BD Power Pup "Stock" Download

[Daimler Dan]

Hi everyone,



I have been visiting the site for a couple of years and have joined recently. I don't have my sig posted below yet, but in summary I have a 2003 2wd Q/C 48RE. I wanted to take this time to tell about an interesting result I noticed when I tried to use a Bully Dog Power Pup.

Shortly after I bought my truck, I was fortunate enough to have my ECM reflashed with a "hot" program using the proper software and equipment. We were able to defeat the torque management, raise injection duration, adjust timing, fuel pressure, cruise control top speed elimination, top speed elimination, air/fuel ratio controls, and a couple of other random items. It took some interesting trials, but we managed to get it right. Now, I knew I wanted to make my truck last, so I loaded a "mild" program.



Interested in the 130hp power pup, I purchased one a few weeks ago and gave it a shot. On the tow setting, not much was noticed. Smooth, but not immense. On the 90hp program, the throttle got too touchy and the idle would not return to the 750rpm stock setting. I figured I should leave well enough alone and download the "stock" program back into the truck.



If you read the literature in the BD instructions, they make it sound like your stock program is re-entered back into the truck. Let me tell you, this IS NOT THE CASE! I could immediately tell the torque managment was back, power was down, timing was "normal" (the engine was quiet). This is just a fair warning to BD customers new and old! Their "stock" program is not your original "stock" program.



I'm sorry, but that seems like false advertising and it is a little scary to me! What parameters are they using?! You'll never know! Needless to say, I am going to get my "hot" program back. Much smoother and at least I know what parameters are set!



FYI



Daimler Dan

 

[GWoody]

I had a guy tell me he tried the power pup and when he went back to the stock setting the truck had less power than before, I always assumed the downloader saved the program from the truck and then put it back but it sounds like this isn't the case.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Man that sounds like a real downer for the PUP? anyone else observe the loss? Thanks, Doc

 

[Tomeygun]

Hi everyone,

Shortly after I bought my truck, I was fortunate enough to have my ECM reflashed with a "hot" program using the proper software and equipment. We were able to defeat the torque management, raise injection duration, adjust timing, fuel pressure, cruise control top speed elimination, top speed elimination, air/fuel ratio controls, and a couple of other random items. It took some interesting trials, but we managed to get it right.

FYI



Daimler Dan

You just became everyones new best friend - Delete torq management program?? Count me in -



So, maybe a new way to get a little extra Hp - Like a MAD ECM?

 

[daytripper63]

I would like to lose my box and just have a strong program in my ECM get rid of the S. O. program and no box to be concerned with

 

[AK RAM]

We were able to defeat the torque management, raise injection duration, adjust timing, fuel pressure, cruise control top speed elimination, top speed elimination, air/fuel ratio controls, and a couple of other random items.

In reference to the "stock" program, that has been talked about before, back when the BDDL first came out. But lets get to the point... ... I know you didn't think you were going to post something like that and just walk away. Details? Any possibility of something like this being available for the rest of us? Getting rid of torque management would be sweet.



On the downloader... I have played with it a bunch and other than the skim key being erased, I never had any ill effects from using it..... to my knowledge anyway.

 

[whamby]

There was a guy on DTR that went by Oregonpharmer I think that did some trick stuff like changing the program, some cam shaft adjustments and other stuff.

 

[jwilliams3]

Whats a skim key?

 

[Daimler Dan]

I just wanted people to realize that their stock program is not being reloaded back into their trucks. It frustrates me because getting ECM work done is not easy!

There's no doubt that the BDDL makes power, the 90hp setting felt strong. I didn't try the 130hp setting, but an individual at work has his 04. 5 set at 130hp and it runs very well. It also doesn't experience the touchy throttle syndrome that I had, so maybe my ECM cal didn't jive with the BDDL. I can't explain.

Sorry, I would imagine that any public/mass ECM work is out of the question. Too much liability. Maybe I shouldn't of started that issue!

 

[AK RAM]

Whats a skim key?

That is the coded key security feature for those with the gray key. You know…. truck won’t start unless the code in your chipped key matches the code in the ECM, or something like that. The feature still works after using the BDDL as I had a generic key made and the truck would not start unless I used my coded key, but it will always have a "SKIM Key Not Programmed" code stored in the ECM. Doesn’t affect anything, but is there.

 

[qzilla]

I just wanted people to realize that their stock program is not being reloaded back into their trucks. It frustrates me because getting ECM work done is not easy!

There's no doubt that the BDDL makes power, the 90hp setting felt strong. I didn't try the 130hp setting, but an individual at work has his 04. 5 set at 130hp and it runs very well. It also doesn't experience the touchy throttle syndrome that I had, so maybe my ECM cal didn't jive with the BDDL. I can't explain.

