[scj]

I'm picking up my '12 3500 6.7 6 speed manual 4x4 RCDRW this Friday and have a question or two for the forum experts especially the ones familiar with the popular tuners.

My 5.9 had a Predator module, K&N replacement filter and a Flow Master muffler/tail pipe. I consistently averaged over 20 mpg with just a little extra power when needed.

I have no desire to have a super high horse power truck to take down the strip or roast the tires and I especially do not care about blowing black smoke.
My truck will be a daily driver that will only be used to tow less than 5% of the time but when it does it's usually a large tractor or implement of some sort.

The immediate plan for the 6.7 is to perform a Diamond Eye DPF delete, Sinister EGR/cooler delete, K&N replacement filter and a tuner. Problem is I do not know which tuner to buy.
I've read multiple posts over the last couple of weeks but I still have something I need clarification on.
I don't need a tuner to show me graphs or any other diagnostic info as I'm running down the road but it has to clear codes, adjust for different size tires and of course add a little extra oomph when I need it. It has to help with fuel mileage as well.
What I have not seen posted is if the Smarty or H&S have to stay plugged in 100% of the time. Or, are they like the Diablo I have for my Challenger; plug it in to the port, download then throw it in the trunk?

I'm not really concerned with the price of a tuner but if I do not need to buy the best of the best since I'll never use all of its potential then I do not want to spend the money. I'm just not into all the whistles and bells.

Which tuner will I benefit from?

BTW, I plan to bump the tires up to at least 33's on Rockstar wheels. I'm not sure the 3.42's will pull ok with 35's???

Thanks for reading the long post.

 

[DodgeMech]

You want deletes you have no choice but the h&s tuners...there's the xrt pro that works like your diablo did...set it and forget it...then there's the mini maxx and black maxx which offer gauges and on the fly tuning...only difference is that the black maxx's screen is much bigger and it cost a lot more...most on here will recommend the mini :thumbsup:

Sent from my Droid Charge

 

[Sandman76]

I too would head in the H&S MiniMax direction. Sure you don't "need" gauges etc but they are helpful in watching what's going on, code clearing and instant power changes as you may need. I would also steer clear of any air filtration from K&N. You can do your own search function on here regarding it but the short and skinny of it is that K&N does not filter properly and you'll dust your engine (read the linky at the bottom of my post). Also know that any tuner you add and any oiled filter is most likely going to give you warranty problems when you go to the dealership. The filter is easy to change out but the programmer leaves a trace in the ECM that is easy enough to find.

ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test Report

 

[scj]

Sandman, thanks for the heads up on the filter testing! I'm going to yank the K&N from my Challenger and go with the Mopar dry filter. I guess Dodge's stock filter is sufficient? I have noticed hardly anyone mentions air filter replacement on this forum.

I read where a member stated he removed foam from the intake tube. What was he referring to?

 

[Sandman76]

Sandman, thanks for the heads up on the filter testing! I'm going to yank the K&N from my Challenger and go with the Mopar dry filter. I guess Dodge's stock filter is sufficient? I have noticed hardly anyone mentions air filter replacement on this forum.

I read where a member stated he removed foam from the intake tube. What was he referring to?

Not sure about your new truck, but my 2008 had a plastic frame with foam on it stuck in the intake tube just before the turbo. I yanked that thing out, no sense waiting for the foam to crumble and end up through the turbo. Just take the intake tube apart and look down towards your turbo, you'll find it and like I said, I just had to yank on it to get it out. Your 2012 may be different I dunno.

Yes, the OEM filter works just fine. If you must do something to the intake, do the Home Depot CAI which there's a fine write up in the Tech Articles section of this forum.

Also consider using Fleedguard LF9028 oil filters. They have a built in bypass oil filter. If you're not familiar with bypass filtration, it's basically a low flow high efficiency filter that filters even finer than normal. A lot of guys get aftermarket bypass kits on their trucks, but I think Fleetguard has come up with an easier solution in one filter. Go to www.bobistheoilguy.com for all your oil and filtering info you could ever want.

 

[boman250]

A Smarty Jr will perform exactly as your asking. No gauges. Very user friendly and its a set it and throw it in the closet tuner

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[sikesix]

Ditto on the Smarty JR with the ME program.

 

[scj]

Thanks everyone.

I read a post last night where a few members were having issues with the Smarty and the engine brake functioning correctly with the latest download.
Is this still an issue?

 

[sikesix]

I've not had any problems with my EB working, run it all the time.

 

[DodgeMech]

Ditto on the Smarty JR with the ME program.

Jr only works up to 11 though

Sent from my Droid Charge

 

[scj]

Jr only works up to 11 though

Sent from my Droid Charge

Important info and I noticed their site said up to '11.5 models.

 

[scj]

Well, I ordered the XRT and deletes kit from Rollin' Smoke Diesel.
The truck will have less than 150 miles on it when I install all the parts and tuner. I figure I may as well get it unrestricted as soon as possible.

Btw, ordered my Hell Bent 2" leveling kit yesterday; still undecided if I'll go 33" or 35" rubber though.
My truck has 3.42's with the 6 speed standard so I'm kind of leaning towards the 33's. Anyone have 35's with the 3.42's?

 

[Blkchrm]

I would also like to know if anyone is running manual shift 3.42 and 35's. Ordering truck today or tomorrow. I'd like to end up on 35's but like the mileage gains on the 3.42.

The suggestion on the smarty jr...does that tuner leave a trace? My buddy has the smarty and said it doesn't leave a trace once loaded back to stock. Id love to delete but want to keep my warranty intact

 

[sikesix]

Yes, the Smarty Jr. leaves evidence of it's being there. The dealer will be able to tell that a tuner has been used.

 

[Nater Tater]

sounds like a good setup to me. Id go with 35's. Really sets the truck off

 

[corsair2]

Mini Max is your best bet the reason it has to stay pluged in in order to do the deletes and remain code free

 

[DodgeMech]

I would also like to know if anyone is running manual shift 3.42 and 35's. Ordering truck today or tomorrow. I'd like to end up on 35's but like the mileage gains on the 3.42.

The suggestion on the smarty jr...does that tuner leave a trace? My buddy has the smarty and said it doesn't leave a trace once loaded back to stock. Id love to delete but want to keep my warranty intact

He's right if his truck is a 5.9...but all smarty products leave traces on 6.7

Sent from my Droid Charge

 

[DodgeMech]

Mini Max is your best bet the reason it has to stay pluged in in order to do the deletes and remain code free

No...if you unplug it it defaults to the stock-deleted tune and still has no codes...you plug it in for the gauges...

Sent from my Droid Charge

 

[scj]

My H&S parts were delivered Thursday so of course I ran out and installed the XRT after I updated the programmer on line. Since I did not have the deletes took care of yet, I programmed the truck with the DPF present. I installed the mild setting and immediately noticed a big improvement in throttle response plus I kept checking the evic during my ride to work and the mileage kept increasing which is definitely nice.

I removed the NOX and DPF and reprogrammed accordingly last night; wow! I went with the mild setting and I cannot imagine using the higher output settings. The 6.7 has tons more available power than my mildly tune '07 5.9. I'll mess around a little to see what setting gets me the most fuel mileage then that's where it will stay until I need to tow something.

I still have to install the EGR/cooler delete but that will not happen until tomorrow. Gotta do the family thing today.

Next up will be installing 315/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs. I am going to have the stock wheels power coated since I cannot find a decent looking aftermarket wheel I like.

Thanks for all the help from this forum; I read tons of posts which made my decision for my purchases then installation a breeze.:thumbsup: