Help: What programmer to buy?

[cmjensen86]

I hope I posted this in the correct area.

I have a 2008 Chevy Duramax extended cab. I am looking to purchase a new Tuner. I have used the diablo predator on my mustang and it worked great. I am looking for gas/performance. http://msperformanceonline.com/u7186.html I am not looking to change everything my self as this is not my specialty. The main thing I will be hauling is my 3 horse gooseneck trailer. I live in california so I would need to smog my vehicle. Will I need to put my programmer back to stock before I smog it? Also if anyone knows does the K&N cold air intake meet everything to have as a aftermarket part for smog? or would I need to put the original air filter back in as well?

 

[Linden]

From what I've read the stock intake is good up to 500 HP.

As for hand helds I love my ppe I tow with 90hp tune and drive around with the 160hp

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[bigmackmiller]

EFI Live...all you need to know

 

[BlkMax]

^^^X2

 

[WTF]

Efi.Live with dsp 5
9 times outa 10 you can get 5 tunes with it well worth it

 

[emiller3]

Efi live is the ticket but for what it sounds like you want the diablo will work for you. Or possibly get someone to build you a tune. Now the smog business, someone else will have to chime in.

 

[cmjensen86]

The main concern is MPG. I want to increase it as much as I can without losing power. I am looking at picking up a K&N intake/filter as well as the programmer. I was thinking of getting a after market exaust well, but that all depends on the smog for California. Will it pass smog with the aftermarket exaust?

Do any of you happen to have a link to the EFI live you are referring to ? Again I am not going to be going in and changing all the settings my self. It seems like a lot of people swear to the EFi, but what makes you choose this over others? Care to elaborate a little ?

I thought about just having a custom tune put on. But with the programmer I will be able to run a diagnostic if I start running into any kind of trouble for my motor, parts going bad etc....

I was thinking about the Trinity programmer as well.

 

[BlkMax]

EFILive is software/hardware combination that allows you to "program" or "tune" your engine control module (ECM). You upload the stock tune to the laptop, change the tune, and download the new tune to the ECM. This all assumes that you know how to tune. Here is a link: http://www.efilive.com/

What I did was buy EFI from someone who knows how to tune the truck. As I have changed the truck with new turbos, I have purchased new tunes. At some point, I will have to really learn how to do the actual tuning. I have changed certain truck parameters, but I have not messed with the timing, fueling, etc. There are also places where you can buy EFI tunes.

You will hear folks talk about a DSP5 for EFI. This is a switch that will allow you to change tunes on the fly. I would recommend that you get the switch with EFI.

There are LOTS of vendors here that sell EFILive, the DSP5 switch, and the tunes. Usually you get some sort of tune with the purchase of EFI. If a tune is not offered, I would look for another vendor that will offer a free tune.

Because of the way that EFI connects to the ECM, it is probably one of the most powerful diagnostic tools for the engine and transmission (it will also connect to the TCM). It can read DTC's from all the modules, but will only talk to the ECM, and TCM.

It will also allow you to log engine parameters on the truck. You can use if for a dashboard if you have a place to securely set your laptop while driving. You can custom configure gauges on the laptop using the EFI interface.

As far as mileage goes, I have gone from about 16.5 mpg stock to about 19 mpg. Every time I have increased the performance of the truck, the mileage has gone up if I can keep my foot off the peddle.

Go to the vendor section of this site and check out what folks offer. The best thing to do is make a call and tell the tuners what you have EXACTLY, not what you want, but what you HAVE, and what you expect to get from the tune, more HP, towing, full race, whatever.

The other thing you will need is an EGT gauge.

You may want to find a vendor in CA to make sure you can still smog the truck at the end of the day.

Hope that this helps....

 

[MadMaxx61]

EFILive with a DSP5 switch would be the way to go or a PPE tuner.

For the intake if you are set on buying one (stock one is good to about 500RWHP) look at an S&B as it seems to be better then the K&N one.

 

[LWATSON]

Dont get a k&n they dont filter good regardless of what there test shows. For what your looking for I think you would be happy with a ppe economy tuner. I liked the dioblo on my lbz but the power delivery and driveability of the ppe was perfect.

 

[cmjensen86]

Thank you for all the great info.

EFILive is software/hardware combination that allows you to "program" or "tune" your engine control module (ECM). You upload the stock tune to the laptop, change the tune, and download the new tune to the ECM. This all assumes that you know how to tune. Here is a link: http://www.efilive.com/

What I did was buy EFI from someone who knows how to tune the truck. As I have changed the truck with new turbos, I have purchased new tunes. At some point, I will have to really learn how to do the actual tuning. I have changed certain truck parameters, but I have not messed with the timing, fueling, etc. There are also places where you can buy EFI tunes.

You will hear folks talk about a DSP5 for EFI. This is a switch that will allow you to change tunes on the fly. I would recommend that you get the switch with EFI.

There are LOTS of vendors here that sell EFILive, the DSP5 switch, and the tunes. Usually you get some sort of tune with the purchase of EFI. If a tune is not offered, I would look for another vendor that will offer a free tune.

Because of the way that EFI connects to the ECM, it is probably one of the most powerful diagnostic tools for the engine and transmission (it will also connect to the TCM). It can read DTC's from all the modules, but will only talk to the ECM, and TCM.

It will also allow you to log engine parameters on the truck. You can use if for a dashboard if you have a place to securely set your laptop while driving. You can custom configure gauges on the laptop using the EFI interface.

As far as mileage goes, I have gone from about 16.5 mpg stock to about 19 mpg. Every time I have increased the performance of the truck, the mileage has gone up if I can keep my foot off the peddle.

Go to the vendor section of this site and check out what folks offer. The best thing to do is make a call and tell the tuners what you have EXACTLY, not what you want, but what you HAVE, and what you expect to get from the tune, more HP, towing, full race, whatever.

The other thing you will need is an EGT gauge.

You may want to find a vendor in CA to make sure you can still smog the truck at the end of the day.

Hope that this helps....

 

[cmjensen86]

Thanks for the info, Do you recommend any good websites to purchase these from? When I was buying parts online, I went through american muscle or summit racing. Not sure fi they are the best for truck parts online or not

EFILive with a DSP5 switch would be the way to go or a PPE tuner.

For the intake if you are set on buying one (stock one is good to about 500RWHP) look at an S&B as it seems to be better then the K&N one.

 

[BlkMax]

Check the Candy Store section of this site. There are lots of folks here that can help you set your goals for the truck and then provide parts that will meet the goals.

It is nice to be able to talk to someone on the phone instead of just being faced with a catalog and wondering if what you just paid for is going to work.

 

[Dan@PPE]

Let me know If I can answer any questions on our product line you might have!

Dan

 

[cmjensen86]

Let me know If I can answer any questions on our product line you might have!

Dan

Sent you a Private message