Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/105105
BUYER'S GUIDE S rpm band, which works best for those highway passing and hill climbing situations. As you look into buying a programmer for your pickup (or fleet of pickups), it's always best to focus on those that are CARB-approved so they are smog-legal. This keeps your company out of hot-water should performance enhanced pickups ever be inspected. It's also prudent to purchase one that is easy to install to save shop time or to minimize downtime. The good kits are also easy for the driver to use/program, have a display that's easy to read, and they shouldn't interfere with diagnostic servicing within your shop or at the dealership. DIESEL EQUATION Diesels get the biggest benefit from electronic hot-rodding; it's not uncommon to get power spikes in excess of 120hp white-glove hotrodding a diesel. That's because diesels thrive on fuel for power and changes in injector duration, injector and fuel pressures, and timing deliver that in spades. But along with more fuel comes more exhaust gas heat – and heat is the killer of diesel turbos and transmissions. Towing exacerbates the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) issue, which is why most tuners have special "towing" settings built into the programming. Therefore, if you are going to hot-rod your truck's diesel, make sure you also add an EGT probe and install and EGT gauge if the electronic engine tuner you are using doesn't integrate that into its workings. Speaking of gauges, a diesel programmer that offers a digital display of manifold pressure, EGT, transmission temperature, oil coolant temp are also great because they negate the need and expense of additional gauges. With those basic buying suggestions in mind, we have a number of white-glove electronic engine upgrade products for you to consider. These are not the only ones on the market. But they are a good place to begin your search for horsepower nirvana. HYPERTECH ECON Use less fuel and get more power with Hypertech's new E-CON Economy Power r Programmer. The E-CON ON is designed for the driver who needs better ter fuel mileage and more e power, but doesn't want ant to pay for other high-performance features available in Hypertech's Max Energy Programmer. Every E-CON is programmed with Hypertech's Max Energy Tuning™, Diagnostics, and Back to Stock options. Simply plug Hypertech's E-CON Economy Power Programmer into the vehicle's under-dash connector, choose your tuning program, then with the push of a button it will re-program your vehicles computer with improved power and efficiency in less time than it takes to drink a cup of coffee. 50-state street legal and comes with a 30-day, money-back satisfaction guarantee. hypertech.com; 901-382-1888 HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY Hypertech's Max Energy Power Programmer is the "no compromise" performance tuner. Whether you run diesel or gas Hypertech delivers maximum power, increased fuel efficiency, proper transmission i shifting, and many other adjustable features with just the push of a button. Power gains up to 175hp for diesels and 54hp for gas engines. Available for most 1996-2011 Dodge, Ford and GM trucks and SUVs. 50-state street legal; 30day, money-back satisfaction guarantee. hypertech.com; 901-382-1888 PPE XCELERATOR Pacific Performance Engineering provides performance-oriented pickup owners with a number of Xcelerator series hand-held diesel pickup truck programmers. The Xcelerator programmer increases horsepower, torque and promotes better fuel economy. The Xcelerator series is available for diesel powdered GMC, Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford pickups. ppediesel.com; 714-985-4825 SUPERCHIPS VIVID Superchips pairs Bluetooth technology with high-performance tuning with the Superchips Vivid vehicle performance programmer. This innovative tuner includes a Bluetooth-enabled vehicle interface module combined with the new ARCHOS 4.3-inch internet tablet. All this is powered by the Android 2.2 operating system. With the addition of a few inexpensive accessories, the Vivid will work as a GPS unit and a backup camera monitor. The Superchips Vivid is like no other tuner. Instead of a cord, the Vivid has a Dongle (think of it like an antenna) that plugs into your pickup's OBD2 port. The Dongle simply hides under your dash and uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with the tuner. And that's just the beginning. The Android operating system allows you to tune for high performance, heavy load towing, fuel economy or off-road uses. It will also function as a GPS unit, inclinometer, audio/video player, EGT and multiple gauge display and vehicle maintenance minder. See gains of more than 75hp in GM diesels, 110hp in Ford diesels and more than 150hp in some Dodge diesels. superchips.com; 407-585-7000.