Just purchased 06 Dodge 3500 w/5.9 Cummins What Chip for fuel economy and power??

[this1ultraflyz]

I just snagged this 06 3500 Laramie 4x4 Q/C 5.9 Cummins Long Box. Only 30000 miles. Retired couple had it and pulled 29' 5th wheel RV. Truck is super clean and couldn't pass it up.
Everyone always says they get better mpg with chip plus more power. What chip is reliable. Is blowing ECM a problem in 06's when chipped, or is this isolated to certain brands? (Just heard of a few that had problems don't know what kind). Want to keep it simple but plan on keeping truck for a while so may as well get any economy/power advantage sooner rather than later.

 

[rdr99]

Not really a Dodge guy, but I have heard good things about the Smarty programmer. Check some of the diesel sites out, www.thedieselgarage.com is one.

 

[skidooer1]

smarty is hard to beat for the common rail cummins. it is also the most expensive since you will be purchasing gauges also.me personally I like the quadzilla digital gauges since they are so cheap and faster to hook up.but in any case the smarty is hard to beat for power and mileage over any programmer, fueling/timing/pressure box.my 04.5 which has the same turbo was very smokey running the smarty on 60hp with 10,000 lbs behind it in hot weather.stock turbos on these motors are only a 10 cm turbine housing so if you haul big loads running stock might be a good idea.towed with the 60 hp mode with a four place enclosed and would really have to lug it to smoke. worked very well.if you want something a little more affordable take a look at the edge ez.

 

[440dart]

i just put an edge wit att on my dads tow truck weighs 11900 empty i like the safty features but i had a superchips on tow that i like better had more power and didnt smoke as much. superchips barely smokes made more power and the egts are lower. everybody bags on the superchips but for towing it worked great.

 

[dmkhnr]

I'm not a believer in the chip=better fuel mileage statements.
I had the quad xzt in both my 05 and 07 cummins and never saw any increase in fuel mileage.
The guys running the smarty are claiming better fuel mileage so thats what I'd try.

If you're after power, then I'd go with a towing tuner/chip. You'll see an increase and it will be safe to use.

 

[blackcloud2k]

Smarty hands down on the cummins. They make the best power and fuel economy and there are alot of programs that you can download onto the box for what ever your driving style and mods are. It doesnt come with guages, which you will need if your going to tow with a chip on the truck. I do not and will not run the digital style guages (edge, quad, bullydog). They are to hard to read at a quick glance. If you get a normal style needle guage you dont even have to physically look at the guage meaning you take your eyes off the road. Out of the corner of your eye you will see where the needle is at and know you are still safe. You dont really need to know the exact number, you just need to know you are still running safe. Thats why $0.02 on why normal analog guages are better than digital guages.

 

[smokinskidoo]

Without thinking twice go with the smarty. Best programmer out there for the cummins. Better MPG and 9 power level settings, plus timing and torque management. I would recomend running gauges with a smarty though.

 

[RMK-King]

I have the smarty jr,no gauges needed. Dont know if my mileage changed any but it will pull like you wouldnt believe.

 

[this1ultraflyz]

Crap Been looking at all opitons for three days to many to choose from. They all look Awsome!

 

[Tec]

What kinda gears do you have in your 1 ton? If 4:10, your best bet on fuel economy is bigger tires.

I have a Edge Juice, DDP injectors and an Airdog. with the 3 together i saw about 3 mpg difference

 

[Sledson]

Don't go bigger than 50hp injectors or you stand to lose mpg's. My truck is getting about the same mileage with stock programming and DDP 50's (also an '06 Mega 5.9CTD) as it did with the edge mileage max and stock injectors. Oh by the way, any box that plugs into your rail pressure sensor will add rail pressure, which is fine until it malfunctions or you get bad fuel. I got both at once and ended up with new injectors.

 

[this1ultraflyz]

Don't go bigger than 50hp injectors or you stand to lose mpg's. My truck is getting about the same mileage with stock programming and DDP 50's (also an '06 Mega 5.9CTD) as it did with the edge mileage max and stock injectors. Oh by the way, any box that plugs into your rail pressure sensor will add rail pressure, which is fine until it malfunctions or you get bad fuel. I got both at once and ended up with new injectors.

So you don't run a programer any more?

 

[Polar Express]

Of the trucks I have had, this is what was on them:

96 Dodge, CTD, AT. 12-valve, totally stock. worked great, 220K, still 19 MPG pretty steady.

99 Dodge CTD, AT. 24-valve, BD edge box (NOT attitude or juice), no adjustment, had separate aux gauges. That truck was a monster. 20 MPG, driving it hard. I'm pretty sure the previous owner had some tranny upgrades but not sure, it sure drove like it.

04 Duramax, AT. Hated that truck. gutless as hell, horrid mileage. 16 empty, 10-12 with sleds or towing. Had to put Edge Juice w/attitude tuner in just to get it to 'hang' with my '99 Dodge, power-wise, and had horrid mileage. I'm beginning to think I had a lemon or something, as there are lots of happy Duramax owners.

06 Dodge Mega CTD, AT. Love it. I put gauges in it right away, but have not put in a tuner or chip yet. I will be going with the Smarty on this one. I won't do that until I get the triple disc T/C though. That 06 automatic got some much needed upgrades, but still needs the Torque Converter swapped. Once that is done, the smarty will be in. Unfortunately, the Common-rail injection systems do cost you a little MPG. I'm hearing I may be able to gain it back with the smarty and some exhaust. (my wife wants it louder, go figure)

I have a couple buddies that build and dyno their trucks for a hobby, and that is where I get most of my information about what works for what application.

PM me if you want....

PE

 

[summitboy]

I have an 04. I have a Smarty Jr with a boost fooler and a boost elbow running 32-33psi in boost. I pull my 28 foot enclosed with 3 sleds and all gear and 3 in the truck. I run on SW 2, TM 2, TQ 2 and i get awesome fuel mileage and my egts never go above 1000. I started in Calgary with a full tank and made sicamous on half a tank of fuel. Granted that is the top half but none the less that is some damn good mileage. I used to use just over 5/8 before. Newer than 04 are a little harder on fuel because of the 3rd injector event added in 04.5+.

Smarty is an excellent programmer. If you get a Sr i would stay away from anything above SW 7 with the stock tranny. In 06 you wont need a boost fooler the Smarty will do it for you. Im not sure about the elbow though you may or may not need it to get higher boost than stock. You lose turbo efficiency above 35 psi so don't go there unless you want a new turbo, LOL

 

[Brent@powerlabsDiesel]

go with the smarty jr if your after mileage. Smarty has the best tuning available for the common rail. they make the most power on the dyno have better drivability and get the best mileage. let me know if you have any chip or tuner questions i sell a lot of smartys

 

[robertyoke]

smarty! but its hard on stuff like tires, driveline.

so tst powermax ( has gauges, cool down timer, boost control, egt control)

and if you want to really break stuff...stack a tst with a smarty and slap on some big twins and i can give you a list of what **** will break

 

[this1ultraflyz]

Ok I have to stop buying for truck and focus on sled

Going to pick up a Smarty JR. Probably wait till spring now, has enough power for winter for sure. I bumped up tires to 285/70/17 Goodyear Silent Armour wanted to go bigger like a 285/75/17 but could not find in a tire I wanted. Put a Astro Start Remote starter and some Weather Tech Floor mats. I also picked up one of the Mopar winter fronts that wraps front end under hood, looks like a good idea. Would be nice to get a sweet set of gauges though