Gryphon on a 7.3L

muns53 · #1 Sun, September 13th, 2009, 10:19 PM

Forgot to mention, from my own research, it appeared that the Gryphon with Bill's custom tunes (and the included pyrometer) was much cheaper than the buying a chip, 3 guages, a guage pod, and code reader reader software separately.

soutthpaw · #2 Sun, September 13th, 2009, 11:40 PM

I think you can get a scan gauge II that will work on the 7.3's for about $150 and it will monitor all the factory available variables. It will read and reset DTC's Too not sure about the diesels though. Also some of us old school guys just prefer dial over digital gauges.

renyren · #3 Sun, September 13th, 2009, 11:43 PM

Muns53 having the all in one package is what got me interested in the gryphon. I was told it is the same tunes that they put on the chip. How is the driveability and responsiveness since the gryphon was installed? Did you get the 65, 80, 100 setting? I am not opposed to doing seperate gauges and a chip but why if I don't have to. Have you tried the 100hp setting? Did your MPG improve at all?

muns53 · #4 Mon, September 14th, 2009, 10:46 PM

Ren,

The tunes are the same in the programmer as the chip. However, the tunes that come with the programmer are factory Edge tunes. So, you want to order 3 of Bill's tunes to download. I originally was running the 65Tow, 80Performance and Fuel Sipper. Now, I have 65VeggieTow, 80Diesel and 80Veggie. (I run my Ex on filtered waste veg oil.)

I was having fun with the stock tunes, then when I downloaded Bill's tunes, I was REALLY much happier. More power, better shifting, better fuel economy.

My Ex got about 12.5 mpg when it was stock. I did the Tymar/Zoodad and 4" exhaust and that went up a couple mpg. Then, I installed the Vegistroke and veg oil does a little lower mpg than diesel. Then, I got the Gryphon and they went up a lot... then even more on the custom tunes. So, right now, on veg I average 16 mpg town / 18-19 mpg highway on veg. (And I slam it all the time, just to smoke it up and toss the Ex around.) On diesel that should be 2 mpg higher - and I believe pickups get better mileage than Excursions. So, if you're burning D2 in a pickup with the same mods as me, I guess you should be averaging 18-20 mpg around town and 20-22 mpg highway.

Talk to Bill about the power levels, but I decided to stick with the 80 because longevity on my motor/tranny was the most important thing to me. I don't know if that's valid thinking, but that's where I'm at for now. I admit, I am curious about the 100/120 HP tunes though... maybe someday, I'll do more with my motor (injectors, head studs, big oil, turbo, and hotter tuning), but for now, I'm good.

FYI - last time I ran my 0-60 time on the 80 tune (with 40 gallons of veg and 10 gallons of diesel and three passengers), it was 7.2 seconds. Don't really know how that compares to other folks, but I'm pretty happy for an 8,000 lb truck.

Diesel Rookie · #5 Mon, September 14th, 2009, 11:32 PM

I was going through the same issue when I was looking for a programmer for my truck (2003 7.3L).

I chose the FU2 package and am very happy. I did install a gauge pod one the pillar and am very happy. For me the analoge gages are easier to read than my buddies digital (that is only my opinion).

I also find it very convienient to be able to switch on the fly. I have been doing a lot of landscaping lately and hauling between 9-10,000 lbs of rock and concrete in a dump trailer and being able to switch between tow modes at the landfill once unloaded has been convenient. Plus sometimes it is fun to put it in 120HP race and smoke the imports.

I also like the flexibility of the chip over the gryphon for its retuning ease. Bill just sends you updates or new tunes and you can load them from home.

I currently run

1. High Idle 1100RPM (great for warmup or getting the ac going)
2. 80HP daily driver
3. 80 HP fuel sipper
4. 65 HP tow
5. 25 HP tow
6 120 HP race

I am seeing 16-17 HP around town and 19-20 on the freeway depending on driving conditions.

renyren · #6 Wed, September 16th, 2009, 12:57 AM

Sounds like your truck is a daily driver. I will only put about 5000 miles a year on my truck and will mostly use it for camping with our trailer or going to the snow. I am just not sure I would switch back and fourth between 6 positions. I was hoping there would be more responses from actual people running the gryphon.

