Diesel engine chip?

mabynack wrote:
It was a 6.0 Diesel. I didn't mention it because the last time I was on a thread here and said something one poster launched into a long personal attack calling me an idiot for buying it.

Figured it was but wanted to confirm. Being the bastard child of diesel engines even in stock form those things blew head gaskets all the time. Not sure you can blame it solely on tuning with the track record that motor has. I wont call you an idiot:) but bet you would never buy another one right.

It was a 6.0 Diesel. I didn't mention it because the last time I was on a thread here and said something one poster launched into a long personal attack calling me an idiot for buying it.

mabynack wrote:

kzspree320 wrote:
There are tuners designed to be used with DPF intact and tuners designed to work only with the DPF removed and generally say something like "for off highway race use only". Any removal of the DPF system could pose a big problem if you have emissions testing in your area. I spend a good bit of time on the Dodge Cummins Diesel forum. It looks to me like a high percentage of the folks reporting big problems are driving trucks with tuners. I realize many people that tune their trucks drive them hard. I know people that have tuned their trucks with no problems for many miles (no emissions testing here), but I think the best chance for getting the truck to go high miles with minimal issues is keeping it stock. Good luck. Keith

I'm one of the folks who had problems after installing a tuner. I put a Hypermax Econ tuner on my truck. On the plus side I got more power and better mileage.

The down side is that the increased cylinder pressures ended up blowing a head gasket and costing me $8000 in repairs. I have installed aftermarket head studs and reverted back to a safer tune.

It was an expensive lesson.

When manufacturers use the same engine in commercial vehicles that they do in pickups, they detune the commercial version for longevity and reliability. There's a lot of logic in this and you should consider it before you mess with your tuning.

Last year the Federal Government started cracking down on the tuner manufacturers for allowing consumers to bypass emission controls. One tuner manufacturer was sued by the EPA and they have since removed the option to bypass the emissions.

You don't say what engine?

tplife wrote:
Keep in mind that under federal law, to void the warranty the warrantor is under obligation to prove that the part(s) not to be covered under warranty were damaged by the use of the tuner i.e.; the part that is not stock. Simply having non-stock parts is not grounds to void a warranty, otherwise the warrantor would have to provide all such parts for free (think oil, oil filters, brake pads, etc.).

Not completely true. If the mfg states in the warranty exclusions they apply. and currently both GM and Ford state so regarding tuning devices. On our sons work ford super duty under the hood is a big sticker stating that addition of any tuning device will void the power train warranty.

As long as the warranty clearly states so, it applies.

kzspree320 wrote:
There are tuners designed to be used with DPF intact and tuners designed to work only with the DPF removed and generally say something like "for off highway race use only". Any removal of the DPF system could pose a big problem if you have emissions testing in your area. I spend a good bit of time on the Dodge Cummins Diesel forum. It looks to me like a high percentage of the folks reporting big problems are driving trucks with tuners. I realize many people that tune their trucks drive them hard. I know people that have tuned their trucks with no problems for many miles (no emissions testing here), but I think the best chance for getting the truck to go high miles with minimal issues is keeping it stock. Good luck. Keith

I'm one of the folks who had problems after installing a tuner. I put a Hypermax Econ tuner on my truck. On the plus side I got more power and better mileage.

The down side is that the increased cylinder pressures ended up blowing a head gasket and costing me $8000 in repairs. I have installed aftermarket head studs and reverted back to a safer tune.

It was an expensive lesson.

When manufacturers use the same engine in commercial vehicles that they do in pickups, they detune the commercial version for longevity and reliability. There's a lot of logic in this and you should consider it before you mess with your tuning.

Last year the Federal Government started cracking down on the tuner manufacturers for allowing consumers to bypass emission controls. One tuner manufacturer was sued by the EPA and they have since removed the option to bypass the emissions.

KD4UPL wrote:
Your truck should be out of warranty so no problems there I guess.
Does your state do emissions tests?
Stock vehicles have lots of software safety programming so that basically anybody can drive the truck, know nothing about it, and not hurt anything. When you change the software alot of that goes away. You have to understand things like exhaust temperature, transmission slippage, over-fueling, etc. If you know what you're doing, pay attention, and don't try to run more HP than the rest of the truck can handle you might get some more mileage out of it.
Have you done the math? What if you get maybe an extra 2 mpg? How long will you have to drive the truck to break even on the cost of the tuner? I bet it's a lot longer than you think.

This is the best answer! I went form a 2001 RAM to a 2015. The 2001 was "bombed" and towed the trailer great, but I had to drive the gauges and tranny to make it work.

The 2015 just does it and will not hurt it's self. Much more relaxed. I do miss the throttle response of the 2001. It drove like a sports car! I however can now listen to the Alpine Stereo instead of the 24V Cummins.

Chris

tplife wrote:
Keep in mind that under federal law, to void the warranty the warrantor is under obligation to prove that the part(s) not to be covered under warranty were damaged by the use of the tuner i.e.; the part that is not stock. Simply having non-stock parts is not grounds to void a warranty, otherwise the warrantor would have to provide all such parts for free (think oil, oil filters, brake pads, etc.).

Quote me one instance where a warranty denial because of tuner use(engine or trans) was overturned because of magnussen moss burden of proof. That law was to prevent dealer ripoffs and scare tactics for oil/filter change - nothing to do with emmissions deletes or computer mods. It simply doesn't happen. Most diesel tuners/deletes are now outlawed because of epa (federal) so the law is certainly on the dealers side in any warranty tuner dispute. Dealers can tell without question when a truck has been tuned. Messing with emissions gear is not worth the cost or risk. Yes modern diesels are complex because of emissions gear AND added hp/tq numbers from factory through hard parts upgrades. Emmisions testing is coming. Is what it is. Funny how even those who use tuners would (mostly) not buy a used tuned truck. I wonder why. Of course some will buy anything. Ultimately it is your money and time on the roadside. For me towing passes reliability is king.

My opinion, wouldn't dealers try to get the most power and best mpg then sell it stock? Why buy something and try to improve on the chance it could ruin something you wouldn't be able to fix yourself?

Paul Clancy wrote:
Tuner Milage = mostly myth
Reliability = stock truck

That, I don't agree with. A tune that disables the EGR will make most trucks more reliable. My GDE tune on both my diesels make the engines run cleaner and more fuel efficient.

A tune typically increases power or mileage in exchange for less engine life or higher emissions. If it was so easy to get "free" power or efficiency by changing parameters based on the same input, the manufacturers would take advantage of it.