I guess this is more of a product review but since I can't start a thread there....
I ordered a custom tune from Kennedy Diesel, the tow/perf tune. It is night and day difference compared to the Flashpaq I was running. I ran the flashpaq on tow/perf as well. Changing the ECM took less time than downloading a tune from the Fashpaq. The tune from KD is very, very smooth through out the rpm range with very little smoke. The trans shifts twice as good as the Flashpaq. The FP seems to start building power at about 1800 where the KD builds right away. The EGT's are way down as well, Like 100-150 degrees compared to the FP. This is during towing and normal driving.
I drove 380 miles round trip to the Richmond race, sat in traffic both ways and averaged 19 MPG hand calc.
I have only had the Flashpaq as a programmer so this is all I can compare it to but reading what others have said on this website I would buy this again before other programmers out of the box.
Thanks to Kennedy Diesel for the great tune and great customer support.
Travis

Man every thread I read people rave about his tunes. Thanks for the review.

Good stuff!:)

Its not hard to figure why his tunes are top notch, he tries them on his trucks first so he knows exactly what he is packaging and the buyer is not the guinea pig.


Merle

Kennedy's tow/performance program will yield lower EGT's then Flash paq's tow safe program, even with 16,000lb 5'ver strapped on. Kenndy's tune also out performs the flashpaq on performance setting without the poor shifting problem of the flashpaq. Overall in my opinion it's the best bang for the buck.:D

I have been running Kennedy's economy/tow tune for a few weeks and really like it. I have been using the economy setting when not pulling the 5ver. It takes a lot less pedal than the factory tune and the power is very crisp. I don't normally accelerate fast from a stop but do run fast running down the freeway. The couple of tanks I have run through not towing have been up over 1 mpg. I was averaging high 17s to 18s previously, the last two tanks have been high 19s. Driving style makes a lot of difference when driving something as big and heavy has these trucks.

The towing power is really nice. I have not run any other electronic power adders so I don't have anything to compare. Our current 5ver runs about 9k, prevously we pulled a travel trailer that ran about 6k. The power pulling the heavier 5ver is now how I remember it being when I was pulling the travel trailer. The mpg were up the last time I pulled the 5ver as well. It is really hard to compare pulling mileage because there are so many things that affect it such as hills, temp, speed, etc. Again I don't have to press the pedal as hard as before the tune, I can see where the truck would now be making power more efficiently.
Mike

Why doesn't GM use KD as stock ?????

We took a camping trip this past weekend and the temps were the hottest we have seen so far this summer (95*). The route we were taking had many hills but nothing overly long or steep. The engine cooling fan started engaging which didn't make any sense compared to previous towing. I finally thought to check the position of the tune switch and realized it was still on the economy setting. I flipped it to the tow setting and before long the fan had quieted down and would only engage at the top of a long grades or when I had to slow down, and then it only ran briefly. I know this isn't a fix for overheating but the tow tune seems to help slow the increase in temps.

What does the Tow / Economy tune cost?

Check Kennedy's website or Email John for that info.;)

I will jump in on this one too.

I was averaging 16.5mpg @ 70mph and now with the programming, I am between 18-19.6 Empty or 3k lbs in the bed, it didn't matter.

My only problem is that I don't have a built trans so he "restrained" the motor. I had these tunes dynoed (econ/tow) yielded 300hp/500tq and (performance) yielded 355hp/600tq. My truck has 144k miles and it is now more enjoyable to drive than ever!!

I will jump in on this one too.

I was averaging 16.5mpg @ 70mph and now with the programming, I am between 18-19.6 Empty or 3k lbs in the bed, it didn't matter.

My only problem is that I don't have a built trans so he "restrained" the motor. I had these tunes dynoed (econ/tow) yielded 300hp/500tq and (performance) yielded 355hp/600tq. My truck has 144k miles and it is now more enjoyable to drive than ever!!

Glad you like it! We typically see nice MPG gains so long as the driver exercises restraint. I just don't promise the gains because many cannot restrain themselves.

Thanks for the support. JK

Glad you like it! We typically see nice MPG gains so long as the driver exercises restraint. I just don't promise the gains because many cannot restrain themselves.

Thanks for the support. JK

I'll know better after another tank or two, but so far, I've been getting improved mileage with the most power my truck has ever seen.

Granted, I have a ZF, but I think I'm going to be seeing a four tank average of 20+ around town mileage. I have been getting 17 average around town pre Kennedy Custom.

Impressive, as always. Thanks, John.

I have been running kennedy's performance/tow tune for the past few months. The most recent version is a great all around tune. On the last 2 trips I took I got 22mpg hand calc'd. I have also towed 12K with this tune and EGT's never went over 1100*. I would recommend this tune for a all around daily driver trans safe tune.