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Old 02-22-2015, 09:54 AM   #1
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Diesel engine tuners

Has anyone here had experience with engine tuners for their diesel trucks?

We installed one in our '07 Dodge 3500 about 6 months ago and have been amazed by the improvement in MPG and power and also really like the added temp data when we're towing in the mountains...

I wrote some notes about our installation of both the tuner and the engine gas temp probe and our experiences with it on the road both towing and not towing, if anyone's curious about this. We hadn't even considered doing something like this til my hubby read an article in Diesel Power Mag about it and was really impressed...

Edge Diesel Tuner - Peak Truck Performance
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Old 02-22-2015, 11:12 AM   #2
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I installed one on my Monaco Windsor ISC 350HP Cummins Diesel.

It was called MP-8 and frankly I was less than pleased on the first trip out. I was getting engine dash indicator lights that I had not gotten prior to installation. I finally had to turn it off and drive the remaining trip back to the lower 48 without it.

I guess there are good ones and bad ones.

I sold it on eBay and eventually found a NIB Bank Power Pack Kit here on the classifieds. I had the Banks Techs install it last year.

I love it!

Dr4Film ----- Richard
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Old 02-22-2015, 12:54 PM   #3
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Adding power with a chip or box is great, But, the next weak link is the trans and stock transmissions don't like lots of added power thrown at them. You might get there quicker, or you might not get there. My 14 Cummins has more power than I will ever need. My 03 Cummins always got me there, stock.
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Old 02-22-2015, 01:50 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Highway 4x4 View Post
Adding power with a chip or box is great, But, the next weak link is the trans and stock transmissions don't like lots of added power thrown at them. You might get there quicker, or you might not get there. My 14 Cummins has more power than I will ever need. My 03 Cummins always got me there, stock.
Someone always say's this who has never been there or done that.

I have been using a Smarty S67 on my truck since it was a year old. I installed the Smarty in Aug 09 at 16,000 miles on the OD. I now have 80,0250 on the OD with no issues at all pulling my 5er. I did this not for the added HP/lb-ft of torque; but for less engine issues and improved towing fuel mileage. Zero CEL's since the install several before. Every OA has come back with zero fuel dilution and less than .1% of soot in the oil now.

Jim W.
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Old 02-22-2015, 06:30 PM   #5
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Tuners work best on the older model diesels. The late model motors have so much torque that tuners are not really needed, and messing with the engines would void the warranty. My 7.3 Ford with the 80 hp econo mode is very fast, and it pulls my 11K fifth wheel great on a 60 hp tow mode.
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Old 02-22-2015, 08:02 PM   #6
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I left my 03 stock because the advice I got said that the 48RE trans in the 03 would not take a HP and TQ increase for very long. Perhaps they were wrong but in 11 years and 130K I had no issues. The 14 has 375HP and 800 torque so I really don't need a tuner. Leaving it stock is the safe way to go and that's where I am. Here in Calif we have smog inspections that don't like mods to diesels but I have no problems with engine mods as I did plenty of them in the 70's .
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Old 02-22-2015, 08:52 PM   #7
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My '03 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO NV5600 is the first year for the new HPCR engine.
I bought it new in january '03. Edge was asking for beta testers for the new engine and their new programmer. Its a programmer for towing at around 40-50 hp at around 80-100 ft lbs. It really woke the Cummins up in the 1800-2200 rpm range.

I added a AFE Pro 7 intake and a single gage Westach boost/egt. Noticed a 100 degree drop in egt while towing at normal highway speeds and when not towing.
Edge has contacted me and said I could have a new programmer of my choice in return for the unit. No thanks.
Well at 265k miles its been a winner

Probably because this box isn't adjustable and a low performance for towing duties it hasn't caused any issue with the Cummins or the NV5600 or the clutch. I got a keeper.
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Old 02-22-2015, 08:58 PM   #8
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In about a month I'll be adding a Banks Power Pack to my truck. You'll hear lots of people complain that the kit is over priced but by the time you get the box, exhaust system, air intake kit and address the turbo you've spent as much as the entire kit and no way I'm adding a box without addressing air at the same time.

Best part is, I've got the big NV5600 trans and Dana 80 diff, so hopefully I'm set power wise.
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Old 02-22-2015, 09:49 PM   #9
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Put a Hypertech Maxenergy programer on my 6.0L Ford 8 years ago. Gas mileage has been assume specially at higher speed.
The trailer feels really heavy without the tuner on any level. Level one makes a huge improvement. Level 2 is plenty while level 3 has huge torque at 2600 RPM. Because I need power at 1700 to 2000 RPM I just use Level 2 on longer trips and in the mountains. All summer I usually set it on level 3 for outstanding not towing fuel mileage. Not lying here but I hypermile unloaded and can keep the mileage above 32 MPG for long trips above 100 miles.
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Old 02-23-2015, 12:08 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groovy View Post
Has anyone here had experience with engine tuners for their diesel trucks?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Highway 4x4 View Post
Adding power with a chip or box is great, But, the next weak link is the trans and stock transmissions don't like lots of added power thrown at them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Highway 4x4 View Post
Here in Calif we have smog inspections that don't like mods to diesels but I have no problems with engine mods as I did plenty of them in the 70's .

The TS-6 position chip (switch-on-the-fly) I bought has 3 tow(40T, 65T, 80T), High Idle(morning warmups),80 Daily Driver, and a Stock setting for California Smog reasons.

I learned prior to adding the TS-6 that the transmission would be the weak link, so, I saved up for a Performance Transmission. I ran the TS-6 for about a 1 1/2 years when the stock tranny started having slipping signs.

I opened up the bottom portion of the tranny, tightened up the feed bolts and the tranny was good again.

Before I let the tranny show me any more signs of issues, I made the appointment and drove the truck to a Transmission Specialist and changed it out.



Groovy, you should go onto some of the Dodge Forums and learn what the weak links are from adding the Tuner, and then you will be informed and can get prepared for the issues.

Rich
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:51 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the info -- and a nice varied collection of tuners in use out there... appreciate the feedback and success stories!
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Old 02-25-2015, 04:45 AM   #12
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Level one makes a huge improvement. Level 2 is plenty while level 3 has huge torque at 2600 RPM. Because I need power at 1700 to 2000 RPM I just use Level 2 on longer trips and in the mountains. All summer I usually set it on level 3 for outstanding not towing fuel mileage. Not lying here but I hypermile unloaded and can keep the mileage above 32 MPG for long trips above 100 miles.
I'm using a hypertech maxenergy on my duramax with about the same results you're having. I havn't seen anywhere near 32 mpg though. At best I'm at 21 unloaded and a little over 12 loaded.
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Old 02-25-2015, 07:01 AM   #13
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I'm running a system called EFI LIVE on my 08 2500. Installed it when my pickup was new and have not had any issues yet to date.
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Old 02-25-2015, 06:23 PM   #14
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My best mileage improvers have been the 6 SPD standard and EGR delete along with hypermiling using the ScangaugeII.
Without the hypermiling and EGR delete my truck was doing well at 20 mpg. Which was equal to my previous improved 6.5L GM Diesel.
I have tested similar automatic trucks without programmers and I am lucky to see 16 mpg.
I have tested them for friends that want a condition report before major work.
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