Are any of you towing with a programmer? Which one(s) do you prefer? I am running a Hypertech, but not happy with EGTs. Towing 14,000 lb 5th wheel.
Thanks for any input.

8shot,
Sorry no one has gotten back to you. My response is not going to be much more than nothing because though I bought my Juice specifically to improve towing performance, I haven't had a chance to use it for that purpose, yet. Lately, I've just been running around smiling a lot. The concensus seems to be that the programmers/chips definitely improve towing performance, but you must keep an eye on the EGTs (unless you have a box that does it for you) and use care in selecting the power level to avoid transmission damage. You can also beef the trany to accept more grunt. I anticipate being very happy with my setup, based on reports from similarly equipped members here and at RV.net. Good Luck,

TC

8shot, there has been plenty of discussion on the forum about using programmers when towing, the major consensus being you should always have some form of gauges before using any programmer when towing heavy. I see you already have a gauge package. Hypertech gets respectable reviews, but I wouldn't tow with it unless you have EGT gauges, most would like to see a higher flow air filter and larger exhaust as well on your truck at that GCW.:rolleyes:

I recently purchased the E/J with attitude to tow a very heavy 5ver. Even with the attitude I plan to upgrade the exhaust just for that extra bit of operating room when I have to work the LLY really hard, e.g. long climbs up mountains. Grab you a cold one, do a search, and enjoy the posts.:rolleyes: These guys know their stuff! JJ :)

thanks guys, just put gauges in 2 weeks ago. have not towed with them in yet. running up hill with hypertech WOT and no load EGTs 1,400 degrees. Last night took program out (running stock) and running up hill EGTs 1,200 degrees. Probe installed per Hoot method. Making me nervous when I have to pull 14,000 lb. 5th wheel what the EGTs will read :eek: . Making a run to Glamis next weekend. Probably will run slow and stock to see what EGTs will read.

8shot, what level are you running with your Hypertech when towing?

have not made a towing run yet. i b scared after seeing temp with no weight.

Level 3 Banks Six-Gun V1 w/ Speed-loader, 4 inch exhaust, no cat, 14,500lb-ish 5th wheel, max EGT 1280 in 45 degree weather.

That was WOT up the steep side of Cuesta Grade near SLO (8% I think).

Marc

My EGT's dropped about 200-250 degrees when I put the exhaust on and got rid of the kitty. I can run on level 3 with the trailer and do 6-8% grades and don't have a problem keeping pace and EGT's under control. You have to remember that any programmer is going to raise the EGT's because your throwing more 'fuel in the fire'. If I turn the Gun up to 6 and go WOT and hold it, I will also see EGT's hit 1400+ unloaded. My advice is to put a quality aftermarket exhaust on, get rid of the kitty and put a 'Finger Stick' on. That should help you get the EGT's under control.
TT

On my LLY I am using the Juice on level 2 pulling 22,000# of tri-axle trailer and hay. I have set the edge temp back down lower to prevent the extreme EGT's and to prevent engine over heating. Pulling a 2.5 mile hill that runs from 3-7% grade @ 3400 ft, I have not had any problems. I had less problems/issues/concerns with the LB7 under the same conditions.

'02 Lb7, Hypertech On Stage 2, 4" Straight Thru Muffler On Stock Exhaust, 14,000 Lb 5r, 6-7% Grade, Cruse Set On 65, Egts 1250

thanks everyone, sounds like exaust is next. would like to get rid of cat anyway. only fear is messing with warranty , will keep cat in case it has to go back on.

mm

Not surprised the LB7's are posting lower EGT's. 1400EGT unloaded is way too high IMHO, you run the risk of seriously degrading the longevity of your LLY running much higher. -:t

Are you running stock tires, exhaust, etc.? :confused: I'm towing a very heavy 5ver with my LLY without a programmer, just bought the E/J w/attitude primarily because it offers EGT backdown and tranny slippage protection.;) I can stack with something else later if need be. Sounds like a trip to "mod-ville" may be in your future. JJ :)

I use my VA box on the 150 setting for hills and entering highway. It runs pretty cool considering the increased HP and TQ. You would need a stout tranny to do this though.

I am looking into the Rapid Power module, and outlook monitor from BullyDog for my LB7 anybody tried it ?

http://www.bullydog.com/products.pl?item=GM_Rapid_Power-C-E-

BBD

This is just a follow up to my earlier post to this thread. This weekend my wife and I towed our moderately heavy trailer (10,000 lbs.) up to a very nice campground along the Russian River above Cloverdale. This was my first chance to compare pre and post Juice towing performance on familiar terrain. The improvement in towing performance using just level 1 was dramatic. The ability to hold speed up grades previously requiring a downshift was exactly what I’d hoped for, but didn’t fully expect at this lowest power level. Something else I didn’t expect was that my EGTs would be significantly lower as well. My reading of other posts had suggested that the Juice would push the heat envelop. Instead in every situation the engine ran cooler than before. I wasn’t pushing it. I drove the same speeds I always do, but even on the long climbs where I’d seen 1250 degrees and declining speeds before, I saw maybe 1000 degrees, possibly less, and held my pace. AND my mileage improved slightly. I’m now a believer. I knew from rocketing around empty that the truck was making serious power, but I figured the time to pay the piper would come when I put it in harness and make it grunt hard. But I wasn’t prepared for the best of BOTH worlds.

TC

Tsckey states "Something else I didn’t expect was that my EGTs would be significantly lower as well."

