Tunes 101

nikhsub1 said:

If you aren't going to run the best fuel possible, why bother tuning?

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Obviously the cost. If I’m on a lengthy road trip, burning 91 to cruise seems a waste if there’s no harm in lower octane. I had read one tune that accepted a variety of octanes (can’t remember the source) while others it is strongly recommended you use the higher octane no matter what.

Troutrad said:

Obviously the cost. If I’m on a lengthy road trip, burning 91 to cruise seems a waste if there’s no harm in lower octane. I had read one tune that accepted a variety of octanes (can’t remember the source) while others it is strongly recommended you use the higher octane no matter what.

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Yes but you realize that when you run low octane gas - even on the stock tune, you have the knock sensors working over time backing timing off to avoid detonation. This means detonation is happening, then the computer compensating.

If you want Pro tuning I can help. I tune exclusively on the COBB platform. One nice thing about the COBB Accessport is it has lower octane maps built into it for those long trips you mentioned. I would however also make you a custom tune file for your fuel and environment. All we have is 91oct available here locally too so I'm very familiar with the quality

Troutrad said:

Appreciate both posts. But now I’m paralyzed..haha. I do feel like I’m willing to take a risk but want to keep it to a known tried and true product and service. Any recommendations? My Max octane is 91 though would be nice to run 89 or 87 without causing problems.

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Why be cheap on fuel? Did you buy a Prius?

Russ103 said:

Why be cheap on fuel? Did you buy a Prius?

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May just be where he is located as it’s hard to come by something like 93 in certain markets....giving troutrad the benefit of the doubt since he’s a good dude....

I’m all 93, all the time....

alphatwox said:

May just be where he is located as it’s hard to come by something like 93 in certain markets....giving troutrad the benefit of the doubt since he’s a good dude....

I’m all 93, all the time....

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He was talking about tuning and using 87...

nikhsub1 said:

He was talking about tuning and using 87...

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No I gotcha..he also said his max was 91...which if that’s all I could get I would be hitting that 100% of the time.

But hey, different strokes for different folks...he won’t get full power, but if he needs to save some cash, it’s all good.

It was Gearhead Tunes that is variable. Have read some pretty positive stuff on the forums about them and kinda leaning that way. There was a very good Tune discussion in the forum from 2017 pretty much ended in 3/18 but I’m sure a lot has changed since then and the tunes have become more refined.

Any experience with Gearhead tunes?

I have had a Gearhead tune, dyno'd at their shop, for the last 10k. Only one issue and not really worth mentioning but bad fuel was the culprit and not their tune. Motor and tranny tune has always been spot on...
Although I am ditching their tune for a Cobb Accessport Stage 2+ due to the glitchy nGauge. It will randomly shut down on its own. It did it on their dyno as well. So out with the old and in with the new, a little spring cleaning.

I just did Cobb stage 1+ on my 2020 with just over 1000 miles on the truck; its great. First impressions are that normal mode feels like sport mode pre tune, and sport mode is very peppy. I can’t imagine what stage 2 and/or goose would feel like, but knowing myself I’ll be there soon...

As far as warranty concerns go, you have to have a good servicing dealer.