EFI Vs Banks PDA
 

I have a question, would EFI live be better than Banks 6-gun w/ Power PDA for a dedicated tow rig? :w2:
If so, Why???:humm:


Thanks:U:

Chris:pca1:

from what i hear EFI is the best around for anything, the reason being is the infinity of possibilities of tuning for you truck. So go with EFI live, wonder when there gonna come out with it for our beloved Cummins:humm:

Efi for reasons stated above, also Banks is over priced, and over hyped.
Guy @ Socal diesel has a good tow tune(from everything I have heaerd) he sells with his efi live

yeah, I just checked their web site and the tow tune comes with it for "Free"...and you are right bout the price... EFI is a good bit less expensive...
Thanks for the responses!:U:

EFI Live is NOT for the beginner or someone who doesnt know tuning and intimate knowledge about the modern turbo diesel engine. You will get yourself into trouble quick. Also, you cant compare EFI Live to any "box" or "programer". They are not even in the same ballpark. EFI Live is software that gives you access to the tune files in your ECM and allows you to change that data. A "programer" is a pre-written tune that you are installing in your ECM.

If you want the most options, I would pick the PPE.. It has very well written tunes, granted not adjustable on the fly, but neither is EFI Live.. Like DangerousDuramax said.. EFI Live is NOT FOR A NOVICE TUNER. Although you can get people to help you write your own tunes specific for your application.

One reason PPE is so popular is because they arent "smoke" tunes per say. The Majority of the PPE Flashed DMAX's dont roll the coal so much on the lower end tunes.

Yep, for the DMAX the best plug-n-play programmer is by far the PPE. DirtyMax ran into the low 8's using an off the shelf PPE Hot+2. :up2:

BTW- You CAN switch tunes on the fly with EFI Live. Get the DSP2 or DSP5 switch and you can git-r-done. :c:

Ohhh thats right, for the LLY and LB7's I forgot all about that.. Its the LBZ and LMM that arent switchable yet right?

Thanks for reminding me !

:c:

Correct, but they're working on it. :rocking: :rockon:

I am patiently waiting

yeah I figured that, I was simply curious, besides, I am not going to be tuning for racing or anything even remotely similar. I just need better hauling tunes, shift on the fly is really not that important, but safe tuning is, and being able to monitor what is going on with the trucks...

thanks for the information.:U:

I think everyone just about covered this, but I'll say it too. EFI Live is by far the best out there, BUT it is also the most complicated and dangerous. On the plus side, there are many people that use it and don't mind 'shareing' a tune with you, but you also have to trust them on that tune too.

Banks is good, there is nothing wrong with it, it's just overpriced for what you get. You could easily spend the same money and get a lot more by doing other things. Hell, a solid tuner and free up the exhaust and you are ready to go. :U:

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Hell, if you free up the exhaust with headers, up pipes and free flow muffler, then ditch the clutch fan for electrics, you've just increased roughly 20hp up top and around 50hp at your tow rpm range (all at the rear wheels), without even touching any tuneing :U:

you can download the efi live program off thier site and see what its like if your curious, its free

Yep, for you guys that are considering using EFI Live, go and download the software from their site and you can play with it to get an idea how everything works and how you're able to manipulate the tune files. Its over 80mb though so be patient. :)

:jump:
EFI live all the way. You will love it. Laptop based. If you order from Guy at SoCal Diesel or Nick from duramxtuner.com (there are many others) they will give you a custom based tune for your truck, depending on what mods are already done. Also you can monitor a ton of functions from a "virtual" dash. Even log runs and check different graphs....its the best program out there for Dmax's. Period.

Its easy to get started and copy your stock tune. Within ten minutes you can add a little throttle based injection and experience a whole new truck.

I would never put a shift on the fly programmer/tuner on my truck. Allisons dont like it.

Buy EFI live and you will wonder why you havent already.

if you want to see whats its like heres a link so you can donwload it for free

EFILive: Digital Tools for Onboard Vehicle Electronics

i can send you some things and u can see what really goes on with actually tuning the truck

i was checking out efi live and holy crap confusing.
just out of curiousity will efi live leave ghost codes like the other programmers cuz gm are pretty anal about warrenty?

Not if you dont leave a modified tune in that used EFI Live to change it. Restore your stock factory tune and you're good to go.

I'm tuned by EFI Live and I love it! I'm still an intermediate tuner but the tuning abilities are endless.

Want a tow tune that shifts right where you want it with the exact amount of power you want at that shift, tune it like that. Because you not only can tune your Duramax, you can tune your Allison.

One thing I have done is nail down the speedo and fuel usage and now my DIC is dead on. No more mystery mileage and those ridiculous claims of getting 27 MPG with the plug & plays.

Go EFI Live and take some time learning it. Then as you upgrade your truck, you can upgrade your power without buying a new tuner and getting nothing for your old out-dated tuner.