Hey guys hows it goin? I'm real new to this site and i gotta tell ya i'm hooked.:( I just bought my dmax about two weeks ago.:ro) I have been reading every thing I can find on chips, and I gotta tell ya im more confused now than I was. It's hard to know who knows what the hell there talking about and who is fool of sh1t.:help: I hear alot, DON'T CHIP IT UNLESS YOU UPGRADE IT (transmission). I do some towing, but my real gole is to roll out a little black, and smoke some of the competition.):h Well I will get to the point what chip is the best, and if I do chip it do I need a tranny upgrade. Thanks for any advice you can give.

It all depends what 'chip' you prefer. If you are going to run the most popular box (Edge w/Attitude), I would suggest staying out of levels 4 & 5 and you should not have any tranny problems.

Word for the wise from my buddy Todd (lakingslayer); If you wanna play, you're gonna have to pay. Get that tranny done!

Opinions are like...well you know, everyone has one.

First you should decide if you want a downloader(pred, PPE), or after the ECM harness box(Edge, Van Aaken) A downloader is able to read trouble codes, and adjust for tire size. One drawback of a downloader is that they are not switchable on the fly. A harness box is able to be turned up or down on the fly, but can't raise the rev limiter or adjust for tire size.

Also if your going to be towing you definitley should look into at least an EGT gauge. Towing with a program can make for some high Exhaust temps.

On edit: Almost forgot about the trans. The stock trans. WILL NOT take the top setting on most power adders for long(read limp mode). I think people with the LLY motor have said not to go over 70 or so horse tune with a stock trans. They will run them for a while but your on borrowed time until it limps it. It will get easier and easier to limp after the first one.

From the power/perf. section, it seems that the way to go for the most power is the PPE Hot/Van Aaken stack. This is where you stack a harness box on top of a downloaded tune.

It all depends what 'chip' you prefer. If you are going to run the most popular box (Edge w/Attitude), I would suggest staying out of levels 4 & 5 and you should not have any tranny problems.

Word for the wise from my buddy Todd (lakingslayer); If you wanna play, you're gonna have to pay. Get that tranny done!

I got that saying from experience. I started off thinking I would only have a stock truck. Then I decided to get an Juice/Attitude. I was good for a while. I never went past level 3. Then I rode with XR-Freak while we were debugging the Edge on his truck. Level 4 on his so I had to try it. Well I now have a SC level 4 and a Predator along with the Juice. I'm looking for more power too. That's what a little taste will do to you.

If I were you I'd go with the Edge-Ez. It will keep you out of the tranny danger zone.

If you are like me and have no self control then get something that when set on the highest level is still in the safe zone for a stock trans. I baught the predator thinking that I was going to run it on the 65 hp setting and I did............ for about 3 hrs. I was curious to see how the higher settings ran and within 4 hrs of having the predator it was on the 100hp setting and that is where it has been. I know a tranny is in my future and I want it done now so I can add more power:ro)But it will take me a while to save up. I think Im sick.

"Why don't you come over and see me sometime?" Mae West Smiley

I have to have money before I come see you Mike. Unless you know something I don't.:deal:

Thanks for all your help! I went ahead with the Edge w/ Attitude:D. I installed it today what a difference!! I put about 70 miles on setting 3, and the whole time that little voice of temptation kept saying quit being such a Pus5y and try 5 try 5 try 5 try 5 try 5. Then just to shut him up I went ahead and tried 5 ):h. I have very little self control so I had to try it :confused:. Now I just want more:ro) I believe i'm very sick,and the cure is damned expensive! I know i'm going to have to get that trans upgraded any advice on the best for the buck. also I need more of that unburnt no. 2 rollin out the tail. Once again thanks for all your help, and keep up the good threads:ro)

Transgo shift kit and a good aftermarket converter, is the cheapest upgrade you can do, that is worth anything. This can be had for around 2500$. You will have no problems running the juice on level five with this.

If you think your going to want more than the juice you may want to look into something that addresses more clutches in the tranny. A Suncoast III comes with the above mentioned converter and Transgo, but also adds clutches for more holding capacity. This can be had for a little over 3K.

Don't worry about it...Mike has in house financing. ;)

He also accepts other forms of payment. :pimp: You know, like gold chains, big Caddies with velvet dashes, etc.