Are the chips a warranty no-no? I have heard different takes on it.


Some have said that GM would have to prove the failure came from the installation of the chip. Of course, I have read that most folks take them off, when having service done. In my case, that would be about 20 times!!!!!


But I wonder also, what the long term benefits and or disagvantages are a part of 'Juicing up' your truck?


Any comments?

GM will void your warranty without even attempting to prove the chip caused an issue. Trust me I know first hand. Play it safe and always go back to stock before going to the dealer.

Thanks for the information.


I am hoping folks can share the plusses and minuses of 'juicing' up their Dmaxes. OR any negative results.


I know they are being sold and used and have certain benefits. I wonder what I could expect towing about 13,000lbs, up Cajon pass, which peaks at about 6,000 ft. And when in the Sierras, at altitudes as hith as 8-10,000 ft.


THanks!

I run the Banks 6-gun and pulled 7000 lbs through AZ and CO this summer, 5200-mile round trip from MI and back. The chip's extra power was very useful in the moutains. I have not had any issues with my Banks since installing it about 10K miles ago....currently at 36K miles.


The biggest downside I have heard is that running any of the chips at 100+HP or more on a regular basis requires beefing of the allison in order for it to survive long-term.

For those types of weights you would not want to use a power enhancement in the higher settings, as this would get you in serious trouble real fast in the mountains. From everything I have read, the Banks 6-Gun may be the best for you. But the Juice/Attitude 125 or the Stealth 135 would be nearly as good. Plus with the last 2, you would have a little more power for those times you just feel like playing.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


If you are grossing around 20,000# in the mountains you could fry the transmission at the higher settings. Even with their ability to back the power down, you could have problems.


The biggest hill I have ever went up at highway speeds was 10% for 3 1/2 miles, and another 6 1/2% that was 7 miles. These two hills were at about 17,000# I did not have any problems when not using cruise control. However, with cruise control I limped the transmission real good once. These hills were not 10,000' elevations you mentioned. That alone will make a difference in how well the transmission handles the extra power.

My dealership sells the Hypertech to put on your truck right when you buy it. Plus my service guy likes taking rides in my truck. So I think I am cleared of that. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Your service guy doesn't underwrite your warranty...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


It helps having someone who is decent to work with, but I'll warrant that if push comes to shove and the district tech guy gets involved, your rig will be red flagged and bye, bye warranty...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif

Zeeb...if the service guy has half a brain it will never come to that.


On edit: I guess assuming half a brain maybe a lot when it comes to a stealer!Edited by: dpower

dpower,


Exactly...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif


I sure wouldn't want anything important to depend on me being able to find anyone with brains in the service department at the stealer where my truck came from.


Big mistake on my part, not checking out the service department before I ordered my truck...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

I have almost the same towing combination as you do - 30ft toyhauler & CC/SB Duramax. I've towed this trailer with the same weights you do with three different power adders over the last 2 years.


You don't mention what you are actually trying to achieve with the added power, but I figure its (at least) towing performance.
<UL>
<LI>I first bought a Predator which towed well but covered the front of my trailer in soot even in the 50hp setting.</LI>
<LI>My next tuner was a Quad Stealth, it towed slightly better than the Predator, with no soot in the tow setting.</LI>
<LI>My current tuner is the TTS Powerloader, and it tows considerably better than the first two - no smoke, much more power, and lower EGTs.</LI>[/list]


A couple of things to consider are whether or not you need to return to stock for warranty work, and cost. The TTS is an ECM reprogram, and you cannot return it to stock, although you can purchase a 2nd stock ECM. Also, the TTS in my opinion is the best towing tuner out there - although I have to say I've not towed with the Juice, which is also highly regarded. The TTS is more expensive than the others but worth every penny.


I've towed up Cajon Pass and the Grapevine fully loaded and top both hills at 65mph with pedal to accelerate (did Cajon Pass once at 80mph but the wife got on me for dodging in and out of slower moving trucks).


I see you're from Temecula - so am I. PM me and we'll hook up and you can drive my truck.


Doug