The reason the EGT's stayed lower was likely due to your ability to keep the RPM's down and not having to downshift to climb the hill. However, you will likely notice a considerable rise in EGT's when you encounter climbs that require downshifting. With higher RPM's comes more boost, more fuel, etc., hence higher EGT's. :rolleyes:

Very glad to see your results though. I to am getting ready to tow my 5ver with E/J level 1 and would love similar results. JJ :)

I have found you can actually lower the EGT's by causing a downshift. By increasing the air flow rather than allowing the engine to lug. This does not work over long periods of time but has helped in the last 1/2 mile of a long steep hill.

the more fuel your dumping in with the higher settings the higher your egt's are gonna be . i tow with my 38 inch tires edge/attitude level 2 about 9000 lbs and get up to 1290 egt's . i wouldnt worry until you are up to about 1350 for extended periods of time . otherwise you fine .

RVC, I do the same thing if I'm bogging the engine down while climbing and towing heavy, initially the temps drop, but if I don't crest the hill or backoff the pedal and keep the RPM's up for anytime the temps rise again quickly. :o:

Sorta like the initial blast of additional intake air/exhaust from increasing the RPM's expels the very hot exhaust, then starts building up heat again from the additional fuel from the higher rpm's. Interesting! JJ :)

8shot, where are you located? I have a Predator and I go a little bit of everywhere. Would be interested in meeting up with you, if possible, and doing some testing.

Ever since I got my tranny upgraded I have run the juice on level 5 for towing and everything. I have a afe stage 2 intake and a 4 in exhaust. I haven't seen egts go above 1000, it has been pretty cold here though.

RickDLance:

Would love to meet up with you and "test" but I am in Big Bear Lake, California (Southern California). Update on trip: HyperTech set at level 1, towing 5th wheel up steep mountain grade (climbing 7,000 ft. in approx. 30 miles), kept foot out of throttle and was able to keep EGTs at 1,200 degrees. Ordered 4" exhaust and will eliminate CAT. Let you know how it does with changes on the next trip.

I have several customers in California. I will try to let you know when I am out there next.

lb7 hauling 10K on level 2-3 in white mountians, new hampshire temps never exceeded 1250 degrees with banks 6-gun with high flow air filter and banks monster exhaust and factory waste gate actuator.

rick, sounds good, let me know

JJ's got me about talked into buying gauges for my truck. Might be a good camparison with my truck not having the "kitty".

cat leaving, exhaust came in today. wont have time untill next week to install.got finger sticks and egr plate so mr. computer wont know cat ran away.

RDL, almost 600k miles on 5 D/A's and none have ever had gauges??? Refresh my memory, do you tow heavy or mostly vehicles? :confused:

Personally I just like knowing what the EGT's are, sort of like my tire pressure fetish! ):h JJ needs couch time! ):h

JJ, only 2 have not had gauges. Both my 01's had Attitudes with EGT. One of my 04's had an attitude, but now a Predator. None of my trucks have gauges at this time. I tow very heavy at times and have chips on all. Never a problem related to exhaust heat, but after all the reading I thought at least 1 of my LLY's should have an EGT gauge.

RDL, EGT's are sort of like plaque that causes a heart attack in that you don't realize the damage you are doing until it is too late. :o: The LB7's appear to have been more forgiving than the LLY in this respect. GM should install EGT gauges on all diesels.:mad: You are also towing at higher altitudes which runs combustion temps even higher. A couple hundred dollars for gauges is a prudent investment IMHO. ;)

Have you looked at water injection? From what I've been able to gather it should be the first mod on a diesel, i.e. lubricates engine, lowers EGT's, increases hp/tq, etc. I'm looking at Super Diesels system. I figure I can keep the stock exhaust and put a 4" SS tip on it for looks. I am toying with punching a couple holes in the cat for better exhaust flow.

:offtopic: Any idea what happened to Masterp2? JJ :)

I will try the water injection on my next truck. The 3 that I have now are overdue to find a new home. Thats my biggest problem with making permanant modifications like the EGT. It could also kill a sale if someone notices and thinks the truck has been abused. ):h 8shot please post uphill wot EGT with chip set as before, after the install is complete.

will do, should have it in next week.

I have decided to weld a bung in my exhaust pipe instead of drilling my manifold. My pipe is a non "kitty" LB7 pipe and that will let me remove the pipe and EGT and install "kitty" to resale.

after reading alot of post, i went in exhaust manifold for reading hottest point pre turbo. post turbo may have you think you are running cooler than you are.

:badidea: if the probe comes off the EGT for the people that put it before the turbo. say good buy turbo :(

i run level 5 juice and 90 quad pulling 9000 lbs. no problems yet

Bundy - I'd say that 95% of the peeps on this board put the probe pre-turbo. The probe looks pretty solid to me! :D

Marc

About where to put egt probe, My neighbor is the same way. My friend and I told him he should have put it pre-turbo instead of in the downpipe like he did again. Isn't it like a couple hundred degrees difference when you put it after.

About where to put egt probe, My neighbor is the same way. My friend and I told him he should have put it pre-turbo instead of in the downpipe like he did again. Isn't it like a couple hundred degrees difference when you put it after.
Would that be bad - so you watch for 1000 instead of 1200? Just asking, as I am about to install one too, would prefer to stay post turbo if it worked ok.:confused:

A few of you guys post that you running the level 5 program while towing. Damn!!! I thought mine pulled good at level 2. Level 5 must be insane! I think I need to order a tranny! :)