First Performance Mods

[thorx4md]

Well guys, I recently had the ARP studs and new gaskets installed as well as EGR cooler, Oil Cooler and other misc. issues addressed. Truck is completely stock. What are some mods that I can do to give me a little better performace? I drive it everyday. Don't race it at all. I tow a small trailer once in a while. I am looking for recommendations on some mods that will safely increase performance. Nothing radical!! Thanks in advance.

[Abrannan19]

SCT tuner, exhausts system..those are two good mods

[Goose350]

Gauges, exhaust and sct

[thorx4md]

Thanks guys. I don't want to do anything serious. Where is the best place to get the SCT tuner? Does it already come with the tune programmed?

[Diesel Freak]

YUP,,,, what they said

[thorx4md]

What is the difference between the 3 different tunes on the SCT?

[Abrannan19]

with us, we include a street,race and tow file. One has the most power (race) and a bit more aggressive Torque converter lock up, the street has a a bit less power and has a less aggressive torque converter lockup, the tow file is just that, adds about 40hp and firms up shifts

[chuckles]

first off, with SCT get a custom tune from one of the reputable vendors here. There are a few. Most offer 3 basic tunes. Street, Tow, Economy.

Street: Daily driver, hot throttle response, firm shifts, more advanced timing. High HP and TQ. Can tow usually up to 8 to 10K lbs EGT's rise fast with this tune.

Tow: Milder tune, firm shifts, less timing, Cooler EGT's. Usually lower hp but high TQ tune for towing up to the rated capacity of the truck. Some of these use the VGT turbo as an engine brake also.

Econ. Milder than stock. Very slow throttle response, less hp/tq then stock. Very slow. Basically removes fuel from truck to keep hot foots from burning up fuel. But this tune will get worse mileage then "street" tune, if street tune is not hot rodded. Pesonally I would call this the "valet" tune. Great if you need to lone truck to someone, or have valets park it....


some tuners also offer an "extreme Street, and "Race" tunes These are very high hp (up to the max that the fuel/turbo system your truck can support) and can be used as daily drivers/race tunes, but should never be used to tow with. You can blow things up really easy with these tunes and a heavy load. But if truck is unloaded they are fine to use at WOT, provided you have a EGT guage to watch temps. Usually these tunes are in the 400 to 420RWHP range. Some also offer "studded" versions of these tunes that are 10 to 20 rwhp higher, but these are completely maxed out tunes for stock trucks with good exhaust.

If you have studs, and EGR delete, you should be good with any of these basic setups. you willl need good exhaust system and delete your cat converter if you want to gain full benefit of these tunes, and increase the overall longevity of you engine.

[thorx4md]

Chuckles, thank you for making that very easy to understand. I will def. be doing the exhaust and cat delete first. Want to order the tuner hopefully next week. I just want some extra performance without blowing anything up. Thanks again everyone. You guys are awesome!

[chuckles]

Sure. If you want something now. I would get the basic street and tow tunes, and wait on the xtreme/race tunes until you get good exhaust and guages.. just my 2 cts...