WVMoose

iTrader: (2)

Pretty sold on getting 5 star tunes with an Ngauge, I was really pondering the Ez-lynk with adaptive tunes from Brew City Boost but think I’m sticking with my original plan.

going on a 2017 3.5 EB. I want to wake the truck up but I’m not drag racing or anything so I don’t need to push the limits. I was thinking an adaptive tune (might run all the time but it’s nice to have if I’m ever without 93), the 93 perf/tow, and the 93 perf.

i run 93 octane in it now, the only gas options for me are 87, 89, and 93 (all up to 10 per ethanol).

thoughts?

HRDROKN

I'm thinking about the same 5* and Ngauge with a 91 perf/tow for daily driver... keeping a 87 tune on standby just in case.

WVMoose

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking to have the 87 on standby but from what I read, a lot of folks like the adaptive tune only...i wouldn’t mind seeing dyno numbers.

ive always read that these engines teeter on the edge while running 87, so was thinking about running a 89 perf as the daily but keep going back and forth.

im just hesitant because I bought custom tunes for my 2014 Ram when I had it, it was fun, but could never get traction and was close to dangerous in the rain. I want something in the middle but still worth the $699 price tag?

ThreeRiversPlinker

I have a 2018 5.0 but similarly only run 93 in the truck. I plan to get 91 perf tow for daily, E85 perf, 93 perf for fun, and 89 perf tow mostly for when I'm out of state and can only get 91 octane fuel. I like the idea of some safety margin not trusting entirely the numbers on the pump match what's in the stations tank. I have questions on the adaptive but that would be most convenient.

WVMoose

iTrader: (2)

i was slightly worried about the “actual” octane numbers as well. But 5 star does offer 92 and 91. Yeah, I’m pretty interested in the adaptive tune, which is why I haven’t ruled out Brew City Boost yet...they offer 2 adaptive tunes and it’s about 100-150 dollars cheaper.

ThreeRiversPlinker

More food for thought on cost and the devices. I emailed 5* with questions about their combo deal pricing and their new HP tuner device RTD. They don't yet offer one for it. After reading about BDX quality complaints here and expressing my concerns, they said they'll stand behind it and help with any problems before referring me to SCT for warranty repairs. Reportedly BDX QC is hit or miss. They said for my truck they still recommend the BDX for tune change convenience and monitoring. I imagine your plans are different but I have no plans to leave it connected or mount it anywhere and the savings over the nGauge are significant. Over the RTD not as much, but their point that you need to haul a laptop around to update the truck with the RTD has some merit. They have the one variable octane tune. I'm still on the fence over whether to go with a CAI BDX combo or just the BDX.

WVMoose

iTrader: (2)

funny you say that.

i reached out to them and asked what tuner they recommended and they said the BDX. I don’t need to monitor anything. From reading on here and Facebook, the HP tuners are better for 10spd, less issues, and so forth. I was only going with Ngauge because I have an apple so it’s either that or the BDX with cloud tunes.

BCB pushed the ezlynk on me but that’s even more expensive.

maybe since I’m on the fence I should just grab the BDX from Brew City and throw an adaptive tune on it. That way if I want to change things or am unhappy, I’m not out too much.

2017bluetruck

The BDX and other SCT/BullyDog tuners are getting lots of complaints with corrupted files, that's why BCB recommends an EZLink or NGuage (they do sell them) over the BDX. For what that's worth the problems center around later 18-19-20"s and the 10 speed trans. BCB is my tuning shop and I have a GTX (with a worse reputation, but mine works fine) on a 2017 6 speed 2.7. The caned tunes MacGyver for towing and Highlander performance are very good and octane adjusting. Have run the Highlander for 2 years now and it's my regular tune, the custom 93 octane is saved for good weather.
I can only comment on BCB as I own no other tunes but will verify excellent highway performance and fuel mileage with the BCB Highlander, I average 20+ mpg combined and 27+ on long drives and use whatever octane available on cross-country trips without a problem. KM

Sharkhunt

Fwiw, a gentler throttle position map will help with the wet pavement behavior. All the solid tuning outfits will map your throttle however you like. Don’t avoid a tune(r) that makes solid power before discussing the wet pavement concerns with them.

I generally have no problems in the rain, but sometimes I forget and mat it when someone comes ripping up from behind, and hey, our traction control systems’ response time is just above nothing flat lol. Seriously though, unless you’re just hooning it up, the traction system will keep you (mostly) in line until you turn it off.

ABYSS

I have tried 5 Star (93 perf & Adaptive), BCB (Highlander) & Gearhead (Adaptive Perf). They are all great at “waking the truck up”. The 5 Star 93 perf is fun and the BCB is no slouch either but for me, the Gearhead tune is the best for daily driving. It doesn’t have as much tip in as the others so keeping it under control is not an issue. The shifting on it is darn near perfect and it still pulls very hard if you want/need it to.