Tunes.

[Uwharrier]

Just want more than this old 5.9 2006 148k can deliver. Is there a good tune for the ECM that won't leave parts blown out . Im a old school off-road driver and tow vehicles are new to me . But I love this diesel. The G 56 transmission holds tight now dmf replaced with a single mf. The truck itself is tight but more efficient tuning would be a blessing . Had it since July and just now brave enough to work on it. It's 148 k miles and at this point reliable. Not looking to alter mechanical parts just increase power. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim W]

I would do a search on this site for tuners/programmers for the 5.9L Cummins engine. There has been a lot of discussion lately on this subject.

Just remember once you start down the slippery slide of modifying your truck, it won't stop. Power is addictive and you always will want more!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I like my simple Smarty Jr. Works great, no codes or side effects.
I had a TST power max. Ended up cutting that thing into small pieces and dumping it. Garbage.

 

[AHutson]

I had a Smarty S0-3 on my 2001, it did good. For your model year there are/were a quite a few custom tune options using EFI Live or MM3 (similar tuner to Smarty Touch). I would look around at some of those vs. a box tune like the Smarty. The custom tuner can dial in what you want and really make it run great. Just like Jim W said, adding power is slippery slope and sometimes more is never enough. But it can be lots of fun!

 

[Uwharrier]

I appreciate your replies. Local diesel performance shop offers a 5 position tune setup. Stock ,tow, economy and 2 power. EFI live . Exhaust system is pipe from turbo to tailpipe nothing in between. Gonna try the EFI live. Looking for economy mostly anyway. More power equals more $ and just learning how to work on that thing myself. Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

I appreciate your replies. Local diesel performance shop offers a 5 position tune setup. Stock ,tow, economy and 2 power. EFI live . Exhaust system is pipe from turbo to tailpipe nothing in between. Gonna try the EFI live. Looking for economy mostly anyway. More power equals more $ and just learning how to work on that thing myself. Thanks

I would steer away from a 5 position EFI tune. It most likely isn't custom at a custom price. I only have 1 customer after all these years that actually wanted more than 2 tunes, and based on your description of how you use the truck I'd be talking you out of even 2 tunes. You'd be better off with 1 high quality custom tune, or a simple box tuner.

If it were my truck I'd look at a Smarty Jr or a MM3 with a real custom tune.

EFI Live is a great tuner but it's lacking some of the tables that UDC Pro offered and those tables are the ones that make a difference in an every day tune vs a race tune.

Just my .02 after having used both software's.. I don't use EFI Live for tuning as it's main focus isn't Cummins.

 

[bigceltic]

As I had posted on another thread, I have had both (Smarty and EFI Live: started with Smarty JR, then S-06 then EFI with CSP5 switch and now MM3/Touch) and Smarty wins hands down. Even the S-06 "box" tunes were much better then the EFI "box" although selectable tunes. MM3 UDC Pro even more so.

 

[Uwharrier]

I appreciate all of the information all of you are providing as I am going it alone .Thought about the Smarty Jr before. Looking for the best the engine can deliver efficiency and power. Will look into the Smarty Jr. It too is adjustable isn't it ? For $ 500 sounds reasonable. Will go with it . Any recommendations on who to purchase it from . Thanks

 

[bigceltic]

I appreciate all of the information all of you are providing as I am going it alone .Thought about the Smarty Jr before. Looking for the best the engine can deliver efficiency and power. Will look into the Smarty Jr. It too is adjustable isn't it ? For $ 500 sounds reasonable. Will go with it . Any recommendations on who to purchase it from . Thanks

I would get the S-06 rather than the JR if you want to go that route as you can get a used S-06 PoD for well under $500. I have 160K on my truck (mostly towing) with no issues and when I used the S06 I ran SW1 or SW3 (both had advanced timing) and loved them.

 

[Uwharrier]

• Just checked out S-06 . Like the tire size speedo calibration setting also . More power options . SW 3 would be my max too. Great suggestion . That truck ain't no dragster with six gears 4 of which are low.