Trying to decide

bml · #1 Sun, March 27th, 2011, 02:22 PM

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I'm in the research phase of my truck mods at the moment. I'm not quite ready to spend the money yet, though hopefully it will be soon. I tend to be a bit anal about some things, researching them until my head hurts.

Anyway, my one of my dilemmas is what tuner/chip to buy. I have been reading several diesel forums and have read probably a hundred great reviews about DP-Tuner. When I went to their website and found that they were a located about 40 minutes down the road from me, that pretty much settled my decision on DP-Tuner. While there are other tuners that offered great tunes all across the country, I wanted to support the local folks, provided the products were of comparable quality and performance. Since DP-tuner was a local company, with a reputation for quality, performance and customer service, it was an easy decision for me.

Well, a few days ago, I ran across a thread on The Diesel Stop forum that complicated things for me a bit. It was the first time I had heard of PHP. After some more research,

I found PHP to have the exact same things that I valued in DP-Tuner.

Can someone help point out any differences between the two different companies and their products? I know that DP-Tuner offers a digital readout for the selected tune, and that they offer a 16 position chip. Those are the main differences I noticed. The digital readout is a plus, but not a deal breaker for me. As far as the ability for 16 different tunes is concerned, I certainly don't plan on that many right away, but who knows what will happen down the road.

Like I said, I'm not quite ready to spend the cash yet, and I still have to get a set of gauges first. I just want to be as informed as possible about my purchases. Thanks in advance.

cj45lc · #2 Mon, March 28th, 2011, 09:07 AM

I would suggest you check out the PSD Engine Failure thread, it's a sticky at the top of the '99-'03 7.3. Just sayin'

dietoremain · #3 Mon, March 28th, 2011, 01:43 PM

No offense to DP but his tunes in the past have been known to have TOO much advanced timing and create issues.. thats all i'll say. I will say that there are many others running his tunes with no problems either.. yet i will stick with PHP because of their quality, knowledge, and customer service, bill and corey and cody are awesome people and you cant find many like them.

And oh im pretty sure DP chips can only be reburnt by DP, PHP uses a standard ts chip which can have tunes from anyone.. not just them.

And if you want more than 6 tunes get the FU package, its what i have, worth it! I just programmed my first 6, and it'll be no prob to switch it again when i feel like.

bml · #4 Mon, March 28th, 2011, 08:16 PM

I just talked to a fella from The Diesel Stop, who lives near me. He has a PHP chip with similar tunes to what I'm wanting, so he's gonna give me a ride.

I'm looking forward to it! BTW, he was very happy with his PHP chip.

dietoremain · #5 Tue, March 29th, 2011, 06:46 PM

Just installed my FU last night, must say its blowing my mind.

***907DAVE*** · #6 Tue, March 29th, 2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dietoremain

And oh im pretty sure DP chips can only be reburnt by DP, PHP uses a standard ts chip which can have tunes from anyone.. not just them.

That is correct, once you go DP....you are stuck with DP.

And honestly, why the heck would anyone need 16 different positions for?

Not a bash on DP or their products, just my opinion.

bml · #7 Wed, March 30th, 2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 907DAVE

And honestly, why the heck would anyone need 16 different positions for?

True, but I may one day want more than six, ya never know.

The folks at a diesel shop near me have a very positive write up online about a PHP chip. I've never been to this diesel shop, but I'm gonna drop by soon and talk to the folks. I need to build a good relationship with a good shop, so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

bml · #8 Thu, March 31st, 2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bml

True, but I may one day want more than six, ya never know.

The folks at a diesel shop near me have a very positive write up online about a PHP chip. I've never been to this diesel shop, but I'm gonna drop by soon and talk to the folks. I need to build a good relationship with a good shop, so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

I went by and spoke with the folks at my local diesel shop. It looks as though I will be using them for any work outside my DIY comfort zone. They have very good references online, and the folks gave me the impression I was looking for.

As far as my chip selection is concerned, I'm leaning to one of the FU PHP chips now. The mechanic I talked to today, had very high remarks for both DP-Tuner and PHP, but he was so impressed by PHP, that I'm confident in my choices now.

bml · #9 Sun, April 3rd, 2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bml

I just talked to a fella from The Diesel Stop, who lives near me. He has a PHP chip with similar tunes to what I'm wanting, so he's gonna give me a ride.

I'm looking forward to it! BTW, he was very happy with his PHP chip.

Went for a ride today and I must say WOW!!! I gotta get me on of these!!!! Granted, his truck had a manual tranny, and mine is an auto, but DAMN!! I was impressed. He had stock, lope idle, 140, 100, 60, & 20 hp tunes, IIRC. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the lope idle tune, but I never planned on getting one of those anyway. I'll prolly get a Whisper tune in place of the lope. Heck, I thought the 80 HP tune was VERY impressive, but the 140 was EXTREME.

I'm, not sure if I have PMR's though, so I may not be able to get the 140 tune.

dietoremain · #10 Tue, April 5th, 2011, 01:05 AM

glad to hear you enjoyed.. yeah bills tunes wake you up, thats for sure, lol.