New to this forum now that i just got my new 05 Duramax. Had a 2000 Z-71 chevy and got a 21ft toy hauler so got a duramax to roar up the grades to go out to the desert, Went out 2 times now........O man what a diff, i pulled my 7000lb trailer no problem, very impressed. BUT i always want MORE power!!

1) Banks "Big Hoss Bundle" any comments, Seems like a great package with all the upgrades, intercooler, elbows, ect..ect, seems like its too much money and not good comments on the six gun.

2) Edge/juice w/attitude, Love the LCD screen instead of gauges and u can switch power settings like the six gun.

3) Just heard about is the Predator, seems like less HP/TRQ than the first two, and can u switch power setting while driving or do u have to re-programe from 65hp to 85 hp?

will also do exhaust, i really want to do intercooler and down elbows for even lower EGT lvl's and for more HP, is doing that make a big diff? As well as big head waste gate.

Also looking for most TRQ/HP increase W/O having to do tranny upgrades and if its a good idea to upgrade whats the best, ive been hearing suncoast, but what do u need to upgrade to be safe?

Any comments on those upgardes appreciated, first time diesel owner and want to do it right!

I dont know much about the rest but the juice with attitude is a great upgrade. It was the first thing I did to my truck and I still love it.

I have the Banks, but it doesn't really perform that well. The predator ran better than the Banks at the track and it feels like more power down in the low gears. TTS also has a "tow tune" currently available; could be something to look into. That's just my .02 cents on what I've actually seen on an LLY.):h

I think the EDGE Rocks! I've heard good things about the predator too. The predator also has diagnostic tools but the EDGE with the Attitude has some cool features and you can change the levels on the fly. The predator reprograms your truck for each tune. This means no switching on the fly. JMHO. Good luck with your decision.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rockon.gif

Out of the three you described, I would get the Predator and not look back. Edge has been having some problems with their J/A combo and sounds to me like Banks has too. The Predator is VERY smoothe and has excellent power. No quirks to speak of.

i second the predator. took me awhile before i made my decision. i don't mind pulling over to change the program. safer in my eyes. the edge is great, but i was going for reliability and the ability to do diagnostics, clearing codes (none as of yet), to include reading injector balances while driving. it is easy to use.

the predator does have an advantage with being able to look up and clear codes . the j/a also has advantage with being able to have all gages on one lcd screan . get them both .

im torn too. not between programmers, but to get one or nothing at all. i dont have the cash right now to do an exhaust and diablosport says to up the pipe diameter before even tuning with lowest settings.... also cant get a straight answer if the 85hp tune is reliable with them. they seem to like to dance around the question ;)

I have had the edge "hot" version with attitude since they came out........never any problems and when you tow u can simply push the down arrow button on the fly and all guages are built in........don't waste your money on the bighead........throw an aftermarket air filter in there and grab the edge.

I have had the edge "hot" version with attitude since they came out........never any problems and when you tow u can simply push the down arrow button on the fly and all guages are built in........don't waste your money on the bighead........throw an aftermarket air filter in there and grab the edge.
He has LLY and u have LB7, big difference on programmers.

Problem is he's looking for bigger power and stock trans is going to be :mad:

I run the J/A and it tows 15,000# good in level 1 and a few tries in level 2.

i have the edge and predator, on the street i run the predator on 60, the trans doesnt relearn all the time either... nice quick crisp shifts. when i need a little boost i bump it up to level 2 on the juice with low boost on 0 this stack feels like it pulls harder than just the edge on top in lvl 5 and has cleaner shifts. i tried 3 on the juice but i got little bumps on acceleration like mcrat was describing in another thread so leave it on 2 when i need to go fast

the predator is much better than the juice because it doesnt bark, thats reason enough.. if it doesnt stack well with any of the new tunes that are coming out or get a much needed revision i might sell it

my only gripe about the predator is that on 60 it likes to rev past 2k (not good for mileage)while driving casually, it drives smoother than stock and likes to bring on the power around 1800 and thats what pushes it past 2k unless you lift the pedal. and the 100hp tune broke the tires loose at 55when there was a little salt residue left on the roads...... a little scary and something the juice didnt do

other than that the predator is my recomendation

Thxs for the info guys, So is the 85hp predator good for pulling? or stick with the 65hp? And if u do use edge for the LCD and predator, do u leave the edge on stock or #1 setting? or is that only if u have the edge programmer? And if i need to upgrade the tranny for the 85hp option whats the upgrade thats common?

