DP Tuner without gauges?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 140
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From: Solon, Iowa
DP Tuner without gauges?
I'm taking my F350 Dually mongrel (e99 motor/chassis with 03 Lariat body) to Black Magic Performance in Cedar Rapids, IA (recommended by a gal on this forum) and having the owner Kevin do some more work on it. I'm heading on a 600 mile trip (one way--1200 total) to pick up a new horse in Arkansas, and will be pulling my 11,500 lb trailer. Kevin thinks I would get a lot better performance (this guy is FANTASTIC) with a DP Tuner. I know I should add gauges, but right now I can't afford both gauges and the tuner. Do you think it would be okay to get the tuner (Stock, High Idle, 60Hp tow, 40 HP tow and 80e tunes) and get the gauges later when I can afford them? If I get the tuner without the gauges, is there a way to watch out/avoid high tranny and EGT temps? Wish I could get both, but gotta pay for the horse!!! Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: IOWA
My suggestion would be to have them just reburn your PCM to a simple 60 tow tune and run with that. I've got a friend that has an '02 that put in a Superchips 70hp chip with nothing else. It's a farm truck pulling seed tenders and flatbeds and it's still running. I always strongly recommend gauges, but I think you'd be ok with a lower hp tune.
Kevin is pretty knowledge about these trucks. I need to stop in to see his new shop sometime soon.
Kevin is pretty knowledge about these trucks. I need to stop in to see his new shop sometime soon.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
If you you were rolling empty with an opened up exhaust & high-flow intake, yes. Pulling 11k+ with tunes & no gauges is asking for melted pistons. I would at least put in an EGT gauge. You have an aux cooler, so you should be okay without the trans temp gauge, but it would be smart to have one when pulling.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Paramount, Ca
I think if you have an upgraded exhaust and tow with the lower tow tune you'll be ok. Go easy over steep grades and you should be ok. I know I get frustrated when going up steep grades and just floor it but you have to becareful once you have been tuned for more hp.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Solon, Iowa
I've got the stock exhaust...muffler but no cat. Maybe I ought to just run the stock motor for now...it pulls the trailer okay, but at some point, I want a little more ooomph. Thanks for the advice, guys. I sure don't wanna melt my motor!!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Paramount, Ca
11k + a horse seems like a lot to tow with tunes and for me not knowing the elevation changes you might go through. I'd get it installed if you feel more comfortable with someone else installing it and just run it on the stock tune. I know I wasn't able to install my own DP tuner I got used because it had the wrong tunes for my PCM and having Jody install it in a few minutes sure made me feel better about it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Solon, Iowa
I'm a mechanical dummy...I'd definitely have Kevin install it!! I guess I could get it installed and when I get into hills I could run the stock tune. Don't think there will be whole lot of elevation change since I'm going from Iowa to northern Arkansas.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Draper, Utah
if it were me i would get the gauges first. even with a stock motor i would want gauges just to monitor my trans while pulling. you still get new stuff to play with and you also get to sleep good at night knowing your not going to mess something up.
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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I'm taking my F350 Dually mongrel (e99 motor/chassis with 03 Lariat body) to Black Magic Performance in Cedar Rapids, IA (recommended by a gal on this forum) and having the owner Kevin do some more work on it. I'm heading on a 600 mile trip (one way--1200 total) to pick up a new horse in Arkansas, and will be pulling my 11,500 lb trailer. Kevin thinks I would get a lot better performance (this guy is FANTASTIC) with a DP Tuner. I know I should add gauges, but right now I can't afford both gauges and the tuner. Do you think it would be okay to get the tuner (Stock, High Idle, 60Hp tow, 40 HP tow and 80e tunes) and get the gauges later when I can afford them? If I get the tuner without the gauges, is there a way to watch out/avoid high tranny and EGT temps? Wish I could get both, but gotta pay for the horse!!! Thanks
Glad you and Kevin hit it off. Nice guy eh? A bit of a wiley redneck, but I wouldn't want any other caliber of person touching my truck. I run DP tunes without a tranny temp gauge, but I do have a pyrometer/EGT gauge....I haven't had any problems but I'm not sure I'd run tunes without the EGT gauge. Even I feel guilty because I do know I SHOULD have an aftermarket tranny temp gauge..
Like Joe said, I'd at least have an EGT gauge before running the higher tunes, especially pulling around a bit of weight.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Pulling that much weight with a stock intake and exhaust with a tuned truck, even with very little grade, EGT's can get high, especially pulling and passing someone. They will spike very quickly. Couple that with the fact that you will certainly be having some serious permagrin and really will want to feel the additional power, I would wait.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Solon, Iowa
Hey Smokin!! Good to hear from you. I couldn't remember your screen name...sorry! Yeah...Kevin is awesome. He has really gotten my truck running much better, answered a thousand questions I've had, and has just been a great guy to get to know. Thanks SO MUCH for sending me his way (I mentioned it to him...they all knew who I was talking about!). Next time you talk to him tell him you sent him the guy with the Johnny Cash (one part at a time) truck!! He'll know who you mean.
Yeah...I guess at this point I'll just keep it stock until I can get a more open exhaust and some gauges. I did add the AIS filter/intake. It pulls the trailer just fine the way it is...I can live with it stock until next spring.
Yeah...I guess at this point I'll just keep it stock until I can get a more open exhaust and some gauges. I did add the AIS filter/intake. It pulls the trailer just fine the way it is...I can live with it stock until next spring.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
Gauges would be the best way, but you will be ok if you drop back to stock or 40 when pulling hard. Make sure you have a clean air filter and switch BEFORE you get in a hard pull. On the open roads or in cruise, you should be good to go in the higher tunes. Need to save up for gauges, intake and exhaust. I know that a good pull with my 8500lb trailer in 60t will heat me up pretty good and I have an open 4inch exhaust and open filter intake. Use your head and you should be ok. EGT's would be you biggest concern.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I know what you are asking. I had the same question. The suggestion about burning the pcm is a good suggestion. That is the route that I have right now. I got the 80 horse tow burn, it is awesome. It woke the truck up a lot. I still would go with at least the egt guage cause with just the pcm burn and stock exhaust, with a intake the egts can climb quite rapidly especially when towing. Good luck but it would be good to error on the safe side.