so i finally ordered my superchips. yes...i read the sticky and visited the website but...im in way over my head on this one. i just want to get my truck to act better with the bigger tires. so, should i just put it on a sc setting or take it into a shop so they can manually do it? suggestion please

 

get the SC...not only will it help with setting up for bigger tires but also help with getting more noticeable power to the ground! and you have so many different settings you can play with like Fuel saver so if you have a long road trip...so its well worth it! GET IT

 

The settings that are downloaded from SC work great. Even the 87 octane tune is far better than stock. Loading a tune into the truck is very easy.

 

first thing you do is download the software for the tuner from the superchips website, install it on your computer and update the tuner as soon as you get it. Mine gets flaky sometimes trying to use wireless connection so I found it best to use a compter that is connected to the internet via LAN instead of wireless. Also turn off firewalls and close any other programs cause it can interfere with the update. After that it's pretty simple, connect it to the OBD2 port on your truck and follow the onscreen prompts. The manual they provide gives some good, basic starting points but is kind of lame in regards to describing all the functions you have with it. For example, the manual states nothing about accessing the various sensors and data logging, etc. Yet, those are very valuable tools to have when troubleshooting drive related issues. You can also make adjusments for tire sizes, just play around with it before paying someone to do it for you. Performance tune is the best tune option but you got to have at least 91 octane gas. Good luck and have fun with it.

 

Best investment you'll ever make for your truck! Worth the price just for the superior tranny shifts alone...

 

It is really simple to use the superchips yourself. It may be a little confusing when loading the software and updating the tuner for the first time. But once that is complete, loading the tunes onto your Dakota is so easy.

 

Congrats on the purchase. Dont forget to get the rebate for it. Superchips is offering $25 back on the Flashpaq and $50 on the Cortex.

Update the programmer like jkeaton mentioned, and fill up with a high octane when your tank runs dry if youre looking to do the 91 performance tune right away.

Just by installing one of the performance tunes, youll get better shifting from Superchips. Even the mileage xs will help. It will take your RPMs a little higher so the truck doesnt seem like such a dog. Many think this hurts your gas mileage, but it will actually leave it the same or impove mileage if you can keep your foot out of it.

For your bigger tires, you can correct your tire size. For an additional $40, you can get the transmission tuning package and change all your shift points, but this can be confusing. Superchips has a decent shift schedule that will atleast get your running better the day you install it.

Just remember after install, it will take 60 miles for an initial learn of the new tune and about 300 for the truck to fully learn the tune. Around 60 miles you should feel more power from the engine. But in regards to the 18rwhp, remember how little it will actually help you before you start judging. 18hp is more HP you will gain from many bolt on mods, so dont get me wrong here but youre not going to notice a night and day difference in terms of speed. The tuner is 100% worth it just for the shifting that comes with it, IMO. You made a good choice.

 

I have noticed a "seat of the pants" difference in power with the sc. Take offs are much more agressive and there is more power available. The truck does not downshift near as much when going up slight grades like it used to. I'm not sure collectively how much I have gained by doing the performance exhaust, cold air intake, power wire and the sc, but i feel much more confident pulling up beside someone at a stoplight now than I used to...lol...and i have improved mileage by over 1 mpg...i'm sure it could be more if I could find a cure for my leadfootitis...

 

I know what you mean, Kent. Some people expect too much from these mods. If there was only one mod I could do to my truck, it would be the tuner. Next would be the exhaust just for the rumble. But the SC was the most effective in waking the truck up. The day I drove without the tuning was horrible; I felt like I was driving like a grandpa but I was actually giving it a lot of gas and trying to drive aggressive.