I bought a Superchips tuner, from the Ford Dealer, in our 2002 Diesel dualie with the 7.4 diesel. It ran like a sports car in tow setting. Only problem was it would unlock the torque converter when pulling fifth wheel and make check engine light come on. Had the tune redone and lost power. Should have left it as original Superchips tune. Mileage increased too. The only problem was the transmission as the weak link. If Ford had kept the 7.4 and put the new trans in the 6.0 it would be the best truck bar none on the market.
Tuners work. EPA is the reason Mfgs choke engines and why engines and trucks cost way more than they should.