Kennedy Tunes
I've been reading and analysing power tuners, exhaust, custom tunes and the like for the past couple of years +. I'm in chronic analysis-paralysis, but am most intrigued by Kennedy's custom tunes, in particular his tow and economy tunes. So I'm giving a shout out to those that may have his custom tunes installed and their impressions of the same.

My truck is basically stock other than the addition of larger tires (265's) and Txc's CAI. I have been considering exhaust but do not want a loud truck or the dreaded droan. We RV and that is the reason I went to a diesel as we went larger after I retired; however, I have never been able to attain the mileage numbers that I regularly see on the forums. I have seen high numbers (19.8 hand calculated) but that was not driving like I normally do, generally I get between 13.5 & 14 in normal mixed driving with mid to high 15's when we go to the WA coast (steady interstate speeds). Actually, I am fairly satisfied with my tow mileage when I consider where we are driving, low 8's to low 9's in the mountains and as high as 12.8 last year when we were in lower BC Canada driving their speed limits.

This was kind of rambling, but when you shell out a grand to accomplish something you just like to hear some real world experience. In particular I would like to know how the truck drives in everyday use as I'm sure the tow tunes have to help.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

2004.5 GMC CCSB LT
2004 Titanium 30E35RB Toy Chest-carrying
2004 YZ250 2smoke, Scotts stab, Rekluse, etc

From what I've read, Kennedy has some great tunes for towing..ect. Re: the exhaust, try loooking in the forum that deals with those, there are makers that have a fairly quiet system, and one that a new exhaust will do is lower egt's, and that's a good thing. Give John a call and see what he recomends.

The tow/economy tunes are sweet. I run them on my LLY when towing and the race tune is just a switch flip away. I have run tons of different tunes and modules on the LLY and nothing else runs like Kennedy's tunes on the truck.

Great daily driving manners and plenty of power.

My LB7 runs the race kit and it has made a pony or two in the past... ;)

Thanks for the replies fellas! BMDMAX; do you have three tunes then? I don't beleive I want the race tune from what I have read on KD's website, it appears to me that the Tow/Economy tunes add quite a bit to the performance end as it is and is still safe to run. I have been advised by some to purchase EFI Live, but it's not something I want to fool with as I'm just trying to made the truck a little bit more driveable in the areas that John offers tunes for.

Anyone else? I be glad to listen to what ever you say on these tunes.

TIA, Tom

I've heard nothing but good things about JK's tunes.

Personally I am running one of Tony's Moonshine tow tunes and it is a night and day difference over the off the shelf tuners I have tried. My truck runs smoother/more quiet than stock, better mileage and way more power. IMO if you don't want to do EFI yourself a custom tune is the way to go!

Olddirtbag(nice), I have been running KD's tunes for about 4 months now. I have a LBZ but I think they are very similar.
I would spend the money again to get his tunes. I also RV and the diff. is night and day from stock. The EGT's are of no concern as they were with the flashpaq I have run. The power is a lot smoother and the truck is just happier with this tune. I did see a MPG gain after I got used to it being there.
E-mail John and ask him some questions.

...... I have been advised by some to purchase EFI Live, but it's not something I want to fool with as I'm just trying to made the truck a little bit more driveable in the areas that John offers tunes for.

Anyone else? I be glad to listen to what ever you say on these tunes.

TIA, Tom

I switched from the Edge Juice w/ Attitude a few months ago to Kennedy's tuned ECM, and I love the difference. Kennedy's tunes are so much smoother, and they run lower EGT's as well. If you can afford the extra core charge, I would recommend keeping your current ECM and purchasing a new ECM from John. That way, you have the stock ECM in case you have to take it in for service.

BTW, I also bought John's tunes because I ddin't have the time or interest to dive into figuring out how to use EFI Live.

I switched from the Edge Juice w/ Attitude a few months ago to Kennedy's tuned ECM, and I love the difference. Kennedy's tunes are so much smoother, and they run lower EGT's as well. If you can afford the extra core charge, I would recommend keeping your current ECM and purchasing a new ECM from John. That way, you have the stock ECM in case you have to take it in for service.

