Diesel tuner advice? Cummins 5.9

[SShep71]

In my inevitable drive to and from school (100+ mile round trip) I will be looking for a little fuel efficient vehicle. I will also have to drive my truck (06 ram 2500 5.9 Cummins) on occasion. I wanted to know if there is anyone out there running a tuner on their truck and what are your results. I am mainly looking for fuel efficiency, but I am of course interested in power as well. I am looking for input from all diesel owners. I have read the other forums but there is just so much nonsense on other places I was hoping that some of you on here could add some input. I looked into an Edge tuner and a Bullydog tuner. Thanks in advance guys!

[ncal209]

I have a 02 Duramax with a Edge CS and on level 1 (eco mode) im getting aroung 18 mpg highway

[drktrrs]

I have a 2010 6.7 cummins and im running the H&S tuner. Highly recommend it for economy and power. I get 19 mpg on the highway in mild setting and ran a 14.40 quarter mile on the hot setting. Of course that was after getting rid of the DPF and emissions bull**** too. Pretty good though for a big heavy lifted truck.

[raustinss]

I read diesel power mag quite often and from what I gather pretty much any truck 07 and earlier can pull down some decent fuel economy numbers just because they don't have a dpf...some exhaust...intake and tuning you should get around 20-23 on the hwy easily
Good luck
Ryan Austin

[regal454]

I have a 2006 GMC 2500HD Duramax 4WD and with the Bully Dog programmer set to ECONOMY I get 18.5 MPG on the highway and 15.8 combined average mpg.

Just sucks that diesel is so much more than gasoline now.

[TheJDMan]

07 Silverado Classic 2500HD Duramax with EFI Live with DSP5 switch on 130+hp setting. I can get 24mpg hiway and 17.5mpg combined but I have to drive like it has an egg under the throttle. I have heard that EFI Live recently began supporting the Cummins diesel.

I would also take a look at Banks SixGun. I hear it is a great product.

[Auto Rod Technologies]

I know the last time I looked into it everybody was saying to use smarty tuners, but it's been a while since i've researched it.

[SShep71]

I had looked into the smarty but they dont have any kind of read out. I am leaning toward an edge right now but I am unsure.

[tflyboy77]

Just installed an Edge CTS and I'm overly impressed. Woke up my 06 megacab 2wd and I'm putting down 22.5 mpg on the truck display (I don't know how accurate that is). As for power I run in level 2 which is Econ for cummins motors which got me 34psi boost! Level 3 felt like way to much for the auto tranny.

[AMSOILGUY]

I've got an 07 classic 2500hd and have not got too the tuner yet but gained 1 mpg by switching all driveline fluids to synthetic. I also run a fuel additive which will help extend injector life with ULSD.

[UNBROKEN]

Don't know if it's allowed...I guess this will get pulled if not...
I run a high performance diesel website, www.competitiondiesel.com
Check out our 3rd Gen Dodge forum...you'll get all the ideas and advice you can use...and some smart ass comments too. lol

[1966longroof]

I have on 05 Dodge with the 5.9. 2 wheel drive, 4 doors, 8 ft. bed. 3.70 gears. Purchased in Nov O4. Made 3 modifications shortly after purchase: Granatelli Motorsports Big G Mileage Miser (module), SP cold air intake, and Magnflow replacement muffler. As long as I keep it under 2,000 rpm with the Cruise set .... I get a wopping 27 mpg.

[SShep71]

David, you 2WD guys kill me with your mileage hahah. I will look into it, but right now I am leaning toward the edge.

UNBROKEN, I checked out the site and I will have to sign up. I know I want one of those hoodies!

[rustomatic]

I have an '06 Powerstroke 4x4/manual trans/standard cab, and get 17-18 MPG in hills regularly (I live at about 1500 ft.), with no tuner. I do run a ScanGauge II programmed for the truck, and watch fuel GPH while I'm driving. It's all about how you use your foot--diesels make tons of power from idle, so low RPMs in every gear can go a long way, as can driving sub-60 on the freeway...

In talking with diesel mechanics (pick-up truck specific), most of those I've spoken with usually thank people with tuners for bringing them expensive repair work on a frequent basis...

[SShep71]

I had thought about putting in a VDO overdrive unit to bring down my rpm but still be able to cruise with traffic. I just think that an overdrive trans with an overdrive unit would cause too much stress on the driveline. It would be interesting to see if it would work. Many people say to just keep out of the gas to get better MPG, I just think that even if you do that you are going to be on the road longer, burning more fuel in more time. I am going to do a study about driving for fuel mileage vs. driving for time.

[shmoov69]

Wow, you guys are getting good mileage it sounds like!!
I got an 06 6.0 powerstroke 4x4 crew cab f250 and I average about 15 all the time and have nursed 19mpg a couple times on the highway! Now granted, I don't drive like I'm trying to save gas! Usually a "few" mph over the limit and so on. It has a Bullydog Triple Dog set on "performance" and I really love it. Stock filters and exhaust, but an EGR delete kit and has 180k miles on it. Will the intake and exhaust really help with mileage that much?