Performance Chip for Duramax 6.6L Diesel

[pthomann]

Can anyone tell me of their personal experience with the various performance chips available from Banks and others? I am looking specifically to improve mpg on my 2008 Duramax 6.6L diesel. What is involved with putting them in, cost, expectations, etc., etc.....?

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by pthomann

Can anyone tell me of their personal experience with the various performance chips available from Banks and others? I am looking specifically to improve mpg on my 2008 Duramax 6.6L diesel. What is involved with putting them in, cost, expectations, etc., etc.....?

pthomann, Call Jon at Brazels RV Performance!

[450Donn]

First, and this is important only if your truck is still under warranty. Any tuner/programmer/chip can and will void your warranty. You may end up fighting with GM a lot and still loose in the end.
Now, as to cost, 400 to 600 dollars depending on brand and features. Installation, all are now plug and play. Benefits, none that I can see. Adding HP/Torque to your package will eventually break the weakest link in the drive train. The only ral reason I can see to add one is to remove all of the emission junk found on newer diesels and use it to eliminate all the codes at startup. But that is just me. The only way to improve mileage is to lighten the load and tow at slower speeds.

[FatDog]

Don, ....My experiences differ, although your perspective is valuable, mine differs ...


"......First, and this is important only if your truck is still under warranty. Any tuner/programmer/chip can and will void your warranty. ....."

It can but I have heard of only a few cases where this occurred as versus many, many where it was No issue at all. FORD worked on my truck for the full 100,000 mile warranty WITH a chip installed by me with no problems. I didn't hide it or remove it at service time. They asked me at Service about my experiences with the chip to further their own opinion about it.



"... Now, as to cost, 400 to 600 dollars depending on brand and features. Installation, all are now plug and play. Benefits, none that I can see. ......"

What?? Benefits are big in my (and many others) opinion. My truck runs on less diesel per 1000 mile average trip, with a few more ponies 'neath the hood. That is a BIG benefit, that I can see. I do not hotrod. My truck has run solid except for Ford's curious tranny the venerable 4R100, mine which had problems and was repaired by FORD at their cost, with chip installed.


".... Benefits, none that I can see. Adding HP/Torque to your package will eventually break the weakest link in the drive train. ....."

I have added HP/Torque to my pickup, and because I drive smoothly and calmly I have increased mileage and kept my family safer by being able to pass slower rigs going uphill along Grapevine Pass here in SoCal when necessary. I don't hotrod.


"..... The only way to improve mileage is to lighten the load and tow at slower speeds. ..."

No. There is at least one other way.
I have always towed a bit 'neath my legal limit, but have been able to slightly increase my speed while decreasing my temps.
But you DO have to be a smooth, calm driver. I hotrod in my hotrods, NOT in my tow rig.
(But ...... IF you did want to see a diesel pickup fly down the road with gusto, those chips do provide that ability. I admit I have tested that ability once or twice for a "blow back your hair ride YEEHAH."



you guys have a good day
Mike

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by 450Donn

First, and this is important only if your truck is still under warranty. Any tuner/programmer/chip can and will void your warranty.

I expect that you have not heard of the Magnuson Moss Act?

[450Donn]

Originally Posted by DriVer

I expect that you have not heard of the Magnuson Moss Act?

I have and it will not work if your vehicle has been altered from the original. Plane and simple a tuner/programmer is altering your vehicle.