Hi,
Replacing my y-pipe and getting a tune to help towing is on my list for this coming spring. I was looking at their different tune options and have read about peoples experiences towing with the tow vs the performance tunes.

My question is this. What are people's impressions of the towing experience with the 87 octane vs the 91-92 octane tunes?

With some of the trips we are planning, the difference in $$ for running Regular vs Premium fuel would be $300-500. I am trying to figure out if the towing experience with the PRemium fuel tune vs the Regular fuel tune would be $300 better.

Most towing will be our 30ft camper that weighs about 9000lbs loaded.

Thanks

 

I tow with the performance tune and have no issues with 87 octane frankly.

 

Thanks for your input. Glad to here the 87 octane does well.

Have you tried the Premium Fuel ones at all?

 

I bought mine with three tunes if I recall. Really didn't see any difference with the high octane tunes, but then the 2003 I think has a higher flow head than the older models.

I didn't notice any serious spark knock, even in the high heat of the summer. YMMV

 

The choice between towing with the actual Tow tunes vs the Perf tunes has a lot to do with your personal driving style. If you want to maintain all of your speed climbing a grade or be the first one to the top of the hill, the Tow tune is the right one for you, it is more aggressive to downshift as you increase throttle at the beginning of a climb. If you are willing to bleed a little speed on a climb to keep it in OD (a real challenge if you still have 3.73 gears...) and see the better fuel mileage from that then maybe the Performance tune is a better choice for you. The Perf tune allows for higher throttle openings before forcing a downshift. On my EX using the factory tune climbing an average Eastern Interstate Highway grade at 60/65-ish MPH it would downshift out of OD at about 45/47% throttle opening, on the 87 Perf tune under the same conditions it will hold OD up to 55% throttle opening and the 89 Perf tune will hold OD up to 62/64% throttle opening before downshifting. I don't have have any tunes for higher than 89 Octane, I do nearly all of my towing on the 89 Perf tune, sometimes I'll use the cheaper 87 gas and tune for trips in flatter terrain, but that's pretty rare.
In my opinion, the step up from 87 to 89 Octane is well worth it and should be a bit cheaper than going up to the premium fuel.

 

Thanks for the information. What you are saying lines up with what I have read on the performance vs towing tunes. I figure I will try both and see what driving style I like best.

It sounds like there is not a lot of difference between the regular vs premium fuel tunes.

 

On my EX with its mods that increase in throttle opening between the 87 and 89 Perf tunes makes a decent amount of improvement in towing and fuel economy. With my setup the engine is still making plenty enough power to drag our 20K combo up most Eastern hills in OD at speed and the 89 Octane Perf tune allows that to happen.

 

this is the first time i have ever seen this mentioned, care to elaborate?

 

Nothing super fancy, just Banks headers, 3030XL muffler and 4.39 effective gear ratio (35" tires and 4.88 gears). Changes from a stock setup that each bring a little more to the towing party.

 

Besides mods such as headers etc, I believe the throttle opening thing has to do with the tune from 5 Star. It adjusts the amount of throttle input you can give prior to the transmission down shifting. This allows you to stay in OD much more.

Or at least that is the way I am interpreting it.

 

i have read all that before, i just took your throttle mod comment as an actual throttle mod of some sort.

😀

 

that could be, I have the 5 star tunes myself.

I personally use the 87 performance tune with a stock trans shift pressure change; their default performance tune increases the pressure. I had them change it back to stock pressure as I have a shift kit installed and with the tuning pressure shifts were almost violent

 

Yes, you have it right. The throttle opening increases under load prior to forcing a downshift are a result of the tunes. For me, the slight cost increase of the 89 Octane over the 87 is worth it due to the better behavior while towing.

 

I’ve got an 87 Economy, 87 Tow and 92 Tow. 92 Tow is reserved for mountain towing when I can fill up with the higher octane. At least that’s the plan.

 

that doesn't make sense to me, less available air = less complete fuel burn = less available towing power with high octane fuel