[Dmax0075]

Ok fellas first off i want to say hello I'm new to this site and fairly new to the whole diesel world but i will say that I love it! I'll start by telling you i have a 2004.5 LLY with 4'' turbo back exhaust with a stage 2 AFE air intake system. Other than that my truck is stock. Now i just ordered a PPE xcelerator economy programmer i have a few concerns first off i don't want to overload the transmission or do any damage to my engine. I will note that the programmer maxes out at 140 hp - 280 ft-pd tq i am buying this mainly for improving fuel mileage and if i feel like it i can put some power on it.

The 3 settings on the programmer are 50 hp, 90 hp, and 140 hp.

I would like to know what you experienced guys had to say about this, my main concern is damage to transmission, injectors, etc. thanks Zach

 

[js05sierraHD]

Not sure where you got your #s but this is off of PPE's Site:

Economy Xcelerator Duramax LB7/LLY/LBZ/LMM
Model: 1110100
Get the most out of your diesel with the PPE Economy Xcelerator Tuner. It was designed for those diesel minded owners who are looking for a mild horsepower and torque increase. This unit offers 3 horsepower settings (40, 90 and 120). Torque values are raised up to 200 lb. ft. over stock. The Economy Xcelerator also has the same features as our other Xcelerator units in that it provides the user with the ability to adjust items such as speedometer corrections, transmission tuning with online updating, and DTC code clearing. This unit is perfect for those individuals with stock engines who are looking to get that little something extra out of their Duramax when they need it most.

Available for: 2001-2010 LB7/LLY/LBZ/LMM (1110100)
Includes:
Xcelerator
Owner's Manual
OBD-II Port Cable
PPE Power Badges
Foam-Padded Carrying Case

2001-2010 Duramax LB7/LLY/LBZ/LMM Economy Xcelerator
Power Level HP Increase Torque Increase
1 40 97
2 90 160
3 120 200

I have the "Standard" and ran it on level 3 for a few years, recently bumped it to 4 and limped the trans pushing down a little to hard on the skinny pedal... I had 0 issues on level 3 but you need to be smart. I still have it set on 4 (160 HP) because its where I get my best mileage just have to be extra careful on the 4-5, 5-4 shifts.

 

[Dmax0075]

ok what are some things i can do to prevent damage to engine/transmission like you said be "smart" and i'm not trying to be a smart ass

 

[Blackcloud556]

ppe is actually a pretty good tuner. They do rate power at the flywheel tho which makes the numbers kinda tricky for people to understand.

I tested it a bit when i had a PPE hot +2

50hp gives you about 20hp at the wheels
90hp gives you 40-50hp at the wheels
140hp gives you 75-90hp at the wheels.

pretty much every one of those settings will be tranny safe. I actually really liked towing on the 90hp setting. egts were controllable and got a little better performance

 

[Dmax0075]

As far as EGTs go i don't have a gauge for that how worried should i be if i have 4'' exhaust all the way back, like i said i'm really new to this stuff any extra info goes along way because i'm trying to do this right and safely

 

[js05sierraHD]

ok what are some things i can do to prevent damage to engine/transmission like you said be "smart" and i'm not trying to be a smart ass

First thing I would do even before you install a tune is upgrade to the LBZ mouthpiece. Cheap upgrade and well worth every penny!!

As for be "smart":
If you plan on towing I would not set it above level 2, and just watch how hard you mash the throttle in the higher gears. Mainly the 4-5 up shift and 5-4 downshift. I don't tow and really have no experience with any tune other than level 3 (and 4, but you don't have level 4) so someone else will have to chime in.

As for daily driving, like I mentioned in my original post I never had any issues running level 3 24/7 as far as the trans. Again watch how hard you hit the 4-5 up shift and 5-4 downshift. Some people may say my head gaskets blowing were directly related to the tuner. I personally think it probably didn't help matters but they went because they are known to be a poor design. If you do as much reading about the issue as I did (was in denial for a long time) there are many stock trucks blowing them also.

