These are the results of the 6.6 Duramax shoot out. We had the best of the best of all the big hp tuners. I would like to thank PPE, Tony Martino, John Kennedy, Dominator Diesel, VanAaken Technologies, Edge Products, Quadzilla Power, Bully Dog Technologies, Westers Garage and David Dunbar of Diesel Performance Power, The Diesel Garage, Brandon Meyers, DP-Tuners, and Adventure Bound Campgrounds. My wife Karen, for being patient and not saying “Your going to blow it up, and we will be stuck here” and any one else who helped or drank beer with me to ease my nerves.
The format for this event was done with controlled runs with a Tech II
commanding 4th and 5th gear. All runs were done with a 15
min cool down time between. This gave us verifiable and repeatable results. The
truck was a 2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 6.6 liter Diesel. The tires were
These are the base line runs we took .As you can see the truck did the average baseline runs for a stock Duramax engine.
GRAPH COLORS = ………..BLUE -4TH GEAR …………..RED-5TH GEAR
The day was started by the big Kennedy Efi Tune that laid down some impressive hp and tq numbers 456.2hp in 4th commanded and 475.1 in 5th with 848.4 tq 4th and 928.3 tq 5th. With a SAE corrected # of 480.8hp and 894.2 tq in 4th and 501.9hp and 974tq in 5th. The graphs here show that the tune builds good hp and tq at lower rpms and holds it; however at just over 2800 rpms there a spike at that level is giving him that bigger hp number. Was this done purposeful? I don’t know, but it doesn’t look as good as a smooth ramp up to full power.
SAE: correction factor for this run was: 75.5*F 28.2-0.35in.HG CF=1.06
Drivability of this tune was somewhat limited, as to wet roads and such. It did seem to have a nice powerful mid band and top end, with an aggressive but not to harsh low end. For those who may like a big hp tune that rolls into the hp if you want it or need it this tune is that. There was very little noise from this tune if any above stock. The shifting seemed very solid and firm with no flair.
Next we dynode the Kent Moonshine and RACE tune from Tony Martino, this was also a Efi tune , showing the new dp2 switch able tunes in one ecm. The Moonshine did 459.0 hp and 845.8tq in 4th and 469.9hp and 928.0tq in 5th. With a SAE of 481.7hp and 896.1tq in 4th and 497.6hp and 982.7tq in 5th. The Moonshine as you see from the graphs makes boost and power very early in the tq curve, and builds consistently for a nice smooth hp and tq curve. The race tune is very close in the hp and tq curves, making 455.4 hp and 847.2tq in 4th and 481.7 hp and 887.5.1tq in 5th, with a SAE corrected hp of 499.6 and 989.7tq. This tune also builds boost and power fairly quick in the run but is not as quick as the Moonshine; however the top end is a tad better in the tq
These are the Moonshine race Graphs:
SAE: correction factor for this run was: 78.3*F 28.2-0.37in.HG CF=1.06
The Drivability of the Moonshine is very sporty indeed, it builds boost faster than any tunes tested, it has great pedal response and all around power at all speeds. If you like a very responsive tune that reacts fast this tune is for you. The RACE tune is a little more laid back in its pedal response, however: that does not mean it is not there, if you want the power you just push a little harder on the go pedal. This is a great all around street tune and drag tune all in one unit. . Both tunes showed that the shifting was looked after on these .They were very quick and firm with no flair or hesitation and hold boost well .
Both of these tunes were loaded on one ECM showing the new capabilities of EFI and the dsp2 switch able tunes. You don’t have to have, two big hp tunes in it, you can have a tow tune and a race tune all in one ECM. All you do is have to wire in a toggle switch in to the ECM at a certain pin location given by Efi and you now have switch on the fly tuning.
The PPE was a big power performer in Hp and tq. It did 449.3 hp and 839.8tq in 4th and 472.9 hp and 950.6tq in 5th. With a SAE corrected hp of 477.0and 891.7tq in 4th and 500.7 hp and 1006.6tq in 5th. The PPE does not have a weak area; it is a big power building tune, with gobs of tq at all levels. You really see it at the top end of this tune. However it does not mean that the PPE will not throw your head back on a boosted launch. This is a great all around street and track tune that will be easy on the truck if you drive it easy but when you want it to bee a beast just depress the pedal and unleash the power, there is lots to have. The shifting is great at all levels At WOT it clicks them off with ease while, holding boost with out loosing any.
The correction factor was: 78.4*F 28.2-0.35in.HG CF=1.06
The VanAaken was the first plug in module we tested. It laid down some impressive numbers. It did 433.2hp and 799.9 tq in 4th commanded and 458.7hp and 847.0tq SAE . It was at 471.4 hp with a 5th gear run SAE adjusted. This box is straight forward in its design. It is a Hp box for those who tow and want the convenience of switch on the fly. The three position toggle switch is placed in the cab for changing levels. Its drivability is decent with good power at all bands. This is a no frills hp tuners box.
The correction factor was: 77.7*F 28.2-0.35inHG CF=1.06
The Old Quad 215 4 tune box: We tried to load the new ten tune Quad Stealth 2 tuner up , it would not load up know mater what fuses or things we did. This was a bit of a disappointment as the newer Quad might have gained some hp. The old Quad did respectable for it self, putting down 431.4hp and 758.3 tq in 4th commanded, and 439.5hp -825.4tq in 5th. The SAE adjusted numbers were 458.6hp -806.1 tq for 4th and 465.3hp and 873.9tq.
