do programmers really help

msgtord wrote:
I've had 2 trucks with tuners. Better throttle response for sure. I never saw an increase in fuel mileage. The new F250 in tow haul mode drives like it has a tuner. I don't think I'll use a tuner on this 6.2.

The better throttle response comes from a more aggressively ramped up tps because of the programmer. They make 25 % throttle at the pedal get translated to say 45 % throttle at the servo that drives the throttle opening on a drive by wire system. Actual power added is zero.

I've had 2 trucks with tuners. Better throttle response for sure. I never saw an increase in fuel mileage. The new F250 in tow haul mode drives like it has a tuner. I don't think I'll use a tuner on this 6.2.

I added a Bully Dog GT tuner to our GMC 2500 with the 6.0L vortec motor to correct for larger tires and new ring and pinion ratio. For the first year I used the "normal tune". The second year I switched to the "performance tune" and the difference is amazing. Hills that previously slowed the truck (while towing)to 45-50mph in 2nd gear now maintain 3rd gear with the torque converter locked. I can even gain speed on those hills if I need to. No change in mpg for me, but It does require premium fuel in the performance tune. It can also adjust the shift points/firmness if you want it to. And it has a gauge display that can display up to 4 gauges at once. I use rhe trans temp gauge because is shows when the torque converter is locked. Also has a warning beep that you can set for high temps (coolant or trans,etc). A custom tune from some of the others can produce better performance, but lacks the gauge display. Bully dogs web site claims they can do these custom tunes in 2015, but provides no links to any further info.

donn0128 wrote:
Think of a motor as a large air pump. Unless you increase air in and out adding fuel or altering timing parameters really does little good. Modern engines are programed for optimum performance in every day situations. Any slight gains you might make would be more than offset by loss of warranty and cost of the programmer.

This answer is spot on the money.

Sure, you can pick up just a bit of mileage by advancing the timing. The down side is most tunes that advance the timing much at all call for premium fuel. So there goes your fuel savings and then some.

Your gasoline engine makes power in a totally different way than a diesel so throw out anybody that answered your tuner question with their diesel experience.

Gasoline tuners just don't make much power over stock despite what the adds say. As Don said, power is all about airflow. I can play with the timing or fuel mix all I want on a gasoline engine and I will pick up next to nothing. That tuner can't alter airflow at all.

One caveat to the above statement is if the engine is tuned from the factory with some kind of self saving software program.
An old example of this is a Corvette with the 700R4. The tranny was so weak that GM had to pull a bunch of power when the car was shifted or they would break the tranny. One could take the limiter off and make some power. Guess what problem people had that figured this out and took the limits off of their engine? Yep, those were the people that ran over their transmissions!

One of the best things that can be done with a tuner on a gasoline engine is shift points. Some truck manufactures just missed the shifting strategy by a county mile and this can be corrected with a tuner.

Is that worth it? Only you can answer that question.

Now if you had an Ecoboost my answer would be different. :)

I thought about going to the ram forum with this question, but figured I would get as accurate of an answer I was looking for. I actually think the reason I'm questioning a tuner is cause my other truck was a 4.7 & could use for more power. My current truck is trx4 with a hemi, big gears and HD suspension..... my trailer is only 4200 lb dry. And, if gas was my concern.... I'd get a beater car to drive. I do appreciate the responses though

Trackrig wrote:
My diesel truck a noticeable increase in power but it didn't help the fuel consumption at all. If pulling heavy loads on long hills, you've got to watch your EGTs - exhaust gas temps. The tuner will also adjust your shift points.

Bill

He's got a Hemi. None of the above applies. Not sure if the Ram tranny is adjustable with a tuner like some other makes are. Mine weren't (2002 and 2007 trucks).

No old school here. They are a complete waste of money and time on a gasser IMO, especially a Hemi. They are tuned right up from the factory.

The EcoBoost from Ford can see some decent gains, but that is a different story.

This is coming from a guy that tuned every diesel I owned and loved every minute of it.

OP, RV.net is very "old school".

if I were you, I'd find some Ram truck forums, and do your research there. Most people on RV.net are "anti-tune" for no other reason than a lack of understanding of what the tune actually can do.

No different than everyone here saying you need a 1 ton dually for towing a tent trailer.. everything else is dangerous.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

It is almost impossible to improve fuel economy and improve power at the same time. They are almost different sides of the same coin.

What does work:

Reducing weight
Increasing tire pressure
Reducing speed (the best way to save)

With a diesel they can advance the fuel curve and have the fuel injected earlier in the cycle. It improves both mileage and power if you don't keep your foot in the throttle. The factory doesn't do it because it really increases cylinder pressures and can cause engine damage.

This is more likely to happen when towing because you tend to stay in the throttle for a longer period of time when towing a heavy rig up a steep hill than you would just passing another vehicle without the load.

Depends..

OEM's chose how they want to tune their motors, there are many variables to how an OEM chooses. For example, cost, performance, longevity, elevation, fuel, mpg, etc. They basically choose a tune that is ideal for what they think is important out of all of the above conditions, including manufacturing differences.

Basically every vehicle, whether built on the exact same day, at the same place, performs a bit different. Some may have an extra 5-10hp others may have less.

I am a firm believer in "tunes". almost Every vehicle I have owned has had one, and I have had an increase power, driveability & mpg, and contracry to what everyone thinks, they have also been just as reliable as stock. BUT, I have been paying for custom tunes, and I watch what gas I put in my cars.

For example, My GMC 1500HD, was a completely different truck (in a great way) after I got a blackbear custom tune. Not only did I average 1-2 mpg better than stock, the truck didn't feel sluggish like stock. And I had them give me a tow tune, that drastically helped in the mountains, truck would hold rpm whenever I wanted.

Is it the be all and end all. Depends. It costs money, as the custom tune isn't cheap, and I end up putting higher octane gas in. but IMHO, and on the vehicles I have, it was money well spent.

I will be getting a custom tune for my Ecoboost, just waiting til summer.