphon any better than the canned ones from Edge?

Yes.
Level 1 canned tranny only is the same as edge.
Level 2 canned tow Bill has tweeked to run a bit richer to help with people who previously installed CAI's and need/want to use a tune while they wait for their custom tunes.
Level 3 canned performance is tweeked by Bill also but its not recommended to use with a CAI.
CAI=cold air intake.
Peace!:)

OK, I don't have a CAI, but I do have a catback Magnaflow exhaust....so level 2 should be what I use for now?

You can use whatever level you want.
Just make sure to use 87-89oct gas for level 2 and 91-93oct gas for level 3.

OK, thanks for all the info. Where is the best place to read up on custom tunes?

Actually this forum is the best place because any question you can think of has probably been answered one way or another here.

Yeah, but I don't really have time to weed thru all the stuff here. This appears at first glance to be a pretty busy place. I would just like some basic information or a post that outlines the best tunes and their best applications.

There's no such thing as a "best" tune. A towing tune is for towing and low end power. A performance tune will hold the power longer at the upper end of the RPM band. What do YOU need?

- Jack

Well, not exactly sure, but something that will take full advantage of my Magnaflow exhaust. Something that shifts better than stock and takes out the lag when it down shifts. More torque that would allow the truck to pull a slight incline without having to downshift out of OD. I do mostly non highway driving....2 lane roads in moderatly hilly conditions. Most of the time I take it out of OD becuase I hate the shifting back and forth.

OK, now we're getting somewhere. The OD behavior you would specify in your custom tune request. You can also do a lot of that yourself by adjusting the part throttle up/downshift and torque converter lock/unlock points with a Gryphon. Virtually any programmer should reduce the terrible downshift lag you describe.

I doubt there's any performance advantage in the exhaust though. (But I imagine it sounds and looks nice.)

- Jack

I would have no idea how to specify any of this, thus I was looking for some guidance.

So there is more perfoamance enhancement with a CAI than a more free flowing exhaust?

If you already have a CAI then you will be seeing more imrovement. If you dont have a CAI then go with the gotts mod. You will probably see benefits from both but for exhaust the only way to make it more "free flowing" would be to have high flow cats or dual exhaust. The "y" in the exhaust is about where you can draw the line of beneficial changes. Anything after wont have much of an effect while changes ahead probably will except for some combinations involving headers.

I don't have a CAI. Gotts Mod?

I thought you specified it quite well actually. I knew exactly what kind of performance improvements you were looking for in the "tunes", and, so would Bill.

88Racing is our resident expert on exhausts, so I'll let him respond to your post about having the tune take advantage of the exhaust.

I have very strong opinions about CAIs, and think they are a total waste of money that cause nothing but trouble. If you want to improve aspiration, search this forum for the "Gotts Mod". It's a simple, less than $10 mod you can do yourself and it DOES produce benefits.

Please read through this: Q&A About Custom Options It talks about adjustments you can make to your tunes, either custom or canned, that will help with the OD behavior you described.

- Jack

I totally agree with you on CAIs. I think they are a marketing gimick. Kinda like free flow air filters....if you want to see if a free flow filter will provide any more performance, go take out your filter all together and make a short run....can't get any more free flowing than no filter at all.

OK so it appears there is some reading I can do that is more attactive to my situation. I will take a look.

Here's a link for the Gotts mod.
http://forum.gopowerhungry.com/2004-...-pictures.html
As far as exhaust?
Yours is good.
The only thing better is long tubes with high flow cats.
If you do that then your next step will be a supercharger. Don't get all worried about exhaust.
There's a whole lot of changes before the exhaust that will need to be done to take full advantage of it.
Peace!:)