BTW, I also bought John's tunes because I ddin't have the time or interest to dive into figuring out how to use EFI Live.

I'm thinking the core is the way to go, I will contact John when I get close to pulling the trigger.

Tom

The cai works great for me. Noticable milage increase but alas my numbers are from the Dic. :o:
The thread i have been waiting for!!! for a couple of years also.:D

send Texasmax a PM, he has used those tunes.

I have been running JK's tunes for about a year and a half. Very smooth power delivery, great driveability, low EGT's and good mileage, that is if you maintain self control and keep your foot out of the loud peddle. I highly recommend JK's tunes, he also sells a good drone free exhaust.

Thanks Hemi, sounds like the way to go. I suspect that some of my mileage concerns will be addressed when I change over. I had noted some improvement when it was reflashed within the first couple of months of ownership, maybe this will improve it further.

Tom

johns Tunes Are Very Smooth And Deliver Just What He Says. The Economy Tune On My Lly Gets 20 Mpg ..... Then A Flip Of The Switch, And Bye Bye To Just About Anyone That Think They Have Some Thing Fast !!

i Recomend Kennedys Tunes To Anyone That Wants Econ. And A Go Fast Tune.

props To Kennedy ;)

johns Tunes Are Very Smooth And Deliver Just What He Says. The Economy Tune On My Lly Gets 20 Mpg ..... Then A Flip Of The Switch, And Bye Bye To Just About Anyone That Think They Have Some Thing Fast !!

i Recomend Kennedys Tunes To Anyone That Wants Econ. And A Go Fast Tune.

props To Kennedy ;)

Which tunes did you have John install?

Tom

Which tunes did you have John install?

Tom

economy & full race tunes

excellent thread and info ... as I am in the same situation as Olddirtbag. I've been looking hard at KD's tune for my lb7 and now it appears to be the direction I need to go.

Thanks for posting Olddirtbag.

Olddirtbag, not sure if you're still 'considering', but I thought I'd speak up here as well. I've been running John's economy/tow tune for nearly a year now. I love hitting the mountain with my TT in tow as it just rocks! Make no mistake, the tow tune has great economy as well! Reminds me I need to call John...

I run the performance/tow tune on my LBZ. With the Kennedy tune my power is much better and EGT's are lower then Factory stock. My 5th wheel is heavy at over 15,000 dry weight. Custom EFI live tunes are in my opinion better and safer then other types of plug and play tunes. I bought the spare ECM which I now see has dropped $100 bucks, so I would personally go that route. If you run a finger stick and blocker plate you can also disable the EGR with his tune. John has excellent tunes and ships fast. But he always manages to kick me in the ass:D. I buy something from him then he lowers the price within a week:banghead: I think he just hates me.

Okay; let me see here, how do I explain a grand for new tunes with spare ECM, new Bilsteins and new exhaust? Quite a quandary, especially since I bruise so easily in my advanced age!!!

Must not bruise too easily with a YZ250!!!!!:D

I've done that too!!!!

Tom

OK, about your quandry, I too had trouble with the amount these things cost but after running a sub par tuner i realize you get what you pay for. If I had just spent the money on a KD tune the first time I would have saved $400. I think John said he dyno'd the tune with stock exhaust and intake. Call him, maybe you do not need the exhaust right away but if you can swing it, it will help with the EGT's. Exhaust and tunes you will be in it for $1400 with a new core. Atleast you get 2 tunes instead of just one like mine.

T2CH: I hear you, I've pretty much made up my mind to do the Kennedy tunes when funds are available (or I quit squeezing the Lincolns till they squeal!) But at the same time I won't waste John's time with a visit until I am ready to pull the trigger, no sense wasting his time only to revisit it when I do buy. The Bilsteins are first, have to keep momma happy when pulling the Ti!

Tom

Let us know how you like it