: Banks or PPE for more MPG's???
ChevyDiezel 01-12-2011, 04:14 AM Well just got home with my new 2005 Lifted Chevy HD and love it but now want to start adding the goods. I'm not looking to race my truck just want good power and good MPG's. I live inbetween both Banks and PPE and know they both make a good product but, what is gonna get me better MPG's with 4x4 and 35's. Thanks again:)
Vertical-escape 01-13-2011, 11:17 AM PPE Excellerator Economy would be a better choice. A Programmer seems to give better mileage results over a tuner like banks.
JBarker-BanksPower 01-13-2011, 11:43 AM Well just got home with my new 2005 Lifted Chevy HD and love it but now want to start adding the goods. I'm not looking to race my truck just want good power and good MPG's. I live inbetween both Banks and PPE and know they both make a good product but, what is gonna get me better MPG's with 4x4 and 35's. Thanks again:)
It's really going to depend on what you want out of your truck. A tuner like the Banks Economind and has been from the get go a safe, tow/mileage tuning system. It's got several saftey features in it (like EGT limiting) allowing you to tow on it's highest power setting. It's also a change on the fly system allowing you to change the power setting while moving rather then having to stop and reprogram. If you would like a test report sent to you just PM me your phone number and I'll get one sent out:D
ChevyDiezel 01-13-2011, 01:02 PM Thanks guys, yeah I want saftey and reliability, I know PPE has great power but I love the options banks has. I just like to see what people are getting mpg wise on 35's with both products.
cardinal 01-19-2011, 07:39 PM im running 33's. i was running a banks 6 gun with pda for almost a year, i recently switched over to a ppe standard on level 2. this past weekend i took a road trip to vt about 300 miles each way, i averaged 21.5 mpg set the cruise control at 2k rpm. the banks shifted like shit over level 3 and frankly banks does not care about customer service. ppe has more power, shifts great and the economy blows banks out of the water, and is cheaper, they can be had on here for 300-350
carter_44 01-19-2011, 07:49 PM PPE hands down. Banks makes a good product but they are overpriced and underpowered. Of course, if you want the best, go with EFI live.
smore79 01-19-2011, 08:14 PM im running 33's. i was running a banks 6 gun with pda for almost a year, i recently switched over to a ppe standard on level 2. this past weekend i took a road trip to vt about 300 miles each way, i averaged 21.5 mpg set the cruise control at 2k rpm. the banks shifted like shit over level 3 and frankly banks does not care about customer service. ppe has more power, shifts great and the economy blows banks out of the water, and is cheaper, they can be had on here for 300-350
X2.. I had the Six Gun, then later on added the PDA. I hated that thing, worked about half the time, most of all, it HURT my MPG, I was getting 12-13 with the Banks, been running PPE Standard since then and average 18-20......DIC and hand calculated. Banks if overpriced for what you get IMO. You'll be happy with PPE :D.... plus you can send it to PPE to get hotter tunes.
ChevyDiezel 01-20-2011, 12:46 AM PPE hands down. Banks makes a good product but they are overpriced and underpowered. Of course, if you want the best, go with EFI live.
Sweet thanks, EFI seems to be just a little over my head. I know myself I will start tweaking the hell out of it and blow my freaking truck up. Dan at PPE has always been good to me so prob go back that way. Now I need gauges or a monitor system any suggestions.
smore79 01-20-2011, 04:49 PM Sweet thanks, EFI seems to be just a little over my head. I know myself I will start tweaking the hell out of it and blow my freaking truck up. Dan at PPE has always been good to me so prob go back that way. Now I need gauges or a monitor system any suggestions.
Alligator Performance has a dual guage pod that will come with the gauges and hardware... can even match your interior paint, not a bad price either.
DMAX054x4 02-03-2011, 11:09 AM PPE, great power and mileage too
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 12:56 PM PPE Economy! I programmed my truck the same time I lifted and put 35's on it. I gained 3 mpg over the Edge Juice w/*** and 32's. Not sure about Banks though.
CRASHNBURN 02-03-2011, 01:36 PM My vote would be the Banks Economind. The Economind unlike the sixgun if made for towing & daily driving. Plus, you can still have some stop light to stop light fun. You can tow in all levels & it has built in safety features. The added bonus of switch on the fly is nice too. I have the ottomind which is the earlier version of the economind & it works nice... You do not have to worry about warranty if you buy it directly from Banks Power. I buy my stuff from Jeff Barker. He is the banks rep on this site so you support this site & get warranty, if you need it.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:04 PM PPE Economy! I programmed my truck the same time I lifted and put 35's on it. I gained 3 mpg over the Edge Juice w/*** and 32's. Not sure about Banks though.
