FStorm150

Basically I'm just gunna share my experience with the Gryphon since I've had it over the past month or two. FYI I'm running it on my 05 XLT 5.4.

I have to say that at this point, I have mixed feelings about it to say the least. The positives are that it does improve the throttle response and added power, improving shift points, timing, etc. I've noticed slightly better MPG's, but not much. Seeing as I have a few mods to my truck such as dual exhaust and CAI I decided to get a custom tune so that the Gryphon would take advantage of the mods, rather than running a stock tune. PHP only offers 2 kinds of custom tunes, either performance or tow. So I went with performance, which I'm beginning to think was a mistake. First of all, I don't drive my truck to race it or go extremely fast. I try to take it easy on the throttle at all costs, driving it like an "old man" if you will. Well having the added power makes it somewhat hard to do this, and therefore my MPG's suffer. Honestly I've only noticed about 1 mpg better, both on the Gryphon's avg. economy reading and by hand calculation at each fill up. I didn't expect the MPG's to increase dramatically, but with my mods I was hoping to see at least a gain of 2.

Also with the performance tune, I'm not liking the way my tranny feels when downshifting or pulling out on an incline. I tend to feel it kicking a lot more, and it never did that when it ran on stock. I feel as if it's ultimately going to harm the tranny if I keep running it this way. Another thing I noticed, and maybe this is just something that's in my head, but it seems as if the "diesel-type" sound at idle is amplified even more with the custom tune running. It was noticeable before I got the programmer, but to me it sounds like it got louder since I've had it.

I don't know... just not sure how to feel about it. It's nice having it to show live readings on my dash, but if I'm not gunna use a tune with it, it just becomes an expensive gauge on my dash. I've returned the truck to stock to see how it does, and so far I haven't felt the kick in the tranny like I was. I really wish PHP offered a custom economy type tune, because I feel like the performance tune is meant more for a combination of speed and power and not so much every day driving.

Just sharing my thoughts is all. Let me know what you guys think.

Especial86

iTrader: (1)

You should have got the tow tune... It has more power off the line then the performance tune, and gets better milage too... Call PHP and order a tow tune. You only tried 1 tune so far... Most of us tend to prefer the tow tune over performance anyways... Economy is a tranny only tune, you prob will dislike that even more then performance...
Get the 89 tow tune, you can run 93 with it and it will definitely change your mind, milage wise, and useable power wise... I'm not a huge fan of my performance tune either. But under certain circumstances, like an empty bed, or long highway drives it shines nicely... Daily driving is best with my tow tune... I have an edge CS, 5.4 3v 4wd, rear cat delete with duals, Volant CAI, a level, 35's on 20's and about 4 - 500 lbs of tools in my truck daily... I'm getting around 12-13 city, 16 -17 highway... With 33's I was getting 13.5 - 14 city, and 17 highway... With 93 octane I get my best milage in my 89 tow tune...

FStorm150

I wouldn't be opposed to trying the tow tune, but I'm still concerned about the kick I'm feeling in my tranny. Will I experience it with the tow tune as well? And the cam phaser/diesel issue?

FStorm150

Bump

chris.c

The "kick" you are noticing is the transmission shifting faster. This is better for it than the stock sloppy slip shifts. The quicker the shift, the less the slip, the less parts are wearing.

wrvond

The tow tune shifts are more crisp than stock, but far milder than performance. Especial86 is exactly right.

FStorm150

Thanks guys

60DRB

You would hate a "mileage tune" as it would take away all vestiges of any power/performance. I find the best mileage comes from staying the hell out of traffic lights/town, and getting to cruise speed as quickly as possible (without doing burnouts to that speed). I have noticed "0" difference in mileage between the tow-vs-performance canned tunes, although I do like the performance tune around town (except for the higher cost of high octane fuel). With either tune I see about 16 mpg in town and about 19 highway. That's in a 4x4 SCAB with the 4.6L.

FStorm150

I returned the truck to stock yesterday just to see how the truck would react. I didn't notice the kick anymore, nor was the diesel sound nearly as loud. I don't know... leaning more and more towards getting rid of the Gryphon.

Reny28

If you do, then unlock it, and I would be interested in it.