I just bought a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD extended cab. The truck has 195,000 miles on it and is completely stock. It runs great and the Allison shifts smoothly. It has never pulled anything in it's life. That is about to change though. However, I won't be pullin too serious of loads. Just a load of calves in a stock trailer once a month. I can't decide which programmer I'd like. I don't know if I want a PPE or maybe the ATS. I'm not lookin for ridiculous power, just somethin where I can tell a difference and hopefully blow some soak. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Check out the Fist Generation Electronics Forum a little lower down. This will probably get moved their anyway.

I really cant voice an opinion because I haven't installed anything yet myself. Have done ALOT of thinking and reading. I will let you do your own reading and form your own opinion. I can tell you that EFI Live is by far the most "liked" here. I will (99% sure) be going with a Banks 6-gun & IQ though as my first tuner. They are seen as "overpriced and underpowered" by CARTER_44 and others, but for a first "safer" tuner, that's what I'm going to go with. You will find pros and cons to all, and form your own opinion.

Welcome to DieselPlace!

Thanks, I'll check that out. Appreciate the help.

If your looking at PPE or ATS then go with ATS. It is basically the same exact tuner at half the price. They have alot of different options for tunes. It will do everything you want and need for a handheld tuner.

I was leaning towards the ATS, I'm just a little scared that I might get stupid and crank it up too high and screw some stuff up. I would prefer somethin that has a 120HP max. That way I'm not tempted. Do you know if either one will cause some more smoke? I know that's not important but I still like the idea of it.

I was think of the same play on words....

Fast, Reliable, Cheap...pick TWO...

FWIW Smoke is nothing but unused power and money going up in the air.

Some is kinda cool, too much just says poor set up IMO

Check out the Fist Generation Electronics Forum a little lower down. This will probably get moved their anyway.

I really cant voice an opinion because I haven't installed anything yet myself. Have done ALOT of thinking and reading. I will let you do your own reading and form your own opinion. I can tell you that EFI Live is by far the most "liked" here. I will (99% sure) be going with a Banks 6-gun & IQ though as my first tuner. They are seen as "overpriced and underpowered" by CARTER_44 and others, but for a first "safer" tuner, that's what I'm going to go with. You will find pros and cons to all, and form your own opinion.

Welcome to DieselPlace!
Your still caught up on my banks comments huh. I still stand behind what I said about the overpriced and underpowered. Just for an example lets use your Banks six gun and my ATS E power. I could use other tuners as examples but this is a good test. The Banks six gun will add 155 hp and 385ft/lbs tq. for around $600. The ATS E power in the same application will do 350 hp and 530 ft/lbs tq. for around $500. Seriously, is there even a question on which to go with as far as power and price go.

Now let me clarify...Banks is a good safe tuner that will give you mileage and performance increases while being safe for the truck. However, I am going to light you up at the light, outpull you, outrace you, pass you with the same trailer etc. for less money.

I didn't mean to create any enemies with my tuner preference comments. You are newer to the diesel world than I am and I was simply trying to help you out with the best options for the money. You just have your heart set on Banks for some reason and that is just fine. Just don't come whining on the forum when you get lit up by the first tuned diesel you run into.

The best tuners for our trucks are EFI, PPE, ATS. There are other options but those are the BEST. When asked what tuner I recommend I am going to give you the BEST option.

Your still caught up on my banks comments huh. I still stand behind what I said about the overpriced and underpowered. Just for an example lets use your Banks six gun and my ATS E power. I could use other tuners as examples but this is a good test. The Banks six gun will add 155 hp and 385ft/lbs tq. for around $600. The ATS E power in the same application will do 350 hp and 530 ft/lbs tq. for around $500. Seriously, is there even a question on which to go with as far as power and price go.

Now let me clarify...Banks is a good safe tuner that will give you mileage and performance increases while being safe for the truck. However, I am going to light you up at the light, outpull you, outrace you, pass you with the same trailer etc. for less money.

I didn't mean to create any enemies with my tuner preference comments. You are newer to the diesel world than I am and I was simply trying to help you out with the best options for the money. You just have your heart set on Banks for some reason and that is just fine. Just don't come whining on the forum when you get lit up by the first tuned diesel you run into.

The best tuners for our trucks are EFI, PPE, ATS. There are other options but those are the BEST. When asked what tuner I recommend I am going to give you the BEST option.

CARTER_44 I have never posted asking anything about peoples preference of tuners. You have me confused with someone else I guess. I dont have my "heat set" on anything. I dont dispute your reasoning or disagree with it. I agree they are overpriced and underpowered. I agree EFI Live is better. However I have decided Banks is the way I am going to go for my first tuner. Im with you 100%

CARTER_44 I have never posted asking anything about peoples preference of tuners. You have me confused with someone else I guess. I dont have my "heat set" on anything. I dont dispute your reasoning or disagree with it. I agree they are overpriced and underpowered. I agree EFI Live is better. However I have decided Banks is the way I am going to go for my first tuner. Im with you 100%
Alright, let us know how it treats you.

Alright, let us know how it treats you.

Ok. I know that has multiple meanings :D.

I respect your knowledge and experience. I am not looking to win any races. I know the you have to pay to play, and I don't want to have to build my trans right now. When I can afford to throw $2500 at a SC IV or V kit, I guarantee you I will be buying EFI Live. Right now Im looking for some "safe" fun (I'm only hard on it through the first 3 gears), and some gauges.