Confused...

[sweetlou]

I am confused. I have had a 96 2500 with an automatic and all kinds of goodies. injectors, compressor wheel, exhaust, exhaust brake, gauges etc. for quite some time. I know that truck well. but I just bought a low mileage automatic 2006 2500 ( I like the real rear doors), but I know nothing about the electronics. Spending time on the web has made things more confusing. The place I bought it from said it had EFI live on it and I know it has a straight pipe. Other then that I am clueless. I have no Idea what EFI live is nor can I confirm it has it. I see no dials, gauges or programmer type device nor a hole where one might have been. What I am looking for is a small amount of added power, better economy, and a way to monitor vitals like my old gauges do on my 96. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. I am confused. I do plan on adding a different air filter and housing.

Thanks

 

[RVTRKN]

EFIlive plugs into the OBDII plug, and unless it had the CSP5 (the 5 tune switch), there will be no evidence of a tuner. You would need to purchase an Autocal or a V2 scan tool licensed to your VIN, to change the tune. A dealer can connect to their computer to see the ECM, to know if indeed it has the EFILve programing. Here is a link to understand EFILive. http://atptrucks.com/blog/complete-guide-to-efilive/ I have it installed on my 07 C&C and love it, it works with the EPA CRAP still intact and fully functional. It is only available for 2006/07 5.9 thru 2007-2012 6.7 trucks, but they might have cracked the codes for newer models. I purchased mine from ATP, and the Tuner is a skilled Cummins tuner. IMHO, it is the best tuner and least invasive to your CTD. The best function it has, is the ability to data log the same parameters that Witech can datalog.

 

[cerberusiam]

That covers the EFI Live portion of it pretty well but just accentuates the other areas. However, without the license and a tool to load it you are dead in the water now unless it is under the seat or in the console.

Now you need\want gauges so you have to make a decision which way to go, analog or electronic. The 2 popular ones are Edge CTS and Smarty Touch for electronic, I like the ISSPRO EV II's for analog gauges. You will need lift pump, boost, EGT, trans temp, and rail pressure gauges to monitor vitals and troubleshoot any problems. The CAN bus trucks don't display the DTC codes well in the odometer window so whatever you get must be able to read and clear codes also.

Keep in mind other than the EGT gauge the electronic gauges are reading of PIDs generated by the ECU. Those can be corrupted by electrical problems so you may NOT be seeing true information.

As an all-in-one tool the Smarty Touch will give you gauges, code reader and manager, programming box tunes that are without compare, and the ability to create and load custom tunes.

The CTS give you gauges, code management tools, questionable box tunes, and no customization ability.

EFI Live gives you custom tuning and code management.

HP Tuners is another option comparable to EFI Live.

Negative on the air filter and housing. Do a larger cold air return or just drill holes in the bottom of the stock box and use the Fleet guard 4" pleat air filter. That will provide more than adequate filtration and air flow to the engine. A slightly modified air box and the 4" pleat air filter compared to open intake shows no difference in power until you pass 500 HP or so.

 

[RVTRKN]

The CTS give you gauges, code management tools, questionable box tunes, and no customization ability

The CTS monitor (note that the CTS monitor is just that, only a monitor) is a good tool to accompany EFILive, especially if you have a 6.7 that tells you when your in regen. But my custom kiwi wifi setup with Dashcommand & modules that I use works well. As a note to mild EFILive tunes, boost and EGT gauges are all that is needed, and an auto temp gauge if you have an automatic. If the OP,s ECM has an uploaded EFILive tune, it is still active, regardless of the transfer of the title. You only need the Autocal or a V2 to upload different tunes. Without the Autocal or V2, he won't know what the power of the tune is. For that, I recommend purchasing Autocal/V2 to know what the tune is set for.

 

[cerberusiam]

CTS2 is a programmer, or the Attitude controller are all part of the same type of offering, gauges and a programmer with questionable tunes is the gist of it.

If he has nothing he has to spend those $$ all over to get a tuner, code reader, gauges, etc, and that is a choice that has to be made.

First is analog gauges vs electronic and the resulting differences, it is about even up for gauges or an electronic display.

Then a tuner:

The Edge tuners are questionable but they work for around the $600 without any dusp0lay or gauges.

AutoCal with tunes is $1100, V2 is $800-8900, You will have to pay for a custom program if wanted, not sure you can build yourself at that level or need some more software.

HP Tuner sis going to be in the ball park with EFI Live.

Smarty Touch with 5 box tunes and built in ability to tune your own truck is $800-900. That also has the benefit of all the gauges and pids available but will have to add EGT probe and fuel pressure probe.


Gauges NEEDED:

LP pressure
Rail Pressure
Boost
EGT
Trans Temp

The gauges are a driving tool AND a diagnostic tool, those 5 will get you in the ball park of about any known issue and then it takes a code reader and hands on to find the problem. These are 10 year old electronic trucks, gremlins can be present and usage will just put that much more potential for problems on deck.