Hi guys and gals,

I have an '03 Crew, 2WD, stock engine, and I'd like to do a few things with it. Better mileage if possible, bit more towing power, and a fall back position. I use it to tow a 7K lb. trailer, my family, and occasionally I get the urge to race the thing - silly, huh? Hehe... I've SEEN some of your posts on that.... Well, a little more git up would be nice.

From what I've read, the DP Tuner is real popular, but seems to be a custom tuned product. Is this true? Down the road, I'll invest in a pyro to monitor EGT, the PCV delete, and maybe the air filter mod. Van turbo sounds interesting, but I'll hold off until I learn more.

(I'm new to diesels, but not wrenching... used to street race Chevys for a few years. Just don't want to have more diesel parts than I started with when lighting up a mod.)

A few questions for ya...
Does the DP Tuner work with the PCM, or replace it? I'm guessing with....

Does the PCM also need its internal program altered?

Can the original program be read and saved somewhere, and later re-written to the PCM? I'd like to keep a spare, stock PCM with my parts kit, but the dealer told me any replacement would have to be re-flashed according to the truck's build sheet. I'd prefer to have this capability and data and do it myself. Is that asking too much??

Thanks, all...

 

Welcome to FTE. With a DP tuner your PCM remains as it is there is no reflash or reprogramming to it at all. When you order your "chip" you need to tell Jody or Diane what you have for mods on the truck intake, exhaust etc. You will also need the code from your PCM. This is located on the inside of the outer cover of the PCM. You can aslo see it on a sticker that is on the connector that connects the PCM to the wiring harness. They will burn the tunes that you want onto the chip. The tunes are switch on the fly so you can adjust them as you drive. The 1st 2 that are standard on evey chip is pos 0 no start pos 1 stock, the rest is up to you.

 

Thanks Mega..... that's good info to know. If the DP gets hammered somehow, I can revert to stock with the original PCM and be good to go. Now, to find a way to replace the PCM and reflash and I'm good.

Some guys claim 22 mpg or more. The DP site says they are good for 2 -4 mpg increase, depending. I'm getting about 17 right now, so it's a bit of a stretch for 22. Any way to add mileage above and beyond what I will get from DPT?

 

Keep your foot out of it?

A good air intake should, in theory, raise your MPGs by a little bit.

And from everything I've read it seems like it would be in your truck's best interest if you let it breathe easier (intake + exhaust) and get a way to monitor its vitals (gauges) before you go with a tuner.

 

the chip will help, but you Really should open the exhaust up (system or muffler delete), add a intake (around here the 6637 is popular and not real expensive), With the DP tuner you really need to add gauges also, as for any chip/programmer you should do these before the chip is installed. when you install these your mileage will go down for a while because you will have your foot in it more, but after a while you'll let off and mileage will increase.
With just my intake (6637) and exhaust (aFe 4" stainless steel with muffler) my millage went up, i haven't got it quite calculated yet, but it really helped, and gave it a slight increase in power.

 

DP Tuner plugs into your factory PCM, you don't get a new PCM with it.
If you are putting a DP Tuner in, you'll want a good intake and exhaust at the minimum to go with it. 6637 DIY intake (contact Riffraff Diesel) and 4" turbo back exhaust (also Riffraff) are good choices and affordable. If you have an auto, you will also probably want to do some trans mods (JW or BTS VB or a Transgo shift kit). And you need gauges (pyro, trans temp if auto, and boost... from Riffraff) to keep an eye on things with the added power to avoid making your motor go boom in a bad way.

 

Okay, I'm sold. Intake and exhaust it is. But Riff's site isn't the easiest thing to search through. I find lots of components, but no systems. Is there a section "just for us"?

 

Just give Clay a call, 541-879-1052 and he'll get you squared away.

 

Looks like your well on your way to the permagrin, welcome to FTE.

 

Thanks, guys.

 

those are very very informational post's about the DP and what starting mods to do! plus it has clays # gonna keep this one for future questions about these very subjects!