Performance Chip

AH64ID wrote:
Don't bother with Banks unless you need the emissions sticker, if applicable. They are overpriced and underperform.

EFI Live tuning is the way to go. For a Duramax I highly reccommend tuning from ATP trucks, they are well versed in custom duramax tuning.

Don't go cheap on diesel tuning.

X-2

Kory is awesome.

Tow Vehicle: 2008 Silverado 2500 HD, Duramax, Allison Transmission, EFI by Kory, 4" Exhaust w/muffler turbo back.

As I was passing a line of RV's at 80mph, in a passing lane at 6000ft in the NM hills, pulling a 10,000lb 5er with a 3500lb boat attached, I though Hmmmm this Duramax does not really need a tuner, it is fine stock.......:D

Looks like I opened a can of worms. Thank all of you for your input. Still undecided.

Haven't owned a Duramax but...our 02 Ford 7.4 Diesle Dualie we had a Superchips programmer.
It had three settings, tow, and something and performance.
I left it in the first setting.
It ran like a sports car empty. No figures on output imrprovement but it was huge.
When towing our Fifth Wheel it sometimes set the check engine light. The reason was it would cause the torque converter clutches to unlock under heavy acceleration. I was told not worry about it but had the programmer turned down a bit. Didn't like it and had it turned back up.
The Engine then didn't make the output they quote now by the three automakers.
But it would out pull any of them stock from my seat of pants with the tuner.
Mileage actually improved, as is common with diesels but I can't remember how much. Just don't exceed reasonable driving practices. I didn't do it for a hot rod just to improve pulling performance a bit. If they had kept the 7.4 and put the next generation trans behind it, would have kept them top of the heap.

You would do best to sign into one of the big Chevy truck forums and see what brands of programmers are popular. As previously mentioned, Banks' systems are very expensive and can be more items than really needed.

Note all diesel programmers are created equal. For tow purposes, they will also have a different transmission program that holds out shift points to higher rpm's.

Remember that you'll need to invest in a pyrometer, boost gauge and tranny temperature gauges if towing very heavy. I also have a secondary TruCool tranny cooler for my SuperDuty.

I'm running 60 hp and 80 hp tunes on my truck. I've had to pay close attention to the ball joints, tie rod ends, alignment tires and brakes to make sure they're all kept at 100% condition. Some trucks with big horsepower can be a handful on the street.

As a boat owner I have had 3 boats each with a single diesel engine. A Westerbeke, A naturally aspirated 100hp 6cyl. A Perkins 6-354, 240hp turbocharged & a Cummins 5.9L Yep, the same block that is in the Dodge trucks. Mine is a 1996 315hp turbocharged aftercooled version. Later that engine was bumped up further still to a 370hp. Love that motor. No wizardry electronics like the new stuff.

The thing is, I also inhabit a few boating forums, lots of diesel owners in them, & there is little talk of enhancing engine performance.

Maybe it is because in the marine world an engine is always working hard. Always in effect towing a load uphill as it constantly pushes against the resistance of water. There is no flat cruise. No coasting down a grade. Here we talk about getting hundreds of thousands of miles before major maintenance is needed.

A hard running recreational marine diesel owner is starting to think about major maintenance after only a few thousand hours. 10,000 hours, if he has made it that far, he is talking rebuild.

Our trucks & MOHO's live an easy life.

Yes WE added 50 horse power to the 8.3 /350 horse, yes I may have shortened the life of the engine, but they will still carry my ass to the cemetery in it. and the next owner too.

Skip banks unless you like paying way too much for what you get. BTDT! Their air flow things are good quality but overpriced. Stay away from oiled air filters. My experience was... Their power stuff didn't do NEARLY as much as other brands. Research, research and research some more and piece your system together. You'll save money and get more. Craig

Veebyes wrote:
Sorry, can't see the point in messing with engines.

Engine manufacturers spend millions on R&D to end up with a good blend of performance, reliablility & durability. Start fooling with this balance & something has to suffer for it.

Modified engines giving high performance are not known for their reliability or durability. A detuned naturally aspirated slow turning low hp diesel chugs along year after year after year.

By all means go for the performance if you think you know better than the designers of your engine but there will be a price to pay.

You forgot to mention emissions....

There is a lot of tuning that goes into emissions, and nearly all (if not all) of that takes away from performance and can also reduce reliability and durability.

If I were to install a Cummins that had 350/800 and ZERO input from the EPA I would never touch it.. and in all likely hood it would get better mileage and last longer than what's put in pickups today.

Just a small example of how emissions robs horsepower, which in tern reduces performance and efficiency. My motor was rated 325/610 from the factory, using 132mm3 per main injection event. I dyno'd 284/518. I'll use only rwhp/tq numbers now. At rated rpm that's 2.15hp/mm3 and at peak torque that's 3.92ft lbs/mm3.

On a tune that is 100% stock fuel (mm3 and rail pressure) I dyno'd 296/609. That's 2.24hp/mm3 at peak hp and 4.61ft lbs/mm3.

Looking at peak torque, as it was ~2200-2400 rpms where most big hill pulling occurs, that is 17.8% more efficient that stock. That's emissions for you.

Just food for thought, as stock isn't always the best but it's stock and generally "safer".

A lot can be done to improve efficiency, performance, and longevity thru modification.

AH64ID wrote:
Don't bother with Banks unless you need the emissions sticker, if applicable. They are overpriced and underperform.

EFI Live tuning is the way to go. For a Duramax I highly reccommend tuning from ATP trucks, they are well versed in custom duramax tuning.

Don't go cheap on diesel tuning.

Follow this advise and you'll be fine. I have EFI Live from ATP and couldn't be happier. It's my money and I spend it however I want and you should do the same.