04 Duramax--Best Programming Available

[JustYakin]

Hello all...new to the forum and hope you highly knowledgable guys can help me out a little. I have a 04 duramax that needs some tuning. I pull an RV most of the time and I guess what i'm looking for is more horsepower and better fuel milage. Not really interested in redoing exhaust and things like that just mainly some sort of programming should do the job. Please tell me what will work the best. Thanks

[vegaman04]

How much $$$ you got to play with? Thats the question.

PPE, Quadzilla, Edge are just to name a few.

[JustYakin]

Im gonna say $450 but if there is one that you would suggest $550 then I would go with that. Hypertech is about the only thing I have looked at so far. Thanks

[justy]

Give PPE a look. Just don't get a programmer thats going to over tune the engine to the point of tranmission failure. I think 80 hp would be a safe zone. 100 hp then it's iffy.

[Stevens07]

PPE gets great reviews on the diesel sites, often better than juice or bully dog.

Steven

[foreman00081]

for a stock truck hypertechs a great tuner. its about the only one out there where you can run it on the highest setting (approx 100HP) and still have it be safe for the tranny. i had a hypertech for the past 2 years and never had a problem, always ran it on level 3 and it pulled great and really made the truck a lot more fun to drive. only reason i sold it was cause i upgraded my tranny and wanted to run big power.

[Tom S.]

Just so you are aware, you can spend anywhere from $300 to over $1,000 for a new programmer. If you want something in the $300 range, Diablo is quite popular, and can be found for under $300 if you buy used. It has 4 levels of tuning: towing (40hp gain), and 3 higher up to 120hp gain. It also allows you to correct the speedo for tire size, raise the speed limiter, and read/reset engine codes.

When computing mileage figures, you need to do it manually though as programmers throw off the computer and give inaccurate mpg figures.

[MoJoe]

If I were going to be strictly driving and towing, I would consider the Banks Ottomind. I know they put a lot of R&D into their products, and even though they cost a couple more $$$ out the box, a tuner is something I would not settle for just the cheapest in cost. Also if you get the PDA option, no need for extra gauges. Watching your EGTs is critical, especially after being tuned.

[Big Angry]

Just Yakin, fill out your sig and let us know what you got. An 04 could have either the LB7 or the LLY motor in it. Best bang for the buck IMO is the Diablosport Predator, $300 new and with 4 levels and DTC scanning/clearing, it's tough to beat. I'll soon have one for sale from an LLY.....

[foreman00081]

Originally Posted by Big Angry

Just Yakin, fill out your sig and let us know what you got. An 04 could have either the LB7 or the LLY motor in it. Best bang for the buck IMO is the Diablosport Predator, $300 new and with 4 levels and DTC scanning/clearing, it's tough to beat. I'll soon have one for sale from an LLY.....

bout time to really give that tranny a workout eh? what did ya decide to go with next?

[Big Angry]

Nothing real serious, but for now let's just say more fuel and more air. You coming to Carlisle this year Mike? If so you can check it out in person. I can't wait.

[foreman00081]

i think i catch your drift, nothing too serious... haha, ya ill be there for sure, lookin forward to seeing it.

[JustYakin]

Thanks for all of your input. It was for my father in law and he ended up with a bully dog before i could get him your input. The place he bought it from gives a 30 day refund/exchange if not satified and he is on his way to Colorado pulling the RV so he will know pretty quick if it's gonna be enough or not. Thanks again.

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by JustYakin

Thanks for all of your input. It was for my father in law and he ended up with a bully dog before i could get him your input. The place he bought it from gives a 30 day refund/exchange if not satified and he is on his way to Colorado pulling the RV so he will know pretty quick if it's gonna be enough or not. Thanks again.

His test pulling a RV to Colorado won't be the pulling power of the truck, it will be the cooling system. Some 04's had issues with over heating.

[foreman00081]

also, does he have gauges yet? if not then hes going to want to get a boost and pyro gauge cause when towing with a tuner it is absoloutly critical to monitor your EGT's. running too long at high temps can easilly lead to melted or cracked pistons and LLY's seem to have the most piston issues (if it is an LLY).

[canadianstroker]

Originally Posted by JustYakin

Hello all...new to the forum and hope you highly knowledgable guys can help me out a little. I have a 04 duramax that needs some tuning. I pull an RV most of the time and I guess what i'm looking for is more horsepower and better fuel milage. Not really interested in redoing exhaust and things like that just mainly some sort of programming should do the job. Please tell me what will work the best. Thanks

Custom tune....A good tuner can dail you in for towing and performance without turning your truck into a fuel pig.