I'm trying to compile a bunch of information that I have read on this forum for future upgrades to my truck. What kind of tuner/programmers are you guys using in your truck? I am thinking that instead of putting money into gauges I can take my money and buy a tuner/programmer and monitor everything on that screen (instead of gauges AND a tuner/programmer). I am trying to do things a lot smarter than I did when we started replacing necessary parts on my truck before I even realized I could be do mods instead. Like instead of a new fuel bowl and fuel pump I should have put that money towards e fuel! My biggest regret so far. But I have been looking at programmers on the internet and I have no idea what I am doing.

 

Hydra with custom tunes. IMO only way to go. Tuning updates via email with no sending a ts off And waiting for shipping and burn time.

 

Yep hydra is the way to go for sure eventually I plan on getting a hydra myself just waiting on funds

 

I highly recommend the Hydra. Like everyone else said. Tunes emailed to you and you can basically find different people to make different tunes. Tell them what mods you have and they make the tune to suit. Hydra can store up to 17 tunes I believe.

If you wanna an electronic set of gauges I believe the CTS insight 2 is pretty good. Just got it for my Dad's truck. OBDII scanner, electronic gauges, you can put your maintenance cycle in it, but it has a hefty price tag. Got it for $494 from Clay at Riffraff.

 

Powerstruck, Tony Wildman, Dyno Proven, PHP, and Gearhead tunes are on my Hydra.

 

First off, you are going to want a chip, not a programmer. The difference is the programmer rewrites the tuning on the PCM and runs the risk of corrupting the computer, while the chip only interprets the output of the PCM and is completely reversible by simply removing the device.

That being said, there are really two options. TS6 chip or Hydra.

As stated before, Hydra is very convenient because you don't have to send your chip in to be reburned, you only have to plug it in to your computer and rewrite the stored tunes yourself.

However, the TS chip is significantly cheaper initial cost and holds plenty of tunes for the normal user.

Really it boils down to whether or not you'll be doing mods little by little or all at once. If you do it gradually you might want to go with the hydra, so you can get the tunes updated as you update. If you plan on keeping stock levels of power or if you do all the updates at once, you can go with the TS chip, get it burned once and be done with $200 less invested.

Also another thing to keep in mind is the fact that Hydra can have multiple tuners at a time while the TS only allows you to have one tuner. For example, if you want the tow tune from Gearhead but the economy tune from PHP. You would have to choose which one to go to with the TS but you can have them both with the Hydra.

Long story short, if you can spring for the more expensive Hydra it is just a better and more flexible platform but the TS chip is just fine as long as you're ok with its limitations.

 

You guys are always so helpful. Thank you very much for all of your opinions. I was doing some reading on the Hydra and it looks like you need a home computer/laptop to use the Hydra? We only have tablet at our house-would that work? So...what gauges do you recommend and what are the most important gauges to have?

 

I just found the CTS2 on the Riffraff site and that is exactly what I would like instead of actual gauges in my truck. Thank you for the information

 

Well apparently the Edge CTS2 doesn't read EGTS's without spending another $250.00 in addition to the $429.99.

 

I believe that the most common gauges everyone goes with is boost, EGT, and trans temp. As for brand though, pretty sure it's preference.

 

It looks like you need to have the starter kit and the EGT temp sensor. The CTS2 should read the Trans Temp and Boost off the ECU. That is a lot of money in my humble opinion. I like the analog type gauges mounted on the A pillar myself.

I use the Torque Pro app on an old Samsung Tablet for the other OBDII info when I need it.

 

I bought a ELM327 OBDII from Amazon many months ago but it wont work. I was really looking forward to using the Torque Pro app with our tablet. What a bummer! Echo 95 what Bluetooth adapter are you using?

 

thats what I have and its very good. A pain in the hind end to get working initially but works just fine after I did the operator mod lol

 

apparently I need the operator mod too

 

Those obd2 adapters are pretty hit and miss. Mine works fine, neighbor bought the same model and is having problems.