Bully Dog BDX

Not sure I'd paint a broad stroke telling folks "you are wasting your money". Sure, you have an opinion based on your experiences, but this may not be the same as others.

I just ran through the first tank of fuel running the Regular/Performance/Performance tune and my results differ. The reason I got the BDX is because when I put on the "E" rated Ridge Grapplers, the additional weight was very sluggish off the line. Not talking jack rabbit acceleration, but normal driving. After the tune, I noticed a very distinguishable difference off a stop. No, not going to win any races, but very noticeable difference in normal acceleration. This alone makes it well worth the purchase.

When it comes to mileage, I calculate my last mileage at every fill up. I really wasn't expecting an increase with the BDX, but my calculation today after a fresh fill up came up just over a 1 mpg better than my normal. This is of course only after one tank and will need several more tanks to average it out. However, it's encouraging.

I have not noticed any knocking at any time, but will listen more carefully for it. Could also be the gas being run.

All in all, I am very satisfied with the results thus far and would encourage anyone in my same situation to try it out. If the results are no joy, then I'm sure someone would gladly purchase it.

 

I think a tune can really spoil you. I put the stock tune back on in order to install the S&B CAI. In comparison, stock is such a dog. Can't wait to put the performance tune back on.

 

Yep I’m dreading doing it. I need to remove the tune so I can take my truck into the dealer and get the head unit re-flashed.

 

Lol, yea, prepare yourself for a day of depression.

 

This is false. The tune is either in the truck with new ecu mapping or it isn’t.

While it is true that the truck will adapt and learn, you don’t have to wait for it to do that. With a Bullydog the truck is instantly tuned and you may enjoy their benefits now

 

It was immediate. Felt a complete difference on the first test drive. Then it seemed to refine itself as I drove it. The shifting became more consistent. I love it! Have only tried the premium tune. Curious how the trail tune will feel.

I rolled the dice and installed on a weekend. Long initial process. But I was patient and everything went in without a hitch. Thanks again Keith!

 

Trail tune is less ‘hot’. It keeps stock fuel curve in place and is meant for if you’re running long tube headers.

 

I got mine yesterday, (Thanks dirtydeeds!) and had a problem getting it on my wifi. I updated it connected to my laptop on the phone with their tech support and programmed the truck. It never asked for any octane settings, only had limiter off, transmission performance, throttle performance or trail choices.

I asked the support guy where it was and he said maybe we missed a step on the update portion.

Should I be worried if I am using 87?

I finally figured out I had to lie to the BD & tell it my router security was WPA instead of WPA2 which is what it is. I called them back to tell them so another user would not bang their head against it and they thought I was talking about the WPS button.

 

It does not specifically state an "octane" level but is determined by the "Tune Type".

Select the "Tune Type" option:

An in "Tune Type", you should have 5 options (stock, tow, regular, premium, trail) Regular is for 87 octane, Premium is for 91+.

 

I missed stock which gave me the other options. I drove it for the first time before I saw your post, runs great on just shiftpoints & throttle, I just changed it to regular.

Thanks

 

Anyone know what trail throttle sensitivity do?

 

Anybody know how far you need to remove the tuner to take it into the dealer? Do I need to completely uninstall or can I just return it to stock? And I know my previous superchip was much quicker installing and uninstalling but it wasn’t that great of a device either.

 

You need to completely uninstall it. I would give it 100 miles of driving before going to the dealer. So remove it ahead of time.

 

I just need my radio updated

 

No nEed to remove it then.

 

Thank you good sir!

 

Just a note on Tundra ECUs from what i have heard is that they are touchy and dont take well to low voaltage. After installing my supercharger there is alot of voltage drain with the key turned on due to the aftercooler pump running and also my fricken congo sized display on my head unit that would not turn off during the initial installation, now i have brown racing stripes in my undies.
This was on my GT platinum wich for my 53 year old eyes is very hard to see. Wish they had a video out so i could at least see it on my head unit.

 

If going to the dealership you need to completely uninstall the Bullydog. Even though it’s just for your radio, the dealership will often update your tune and flash right over your Bullydog.

If this happens Bullydog has to do a lot of work to unlock it and they charge for that.

Please feel free to give a call if you have any questions. 760-877-4234

 

Wow these are very good advice. Thanks Keith and I’ll take note to that from now on.

 

I know I'm ressurecting a dead thread here, but I'm looking at picking this up and I'm wanting to know how this affects the transmission. Does it firm/speed up the shifts or just stay in gear longer? I'm wanting something that bumps line pressure, speeds the shifts up, makes them less sluggish.

 

@dirtydeeds which model of the Bully Dog would you recommend, BDX or GT platinum for my 2016 Tundra without exhaust mods or intake (just have a lifetime K&N filter, not cold intake)?

 

I ordered sct performance - 40490 - bdx performance tuner Waiting for it to arrive I would like to know maybe somebody has an idea how to make exhaust crackle and pop tune and if this tuner has this option?I have a 2009 tundra rock warrior addition I have removed 2 out of 4
Catalytic converter
and installed Gibson cat back Exhaust And also cold air and take System

 

Is the bully dog worth the money if I only have trd intake and DD exhaust?

I don’t care about removing the speed limiter but the tunes and shift points sound good.

Still not able to calibrate, using the bdx, for bigger tires right?

 

No tire size, can't really adjust the shift points, other than what the tune itself does. You can change the throttle sensitivity and pick your level of tune (stock, performance, tow and trail). I'd really like to be able to adjust the shift firmness and speed and tire size though. Still fairly happy with it a month or so later. Fuel mileage seems to be the same maybe slightly improved, but have been running 91/93 since install the tune.

 

Thanks!

Makes me think you’d be able to notice the difference if you were to uninstall.

If I can get a good deal on one I may give it a try.

 

It was a definite improvement over stock. Like I said, just wish I could change the way the trans shifts. It still feels lazy changing gears. Guess I got spoiled by the 8 speed in my ram.

 

@dirtydeeds I am new to the forum, just read the thread, seems there are two options for tuners for our Tundra which one do you recommend ?

 

I have a 2018 tundra and my bdx gets error 13006
I look it up and says to use updater and display device settings selection amd should fix issue. Problem is it never finished getting delivery info. Ive tried a PC and laptop.

 

So apparently Billy dog says the 2018 is a different calibratiom than previous year….
Im so pissed! I just got a unlock from them