chip that goes on pcm vs the programmer style tuners?

[dodge man]

Chips don't really make more power than tuners. All things being equal, I don't think there is that much difference. It used to be common that people would "stack" chips. With improved tuners, its not near as common. Stacking chips is just hooking two chips up in tandem and when people were stacking them, some crazy things were happening.

With my chip, it can be removed, but not easily, its a semi permanent install.

 

[JJZ 109]

Chips don't really make more power than tuners. All things being equal, I don't think there is that much difference. It used to be common that people would "stack" chips. With improved tuners, its not near as common. Stacking chips is just hooking two chips up in tandem and when people were stacking them, some crazy things were happening.

With my chip, it can be removed, but not easily, its a semi permanent install.

Same here. With having to partially remove the drivers front wheel well to get at and remove the PCM, then take it apart to install the chip and then fish the wires through the firewall to the controller, it's not something I'd like to do often.

 

[deepNdirt]

Soundguy I have no experience with either, I would like to ask if anyone here has any info on one for the 6.8 v/10 ?
ever since I had the transmission rebuilt in my '99 super-D f250 It uses more fuel, and for good reasons, at my request I ask if he could setup the transmission to holds longer through shifting? because I pull one trailer or another most all the time which in my opinion is why the trans give up it the first place, from the factory It was setup to shift too quickly and smoothly,
I no longer tow as much as did and yet the fuel mileage is still around 9/10 mpg at best with an empty load, it doesn't change from if I were towing or having a load,
short of having the tranny re-adjusted I'm wondering if a chip could help increase fuel efficiency?

 

[JJZ 109]

Soundguy I have no experience with either, I would like to ask if anyone here has any info on one for the 6.8 v/10 ?
ever since I had the transmission rebuilt in my '99 super-D f250 It uses more fuel, and for good reasons, at my request I ask if he could setup the transmission to holds longer through shifting? because I pull one trailer or another most all the time which in my opinion is why the trans give up it the first place, from the factory It was setup to shift too quickly and smoothly,
I no longer tow as much as did and yet the fuel mileage is still around 9/10 mpg at best with an empty load, it doesn't change from if I were towing or having a load,
short of having the tranny re-adjusted I'm wondering if a chip could help increase fuel efficiency?

I'd pose that question to Jody at DP Tuners or one of the other outfits that custom burns chips. Somebody in the business must have an idea for you.

 

[dodge man]

Don't expect much improvement in fuel mileage. It's possible but you just can't count on it. A lot of it depends on the factory tune and how much they left on the table, which usually isn't much.

 

[JJZ 109]

Don't expect much improvement in fuel mileage. It's possible but you just can't count on it. A lot of it depends on the factory tune and how much they left on the table, which usually isn't much.

I agree. Mine is about the same as stock at best. But I have to believe that it's generally worse when the chip is in use. That extra power has to be paid for somehow.

 

[CJONE]

my diesel gave ( LOANED )me a superchips flashpaq tuner to take home this weekend. It's their sales demo unit at the shop. It's the model he wants me to buy that he mentioned to me before. Also not vin locked, and can only program 1 vehicle at a time. I have the performance tune on my 99 450 at the moment. and yeah.. it has a pyrometer.

Checking it out now, but thanks for the offer.

Sounds like the chip offers more power.. but I like the idea of being able to go to an economy mode. ( though I do see some of you guys saying you have a multi option chip too... )

don't have the unit with me in the office.. it is setting in the front seat. but was red in color.. about the size of a wide cell phone..

The chip is adjustable on the fly and it can also be programmed with a different calibration code where as far as I know the programmer can't. [At least the older ones can't] I actually purchased a older PCM to get better functions with a tuner, then I learned about chips which controlled all that anyway. I know people were "stacking" chips and tuners but a correctly written chip will get everything there is to have if the tuner knows what he/she is doing. DP tuner or Brian at BTS both know what is going on and can get the best out of these engines with the mods you have, [if any]. CJ

Just to let everyone know this is for the 7.3 IH engine. Does not apply to Cummins stacking is common with them.

 

[Soundguy]

some tuners can adjust shift point right?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

some tuners can adjust shift point right?

You can install custom tunes to add power and adjust shift points on the SCT programmers(most popular). Cory at TruDynoSports put a tune on my 6.0 when I had it. I had head studs on the truck, but no gauges and the tune was supposedly safe for towing up to 10,000 pounds. I can't tell you how many mpgs were gained(didn't keep the truck long enough), but it did wake it up.

The most popular custom tune writers are Gearhead Performance in TX and Innovative Diesel in MD.

Here are some pics of the truck during the head stud process.
Travis

 

[CJONE]

Don't expect much improvement in fuel mileage. It's possible but you just can't count on it. A lot of it depends on the factory tune and how much they left on the table, which usually isn't much.

You 'can' get up to 2 mpg better running a hot [advanced timing] program if you can keep your foot out of it. But I know I can't unless I want to torture myself. I got 21 MPG with my truck in the hottest setting 1 time but to be honest driving like I was the factory setting may have been close. But it just aint no fun!!! So like you said don't expect much. CJ