Sorry, but that's just not going to happen. More rotating mass, higher drag coefficient and more weight will always lower your mileage given equal driving conditions. I don't care what programmer you're using, your calculations are way off.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:11 PM Well just got home with my new 2005 Lifted Chevy HD and love it but now want to start adding the goods. I'm not looking to race my truck just want good power and good MPG's. I live inbetween both Banks and PPE and know they both make a good product but, what is gonna get me better MPG's with 4x4 and 35's. Thanks again:)
In my experience, tunes that have a long, gradual power increase, and require you to press the throttle a long ways to get any power out of the engine are the best for economy. The tunes that come on hard and fast with barely a touch of the throttle will kill your mileage. It's all about how much fuel you feed your engine. In general, the tune that produces the least amount of power will give you the best fuel economy.
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 02:15 PM Believe it or not it happened. I hand calculate every tank and factor in the 8% my odometer is off because of the larger tires. So your telling me that just because Edge didn't give me any mpg gains to start, there is no way an excellent tuner like PPE could possibly give me a 3+ mpg increase with 35's. There are other members here that can back me up with the same results. I average 18 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. 15 mpg before the lift and 35's.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:19 PM Believe it or not it happened. I hand calculate every tank and factor in the 8% my odometer is off because of the larger tires. So your telling me that just because Edge didn't give me any mpg gains to start, there is no way an excellent tuner like PPE could possibly give me a 3+ mpg increase with 35's. There are other members here that can back me up with the same results. I average 18 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. 15 mpg before the lift and 35's.
Adding a 6" lift, along with an extra 200 lbs of tire weight and the weight of the lift kit, and any programmer you want to throw in the mix, will NEVER improve your fuel mileage. Sorry, your math is still flawed.
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 02:19 PM In my experience, tunes that have a long, gradual power increase, and require you to press the throttle a long ways to get any power out of the engine are the best for economy. The tunes that come on hard and fast with barely a touch of the throttle will kill your mileage. It's all about how much fuel you feed your engine. In general, the tune that produces the least amount of power will give you the best fuel economy.
Wrong again! I've had best results running my PPE Economy on level 3 not the level 1 (economy setting).
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:21 PM Wrong again! I've had best results running my PPE Economy on level 3 not the level 1 (economy setting).
It's all in your foot, not the tune.
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 02:22 PM Adding a 6" lift, along with an extra 200 lbs of tire weight and the weight of the lift kit, and any programmer you want to throw in the mix, will NEVER improve your fuel mileage. Sorry, your math is still flawed.
I actually weighed my 285/75R16's and my 35/12.50R18's. Not a 200 lb difference. Anyway, back to the subject. PPE has been the best tuner I have tried thus far.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:23 PM Wrong again! I've had best results running my PPE Economy on level 3 not the level 1 (economy setting).
I've run PPE, EFI Live, Stock, Hypertech and EDGE. The tuner brand and even the tune have no bearing on fuel mileage if you drive the same speeds and accelerate at the same rates. The tune can only make it either easier or harder to accomplish this feat.
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 02:44 PM There are many 20+ mpg Duramax's out there (so I've heard). I've never seen 20 mpg out of my truck, but I'm not saying it's not impossible.
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 02:51 PM I've run PPE, EFI Live, Stock, Hypertech and EDGE. The tuner brand and even the tune have no bearing on fuel mileage if you drive the same speeds and accelerate at the same rates. The tune can only make it either easier or harder to accomplish this feat.
Chevydiezel, according to Vege-Taco it doesn't matter which tuner you choose, they will all give you the same results (mpg wise). May as well pick the one that has the nicest carrying case.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:52 PM Pro Comp Tire Specs:
285/75R16 - 53 lbs
35/12.50R18 - 69 lbs
OEM Wheel - 16 lbs
18x9 wheels - 33 lbs
So you've added roughly 132 lbs in rotational, unsprung weight to your truck. Not 200 lbs, but it's still a lot and will kill fuel mileage.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:52 PM Chevydiezel, according to Vege-Taco it doesn't matter which tuner you choose, they will all give you the same results (mpg wise). May as well pick the one that has the nicest carrying case.
If you're after fuel mileage alone, you're absolutely correct. :D
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 02:54 PM There are many 20+ mpg Duramax's out there (so I've heard). I've never seen 20 mpg out of my truck, but I'm not saying it's not impossible.
I get over 20mpg on the freeway without any problem. I guarantee your lifted, oversized tired truck will never see anything close to 20 mpg except for when it's coasting. :cool:
Gearhead1 02-03-2011, 03:19 PM Sorry for hijacking your thread, Chevydiezel.
Vege-Taco 02-03-2011, 03:25 PM :back:
I like EFI Live the best because the tunes are limitless. I like EDGE the best because the available touch screen display is so awesome. For a canned tuner (non-EFI Live) I think it's a toss up between PPE and EDGE. They both contain tunes that are so similar to eachother that it's difficult to tell which tune is installed sometimes. IMO, Hypertech shouldn't be on anyone's short list. I have yet to try out a Bully Dog tuner, so I can't give any advice in that area.
cardinal 02-03-2011, 05:26 PM i am lifted roughly 3 inches with 33's and i gained economy with ppe. and i got better economy stock than i did with the banks, it is a diesel, it can swing +200 pounds of tire, and you WILL get better economy by running the hottest tune you can and baby the throttle.
awake1630 02-03-2011, 07:27 PM diablo sport gave me the best mpg increase much better then Banks. And it performed better then banks also.
