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road dogs · 02-25-2015, 06:48 PM

I also have EFI Live, tuned by Rob Coddins of Adrenaline Truck Performance in Meridian, Idaho. EFILive Duramax LB7 LLY LBZ LMM Cummins I have 5 tuning options available via switching "on the fly": 1) cleaned up stock tuning 2) heavy tow tune with turbo brake 3) light tow tune with turbo brake 4) 90 HP performance tune and 5) 120 HP performance tune. I've been running these programs for over 4 years now. Improvement in torque, economy, horsepower and turbo braking are very noticeable, also lower EGTs when towing steep grades. As far as I know, EFI Live is only available for GM and Dodge. I have seen some truck engines and transmissions damaged by "chips" so be careful if you go that route. I did have my 10 year old Allison trans beefed up a little by Inglewood Transmission, which just happens to be 4 miles from Disneyland...

chaps2018 · 02-26-2015, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highway 4x4

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.

X2 for my 06 cummins. I value predictable reliability since all I do is tow with it. 12mpg pulling 10k # in the mountains is good enough for me.

My peers who use tuners for different priorities have had premature wear on different subsystems but they dont mind when their daily driver goes in the shop. For me it is a trip/vacation interruption.

I am in for the long haul. (Pun intended) ;-)

Dasmoeturhead · 02-27-2015, 03:48 PM

They work OK for under powered engines. I had one on last pickup, ( er make that 2 pickups ago), but today's new Diesels don't really need them for towing chores. If you want to squeeze out every little bit of power it's a cheap way to go. I don't think they even make a chip, or module that works on the newer diesels that run DEF,unless it's been deleted.

The thing you have to worry about more than early drive train failures is piston melt downs. High EGT's. It happens all the text when someone throws to much timing advance and fuels it hard.

If 350-400 hp, and 800-900 lbs of torque doesn't work for you, you probably need an HDT.

A lot of folks who know nothing about engine parameters can ruin and otherwise nice engine by making just a few short steps pushing a button on a fuel controller. If you understand it, that's a different thing, but you still have monitor your gauges a lot.
Now that I full-time I keep the truck pretty much stock. I know that if a part fails, I can go to most places and buy it, and it will fit perfectly. Aftermarket might leave me stuck somewhere longer than I was planning.

TurboLQ9 · 02-27-2015, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammer3025

They work OK for under powered engines. I had one on last pickup, ( er make that 2 pickups ago), but today's new Diesels don't really need them for towing chores. If you want to squeeze out every little bit of power it's a cheap way to go. I don't think they even make a chip, or module that works on the newer diesels that run DEF,unless it's been deleted.

The thing you have to worry about more than early drive train failures is piston melt downs. High EGT's. It happens all the text when someone throws to much timing advance and fuels it hard.

If 350-400 hp, and 800-900 lbs of torque doesn't work for you, you probably need an HDT.

A lot of folks who know nothing about engine parameters can ruin and otherwise nice engine by making just a few short steps pushing a button on a fuel controller. If you understand it, that's a different thing, but you still have monitor your gauges a lot.
Now that I full-time I keep the truck pretty much stock. I know that if a part fails, I can go to most places and buy it, and it will fit perfectly. Aftermarket might leave me stuck somewhere longer than I was planning.

Several tuners/modules for new trucks (up to 2015s) work with all emission present to include DEF. They can add hp/tq will reducing EGTs and improve MPGs without adding or removing anything.

Dasmoeturhead · 02-27-2015, 08:00 PM

I've never known anybody with a tuner that got better Fuel mileage.

Cummins12V98 · 02-28-2015, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknight

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.

Save your money!

Install a set of Bosch 275 RV injectors. Same thing your engine came with in a MotorHome. Your performance will improve your towing and solo mileage will improve.

jimcumminsw · 02-28-2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammer3025

I've never known anybody with a tuner that got better Fuel mileage.

I have improved my fuel mileage on my truck. I went from 9.35 MPG's to 11.5 to 12.3 MPG's when towing both of my 5er's after installing the Smarty S67 in the Summer of 09. I have over 7 years of data to back this claim up.

Now you know someone.

Jim W.

Dasmoeturhead · 02-28-2015, 07:59 AM

Okey dokey.

fvstringpicker · 02-28-2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

I have improved my fuel mileage on my truck.

I've improve mine by a couple of miles/gal when towing. (Using the hypertech max) I didn't push it without the tuner and won't push it with it. I wished I had a pyrometer but I've been to cheap to spend the money. Hypertech folks say you don't need one with their tunes as long as you stay within the GCVW. However, I'm probably going to go ahead and bite the bullet on the gauge.

glennwest · 02-28-2015, 09:52 PM

Towing light some get away without damaging tranny. Towing heavy most build tranny. Newer trucks do not need it. I tow 20k and have plenty of power.

sknight · 02-28-2015, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Save your money!

Install a set of Bosch 275 RV injectors. Same thing your engine came with in a MotorHome. Your performance will improve your towing and solo mileage will improve.

Thanks, while I didn't mention it I'll be doing those at the same time. I might do those first to see if I'm happy enough with that, but from what I've read on the 245HP engines they're only worth 35HP. I'd like to end up in the 325-350 range which is why I'm looking at the Banks kit.

caissiel · 02-28-2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fvstringpicker

I've improve mine by a couple of miles/gal when towing. (Using the hypertech max) I didn't push it without the tuner and won't push it with it. I wished I had a pyrometer but I've been to cheap to spend the money. Hypertech folks say you don't need one with their tunes as long as you stay within the GCVW. However, I'm probably going to go ahead and bite the bullet on the gauge.

I had a pyrometer for 4 years and the wire broke at the sensor 4 years ago. With the Hypertech Max Energy I never saw any alarming temperatures. That was before the turbo instalation. You will do OK.
Hypertech has been designing emission safe/approved programes ever since the begining like Banks and they are affordable. They have all the power charts available and all settings have been extensively tested not to break the power train. It took over one year to come up with a programer for the 6,7L. They are only capable of improving the power and torque at over 2600 RPM. Not much better for towing.

road dogs · 03-01-2015, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fvstringpicker

I've improve mine by a couple of miles/gal when towing. (Using the hypertech max) I didn't push it without the tuner and won't push it with it. I wished I had a pyrometer but I've been to cheap to spend the money. Hypertech folks say you don't need one with their tunes as long as you stay within the GCVW. However, I'm probably going to go ahead and bite the bullet on the gauge.

It's hard for me to understand owning an expensive (probably) RV and not spending a few dollars to provide a way to monitor EGTs. To me, driving without a pyro is akin to driving blindfolded. That's the very first thing I did to my truck when I got it.

Cummins12V98 · 03-01-2015, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknight

Thanks, while I didn't mention it I'll be doing those at the same time. I might do those first to see if I'm happy enough with that, but from what I've read on the 245HP engines they're only worth 35HP. I'd like to end up in the 325-350 range which is why I'm looking at the Banks kit.

Try the injectors first. You can do the same with other products at far less money. I got caught up in the Banks Hype years ago with my 9812V. Do the injectors and if needed add a EDGE box.