Bang for the Buck programmer/tuners

[scatpack]

The day has come where the warranty is up on my 06 CTD 2500 Mega Cab. Now I can do what I want to improve. I'm running 100% stock right now. On the highway at 70mph I can easily hit 22MPG. I want more.



Can anyone out there share their experiences with what product gave them the best bang for the buck.



I know other $ will have to be invested like a better exhaust as well but I want to start with a programmer. Suggestions?



Regards, Steve 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 5. 9L I6

 

[Jim W]

It would also help to know what you are looking for? Such as better fuel mileage or more performance and the ability for POD (power on demand). Does the model have to have the ability to show gages electronically or do you want a stand alone programmer? Are you going to add gages and other performance rated items such as head studs with new head gasket and new injectors that will provide more fuel?



By answering these questions than the members can recommend what to investigate so you can make a discission on what to buy.



BTW, once you start down this road you will not be able to stop.



Jim W.

 

[Wertles]

One vote here for the Smarty Jr. Probably in my opinion the least damaging to your truck as far as any performance upgrades. It only changes timing and duration, it does not raise fuel rail pressure which is hard on injectors and can cause premature failure with stock filtration. Gauges are not absolutely necessary with the Jr but are, again in my opinion, are highly recommended with any performance upgrades. If you keep the stock torque management setting and have a careful foot, your transmission "should" be ok. My fuel mileage has increased by about 1 mpg on the towing setting. I use mine for added power while towing and towing 18K through the Pennsylvania mountains, I don't shift out of OD and I am never past half throttle. I am very pleased with the performance gains for under 500 dollars. I have a MBRP 4" cat back exhaust with 2 mufflers. I can't say that I would do that again because I have had issues with bad drone while towing at highway speeds although this seems to be worse with Mega Cabs. Many have had great success with them on other cab types. Good luck with your choices.

 

[AH64ID]

22 mpg sounds like you read the overhead, or drive 55 in a 2wd truck.

Exhaust isn't really needed for anything but exhaust note up thru 600 rwhp, maybe a cat delete if you can.

Unless you don't tow and don't race, just cruise you need gauges along with any power adder, and along those same lines if you have an auto you will need mild trans upgrades to maintain longevity.

A Smarty Jr is a great product. If all you truly want is a mileage increase try SW1 with defaults, should be relatively safe on a stock auto.

 

[Prairie Dog]

If your not going too wild, the Smarty Jr. is a great choice and at least in my case resulted in a solid 1. 2 to 1. 8 MPG increase when towing and really woke up the Cummins. The Jr. doesn't do anything dangerous to your eng either.

 

[scatpack]

I'm really looking for MPG improvements. I easily hit 700 miles out of a tank when driving empty on the highway. I tow my classic car a few times a year through the Pocono mountains an the Adirondacks. When I tow I'm easily hitting 16mpgs.

I have talked with lots of guys at car shows and they are telling me if I'm not doing 30 MPG then there is something wrong with my Cummins. They all said I have to "chip" my truck. I figured the people on this site would know what the best units are. Looking at Bully Dog GT, Smarty JR, Banks 6 gun, something with some dialability would be awesome.

 

[scatpack]

Revised sig, the 2002 is long gone.

 

[Wertles]

I see you are from Canada. Are you talking miles or km? If you are talking miles, I wouldn't touch the truck at all because you are doing much better than anyone here on the forum as far as mileage goes.

 

[RDeFayette]

bang for the buck

I'm really looking for MPG improvements. I easily hit 700 miles out of a tank when driving empty on the highway. I tow my classic car a few times a year through the Pocono mountains an the Adirondacks. When I tow I'm easily hitting 16mpgs.



I have talked with lots of guys at car shows and they are telling me if I'm not doing 30 MPG then there is something wrong with my Cummins. They all said I have to "chip" my truck. I figured the people on this site would know what the best units are. Looking at Bully Dog GT, Smarty JR, Banks 6 gun, something with some dialability would be awesome.

In order of importance I would/did

1) Lowes DIY CAintake $15. 00

2) ANSA 4" turbo back exhaust NO drone-Converter delete/ Genos 300. 00

3) Airdog 100 Gets rid of the stock (gonna die pump) AND better fuel filtration Engine is also quieter 500. 00

4) Smarty Jr. hands down

Car show bench racers, next time you talk to these guys looks at their hands.

Not a spec of dirt! Most of the BS you hear from these clowns is what they read about! 30 MPG NEVER gonna happen (except overhead) not going down Mt. Everest with a tailwind!

I would hazard to guess that when you were talking to these "car show guys" that they did most of the talking! Probably couldn't get away from them and their vast knowledge!!!

