ADVICE: BEST CHIP/DOWNLOADER??
 

Greetings all:
I am a newbie, looking for best advice for my 2003 2500/4x4/5.9cr/auto regarding the best chip /downloader for my rig. truck has 60k mi, 4" turbo back exhaust, and aftermarket airbox. I tow a BIG toy hauler, 40 ft, 18 k wt. I added a Diablo Extreme Power Puck...and it kinda sucked, except at the highest settings...and it still caused my ecm to throw out trouble codes....doesnt work for me, as it currently is.
So, should I:
Dump it for another chip:
Stack it with a downloader/controller?
Upgrade pump(s):U:

I am a DIYer with 40+ years experience working as a mechanic,plenty of efi/all rig repair experience, but my Dodge/Cummins is something new for me.

All help/advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The diablo is a code throwing truck limping mess IMO!
We've got a thread going with some opinions on this subject. You might look there.

Most folks are very happy with a Smarty or Smarty JR , Another good option for the heavy towing folks is the Edge Juice with Attitude, It provides a few saftey features and gauges on top of the added power. It allows you to set defuel to handle high egts, and alarms for parameters that you might want to watch! Anyone of the vendors including myself will be glad to help you with your decision as well!

Smarty is hands down the best programmer. The features of the Edge Juice with Attitude and Quadzilla are hard to beat.


Luke

Thank you both for your advice. I do see the Smarty and Edge mentioned frequently here.

If you were running the puck (pressure box) on a stock lift pump I'm sure you were getting codes. If you haven't changed out the stock lift pump on the back of the filter housing then it won't matter what you get you will run into serious problems. I have the Hot Edge Juice/Attitude stacked with an Edge EZ pressure box and have had this combo since new. I tried a Diablo Sport Predator and currently have a Smarty Jr. Last weekend I went back to the Juice for towing. The Jr was just too much timing at my altitude I guess even on default towing. I have been extremely happy with the juice.

Another vote for the Edge Juice and Attitude. Provides as much, or more, power as your stock turbo and auto trans/converter or stock clutch can handle. Best part is, you set your parameters and drive. If anything gets out of kilter, such as Exhaust Gas Temps (which melt pistons, valve seats and turbos if they get too high), turbo boost, clutch or transmission slippage, coolant temps, ect, the Attitude will automatically and progressively de-fuel the engine until everything is back in the green. No need to stare at gages while trying to concentrate on the road :U:

Thanks again for your detailed opinions, which I was hoping I would see. I will begin to look for the best prices for both the marty and Edge with Attitude.

I'll get you a PM over and let you know what we can offer for you!

I have seen very few people who have installed the Hypertech Max Energy, which I have and am VERY impressed with the amount of power that it provides and the increase in fuel economy. I do realize that most people have the auto tranny and the numbers for the auto are nowhere near what they pull from the 6-speed, but they "claim" he have the lowest EGT's and "claim" that they can be safely used to pull Max Trailer Weight even on Stage 3. The '05-'07 Cummins 6-Speed shows the best increase on the dyno at +176HP / +289 TQ :rocking:(see their website for graph):U:, and since my '06 is a 6-speed, this is what I went with. The fuel mileage increase is now around 3.5-4.0 MPG from before installing the programmer. That's an increase over what I was getting with my Airaid w/ MIT and Banks High-Ram already installed. I realize that it doesn't come with a monitor and doesn't interact with any gauges or provide safety features, but at $319 I thought that it was best for me. Does this programmer have problems that I am not aware of, or is it not as popular because most people want the monitors with their programmers / chips? Just wonder, because at this MPG increase and the HUGE gains in power, I thought it'd be a bit more recommended!:pca1: