Bully Dog Setting

[topdwg]

Hey all got a quick question. I haven't put my gauges on yet and I was wondering with my programmer what HP setting would be safe to drive around with? Thanks in advance...

I have a Bully Dog Power Pup, truck is an 04 P/S...

[alabamafrog]

It depends on how you define safe. I don't think any setting at all is safe without gauges. Chances are you'll get lucky and not hurt anything even on the high setting but I wouldn't call it safe.

[topdwg]

I mean safe meaning I want blow anything up. I was thinking about possibly on the tow setting? or one of the performance ones?

[jamstoyz]

i think youll be safe especially on tow setting. just dont hold down the go pedal for more than 15 seconds.

[topdwg]

Cool! Anyone want to make some money??? I need some help installing my pod and gauges. If you're in the Jacksonville NC area let me know. I'll travel a bit if the price is right. Fuel prices suck right now so I can't go to far...lol

[topdwg]

Ok, well I called Bully Dog last night to see what they said about "settings" and here's what they had to say. First off I asked about why in my instructions it says the settings are, "tow, performance, and extreme." and why my programmer shows incruments of 10%? He said the first version that came out was like that, but since my software has been upgraded it changed it. GTG, not a problem, so then I asked about the settings. He said 10-40 is tow, 50-70 is performance, and 80-100 is extreme. Once again not a problem, so I asked which setting safely would I be able to use without having my gauges on, he says 70? Does that sound right? I don't have a lead foot by no means, I just want to make sure I'm getting the right info. I put it on 50 just to be safe, I don't need that much power, it's just cool to know it's there when I need it.

Also what about head studs? At what horsepower rating would I need to put some in? Do I need to worry about blowing a headgasket because of the use of this programmer?

Thanks...

[Evil Eye]

Truth be told, you could blow your HG's with stock programming. Any time you use a power adder (tuner or programmer) you increase cylinder pressures due to advanced timing and increased fueling. The early 6.0's had HG issues, so you have reason for concern. Having said that, running any type of power adder without gauges is not a good idea. Take an afternoon and just get them done. I had a look at several write ups from here and from Diesel Manor and was able to do it, so if I can do it, anyone can... While this won't solve your HG problem, you will have a good bit more confidence in what your truck is doing.

PS. your truck will benefit from using head studs
PPS. I would comment that you might consider swapping that Bully Dog for an SCT with custom tunes in order to prevent problems with your tranny...

[topdwg]

Hmm, well I guess for now I'll put her back in the stock setting. My truck was built in Oct of 04, would that be considered an "early" 6.0? The only reason I really have the Bully Dog is because I got it at a pretty good price ($150). I guess I could always put it on eBay and see what it would bring...