OK, newbie to the registered portion of the site, but not new to browsing your forums...LOVE THE SITE!!!

Here's my question to you pro's out there. I have a 2001 7.3l P/S and want to know the actual advice of those that might know. I have heard a lot of hype and rumours about all of the different options out there, but no real facts. I come from the scool of thought that if you want power and/or economy, you've got to replace engine parts and change out trans/rear ends. I come from the dirt racing guys and we build our motors for the application. This whole thing about reprogramming a simple electronic circut to get the power and performance that you should have been able to get in the first place is a new mystery to me. I know call it "old School."

I just want to know if I am pulling race cars, boats, and relatively light loads and I would like to get "a little more" from my little truck, should I go with the programmer such as the Diablo Predetor, or should I buy the chip set and do that one. I realize that I could just do some exhast and maybe some air/intake mods to accomplish this...I also know that if I do the electronic changes, I will still have to do a few of these changes for power-plant longevity, but what do you guys reccommend, and maybe even why?

I have lnog respected your opinions, and now am looking forward to hearing one for my own benifit. In advance, Thank You and good day...

Cory

 

Well you asked so here's my opinion. I prefer the tuner, for one it gives you more options and you can go back and change options if you change parts. With a chip you are pretty much locked in to what you asked for and any improvements or additions later would require you to send the chip in to be reprogramed or buy a new one. Both ways do improve performance I just prefer the tuner. In your case you say you will probably have to do changes to the power-plant so if you want it now get a tunner or wait till you have done all you are going to to the engine and then get a chip.

 

Well, I with the rest of all of us in todays society, have become accustomed to immedeate gratification, () so I think that I will try the tuner to start out with and then make my exhaust mods and see where we stand. (Unless anyone else has any compelling reasons for the contrary.) Thank you for the info thus far...Any other takers.

 

tuner for sure, no reprogram required after installing basic mods. more options and no effort to plug it in to the diagnostics port vice gaining access to the pmc and cleaning contacts.

 

So the tuners from Diablo have an option or some setting to take advantage of mods you do to your engine? For instance, I have on headers, an exhaust system and a K&N air intake kit... the Diablo tuner will adjust according to those upgrades?

 

those types of upgrades should require no special tuning, only enhance the tuning. long tube headers and MAF changes for gas engines require reburns/reprograms for the tuner. I have gas but a close friend with P/S. he aftermarket exhaust and filter, also installed the EGT temp sensor and boost gage to monitor engine performance-WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE TUNER MADE on his truck! he loves it. his mods are done and is satisfied with the performance he gets now. think he went with 4" exhaust for the diesel. You couldn't pry the tuner away from him. The diesels get the best increase-PERIOD.

 

I bought a programmer, I like the simple fact that if your engine light comes on , you can retrieve a code from your programmer, and fix the problem , without spending big bucks at the dealership! Alot of people don't realize that! Later all

 

If you're not looking for top dog HP and ease of use - go with a tuner! I had a SCMT tuner for about 4 months on my 02 PSD and then went with a flip chip 'cause I like to play and got tired of waiting time for the tunes to change. BUT - I kept the tuner for it's code reading and it's been useful. I'd definitely suggest a tuner!