IMO depending on what year you get will change what the "best" programmer is for you.


Noise control is the reason for the muffler vs the straight pipe. I have run both ways, the no muffler sounds great, but neighbors and cops don't like it very much. I like the less noise when idling and more powerfull tone when goosing it. Just my opinion though

 

So no real change in power or performance w or w out the straightpipe?

 

I'd go with a Smarty for the tuner, tried one out last night on my truck, if I had the money my superchips would be gone in a heartbeat. Deffinately the next thing that I am buying for my truck. Good luck with your diesel endeavours.

 

the main reason so many have mufflers on the 3rd gen dodges is because they get a higher pitch to them then the vp44 trucks and the 12 valves. so people have been putting mufflers on them to get rid of the high pitch and drone from them and keeping the deeper tone to them. its a free flowing muffler they are installing in them and gettin rid of the stock mufflers.
good luck with the search,
if u get an auto, id deffinately suggest that u get at least a torque converter before u start throwing to much at it performance wise. if u get a manuel, a good clutch.
next would be a set of gauges to keep u from blowing the motor and u know what is goin on with it, once u have both them taken care of, id say go with a smarty.