Sorry, I would imagine that any public/mass ECM work is out of the question. Too much liability. Maybe I shouldn't of started that issue!

This is not 100% true. The downloaders strore a bunch of part #'s or ECM codes however you want to look at it. Once it sees your part number it knows what to modify and what part# to put back into the vehicle.



Here is where you can loose YOUR program. The downloaders are updated just like the start tools at the dealer. It holds whatever the latest known flash for that part#. This is the latest part# that they have available and it flashes that part# to your ECM. Now if you have an older version and you have your truck reflashed to somthing newer than your tuner, then when you return to stock you will loose it.





Hope that helps.

 

[Marco]

If you read the instructions of all the downloaders that are availabel for the Cummins ( VP & CR ). One could easily ( does! ) understand that the software that's in the ECM in that moment is read into the downloader in order to flash it back into the ECM once you get back to stock level. That's most likely what Daimler Dan thought too. Well, now you all know that this is not. A stock file is restored, but like Qzilla sez, it's the "latest" stock software the downloader has stored in it for that part#.



Marco

 

[Daimler Dan]

qzilla,



That is my point. Your "stock" program may not be the "stock" program the BDDL puts back in. Granted, the differences may be little, but I am a little nervous not knowing exactly was has gone back into my truck.

Yes, the truck runs ok. No concerns there. Just a little doggy



Why, though, did I experience such a touchy throttle and idle issues?! I talked to a BD vendor and he admitted seeing the same issues. He said he was working with BD to reduce the touchy throttle syndrome and to help the cruise control surging issue.



Obviously I am not the only person that thought more homework needs to be done on the downloaders...

 

[qzilla]

I can't really comment too much, but you are correct.



I just wanted to point out that you could get your stock ecm flash back. You may or may not. I did not want every single person to think that they are not getting their file back.



That is probably all I can say on this subject.





Quad

 

[Donn]

I installed the outlook monitor and used the bd downloader. I had some issues with the outlook monitor not defueling the truck when the the egt reached the temp that I set it to defuel the truck. I ran several tests with the monitor testing the 0-60 times. My truck ran exactley the same in the stock mode befor and after I downloaded the 90 hp setting. I could not tell any difference before and after in stock setting. I did have the tsb flash done before I installed the outlook monitor or the downloader. But as far as I can tell I think my truck was back to stock or at least I couldn't tell any difference and the 0-60 time was also the same.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I had a Bully Dog downloader for my truck. I had a heck of a time getting it back to stock. Had to run the program twice to reset it. Sent it back and told them to keep it. Didn't work on the power end either... some type of programming issue they admitted.



Also had the Outlook Monitor. Sent that back too. It would not save high boost readings and the power levels on it only worked at 75 and 100 percent. 0 percent was supposed to be stock power but the truck wouldn't even drive. They also admitted to those issues... . and they knew about them when they sold it to me.



All I can say is shame on them. TST on board now.

 

[Daimler Dan]

So, what is the general consensus on the latest TST box?! Are they still throwing codes? I've heard that the power is there, no doubt. Is it smooth in it's delivery?



I have tried a couple of boxes over time, here is what I saw. .



Ramifier - More power than EZ, good low end, throttle way to touchy though!

VA 3. 1 - Waste O' Money. . fair bottom/mid range, NO top end. It is smooth in it's delivery, but it should be as little as you are gaining.

VA 3. 2 - A little more top end than 3. 1. The latest TDR mag proved what we saw, 50hp peak gain. It's funny, actually, that our G-Tech window unit showed a 50hp gain on low and a 0hp gain on high (vs low). Then I read the TDR issue 48 and it showed the same thing! Very little power gain for the embarrasing EGT issues. They need to do more homework on this one. It's borderline worthless also.

Edge EZ - Must admit, makes good overall power, not quite Ramifier levels, but it is smooth, easy to hook up, EGT's are good, probably all most people need! If 70hp is your thing, this box is it.

BDDL - Stated earlier on my thoughts, does make the power, but is touchy and rough around the edges.



Sorry, I haven't tried quad's new boxes or anything else. Can't speak for those. Overall, I have very unimpressed with the ones that I have tried. It's like they get something to make power then they start to ship the units. I hope the newer boxes are better.

 

[TCDiesel]

Ecm

Here is a set , 2003 Ho, Marco if you want them let me know or any member I have them on ebay now,I had the 300/660@1600 Gov 2600, These are back to 305/555, I have the 300/660 with My Six-Gun in my sig, Last Dyno 395Hp 874TQ. all my personal units are set up for pulling not racing. It pulls way better than the numbers.