I have efi live now.
It blows the diablo out of the water running rise.
But it is a little less on the mpgs.
with diablso i saw 23 mpg. doing 70 going upstate ny in the hills.
smore79 02-03-2011, 08:13 PM On the freeway i'm in the 18 -20 range, hand calculated.... Whether anyone believes that or not I could care less, I know what I'm getting. I'm extremely happy with PPE, and eventually will be getting EFI Live when I get my tranny upgraded.
Turbobruce 02-03-2011, 08:23 PM :back:
I like EFI Live the best because the tunes are limitless. I like EDGE the best because the available touch screen display is so awesome. For a canned tuner (non-EFI Live) I think it's a toss up between PPE and EDGE. They both contain tunes that are so similar to eachother that it's difficult to tell which tune is installed sometimes. IMO, Hypertech shouldn't be on anyone's short list. I have yet to try out a Bully Dog tuner, so I can't give any advice in that area.
Actually,
I just got 20mpg coming from Utah to California so it is possible. I run PPE on lvl 3. I ran almost 75mph the whole way home. I have regeared my truck to run close to stock and have other goodies such as electric fans and a turbo MP on my truck as well. I was one of the non believers not too long ago. I ALWAYS hand calc my mileage. 20mpg on 35s is possible. My truck has 68k on it and it seems that my mileage has been improving lately. It must be breaking in.
DMAX054x4 02-03-2011, 08:37 PM There are many 20+ mpg Duramax's out there (so I've heard). I've never seen 20 mpg out of my truck, but I'm not saying it's not impossible.
Get rid of the Edge and just use the PPE, I did it, and my Mileage is a constant 21 MPG...I run 38's with my PPE set on Level 6...with the edge still hooked up, its just holding you back!!
mahalkita 02-10-2011, 03:11 AM On the freeway i'm in the 18 -20 range, hand calculated.... Whether anyone believes that or not I could care less, I know what I'm getting. I'm extremely happy with PPE, and eventually will be getting EFI Live when I get my tranny upgraded.
Keep dreaming!
With 12" of lift and 38x15.5 inch tires getting 18-20 mpg? Maybe driving 30 mph downhill all the time..... LoL :D
Its always soo amusing that some people driving the same heavy truck with the same power getting 30 % better milage than others - they actually beat physics, must be some kind of miracle!
Don't believe it!!! Installing a huge and heavy lift kit and increasing the drag even more by installing huge tires will absolutely KILL the milage - period, its just the law of physics and NO way around it!
After installing my lift kit and 37" tires I lost at least 25 % of the milage I had gotten before with 31" tires and no lift, hand calculated, computer calculated, google calculated...no matter what, just a matter of FACT!
BT666 02-10-2011, 03:34 AM 132 pounds of tires wait isnt going to effect ur gas mileage by all means, lets all realize we r talking about a diesel truck and not a honda civic... i mean i had my buddy ride in my lmm and he weighs 180lbs and didnt notice the difference in power or mileage from the extra weight even it is a rotational weight that should play much effect on a duramax. my recommendation, go with whatever tune gets you a maximum safe amount of power without cause harm to ur transmission.
smore79 02-11-2011, 02:19 PM Keep dreaming!
With 12" of lift and 38x15.5 inch tires getting 18-20 mpg? Maybe driving 30 mph downhill all the time..... LoL :D
Its always soo amusing that some people driving the same heavy truck with the same power getting 30 % better milage than others - they actually beat physics, must be some kind of miracle!
Don't believe it!!! Installing a huge and heavy lift kit and increasing the drag even more by installing huge tires will absolutely KILL the milage - period, its just the law of physics and NO way around it!
After installing my lift kit and 37" tires I lost at least 25 % of the milage I had gotten before with 31" tires and no lift, hand calculated, computer calculated, google calculated...no matter what, just a matter of FACT!
Like I said... I could care less whether you believe it or not. You're like a few of the other ignorant people I see at a gas station that chuckles and say they wouldn't want my gas mileage... I just smile and look away. I do this hand calculated because my DIC isn't correct. I guess my huge and ''heavy" lift kit automatically disqualifies me from getting great mileage because you say so. :rolleyes:
DMAX054x4 02-11-2011, 05:03 PM JPEG Image (.jpg)
6Gears 02-11-2011, 09:11 PM LOL...My old 03 was making 18-19 on the highway with 9" cognito and 37s on 20s with an ATS E-power (same as ppe) on level 4. Yes that is hand calculated and my speedo was dead on. I pulled an enclosed trailer with 3 harleys in it home from Florida and got right at 15 MPG. My 05 is lucky to get 16-17, on 285 tires on EFI-live..... If you want the best mileage possible, buy a VW TDI.
| |