Background: 2008 Ram QC w/5.7 Hemi. Added VR Hemi Under Glass CAI and Magnaflow exhaust. Would like to get a Superchips as the final touch but...........

The service guy at the dealership, who I have known for years and is a friend, said NO WAY should I use any of the performance chips. "They will burn out a bunch of modules" and he very strongly urged me not to do this. Said it was something about the newer (2008) engines/electronics that would lead to a whole bunch of problems if I used them.

So, what is the truth? Who do I believe? All the folks here who love them, or the service guy who claims potential damage to my truck? Can anyone give me the "straight" scoop? If I use a SC and something happens is the warranty voided?

Thanks for the help.

 

I have yet to hear anything about the SC doing anything bad to the engine. I have on the other hand heard about the Hypertech messing up some engines. I personally have the Bully Dog and have no problems. Probably what he is really getting at is that alot of people are increasing their shift points when they shouldn't and throwing a rod or something like that. Granted there are uneducated people that tune there cars like playing a video game and doesn't really understand what they are doing so this is where the big problems come into play. If you know what you are doing, get yourself a tuner.

As far as the warranty, there are 2 things that take in play here. First if you leave a tune in when you take it in for service and the dealer is a pain in the ***, then yes he can void your warranty, however the 2nd thing is that the tuners allow you to upload the stock tune prior to service thus protecting your warranty. I have taken my truck in for service a couple of time, always loaded the stock tune on just in case. You just have to remember to carry the tuner with you at all times in case you break down out on the road and towed back to the dealer before you can load the tune back to stock.

Buying a tuner is a good idea, just don't settle and buy something cheap. The 2 tuners that are popular are the Superchips and the Bullydog.

 

I asked the same basic question before I bought my Superchips tuner. A lot of the guys on here have run the tuner for years with no problem, so I went ahead an bought mine. So far so good! Hopefully some of the other guys will chime inwith their experiences.

 

This will be my first experience with anything like this and I don't want to mess anything up. Is it as simple as selecting "Performance" option and it will take care of everything? Or do I have to make all kinds of menu selections after selecting Performance? In other words, if I select Performance will the SC take care of making all the correct changes for me?

The Flashpaq tuner 3815 says it is for 04-07 Rams, will it also work with my 08?

Also, best place to buy? Ebay has several for $399 with free shipping.

Thanks much for the help.

 

This is my first tuner so I was a little apprehensive about it too. The tuner comes with an instruction booklet that is pretty straight forward. I installed the performance tune with no problems. If you read the instructions before you try to install it you won't have any problems. I basically just followed the commands the tuner gives you. Its pretty easy. I changed to the towing tune yesterday with no problems since I will be towing my travel trailer this weekend. My advice..........go ahead and get it. Also, you might want to go to the flashpaq website. They have a forum on there and you can do some searches. May help you a bit.

As far as working with you '08, I'm not sure.

I bought mine at truckcustomizers.com. I believe it was 399 with free shipping............bought it at the same time I bought my trueflox xdi intake.

 

I just called Superchips and spoke to a tech guy there. He says it will absolutely work with the 08's, just have to update software when you get the tuner.

 

Using either tuner (SC or BD) is a walk through process for tuning. All you do is follow the on screen directions. The performance tune, you can up load with out doing anything else, but a few options come up as well as selecting which tune. For example, shift points, top speed limiter, tire size, etc. You only change what you want to change. The only thing that I adjusted was the top speed limiter and uploaded the performance tune. Left everything else alone until I decide to do some major engine work or buy bigger tires.

 

They are definitely very easy to use. As mentioned, just return to stock prior to taking it to the dealer or anywhere really for service.

 

The Superchips is CARB certified and as such, it is VERY DOUBTFUL that it could harm your truck in any way. The tuner also basically has three "canned tunes" meaning it's kinda a "one tune fits all" and although this would lack in performance compared to more aggressive custom tunes, they are also much safer by their inherent design.
Your friend at the dealership doesn't have a single clue what the hell he's talking about...

 

i vant comment on the programmer screwing up the engine... i have had a rather heated discussion with a cartified jeep master mechanic regarding whether or not my jeep rubicon had a limited slip rear.i say it does, he said no. he even wanted to bet a weeks paycheck on it. should ve taken that bet. anyway/... im surprised at what the mechanics come up with. he also hated limited slip rears and thought that open diffs were the way to go. again i begged to differ that one... to no avail. to each his own.