So we got our taxes done, and the wife has ok'd the purchase of a tuner... and I have had my eye on a Livewire TS for a while... so that's not the question...

I am needing advice on WHO should be the tuner. I know Matt@Gearhead and Innovative Diesel are popular on FTE. Is there anyone else I should consider? Pros and Cons for anyone? Does any of them give an FTE discount? I am looking to purchase one really soon (like 3-5 days)

I have head studs, 4" catback exhaust, I do tow a 5k trailer 5-7 times a year. Would like it to bump the mpg's a little bit so I can convince the wife to let me take the Ex more often then the F150. pretty much stock and 175k miles.

Thanks for the advice

-The Great

 

I love my tunes from Matt.

 

I'm in the same boat Cept wife won't know about it lol. I am trying to decide between the live wire TS and and the itsx that you can just use your phone with.

 

A lot of us use Matt at Gearhead, as do I.

Others are

Eric at innovative
Vivian at quicktricks
And KEM

 

Get 1 from each and try for yourself. It's hard to go wrong with either, although I only have experience with Eric. I think either one will tweak for you as well.

 

Chris @ TSD

Josh

 

I can speak for:

-Gearhead Tunes (Matt)
-Truck Source Diesel (Chris)
-Quick Tricks Auto (Vivian)

Matt and Chris write awesome linear tunes that have power throughout the RPMs. Matt's SRL (Street Race Lite) and Chris' Super Panty (Dropper) make an insane amount of power while delivering good fuel economy.

Vivian tunes a little different and has more of a light switch effect. You basically have a tune that has nice on-road manners, but when you mash it, all hell breaks loose and your truck goes from calm to BEAST.

You can't go wrong with any of the above, it doesn't cost much to try them all and see which one you and your truck likes best.

 

That is awesome info! I have to spread the reps around - for now..

 

Any reviews for innovative? Do any offer an FTE discount or a discount for buying tuner with tunes? Are any of the tuners active on FTE? Thanks for all the GREAT info guys

-The Great

 

My general impression is Eric was the go to guy back in the day, but the others have seemed to surpass him.

FWIW Eric wrote the canned SCT tunes.

Josh

 

More detail on my experience with IDP, I'm running his Extreme Street and am very happy with it. It's very drivable yet when you want some, you get some. It's clean and strong. I just emailed him about cols starts and a FICM tune that's on the way and within 24 hours he sent a tweaked tune to address cold starts (which might not have been a problem, more later) and to better work with the Atlas 40 FICM tune.

Cold starts I think I may have fixed with HSS clearing up a stiction issue I didn't realize I had. I'm leaving it outside tonight for a cold front and in the AM I'll see. So far it's starting and idling unlike it has in a very long time. But not touching the tune and starting it in the cold without cycling the GP's will be a huge test.

I do want to try tunes from others but I want to get other things out of the way too so I have a better baseline. I like what I'm reading about Gearhead's tunes and even PHP where the FICM tune it coming from. I think a lot of them have gotten good enough, safe enough that it's coming down to personal preference in how a truck responds. Eric told me the original tune I sent back to him had more of a race tune feel, so now I know I like that. The truck is super responsive and easy to drive.

 

I think when you order the X3 from quick tricks (Vivian) you get lifetime free tunes,or something like that.

 

I am real happy with PHP, I have the 140hp and 65hp Tow, waiting on the 80hp daily drive. I have tried Looney and Tony Wildman's Extreme.

 

Well I decided to go with Matt @ Gearhead. Supposed to receive Livewire next week. I found a GREAT deal on the Livewire TS....Thanks again for all your help!

-The Great