Dang, this forum is addictive. A few months ago, I wouldn't have considered this, but hearing you guys talk about going faster, makes me want to 'tune up' my DMax. I was originally thinking about a 4" exhaust, MBRP or Banks, or something, now I'm considering possibly a chip (VA, or Edge?). I guess my question is, what is the most bang for the buck? I'm not going racing or anything like that, but my brother's 2003 2wd Dodge dually is quicker to 70 mph than my 4wd dually, and that just bugs the hell outta me! I'm also not wanting to slip the tranny or anything like that, just some mild addtions, and maybe even something to bump up my mileage. So, what's the most comprehensive buy, chip or exhaust?
THANKS!!

chip

Edge w/ Attitude!

you can always do the exhaust later !! Edge boxes are cheap, jump in now

Hmmm, well so far the 'chippies' have it! Are they "plug and play" or am I gonna have warranty issues, reprogramming and other obstacles. I figured exhaust improvements would be most beneficial....but this is my first diesel, so I'm still learning!

The Edge Juice by itself takes about 5 minutes to plug in and will work fine for starters. It can also be easily unplugged for the occasional trip to the dealer. The Attitude controller when installed complete with exhaust probe adds a lot of features, but also requires more installation time and is harder to uninstall. You can also run the attitude without the probe for a compromise. Thats what I did on my last truck.

my truck is stock except for the juice attitude combo. i run it on level 4 while regular driving, and 2 while towing. i have not seen the need to install exhaust for egt's, as they are fine with stock exhaust. mileage on mine is about the same, but i thrash on it more often since the j/a install. wil

We have the 6 gun w/speed loader and the Banks Monster Exhaust. The chip gives us more power, the exhaust makes the truck sound like it went through puberty. It added some power, but a chip is better for what you're looking for right now IMHO.

When we take it in for warranty service, we have to pull the Banks. They don't care about the exhaust, since it actually helps the truck. Can't speak about the Edge, but Banks is pretty easy to install.

To make power you need to burn more fuel. When you burn more fuel you make higher exhaust temperatures. To bring the exhaust temperatures back closer to the stock range you need to improve the air flow through the engine. With the better air flow, heat gets taken out with it. Better air flow thru the engine by itself will make power, but we sell it more as an exhaust temperature reducer.

The Edge Juice alone is a great first step. Adding the Attitude will take the place of gauges and will allow you to change power levels on the fly. It will also self regulate the exhaust temperatures by cutting back the fuel when the exhaust temperatures get too high. The Banks Six-Gun is also adjustable on the fly and will also automatically cut the fuel back when the speed loader is added. The Speed Loader is only $99 and is well worth it. The best bang for the buck is the Superchip tuner which can be bought for under $400. It will give you the power and the ability to pull out and erase trouble codes, but it is not as easy to change power levels.

You are right, this site is very additive. So is power! Get a second job and start saving for that transmission upgrade now.

Mark

Filter, chip with gauges and exhaust. Later! Frank

edge w/ attitude

Edge with ***. is the way to go. you can find the exhaust later dont bother with the egt probe it dont work for s#$! aney way put it on mine and wasted half a day of my life it worked for about 5 min.

Added the Juice/Attitude setup on mine 2 weeks ago made a 500 mile trip last week and picked up 6 mpg. Now that was on level 1 not towing anything though. As for the exhaust probe, mines been working fine so far.

I've only recently added the Juice module to mine (LB7, no Attitude) and I'm jazzed. It seems like a very good start down the road to perdition. One thing I've noticed, which I hadn't seen reported before is that under light loading, that is just tooling around like a civilized human being, my EGTs have gone DOWN slightly. I'm guessing this an effect of timing adjustments rather than fuel squirt regulation. Haven't towed with it yet, where I expect to see the big heat numbers.

TC

klvn8r,

Wi Huck is presenting you with some VERY good sound advice and it can help the truck to run forever and not have any mechanical engien troubles related to high EGT's. The guys here will beat on me pretty good but I always reccomend getting either the Edge Juice with Attitude or go to exhaust and intake system first. The reason is you can feel the exhaust and intake perfromacne gains if you do them first, if you do it after adding the Edge or equilivant they won't show you any appreciable HP in the SOTP (seat of the pants ie butt o meter). Needing exhaust and intake is a subjective item, if you add fuel you need to add air, if you add air you need to be able to get rid of it. Can you do it without the exhaust and intake, sure, will you get max performance from the Edge, no!

I reccomend that you get whatever you like, but plan to do yourself and the truck a favor and plan to do it all eventually. Be SURE to get gauges to make SURE you keep EGT's in check either way you go.