 

[AH64ID]

I'm really looking for MPG improvements. I easily hit 700 miles out of a tank when driving empty on the highway. I tow my classic car a few times a year through the Pocono mountains an the Adirondacks. When I tow I'm easily hitting 16mpgs.



I have talked with lots of guys at car shows and they are telling me if I'm not doing 30 MPG then there is something wrong with my Cummins. They all said I have to "chip" my truck. I figured the people on this site would know what the best units are. Looking at Bully Dog GT, Smarty JR, Banks 6 gun, something with some dialability would be awesome.

Hitting 700 on a tank on a stock truck is pretty darn rare! You may see a small improvement, but not sure how much.



The ability to change on the fly is far overrated, set the tune for the max power you want/need and use your right foot.



You will NEVER get 30 mpg driving a 3rd gen Cummins, heck 20 is hard to obtain but not un-doable. I have yet to break 20 and have many efficiency mods, it's just not that easy on an 8K lb truck.



Of all the mods I have done the ones that effected the mileage the most were Smarty Jr, Cam and Turbo. My intake/exhaust mods didn't do a thing to my mileage, but the intake mods did help performance in the low/mid range. . and supply the needed air at high boost and high rpms.

 

[ktb]

i'm not sure you will see much of a gain empty, but think you will notice a difference when towing with the smarty jr. about a month ago took a trip from north idaho to south idaho pulling my tent trailer ( i know kinda pathetic ) but i averaged 18. 1 mpg for the whole trip had just put the smarty jr. on ( 70 hp tune level 2 ). i would normally get around 16. 5 an i almost always drive about 5 over what ever is posted little trailer will follow the truck around any corner. this spring i had 4 tanks in a row that were all a little over 22 mpg an through the winter i was getting a little over 20 on winter fuel. an yes my speedo is calibrated an i have hand calculated ever tank since the truck was new it is a early 03 purchaced in dec. 2002
So to answer your question, my opinion you will see a little gain with the smarty when towing. Other wise i think your best bet is to keep driving the truck the way you have been 22 mpg is something to be proud of an to brag about all the guys i work with hate hearing about my mileage

 

[scatpack]

No I am ALWAYS quoting in US MPG. In Canadian I get close to 26 MPG's (4. 5L/Canadian gallon VS 3. 78L/US Gallon).



I normally do over 1100kms on a tank on the highway (1100 / 1. 62 = miles) which is 679 miles which works out to approx 20mpg. This is through the Adirondack mountains @ 70mph (1950rpm to be exact) |(3. 54 rear, auto 2WD) on my way down to visit my dad in Mass. I guess if it ain't broke don't touch it then.



When should the fuel filter be changed? I'm at 45,000 miles.



Thanks again group.

I see you are from Canada. Are you talking miles or km? If you are talking miles, I wouldn't touch the truck at all because you are doing much better than anyone here on the forum as far as mileage goes.

 

[AH64ID]

|(3. 54 rear, auto 2WD)



When should the fuel filter be changed? I'm at 45,000 miles.



Thanks again group.

I would beleive a 3. 73 rear end, but 3. 54 wasn't an option in 06.



Fuel filter every 15K miles.

 

[ENafziger]

Wow. If you're really getting that kind of mileage, I wouldn't do anything performance wise. Here's an interesting article to read:

Turbo Diesel

If the modding bug has bitten, I would concentrate on helping the engine breathe better, and on items that would increase longevity. These could be: camshaft, 2 micron fuel filtration, replacement lift pump (air dog, raptor, FASS, etc), better flowing exhaust manifold and intake manifold, bypass oil filter, etc. I don't think I'd change the factory air filter. I *guess* the Smarty Jr would be as safe as any for a mild power adder.

That being said... if I could get anywhere near that kind of fuel economy, I wouldn't even sneeze in my truck for fear of getting something out of whack!

If you look at what I've done to my truck, I obviously haven't followed my own advice... but then again, I've NEVER gotten over 18 mpg with mine in any form on any tank. I've done extensive so called "efficiency" mods and haven't seen any measurable increase, period.

You've got a great truck. Enjoy.

--Eric

 

[RDeFayette]

I did the mods listed in my post (Lowes CAI, 4" turbo back cat delete, airdog and Smarty Jr) went from 13. 4 to 18. 5 > 20 depending on my right foot. Hand calculated

 

[scatpack]

I know it was the most road friendly ratio optional.



Guess it's time for a fuel filter. Any tips on how to would be much appreciated.

I would beleive a 3. 73 rear end, but 3. 54 wasn't an option in 06.



Fuel filter every 15K miles.

 

[AH64ID]

In 2006 there were 3. 73's and 4. 10's.



Here is an excerpt from the service manual. It's very easy. I recommend cleaning the WIF sensor at the same time. Use either an OEM filter or a Baldwin PF7977, the Baldwin is the preferred filter. Don't use any others.