a programmer or a module you are adding a new tune to your
vehicle. By adding a new tune to your diesel vehicle, you
are simply modifying the signals that the vehicle’s
computer (ECM) sends to the electrical components of the engine.
The difference between a programmer and a module/chip can
be explained by the manor in which that signal is modified.
Programmers are installed or downloaded directly to the vehicle’s
ECM through the data port under the dash. This new program
or data modifies the ECM’s calibrations so that the
original signals are changed to incorporate the desired effects
created by the selected tune. This new signal is then sent
out to the electrical components of the engine. Thoroughbred
Diesel refers to this kind of tuning as Pre-ECM modifications.
Modules or chips can be installed in many different places
on a diesel vehicle and placement usually varies greatly depending
on the effect the module is intended to have. To explain it
simply, a module is installed somewhere in between the ECM
and at least one electrical component that the ECM communicates
with. When the signal leaves the ECM it travels through its
normal route until it reaches the module. At this point the
signal enters the module, is modified by the computer elements
inside of the modules, and then exits the module and continues
on its path to the desired electrical component. Thoroughbred
Diesel refers to this kind of tuning as Post-ECM Modifications.
Tuner Increase My Fuel Economy?
- Yes, in theory a tuner will increase your trucks fuel economy
by increasing the efficiencies of your engine. On average
we see the best fuel economy gains occur when using tunes
ranging from 65 to 90 extra horsepower. This is not however
the case 100% of the time. Each vehicle and driving style
is different and each owner should try out different tunes
in order to find the most economical one.
a Tuner Damage My Engine?
- DO NOT BE AFRAID OF TUNERS! In the rare case that a tuner
is faulty there is a slim possibility that it could cause
damage to a vehicle. A near impossible set of circumstances
would have to occur in order for a tuner to cause damage.
You will often hear people make claims such as, “ That
tuner destroyed one of my injectors.” From our experience,
we have found that this is usually a result of a preexisting
faulty part. In other words, the injector would have already
been failing. By adding the tuner, the owner was demanding
more work out of that faulty part which in turn caused the
part to reach complete failure at a much faster rate. We encourage
you not to fear tuners. Very few people had any issues at
all with tuners, and those few problems that have occured
usually are a result of user error during install.
Can a Tuner Damage My Transmission?
- Tuners do not damage transmissions, drivers do. It is important
to always keep in mind that a tune can only deliver as much
power as the person pressing the pedal allows it to. With
that in mind, a driver must realize that a transmission has
limits and by adding a tuner, they are often times pushing
that transmission to its limits. Drivers should practice caution
and often times reprogram their truck to a lower HP tune depending
on the conditions they will be driving in. For example, stock
trucks should not be towing on a 120 HP tune. Instead, the
driver should de-tune the vehicle to around 60-70 HP before
departing on the trip.
I Download My Programmer?
- All programmers will download through the data port. This
port is more commonly referred to as the OBDII port, or the
scan port. It is the same port used to scan a vehicle if a
check engine light occurs. This port is usually located on
the divers side, under the dash, near the steering wheel.
I Install My Module?
- There is not one specific place in which a module is installed.
Its location will be dependent upon the electrical component
it will be affecting. To determine the installation location
of a module you will first need to choose a module.
Shift On The Fly Tuning
- In order to change tuning the programmer or module must
be plugged into the vehicle by some means. For the majority
of tuners the vehicle must be turned off and placed into Park
in order for the tuning to be modified. However, if your tuner
is equipped with shift on the fly tuning then you do not have
to turn the vehicle off to modify the tuning. You can change
program levels and make other modifications while driving
down the road.
have to Leave My Programmer Plugged In?
- No. Programmers only have to be plugged in while you are
installing or modifying tuning. The exception to this rule
is when you have shift on the fly tuning or monitoring systems,
which accompany the programmer. Both of these features require
that the programmer remain plugged into the data port at all
times in order to function.
Need Anything Extra If I Install a Tuner?
- Most tuners have tunes that are made to work with completely
stock vehicles. These tunes are generally rated at 120 HP
and under. You might notice that some tuners come with tunes
above 120 HP. If you tune a stock truck to a setting above
120 HP you will most likely not have enough fuel to supply
the demand that this particular tune. A simple add-on, and
one of the first upgrades you should install, is an upgraded
lift pump filtration system. We recommend an AirDog of FASS
system. These systems supply more fuel to your engine allowing
you to actually achieve the HP rating that the tunes claim.
- For manual trucks, adding a tune above 120 HP can cause
excess stress on the clutch. Running a tune of this caliber
on a stock or non-performance clutch can cause it to slip,
and eventually cause the clutch to fail, leaving the driver
stranded on the side of the road. We recommend upgrading to
a performance clutch such as a South Bend or Valair Clutch
are not necessary unless you plan to be over aprox. 120 HP.
A stock truck is more than capable of handling 120 HP and
under tunes, as long as the truck is not towing excessively
Tuner Work On Multiple Truck?
- No. Tuners will only work on one truck at a time. Some tuners
do allow you switch between trucks once the tuner has been
completely removed from the vehicle. Some tuners however,
have a feature known as vin locking. This means that when
the tuner is installed onto a vehicle it registers and permanently
mates with that particular truck. The tuner can be completely
removed from that truck, but it cannot be installed on another
vehicle after that.
Combine Two Tuners On One Vehicle?
- In the performance industry the act of combining two tuners
on one vehicle is known as Stacking. Generally speaking, stacking
involves combining either a programmer and a module or a module
and another module onto one vehicle. It is not possible to
stack a programmer with another programmer. Stacking can be
a somewhat risky ordeal because each tuner was designed and
tested to operate independently. Therefore, when attempting
to stack, you can run into communication conflicts where one
tune will over write the other, or completely block communication
altogether. It is our policy at Thoroughbred Diesel to not
recommend any stacks. If you want to stack we recommend that
you browse through forums and ask other fellow enthusiasts
which stack they have attempted and achieved success with.
Need Gauges With a Tuner?
- As long as you intend to run your vehicle on a tune under
a 120 HP setting, you will most likely not need gauges. If
you plan on doing any towing, with ANY tune installed on the
vehicle then we recommend you strongly consider gauges.
Notice an Increase In Power if I Install a Tuner?
- Yes! Even if you install the lowest level tune that we offer,
you will be able to feel a noticeable increase in power.
a Tuner Make My Truck Smoke?
- Unfortunately there is not a definitive yes or no answer
to this question. In general, adding a tuner should make your
truck smoke more. However, the degree to which it smokes is
completely dependent upon the tuner.