DMax05 states: "So is the 85hp predator good for pulling?" I wouldn't recommend it without a tranny upgrade. The Ally can hold about 100ft lbs of additional torque before slippage, mainly in 1st and 5th gears. "Also looking for most TRQ/HP increase W/O having to do tranny upgrades and if its a good idea to upgrade whats the best, ive been hearing suncoast, but what do u need to upgrade to be safe?" See above, also ...

At this stage in your Duramax evolution it appears you are looking for more hp/tq to tow with without having to upgrade the tranny, exhaust, etc. As you have likely noticed we all tend to recommend what we already have because "we all made the right decision"! ):h But prior to purchasing our programmers/tunes we did research much like you are doing. Good idea! :)

Keeping things in perspective there are tuners that are great for the "jet set DMax owners", i.e. those that want to fly at sub-sonic speeds at 3ft elevation:D and there are tunes for those just looking for more grunt when towing without killing our engines and tranny's. You appear to be in the latter group at this point in your DMax evolution. You will evolve! ;)

I was going to stay stock when I bought my LLY, but from reading on the DP site how much better you could tow with a programmer/tune I purchased the E/J w/attitude. Much like everyone else it is the one I will recommend, not because I purchased it and I don't want to feel like I made the wrong decision, but because your operating parameters are the same as mine. I may be just a little ahead of you in my DMax evolution. ):h

What the predator, BD, TTS and others may not offer that E/J does is Ally protection, pre-set EGT limits, etc. These are nice features. Yes there may be better tunes out there that get the power to the wheels much faster than the E/J, but when you are towing you don't want to launch the rig, just pull it! Going in for service and removing the components, the handheld units have the advantage there, just have to make sure you keep the programmer in the truck at all times. ;) TTS requires you to keep a spare PCM if you are still under warranty and don't want to risk voiding it. Seems they all have their +'s and -'s. :confused:

I opted for the E/J w/attitude. Granted I just installed it yesterday, I'm using level 1 since I don't have larger exhaust, but I'm not having any erratic shifts from the Ally nor have I heard any barking as some others have mentioned. I'm towing for the first time with it tomorrow and will post results as well as mpg's, highway unloaded and towing. Good discussion! JJ :)

Responding to JJs info. If u go to fastdiesel.com/edge programmers i belive it was it has a very good edge info and a whole installation guide, thats what got me to like edge. I saw alot of the things it can do sounds great.

I will put exhaust for sure and was thinking intake as well with the tuner, Was just tryin to get around a tranny upgrade caz sounds like alot of money. Plus i have'nt found what to upgrade yet to handle mass TRQ.

For how i want to drive........Well i want to be able to adjust lower Edge/banks 6 gun came to mind for towing, just want alittle bit more. Its tows great stock ( only a 7000lb toy hauler ) easy pull.

Then i want to turn it up for when messing around or to just lite up the tires when with friends and show them " A real truck don't use spark plugs"!:ro)

Big Hoss Bundle from banks was my choice till i came to this forum and heard not good things about banks/LLY kits. So thats why im lookin at other options.

As well as where i live in SD at Qualcom stadium they have 1/8 mile races, maybe take it there a few times and see what a full size truck can do.

I also read alot saying there not a sea lvl power:confused: , im at sea lvl so should i be more worried about limp mode? I do go to the mountains as well in winter, big bear mountain and such, just want to clairify on that.

05 Dmax 2500hd, Allison, 4 door, LT....Bone stock atm, but not for long):h

I've had both the Edge and the Predator, and a couple more brands. I like the Predator best. I set my Predator at the lowest setting and forget it's there. I have ran the 65HP setting with no problems. I had problems with the Edge, but I would switch back to them if they get the bugs worked out. The Edge is killer on the LB7 and I hope they will get the LLY box up to those standards. There is also some new stuff susposed to be out soon. I have asked about Van Aaken for the LLY, but no response. Just use good common sense with what ever you do and have fun!

From my experience....the edge will work for you. Except in cold weather...below 30 degrees the unit has a mind of its own. I really like my predator on the 100 hp tune. Keep in mind I have an upgraded tranny and exhaust. I think the 65 hp tune from the predator plus an a-pillar with boost and pyrometer is the way to go. I think analog gauges are a great addition to any set up because it gives you versitility. If you depend on the attitude it always has to be there. Plus the visibility on an a-pillar is much better than the attitude. The only ones I would absolutely stay away from is the banks and the power pup. Banks always over promises and under delivers.....the b.dog has toooooo much timing. The only reason I hold on to my b dog is that when it behaves with the juice....the stack of 5x5 on the juice and pup 1 or 2 lays down some serious power....but again...unreliable. As far as tranny upgrades......suncoast level 3 for me....completely satisfied.