I did a bunch of work to the truck before I installed the tune so I knew it was healthy.
new plugs, fuel filter, air filter, made a huge difference. I'm sure my fuel filter was pretty plugged up, it was heavy, and that was the final piece that netted a noticeable difference in drivability. most notably at part throttle while going up grade.
I installed the tune last weekend. I got the ITSX or whatever and the process took FOREVER!!!! just flashing the tune took over 30 minutes. It was taking so long I walked away for 5 minutes and it said tune failed to load when I came back.
I installed the 87 Perf/Tow tune
I had a wrench on first start and test drive. There was some clunking and harsh shifting, so I think the tune took. Second start the wrench went away.
After about 200 miles I would have to say I'm impressed.
The shifting is just as smooth as stock, yet its significantly faster. Before it was a slow sluggish gear change, now it is quite snappy yet smooth. The torque converter locks up more frequently and gives you that manual transmission connected feel more often.
Initial slow acceleration is significantly quicker for the amount of throttle applied. Looking at my OBD scanner, its telling me that 80% throttle is being applied sometimes when I'm only at 15% throttle commanded, not sure how I feel about that one. Seems like a gimmick. Its almost hard to accelerate slowly now.
Passing power has been improved. It is much quicker to downshift and take off. Before it would say downshift to 3rd when it could clearly go into 2nd. After the tune it will go down into second and let the rpms climb.
Overall acceleration might have slightly improved, but its hard to tell really.
MPG according to the display is identical, but I haven't manually calculated after the tune yet.
Overall I got it for the improved transmission tuning and so far I'm quite happy with it for the money. I would say that with the 87 Perf/Tow difference I couldn't see myself spending anything more than $300. If I spent $400, or $500 I would be sorely disappointed. We have 89, and 91 octane here so I got those tuning profiles as well. Not sure I can convince the wife to run that high on an octane in the truck though.