Custom Tune Usability Question and Major Props
 

First major props to the gang at PHP for the super quick turn around on my custom 87 performance tune. Sent in my HEX code on 11/14 and received an email back from Cody last night stating that it was ready to download. I couldn't have dreamed that it would be ready that quick. In fact, it was ready so quick it leads to my question.

I assumed (yes I know what they say about assuming) that it would take about 4-6 weeks to get my custom tune so I planned ahead and had the custom tune wrote for a dual system with an X-pipe and Magnapacks. But I haven't had time to put this system on yet. In fact I haven't even ordered it because I've been buying Christmas gifts for others before myself, :). Right now I am running a SIDO Flowmaster 40 series. Can I run the 87 custom tune for the time being without messing something up or should I run the canned 87 tow until I can switch out the exhaust?

Thanks for the help and again all I can say is WOW for how fast the turn around was.

It shouldn't hurt anything to try but just don't rod the piss out of it........if any issues due occour immediately change tunes.

Haven't been hot rodding with my 87 tow canned tunes. In fact I've went the other way and am trying to see how high up I can get the average economy numbers. Guess that's a sign that I am getting old, :lol:.

More likely a sign you're getting "smart"! :thumbs up yellow:

- Jack

Yeah, I read on F150Online where people can't stay off the throttle but I am trying to stay out of the throttle. Though every once and a while I will gun it, :D. I can definitely say that the Gryphon is helping me drive smarter.

I am jealous...I sent in my hex in October and am still patiently waiting!

You'd be suprised at how good tuning and a smart pedal makes mileage go up. I'm getting better mileage now than I ever have.

Have you checked pegasus? Sometimes their emails get blocked by the various internet filters.

Don't post it here....
Call PHP!

Update:

Got my Custom 87 Performance tune installed this evening and it seems sluggish compared to the canned 87 tow tune. Closer to stock than it is to the 87 tow tune. I am sure this is due to the tune being wrote for the true duals so I am switching back to the 87 tow tune for the time being.

The "performance tune" you got, judging from your earlier remarks, is possibly geared more towards fuel economy and highway cruising.

You're going to feel more "oomph" right away in the tow tune since it's set up to get your truck and the load it's pulling, moving away from a standstill. That's where the tow tune has to do its work. Once the whole mess is up to speed, the additional power requirement is reduced.

- Jack

Is that standard that the tow tune has greater acceleration in general? When PHP customizes a peformance tune can they tune towards fuel economy or power? I guess I could take the same exact truck and get too totally different 87 performance custom tunes out of it based on the driving interests. Not that I am complaining I just like the knowledge and find it very interesting. I've tried to read up on all the posts, here and F150Online, but nothing beats firsthand info.

Kinda yeah. But gotta be careful with words like "general" as blanket statements dont always work. :giggle: The tow tune uses a bit more fueling and later shift points, because like Jack said, they are intended to get loads moving and keep them moving. That doesn't always work great for fuel economy and can sometimes be lacking on the really upper end of the power range but there are exceptions. Heavier trucks and bigger tires are among these exceptions because the boosted torque helps get them moving more efficiently. The performance tunes are improved in other areas and with a light pedal can help mileage, but again there are exceptions. Look at some of the threads from late 2009, I remember some interesting discussions like this one.
http://forum.gopowerhungry.com/close...lug-times.html

A good portion of that "closed support issues" section could be rendered into a book.

Wow, that's some good reading. I'll have to dig into it when I have time. Still probably won't understand everything that'ls being said, :giggle:. And using "general" is habit with me. I'm in an industry where you must have qualifiers to give yourself wiggle room if the unexpected happens. It's the never say "shall" say "should" type of thing. Thanks to all for the help.

In that thread we broke things down pretty simple. It'll really show how a change in one area could have a result in another.

Haha, yeah I've had jobs like that. Now I'm going into a field of science where the general terms can sometimes have different connotations and give people the wrong impression of a situation. :giggle:

I did call PHP. I was just saying I was jealous. Jeez! I don't hijack posts or clog them with junk. I thought it was relevant. Please forgive me almighty senior moderator...

As far as the performance tunes go, I would have never assumed a "performance" tune would feel sluggish. Increased fuel economy doesn't always translate to increased acceleration or what I think of when "performance" comes to mind. I expected a custom performance tune to increase fuel economy, but more than that, performance. I am excited to see what my tunes are like!

There is a difference between a performance tune and an economy tune. If you ordered a performance tune and listed that you wanted good fuel economy then part of the performance aspect may suffer due to fuel trims, shift points and many other options to be adjusted for better economy. Also, increased acceleration ususally translates to lower fuel economy if you are constantly making use of the faster acceleration. The biggest impact of fuel economy isn't the programming but the driver input.

If there is a difference between a performance tune and an economy tune, you should be able to order either a performance tune or and economy tune. I know there is a box on the order form that asks for information on driving style/altitude/towing weight/etc. I stated on my order form along with my altitude and towing weight that my truck is my daily driver. I am now worried that my tune is going to be written as a economy tune. I ordered a performance tune for just that...performance. Maybe PHP should make an economy tune as an option in addition to a tow and performance tune.

If you didn't specify for economy oriented tunes then you'll be fine. They used to offer economy tunes but people didn't like them. They were sluggish and didn't always guarantee better mileage. Like all tunes, they required driver participation for the intended effect. You can have a fuel efficient program but you wont get good mileage if you spend most of your driving time with the pedal nailed to the floor.