Community Forums

scottandanna · 10-09-2015, 03:55 PM

Which brand(s) have you used, and was the towing improvement noticeable?

I have an 04 1500 with the hemi, and towing isn't all that fun. Willing to try a "chip" if I get decent feedback results from other users.

drittal · 10-09-2015, 04:00 PM

Look up "Hemi Fever" and "Greene Racing" for a custom tune. Better than a canned tune. They lead the way on the performance side and can dial in your tune for the mods you have and expected use

scottandanna · 10-09-2015, 05:05 PM

Anyone used either, or any others, and can provide feedback on the performance?

Looking those two up right now...

scottandanna · 10-09-2015, 05:44 PM

Greene responded immediately on Facebook, and suggested that instead of buying from him, to find a used superchips 3865 which will also adjust transmission shift points.

So, found one on ebay for $215 and bought it, will try it out for that price.

I really like business like that. I don't know anything about chips, and he could have told me what I needed was one of his $400 items, but instead recommended a used older model for what I am doing.

I highly recommend dealing with him.

TDI-Minnie · 10-09-2015, 06:03 PM

I find tuners don't do much for naturally aspirated engines. You'll get much better results from a good intake and a proper exhaust system.
Also, unless you religiously run mid-grade (89+ octane) it will be running in a slightly detuned state already, so a tuner is really a waste.

scottandanna · 10-09-2015, 06:12 PM

I was hoping (but don't know yet) that it had an option for running super unleaded and upping the tune a bit.

Not sure, but for the price, I am willing to give it a try even if it doesn't perform any better.

Greene says I will notice a difference, but still haven't heard from anyone who can tell me what they have seen in the real world as far as differences.

littlebear · 10-09-2015, 06:37 PM

Most of those cheap chips are pretty much junk from what I have read.

drittal · 10-09-2015, 07:02 PM

Basically what a tuner will do is turn down the knock sensors a bit so it can run a bit more aggressive timing increasing the performance and adjust the shift points.

Running higher octane with a higher octane tune allows more timing.

The custom tuners can fine tune even more by adjusting for mods you already have. I have read about Jay Greene working with racers taking their 1/4 mile data logs and tweaking the tune until every last hundredth is squeezed out. This is where you get the most out of that free flowing exhaust and CAI.

Out of curiosity, what makes towing with your 04 unpleasant?

scottandanna · 10-09-2015, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drittal

Out of curiosity, what makes towing with your 04 unpleasant?

Basically, I only towed with the diesel Grand Cherokee for the first several months of owning the trailer. Then I got the truck wired to haul it, and it keeps downshifting and running at a fairly high rpm.

It is doing what it is supposed to do. But I am spoiled even after towing with a 3.0 turbo diesel.

The Jeep has an 8 speed transmission, and pulls most of the time in 7th gear at around 1500-1800 rpms.

The truck has 6 speeds, and I think it is dropping down to 4th gear and running in the mid-2000s rpms. I know that is where the hemi's power is located, and it does that on purpose. But if I can get it to tow in 5th gear, I would be happy, and maybe pick up 1 or 2 mpgs. Currently tows at 8mpg which from what I have read, is just about what they all do with similar trailers.

But that said, I have heard some good reports from guys running the chips, and figured I would try one out. Can't hurt...

FWIW...it is the large flat front of the trailer that is causing the harm. Not the weight. I have towed much heavier trailers, hauling cars and stuff, but it wasn't as miserable as towing this trailer.

Here is a profile pic of the trailer, so you can see the wind drag surface on the front.

drittal · 10-09-2015, 08:28 PM

Lugging the motor in too high of gear is worse for mileage than letting her rev a bit.

Hopefully the adjusted shift points help you to some degree, however it will never pull at low rpm like a turbo diesel.

genxrainman · 10-09-2015, 08:38 PM

If your looking for low in grunt it has to come from the rear differential. I bet you have a high gear ratio which is great until you hook her up to the wall on wheels then it's a whole new ball game. Drop a 4.10:1 or lower outback and you will see less shifting and a few better mpg 's with lower rpm. Still can't beat a diesel but it will increase power to the ground.

caissiel · 10-09-2015, 09:18 PM

Best on gas for safe towing is to open the intake and exhaust. Find your top torque spec and drive at that RPM all day.
My best mileage with my last gas truck was when not shifting the manual transmission in overdrive. That was while towing or not.
But an open exhaust did increase the power and protected the manifolds. I could run all day past 5000 RPM with no heat or problem.
But truck was able to dangerously rev up to max very quick when not loaded.
Some programmes will also limit speed and RPM.
I would not use a programmer without a proper exhaust to protect against exhaust heat that really damage manifold within a few hundred miles. It happened to my gas truck. Gas trucks are actually designed cheap as grocery haulers.

TDI-Minnie · 10-10-2015, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drittal

Basically what a tuner will do is turn down the knock sensors a bit so it can run a bit more aggressive timing increasing the performance and adjust the shift points.

Running higher octane with a higher octane tune allows more timing.

The custom tuners can fine tune even more by adjusting for mods you already have. I have read about Jay Greene working with racers taking their 1/4 mile data logs and tweaking the tune until every last hundredth is squeezed out. This is where you get the most out of that free flowing exhaust and CAI.

This is exactly correct.
In order to really get better performance, it needs to flow more air, too. So intake and exhaust SYSTEM (not just some Bubba Flowmaster muffler) are critical.

Riccochet · 10-11-2015, 07:41 AM

On the Ram's you can get away with a "bubba flowmaster". The exhaust is pretty free flowing as it is. 3" exiting 2.5" with the stock muffler and Y being the choke points.

That being said I run a VaraRam intake and Borla muffler. I went with a DiabloSport tuner with HemiFever tuning. HemiFever is awesome to work with. You tell them what you have in mods, or none at all, and he'll send you tunes for life. I ran their tunes for a week and sent him the datalog. He adjusted and sent me another tune.

Towing and general driveability are a lot better. Much better throttle response, better shift points with less lugging and disabled that god awful MDS.

With any tuning of a Hemi it's recommended to get an additional trans cooler and 180 degree thermostat.

I haven't dyno'd my truck to see the actual gains, but my butt dyno is happy with the results. I can spin the tires with ease from a dead stop where before I'd have to power brake it.

Rear gearing and a higher stall converter are next on my list.