Tow tune for Duramax?
02-23-2014, 08:43 AM
#11
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I run a simple Edge Evolution tuner. It has tow, economy, performance and extreme tunes. I see a couple MPG gain on the performance tune and a very noticeable increase in power. Very inexpensive and I have all the gauges and a nice boost in power. Very happy with it.
02-27-2014, 08:07 PM
#15
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Kyle is a buddy of mine from college... I was going to suggest him! We drove bus together all through school. Haven't seen him for years, but if you talk to him tell him I said hi!
03-08-2014, 02:03 PM
#16
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Talked to Kyle, and for $420 he'll do the 5dsp. Prob go with these tunes: stock, light tow, heavy tow(with simulated exhaust brake), fuel economy, and 100hp tune. He said it will only take about 45mins.
03-09-2014, 01:57 PM
#17
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Location: Perry Lake, KS Lake of Ozarks
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That 100 hp tune is pretty hot for a stock Allison. See what he would charge for a transgo Jr install.
Also the Allison has to "learn" to handle the power each time its changed so don't just flip the switch like the kids with nitrous.
If you are going to pass, manually pre downshift. Dropping the hammer from 6 or 5 is much harder on the clutches than from a start.
Hopefully he will go over all this and more but listen or you will be heading for a trans rebuild which is considerably more than a "tune".
Also the Allison has to "learn" to handle the power each time its changed so don't just flip the switch like the kids with nitrous.
If you are going to pass, manually pre downshift. Dropping the hammer from 6 or 5 is much harder on the clutches than from a start.
Hopefully he will go over all this and more but listen or you will be heading for a trans rebuild which is considerably more than a "tune".
03-09-2014, 10:07 PM
#18
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The truck has 360hp now adding a 100hp tune I don't think is going to destroy the Allison, and last I checked they'll handle a lot more. But I'm mainly getting it for the tow tunes. If I want to romp on something I'll drive my Camaro not my truck. Thanks for the advice, but I do my research so I'm not a kid when it comes to my truck towing 15k lbs.
03-10-2014, 09:24 AM
#19
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I would suggest spending some more time "researching" http://www.dieselplace.com/
It is generally agreed a tune of more than 40-70 hp will damage the Allison. Dmax/Allison is a very reliable stock combo but Allison WILL be damaged with much more.
It can depend also on how a specific tune brings on the power but from my personal experience, I hurt mine with a 60-70hp "tow" tune over the course of 50k miles of relatively conservative driving. (stock tires last 40k). Not changing the tune and letting Allison "learn".
Duramax can handle the power. Stock CP3 will run out of rail pressure and turbo will generally limit out before enough power is made to be able to damage the engine.
Consider this, GM strengthened the Allison before bumping up to 397hp in 2011........
It is generally agreed a tune of more than 40-70 hp will damage the Allison. Dmax/Allison is a very reliable stock combo but Allison WILL be damaged with much more.
It can depend also on how a specific tune brings on the power but from my personal experience, I hurt mine with a 60-70hp "tow" tune over the course of 50k miles of relatively conservative driving. (stock tires last 40k). Not changing the tune and letting Allison "learn".
Duramax can handle the power. Stock CP3 will run out of rail pressure and turbo will generally limit out before enough power is made to be able to damage the engine.
Consider this, GM strengthened the Allison before bumping up to 397hp in 2011........
Last edited by ChargeIt; 03-10-2014 at 10:45 AM.
