Long time dodge owner 99 dakota ,new to forum.Just picked up 2001 ram 5.9. While reading threads here i see ads for different chips.Not looking for a race truck just something a little more efficient. those ads on top of page SLR chips, Gforce superchips tuners ,are these ads stating 50 hp gains and4-7 mpg gains and all full of it or worth while investment maybe a quick lessen on how they work or what they do. difference between chip or a tuner,Have been researching and just getting more confused which ones work or don't thankyou in advance for any opinions.

 

Chips are useless for our trucks, they work at first, and then the computer eventually overrides them, sometimes even costing you power.

Go with a Tuner, whether it be Hypertech, SuperChips, or SCT

Currently Sean (Hemifever) is offereing the SCT Tuners for $265, and they are considered to be the best tuner for our Rams.

 

You want a tuner. It reprograms the ECM, beings as you have an 01.... you REALLY need it, as it came from the factory with the "death flash"..... Way down on power, it seriously gimps the engine. The SCT tuner from Hemifever (whom you can contact right here on this site) Takes care of that, and also gets rid of torque management. (another brilliant idea from dodge....) You will notice a definite improvement over stock even just using the 87 octane tune....

Chips can have a couple different meanings.... on the OBDI vehicles, you couldn't just reprogram the PCM, you had to change the chip..... There are also 'add-on' chips, that are two wire hookups, that make big claims, but, are just snake oil. They don't do anything at all, except feed the PCM wrong readings about what is going on with your engine. 99 percent of them stop working once the engine goes into closed loop, and starts paying attention to the O2 sensor. Don't even bother with any of them. Waste of money.

 

I had a 1996 with the Mopar Performance 92 octane PCM (Chip). It was alright.

I got a 2001 and then got the SCT from hemifever. Completely different. Plus, you will get tunes for 87, 91, and 93 octane from hemifever. THat way you can change tunes if you can't find the octane you are looking for.

Tuners offer more flexibility.

at 265 you might think it is steep (not steep considering the MOPAR PCM was 325), but after you use it, you would have paid 500!

--Dan

 

First let say Thankyou to all of the quick responses.Now I have never seen one of these tuners so be patient a minute. When your saying 87-91-93 octane do you push a button and pick which octane gas you run and this tuner automatically makes it much more efficient. Is it hard to install

 

Easy to work with, plug the feller in, turn the ignition on, (don't start the motor) the tuner will either ask questions, or, present options, you tell it what you want, it does it. Five minutes or less. Changing tunes is the same procedure, and you can change them as often as you like.

 

My Superchips came in yeasterday, I havent had much of a chance to test it. I first put it in "performance mode" and the difference was unbelievable.

I am moreinterested in MPG and towing when necessary. I put it into XS MILEAGE mode and am now burning up a tank of gas. I am hoping for 1.5 or 2 mpg.

I think the 4-7 you mentioned that some chips are touting is unrealistic. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Good luck.