***cleatus12r*** · #7 Wed, September 16th, 2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renyren

Sounds like your truck is a daily driver. I will only put about 5000 miles a year on my truck and will mostly use it for camping with our trailer or going to the snow. I am just not sure I would switch back and fourth between 6 positions. I was hoping there would be more responses from actual people running the gryphon.

You don't have to fill all 6 positions. You can have as little as one or two and it is QUITE affordable that way.

Unfortunately, you won't get too many responses from people running any kind of programmer because they have gotten to the point where they are too expensive and too inconvenient to use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Rookie

I chose the FU2 package and am very happy. I did install a gauge pod one the pillar and am very happy. For me the analoge gages are easier to read than my buddies digital (that is only my opinion).

Analog gauges ARE easier to read, it's scientific fact that the human brain recognizes physical movement a lot more readily than an increase of a digital readout. Besides, there is a certain "refresh rate" built into digital instrumentation and it's basically the delay encountered during quick input changes when the digital readout skips a few numbers on its way up that drives a lot of folks insane. It's why I won't buy a sport bike with a digital speedometer.

Sorry, renyren, I don't have any good news for you.

***Power Hungry*** · #8 Sun, September 20th, 2009, 01:04 AM

Ren,

As Cody indicated, we don't sell very many of the Gryphons on the 7.3L because (1) they have fewer calibrations and (2) they don't have the shift-on-the-fly capability that so many people like.

The tuning for the Gryphon will be the same as that for the Phoenix (including FU and FU2) chips and we can even compensate for the unruly and undesirable calibrations for the most part.

What is boils down to is what makes the most sense for you. Yeah, the Gryphon doesn't have an analog needle to catch your eye, but it does offer visual and audible alerts (flashing display and warning beep) when certain parameters reach a predefined (by you) setting.

The folks that do run the programmer are usually quite happy with it as it fits a specific set of needs quite well. For those who prefer to be able to switch and play, the chip is a more desirable way to go.

I hope this helps.

renyren · #9 Sun, September 27th, 2009, 08:01 PM

I will only put about 5000 miles a year on the truck and just want to get better MPG and more power for towing my 6000 lb camping trailer. I need gauges so that is why I am interested in the gryphon. I don't know how much people need to switch settings. most people say to get a chip but for the reason of being able to shift on the fly. If you can put the same tunes on the gryphon then if I want to change tunes down the road if I get a bigger trailer I can buy it and download it from your site right?

travisunderwood · #10 Fri, January 1st, 2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

Ren,

As Cody indicated, we don't sell very many of the Gryphons on the 7.3L because (1) they have fewer calibrations and (2) they don't have the shift-on-the-fly capability that so many people like.

The tuning for the Gryphon will be the same as that for the Phoenix (including FU and FU2) chips and we can even compensate for the unruly and undesirable calibrations for the most part.

What is boils down to is what makes the most sense for you. Yeah, the Gryphon doesn't have an analog needle to catch your eye, but it does offer visual and audible alerts (flashing display and warning beep) when certain parameters reach a predefined (by you) setting.

The folks that do run the programmer are usually quite happy with it as it fits a specific set of needs quite well. For those who prefer to be able to switch and play, the chip is a more desirable way to go.

I hope this helps.

I have read this whole thread and left with some unclarities.

- Can both the chip and the gryphon adjust speedo for wheel size changes?
- What about the stock computer code does the chip bypass and the gryphon does not?
- will one see better MPG with the chip codes over the gryphon?
- Both options appear to do shift points, is one easier on the tranny?
- I have a 99 F250 7.3 - does the gryphon have an egt probe to read temp, or would I still need a an egt gauge?

Here are my goals:

- Driveability for highway and travel with the maximum MPG possible. Not looking for the most HP, smoke, etc.
- Light towing
- occasional 'fun' factor
- eventually will go to veggie conversion with a dual tank system
- reliability - could be taking this rig south of the border to costa rica

Truck has 141,000 on it, brand new to me. 4inch exhaust, stock injectors, k&n filter (will replace with new intake - not sure on DIY or manufactured one), 4inch lift, larger tires (spacing onthe size and it is -8 outside right now)

I am only really interested in mods that really help MPG for long distance traveling, of course some performance gains will be great.

Thanks
Travis