As far as mileage, the higher settings are where you will see the best, providing you can keep your foot out of it. The Dmax will see its best mileage if you are able to keep RPMs under 2000. Not really fun but you will net the best results that way.

Other than that I would say pick a setting that you feel most comfortable with, just remember once you feel the power increase it will be really hard to turn her down!

 

[DarylB]

I've had my PPE standard on level 2 for at least 20k miles now on my LBZ, very torquey and noticeably more power than stock. Tows well but I rarely stand on it with a load. I think you'll be happy with level 2/3

 

[Lo-Buk]

I've had my standard on for a while now. I used to tow on 2 but I recently dropped it down to 1. I really only needed the tuner to block egr codes. The extra power is nice but I'm paranoid about braking stuff.

 

[Dmax0075]

Hey i really appreciate everyones input i think i'll run it on 1 and see if i can tell a difference and if not i'll go to 2 and see how that goes i'm like you Lo-Buk the last thing i want is to break anything. I heard about those upper gear shifts being the ones to watch for so i'll defiantly be very careful when i first try it out.

 

[crbonline]

towing in two will be fine and your towing experience will be much better...smoother, not as much throttle and shift jerk, and the extra power is nice. you will not hurt your tranny or engine. I tow 18k lbs in some big mountainous ares with the Banks 6-gun in levels 3, 4, & 5 which provide 40-100hp gains...never had an issue, tranny does not slip (monitored by the banks), never limped from too much power. If you're towing big you shouldn't have to worry about shifting from 4-5 as you should rarely be in 5 if at all. I turn my OD off when towing big unless driving in someplace flat like Nevada because unless your tranny is built, 5 does nothing but slip anyway. you got a lot of power in that truck, don't be afraid to use it...and they're pretty solid so they can take a lot of abuse. I drive my like I stole it from day one and no major issues yet and I got 140k. It is a good idea to treat your tranny nice and get some Transynd in it...helps extend the Allison warranty (through Allison not Chevy)

 

[Dmax0075]

I don't know if this makes a difference i wont be pulling anything heavier than about a ton so should i still have to worry on lvl 3 shifting from 4-5 , 5-4. I rarely pull anything at all this truck is a serious want than a need i'm just a power junkie lol

 

[js05sierraHD]

If you are just daily driving 3 should be fine but depending on your trucks previous life the 4-5, 5-4 shifts could become an issue. Mine is a 1 owner (me) so I know how it was treated. (The 1 and only time I limped the trans was in level 4 and I knew as soon as I hammered down I had f'd up, hasn't happened since and hopefully never again!)

MAKE SURE YOU DO A TRANS RELEARN prior to driving after you upload a tune, especially if you are going from stock to 3 for the 1st time. Drive smart for the initial 25- 50 miles, than start to get a little more agressive. Just try to drive it as normal as you expect to, as the trans is learning your driving style and adapting to it.

Enjoy, just respect the added power and it shouldn't bite you in the ass... May scare the **** out of you, but thats when you know your having fun!

Post up some pics and fill out your signature so when you have future questions we know what your working with!

 

[Lo-Buk]

Well, what I have noticed is a lot of the hot shot drivers don't tune for more power. At least not much more. And since I use my truck for towing mostly or just cruising on the highway, I don't really need more power. It is nice tho

 

[Dmax0075]

Ok I finally got my PPE Economy, and I started with lvl 2 90 hp and did a trans relearn. The power is amazing and throttle response much better the only thing that concerns my are my EGTs i don't have a gauge should i worry about those?

 

[Dmax1989]

I would buy a gauge, they really arent that expensive and its good insurance. In my 06 the egts were no where near dangerous on steep hill at 70mph but on the 05 with the big lift and 37's, it would blow right past 1300 in a hurry if i wasnt paying attention. Youll probably be fine anyway, but just to be sure.