The correction factor was: 77.0*F 28.2-o.35inHG CF=1.06
This tuner was decent for a older design it had a bit of timing rattle and surged a little, however it was a decent performer for a drag stack or similar set up. We did run the original Bastard stack of the Quad 4tune with the old hot Edge and were able to get some decent numbers I did not spend a lot of time driving this tuner as I owned the ten tunes Quad tuner and had reservations about it. It surged at 1500rpms at 50 mph and had a fish bite while cruising at 70 mph.
The next was The Bully dog Crazy Larry. I was really expecting more from this tuner! It was the hardest to load but had the most options of any tuner I have seen. It was adjustable on the fly from the tuner box it self. This was a very neat option, but it was a bit cumbersome to hide or mount. The Crazy Larry must have taken its meds. It only laid down 389.1 hp and 734.9tq in 4th commanded, and 396.0hp and 836.8tq in 5th. The SAE corrected # were 410.4 hp -775.0tq in 4th and 420.4hp and 888.4tq. This box had a lot of timing in it; it was substantially louder and rattled more than the others. It was average at best for drivability. With a thick lazy feel to it. It was not the CRAZY man I was expecting.
The correction factor was: 79.0*F 28.2-0.38inHG CF=1.06
The last module box was the Hot Edge juice combo. It was a plug in module, with the attitude monitor. It was as usual a 5 tune switch able on the fly unit. It ran a 387.4 hp 729.8tq in 4th and a 397.5hp and 792.7tq in 5th, with SAE # being 411.0hp-774.4tq in 4th and 420.6hp-838.6tq. The Edge is always a solid performer, it gives what it adversities and has the Attitude for monitoring data, and switching power levels on the fly.
The correction factor was: 72.9*F 28.2-0.43inHG CF=1.06
All these tests were conducted with a Dynojet dynamometer. The correction factor for these runs are all listed. This was a very controlled test with all runs being documented and plotted. The same truck same day same weather. This was a fun test; however it was very nerve wracking for me too. What we wanted to accomplish was the basic test data from these big HP tuners and modals. I think the data and a graph from each run speaks for them selves. There are several ways you can speculate how the truck was dynode and what was done during the runs. We hope these numbers and graphs will shed some light on the truths.
This was a blast for me to test all the best of the best tuners and modules. I was like a kid at Christmas receiving all these tuners to test (UPS was like Santa). The real fun was driving these and getting to know them all. Some were better than others; some had more options than others. Some were just plain out made for race, others for street. Some had neat ways of switching the tunes; some were a one tune only, down loadable tuner. All in all it was a blast. What I see it boiling down to is a matter of preference in what you are looking for out of your truck. Do you want to drag race your truck? Do you tow heavy loads and want a tow every day tune and a race on Saturday truck? .Do you want built in gages to monitor your trucks data ,or EGTS, maybe boost, engine temp . There are many options that these tuners offer. If you look at all the graphs overlaid on top of each other, most of the big players are within a few hp and tq of each other. What I do see, is the lower rpm power of these tunes, and how it feels, and makes each one appear different. Some come on hard and fast, some are slower and smooth until you roll into it hard. Preference will play a big part in the final decision of each individual. Especially when choosing the big three in hp. The track will be the final decision for many, or the street maybe! What ever you chose we have found that you can make a big tune that drives like a stock truck too, and be a race truck if needed.
Now for the real truth of this test WHAT TUNES REALY PERFORMED? Well let’s start out with the PPE it was a real powerful tune that had a fast spool up and tons of tq to spin rubber. It was real fun to drive. Boosted launches were like a raged pit-bull clawing its way down the pavement. The shifting was smooth at low speeds and very quick with little or no loss of boost between them. The top end on this tune is great too. It has tons of power at 70mph plus. You won’t find your self wondering if you can pass the car in front of you, as it will be already done before you think about it. This tune lays down some smoke! There is NO doubt this tune is definitely fueling the engine and lighting up the turbo. It is the single BEST box tuner from a manufacture that I ran. It made some of the best HP and tq numbers of all tuners at all levels.
The new comer to the block in the tuning market is EFI featuring DSP2, and Tony Martino. Tony has done his homework real well with EFI. His two tunes Moonshine and Moonshine Race might be the smoothest tunes I have tested at all levels of driving. Let’s start out with Moonshine. This tune rocks! It builds boost faster than any tune by the SOTP meter. It seems to throw you back in the seat as soon as you hit the go pedal; before you know it you are doing 90 mph thinking your doing 60. The beauty of this tune is, it is very street smooth for daily driving too. If you want to drive like its stock just don’t get into the pedal as much, but when you do watch out it’s like the Millennium Falcon taking off into hyper speed. The Other tune that was on the ECM was his Race version. This tune is a little less aggressive on the pedal feel; however don’t think for one second that that means it is subdued. This is the favorite of many who like the stock smooth feel with all the power under your foot waiting to be had. Just press down to release the ponies and they will run for you. These two tunes made some big hp numbers and great tq numbers as well.
The Kennedy tune was a very strong tune from the limited time I ran it but seemed to have a gob of power to be unleashed. The pedal feel was a bit touchy at first but you do get accustomed to it. The graphs and dyno numbers show some great hp and tq being made. I will hopefully get some more seat time with this tune for a fallow up review.
The only set back we had was the Westers tune did not arrive on time .It was stuck in customs , and arrived to late; however I will run it and test it at Merchants dyno day, and give it a fair review, as it is the same dyno and such.
Here are the graphs overlaid to compare all of the hp and tq together.
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