Tuner / Programmer Question

[E-Man]

Forgive me for sounding like a noob, but this is my first diesel. Im trying to figure out what type of tuner came on my '01 I picked up last October. My PCM has a DiabloSport sticker on it and I have a toggle switch that has 'stock' 'tow' and 'performance' settings. I've been on DiabloSport's website and all I can see on there webpage are handheld flash programmers. I don't see anything about PCM mods like the DP style tuners. What exactly do I have in my truck, and is it any good? All I'm really concerned about is that it doesn't hurt my truck. I know DP and others are probably better for performance, but as long as this tuner won't eat my engine or tranny Im OK with it. Thanks.

[TreySpooner65]

Originally Posted by E-Man

What exactly do I have in my truck

No clue.

Originally Posted by E-Man

and is it any good?

Nope.

Originally Posted by E-Man

All I'm really concerned about is that it doesn't hurt my truck.

It probably will.

Originally Posted by E-Man

I know DP and others are probably better for performance, but as long as this tuner won't eat my engine or tranny Im OK with it.

I've got some bad news for ya then...

What you have are called "canned tunes." They are one size fits all. Have you ever worn a one size fits all tuxedo? Sucks doesnt it. Get a tailored tuxedo and your truck will thank you forever.

[E-Man]

Why is it no good? (from a factual stand-point, not opinion)

I read this post from Diane at DP Tuner from a thread earlier this year "Most programmers are canned tunes. Stock trucks tend to love them. With modifications done,Yes, Jody tunes are different."

The only mods to my truck are an S&B intake and a straight-piped 4" turbo back exhaust, so Id say I probably fall into that stock category.

And why will it probably hurt my truck? I keep it on the stock setting 90% of the time anyways.

[E-Man]

And if I did decide to switch to DP would it be a simple process of sending them my PCM and they would wipe out the Diablo tunes before putting their own on?

[dentexpowerstroke]

If it is an adjustable chip you will have to pull it out to put the new one in so it won't matter. Canned tunes are usually really hard on trucks because they dont really tune the truck they turn up the fuel and thats it. Custom tunes also take into account your tranny and boost. Basically canned tunes just dump fuel.

[E-Man]

Originally Posted by dentexcoalroller

If it is an adjustable chip you will have to pull it out to put the new one in so it won't matter. Canned tunes are usually really hard on trucks because they dont really tune the truck they turn up the fuel and thats it. Custom tunes also take into account your tranny and boost. Basically canned tunes just dump fuel.

Makes sense, thanks. Im doing some longevity mods to the truck right now (6.0 trans cooler, gauge pods to monitor things, PPE diff cover, Amsoil fluids all around) so for now Ill just run it on the stock setting. Ill spring for a DP Tuner when the durability mods are finished.

[dentexpowerstroke]

Instead of the ppe diff cover you may want to check out the 08+ cast aluminium one. Unless you are really wanting the added capacity. It has cooling fins and you can usually get it a lot cheaper.

[E-Man]

I thought about buying the 08 diff cover and Ive seen them on Ebay for cheap. But Im the kinda guy that keeps his vehicles forever if they treat me right, so my plan is to build everything on this truck for overkill. I only put about 8k miles on my truck a year, so if I build it for durability it should last me a very long time. I want the extra 4 quarts of Amsoil gear oil that the PPE cover will hold. I thought about doing a Mag Hytec tranny pan too, but the general consensus on this forum seems to be that the tranny pan is a waste of money, so I decided against it. An oil bypass system will probably be next on the list.