Even though this is a mileage tune post, I've found something that bothers me during my research about the 3865. As far as peak/max HP it looks like the 4.7 only gains maybe 15-17 HP over stock. For $300+ I'd really expect quite a bit more than that. Hell, I probably got 7-10 just by adding a CAI system and didn't spend near $300. :/

Thoughts?

 

K&N Intake systems are over the $300 mark and you get 10hp or less with those, Airaid isn't far behind on price. True, you may only get 15-17hp out of this tuner, but you also get several other features such as the tire size/gear ratio calibrations to go along with it, which you would be going to the dealer to pay them to change for you on a one time basis. I've also been enjoying the data logging on my 3865 and it's pretty cool. Not to mention the additional tunes such as the milage tune, which I don't believe the previous tuners came with before unless you bought the Milage XS specific tuner, which has only that one program.

I agree, it seems like a lot of money when looking at just the power gains (even though you're paying that much for less power for a good quality cold air intake) but when you consider the other features you get along with it, I think it's worth the money.

 

I programmed my '08 with the 3865 yesterday and have about 100 miles on it so far. And I'm kinda bummed. I don't feel any difference in power between stock and 91. And I'm running 91 octane and have been since the summer. I have a CAI and new exhaust system. I'm hoping it takes a tank or so of gas for the ECM to learn the new programming. When I installed the Hypertech the feel in power was almost immediate so I'm not sure why the SC doesn't have that same feel.

In addition, I don't feel any difference in shifting although I didn't really expect to anyway since it's an '08. But the main reasons why I bought this thing is the data logging feature and that sometime this summer I'm really hoping they will have perfected and released the new transmission part throttle shifting feature. That is going to be the crowning glory. I can't even imagine this trans shifting like it should.

 

Doesn't sound very promising. :/

 

I'm really not sure what you're expecting to get. If you want a ton of power cheap, get some nitrous and slap it on. Otherwise, it costs money. Nobody seems to have a problem putting out several hundred dollars on an exhaust that gives them half the power.

I was out playing with the 0-60 times tonight. I saw a consistent half a second decrease in my 0-60 times with the 91 tune vs. stock.

 

HAHA! I'm not expecting Turbo/Super Charger/Nitrous power levels. Just thought that 91 setting would feel different than stock. Perhaps slightly better throttle response instead of the sponginess now. But, I'm going to give it a full tank of gas to learn. I believe that for the ECM to learn it has to have a certain amount of drive/key cycles over some distance.

One other fact is that I live above 5000 feet so it may be possible for me to run the 93 setting but use 91 octane with no ill effects. Not quite sure about that. I'll test that later on.

 

Fortunately, I didn't pay $300 for my FIPK but it makes a NOTICEABLE difference, even at their claimed 9HP increase. Which I guess is what I expect with a tuner, a noticeable difference. For $300 I don't want to have to be blasting around in my ride wondering if I can feel any increase in power or not. I want to be able to FEEL it, no questions asked, just like I did with my CAI. And from seeing what some members here with 08+ 4.7s (and seeing some of the rants on SC's forum) it makes me wonder if it's worth the money, that's all.

The 08+ 4.7 already has 300+HP from the factory and runs like a raped ape compared to the prior version, so it's a whole different animal than the 05-07 4.7 with 235HP. I would think that alone might make it a little less noticeable when you're allegedly adding 12 or 15 more HP.

 

There are a host of reasons that some owners opt to spend $300 plus on an SC tuner vs. CAI, catback,throttle body etc.

Here are mine:

1. Did not want the CAI noise
2. Did not want the catback sound
3. Wanted mid range part throttle torque increase which neither 1. nor 2. would produce. Both of them only produce their advertised gains at WOT or close to it.
4. Wanted the flexibility of three tuning modes.
5. Wanted the Transmission shift point adjustments for potential MPG savings
6. Wanted the Gear and Tire Size adjustments for speedometer calibration.

Now, all that being said, my towing performance (4500lbs) was enhanced significantly more by changing out the 3.92 gears to 4.10. (cost $650) It was just enough of a change to keep me in overdrive about 75% more than before. Haven't tried towing since the addition of the tuner yet so I don't know how it will enhance performance on top of the gears.

My ride is a '05 4.7 HO and the performance mode REALLY wakes it up. 0-60mph dropped from 7.4sec to 6.5sec. The '08 and later with the enhanced intake and heads already produce about 9% more HP than the HO and perhaps the SC tuner doesn't do so much on them.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who has added all the performance enhancing hardware and later the SC tuner and compared their 1/4 mile times.

p.s. I just purchased an '09 Ram hemi with 3.55 gears. After towing a 2000lb trailer for 500 miles it looks like I'm going to have to re-gear it to 3.92 to stay in overdrive as much as I had hoped. I'll test my theory with 30" tires from the Dak vs the stock 32.4's which drops me down to a ******* 3.74 ratio.

 

Honestly I think the data logging feature and the very good possibility of SC releasing the part throttle trans shift feature is worth the money I paid for the 3865. I love this motor (it has a lot of potential) but hate the trans. This transmission coupled with my 18" heavy-*** chrome clad wheels and 3.55 gears makes it a slug. Nothing like having to press the pedal down about 70% of the way to get it to shift down into the next gear all the while watching the RPM's drop instead of rise to aggravate you. To have it shift down around 40% pedal would be awesome although for towing that would not be ideal. But that's the good thing about this new feature, you can adjust how much pedal you want or not at all.

Plus, I think I can disable the TPMS (haven't looked yet).

Once I can get the 4.10's in and SC releases the trans shift feature I think the truck will then be exciting to drive.

 

Plus don't forget that it works as a diagnostic trouble code reader as well. So if the check engine light ever pops up, you will save money there as well.