We sell all the brands you have seen so call us, we will be glad to help you, and we GUARANTEE all of our prices.

Mark @ DPPI

Both! Well if up CHIP only your going to run hotter. So CHIP and EXHAUST or EXHAUST only. But if you exhaust in either choice, then you should think about opening up the intake with some AirIntake System....like the one I use from Volant.

Just my thoughts!

LATER!

I have dyno tested my exhaust on both the LB7 and LLY, and see anywhere from 10lb/ft to 30+lb/ft depending on what programming is being used. Nothing earth shattering, but nice broad spread, and EGT's followed...

chip with gauges. I ran my d-max with banks and stock exhaust for a few weeks without monster exhaust.....temps were ok but did not tow over 8,000 lbs, and if you do you could always turn it down :(

Wow!! Still more great responses! Y'all are great! I was originally planning on exhaust. Being an old gas/car racer, it seemed like the obvious way to do it, especially a diesel. My theory may have to do with being 'old school' mechanical as opposed to being an E.E. or a Bill Gates type.... But I feared the truck getting too loud; as for the chip, I'm leary of those "electrical Gremlins" that seem to pop up with those 'black magic' voo-doo boxes. In any event, I figured if I got exhaust or a chip, I'd be looking at DPPI or Kennedy to buy from, as both seem to be highly regarded on here, and I am impressed that both chimed in on my subject. I guess an Edge box and most any 4" exhaust cost about the same. But, I bet the box can be installed WAAAY easier, and I won't be storing my old exhaust. The answer is getting clearer....

:ro) Run the Egde Juice with attitude and remove the exhaust and put in a straight pipe. You will get to awesome and safe performance of the Edge module and the drop of EGT's with a straight pipe only costin about $50.(Pipe installed)

get a propane system it will give you more power and better fuel economy and all you have to do when he mods his cummins to keep up with you is unscrew the propain a little further.

No, PROPANE is waaay overkill for my application. More than anything, I'm doing commuter duty with it, and occasionally pull about 5K-10K worth of racecar/trailer.
Just looking for a little tweak, nothing crazy. We race our cars, trucks get 'em to the track!

The Edge seems to be a huge favourite, but you did ask about the VanAaken as well, I cannot compare but only tell you that I have the VA and am very impressed with it. I read somewhere here that the VA typically runns a little cooler as well. Either way, you will be blown away. I certainly was.

Dang! Just when I was about certain I wanted an 'Edge' you speak up!! So, who can say definitively "Edge is better than VA." or vice-versa. I'm not looking for the 3-5 hp difference, but if there was some MPG gains, in one, and not the other, I'd be interested. What about cost/installation/warranty? One easier than the other??
Yes, I'm lazy.....

klvn8r,

We stock and sell both the Edge and the van Aaken products. If you're not interested in the Attitude monitor and it's functions then either of the products will for all prwctical purposes get you the same performance. Same max HP the only real difference is the van Akken lets you switch between stock, 1/2 and full HP while the Edge only lets you switch between the two programmed power levels on the fly.
Give us a call if you have any questions etc.

Mark @ DPPI

My understanding on the VA vs the Edge is that the VA runs cooler relative to a similar tune on the Juice but it brings the fuel in a little later in the RPM range as well - not as much low end smoke. If your really pumped on a whiz-bang package then the Juice - Attitude is really the only game in town. I haven't heard too much about the Outlook Monitor which conceivebly will give you most of the same options as the Attitude but will work with any Box including the VA.

For what it is worth......I have an 03 Duramax and read a ton before making my choices. With what I have done, I want nothing else and have more power & mileage than most.

Magnum Force- cold air intake (cool air increases horse & performance all around)
4'' Monster exhaust with Pinnacle Performance(cool that turbo off and let it growl)
The Edge Juice w/ attitude (the best by far of anything plug-n-play)
BD Exhaust brake (for those who tow or want to slow down what you just built)
Firestone Ride-Rite bags (did a 2'' torsion adjustment, added 33' tires to 16'' wheels and want a even ride)

I also use a diesel fuel additive to lube the top end, reduce smoking and improve cold weather operation.

Just remember that you get what you pay for and do your research. This is an excellent forum.

I have the diablo sport chip and love it. Had the hypertech, had the Edge and now the diablo. The egt's are good, the power is awesome and the diagnostics, the ability to recalibrate the speedo for tire sizes, the ability to raise the mph limiter and the PRICE.

Best $400 I have spent on this thing yet..