My unscientific review of the Superchips Tri-Tuner for 2001-2003 Duramax trucks.
My truck:
2003 Chevy 2500HD CC SWB Duramax Allison
Totally stock except for:
K&N air filter (bought for the 2001 6.L)
Autometer Z-Series pyro gauge = $135 shipped
Superchips Max Mircotuner #2705 = $295 shipped
Race weight = 6950 lbs.
On each of the runs I drove the truck on a 30 mile round trip with mixed city and highway (65 mph speed limit). My wife sat copilot and took readings for me.
Stock Setting (solo):
9/20/03
83 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 330 F
Stopped in drive = 375 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,050 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 775 F
Comments:
Sluggish under 2k rpms, no smoke at any throttle setting
Tow-Safe (55 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
83 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 320 F
Stopped in drive = 400 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,200 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 800 F
Comments:
Lots of low end torque, noticeable surge of power at 1,500 rpms, begins to fade above 2,200 rpms, very light haze of smoke at initial full throttle take off, no smoke at any other time.
Performance-Tow (70 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
85 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 325 F
Stopped in drive = 350 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,350 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 775 F
Comments:
Low end torque is a cross between stock and tow-safe, slight surge at 1,700 rpms, very strong above 2,000 rpms, medium gray haze of smoke at initial full throttle take off, slight puff of gray haze at 1-2 gear change, no smoke at any other time, will easily chirp the tires on the 1-2 gear change.
High Performance (95 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
81 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 325 F
Stopped in drive = 360 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,300 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 785 F
Comments:
Very, very smooth from idle to redline, no surge noticeable, during full throttle runs the turbo makes a noticeable whine and truck feels very strong, black smoke at initial full throttle take off tapering to a gray haze at the 1-2 shift, then black smoke again till next gear change, then a light haze till release of throttle, no smoke at any other time. Again, very smooth. My favorite setting.
Towing my 2001 Wildcat 27RK 5th wheel (8,500-9,000 lbs ready to go)
High Performance (95 hp) Setting:
9/22/03
90 deg F., Cloudy and humid, 35 mile round trip
Stopped in drive = 450 F (after 10 miles of towing)
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 900 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph (up hill) = 1,375 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 65 mph (cruise) = 1,175 F
Comments:
Black smoke on full throttle take off, no smoke at any other time. Under full throttle take off with trailer I experienced a de-fueling that occurred from 2,900 –3,200 rpms before the next shift. The de-fueling was experienced on the 3-4 and 4-5 shifts. No de-fueling experienced at any other time. Truck tows easily and feels very strong and smooth.
Conclusion:
I prefer the first and third settings over the second setting. The second setting is definitely better than stock, but lacking a little in low torque compared to the first and third setting. The first setting is i
My truck:
2003 Chevy 2500HD CC SWB Duramax Allison
Totally stock except for:
K&N air filter (bought for the 2001 6.L)
Autometer Z-Series pyro gauge = $135 shipped
Superchips Max Mircotuner #2705 = $295 shipped
Race weight = 6950 lbs.
On each of the runs I drove the truck on a 30 mile round trip with mixed city and highway (65 mph speed limit). My wife sat copilot and took readings for me.
Stock Setting (solo):
9/20/03
83 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 330 F
Stopped in drive = 375 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,050 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 775 F
Comments:
Sluggish under 2k rpms, no smoke at any throttle setting
Tow-Safe (55 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
83 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 320 F
Stopped in drive = 400 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,200 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 800 F
Comments:
Lots of low end torque, noticeable surge of power at 1,500 rpms, begins to fade above 2,200 rpms, very light haze of smoke at initial full throttle take off, no smoke at any other time.
Performance-Tow (70 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
85 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 325 F
Stopped in drive = 350 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,350 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 775 F
Comments:
Low end torque is a cross between stock and tow-safe, slight surge at 1,700 rpms, very strong above 2,000 rpms, medium gray haze of smoke at initial full throttle take off, slight puff of gray haze at 1-2 gear change, no smoke at any other time, will easily chirp the tires on the 1-2 gear change.
High Performance (95 hp) Setting (solo):
9/20/03
81 deg F., Cloudy and humid
Idle in park = 325 F
Stopped in drive = 360 F
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 650 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph = 1,300 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 60 mph (cruise) = 785 F
Comments:
Very, very smooth from idle to redline, no surge noticeable, during full throttle runs the turbo makes a noticeable whine and truck feels very strong, black smoke at initial full throttle take off tapering to a gray haze at the 1-2 shift, then black smoke again till next gear change, then a light haze till release of throttle, no smoke at any other time. Again, very smooth. My favorite setting.
Towing my 2001 Wildcat 27RK 5th wheel (8,500-9,000 lbs ready to go)
High Performance (95 hp) Setting:
9/22/03
90 deg F., Cloudy and humid, 35 mile round trip
Stopped in drive = 450 F (after 10 miles of towing)
Cruising at 65 mph (flat ground) = 900 F
Full throttle take off 0-70 mph (up hill) = 1,375 F max.
Moderate hill ½ mile min distance at 65 mph (cruise) = 1,175 F
Comments:
Black smoke on full throttle take off, no smoke at any other time. Under full throttle take off with trailer I experienced a de-fueling that occurred from 2,900 –3,200 rpms before the next shift. The de-fueling was experienced on the 3-4 and 4-5 shifts. No de-fueling experienced at any other time. Truck tows easily and feels very strong and smooth.
Conclusion:
I prefer the first and third settings over the second setting. The second setting is definitely better than stock, but lacking a little in low torque compared to the first and third setting. The first setting is i