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Turning your Duramax diesel truck into the perfect machine is something that can be done fairly easily with some aftermarket diesel truck parts, DIY know-how, and a Duramax performance tuner. You might think that upgrading various parts is the main way to increase your truck’s performance, but the tuner is actually where you want to start.
ProSource Diesel takes a look at what is a Duramax tuner, the benefits of using one, how to use one, and then some of the most popular tuners available in our inventory.
Also called a Duramax programmer, a Duramax tuner is a device that communicates with your vehicle’s computer. These devices come in a few different types, including gauge monitors, handheld tuners, and plug-and-play modules. For the most pinpoint control of your truck’s performance, you’ll want a tuner with a gauge monitor.
Handheld tuners generally plug into your truck’s OBDII port, which will then let you deliver the program you want to run. You can usually choose from preprogrammed settings or create your own custom settings. Plug-and-play modules are the easiest type to use. You simply find a module that does what you want and plug it in.
These are the most useful to people who want to adjust one or two areas of their truck’s performance. For example, if you want to increase fuel economy or disable active fuel management.
There are several big benefits to using performance tuners on your Duramax diesel truck. More advanced users often end up tinkering with a wide variety of different settings, but the basic benefits of using a tuner include the following:
Most tuners come with plug-and-play settings or modes to maximize your towing power. Some advanced models even allow you to change your horsepower settings on the fly when you need it.
As with horsepower, most tuners have pre-programmed settings to increase fuel economy, and that’s one of the most common reasons to use one. Some trucks experience heavy throttle delay, which means it doesn’t respond immediately to the gas pedal. Tuners can increase throttle sensitivity and reduce response time.
There are a few tips and tricks to properly use a Duramax tuner. It’s always important to read all of the instructions before you get started. Each tuner is different in terms of features and settings. If you’re planning to install aftermarket parts along with your tuning, it’s important to always do the tuning first before you install the parts.
Some parts require tuning before they will work properly in your truck. Always use the correct tune for your truck and don’t use the wrong tune for the application. For example, some owners think using race tune is a way to get extra power for towing.
Unfortunately, towing with race tune will cause a lot of wear and tear on your transmission and torque converter. Most tuners have some form of a tow tune and that’s the one you should generally use for towing.
Finally, it’s a good idea to install your tune when the tuner company is open. If you need any help during the installation process, you can call the company’s helpline. It’s also important to let your transmission go through the relearn process after tuning.
Allow your truck to go through the gears with different throttle inputs. For example, start at 10% and move up in 10-15% increments until you get to 100%.
Let’s take a look at some popular Duramax tuners sold by ProSource. Make sure to choose the tuner that works with your specific truck and performance needs.
This is an extremely feature-rich tuner that works for the 2001-2016 Duramax LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM, and LML engines. It offers a customizable gauge, super-fast processing speeds, and Wi-Fi update capability. You can monitor things like engine temp, boost, RPM, injector rates, and transmission temp among many others.
For big torque and power gains across your RPM range, it’s hard to beat the Banks Derringer tuner. This tuner uses multiple data inputs just like your engine’s ECU. It reads throttle position, RPM, vehicle speed, AFR, Knock, and coolant temp, then safely optimizes calibrations in real-time.
This tuner installs by connecting with your truck’s factory wiring harness, which makes installation very easy and also easily reversible. Depending on your specific Duramax engine, this tuner offers potential power increases of 75 horsepower up to 100 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque.
For an all-in-one solution, the Superchips handheld tuner features a high-resolution color screen, several tuning options for performance and economy, and the ability to read and clear diagnostic trouble codes. The FlashPaq F5 also offers an industry-leading two-year powertrain warranty
5 a. Duramax Tuner Spade Tuner For 16-19 2.8L LWN DuramaxThe Duramax Spade Tuner features four power levels that can be switched on the fly.
These power levels include an Optimized Stock level that adds about 10 horsepower, Tow Tune that adds 32 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque, Sport Economy Tune that adds 45 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque, and Performance Tune that adds 52 horsepower and 80 pound-feet of torque.
This tuner is custom tuned to your VIN, so you can get exactly what you need for your specific truck.
Rely on ProSource Diesel for the latest and greatest performance tuners for your Duramax diesel truck. We have a wide selection of different tuners as well as all the aftermarket diesel truck parts to support them.
