There are so many options out there that it gets a little overwelming on which way to go. I have narrowed my choice down to a programmer over a box. Now the problem becomes wich one. Smary, BDTD,or PPE. I have found a Smarty in my area used for $550 is it a bad idea to buy a used downloader and save a couple of bucks or is this a fairly safe practice?

 

Caveat Emptor

 

Point taken

 

I recommend the Smarty if you buy new!

 

If you are dead set on a programmer get teh smarty and if you know where it came from why not get the used one

 

smarty and ppe are both good just make sure that the smarty was set back to stock from the original owner

 

i recommend the PPE the low end is much stronger in my opinion than others, did'nt notice if auto or stick truck, you will need to upgrade tranny for sure even just on pref. tune. what is caveat emptor - my spelling and grammar. ha ha

 

Latin for "Buyer beware".

 

I will still need a tranny upgrade even If I keep it on a milder setting? Is a TC and a VB sufficient or are we talking major mods.

 

the guys with autos will have to chime in ive never owned an auto, but the low end of the ppe will def. make a new factory clutch slip right away even on the milder setting, i ran the ez and boost fooler for years with no slip, this is a good combo for decent power and good milage in my opinion.

 

I'd get a valve body and torque converter, and maybe a laminated flex plate. With a single programmer or module I don't think shafts are needed.

 

Smarty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

i have a valve body only and my truck is holding up strong. but i just put water meth on so its getting close to be time to give dave georend a call and get a new tranny.

 

i have the BDTD and it good but i hear great reviews about the smarty, but if you dont want to put a lot of $ into the tranny, i would suggest staying mild, my tranny started acting up after about 2 weeks of installing the BDTD and only ever max the hp on the performance setting. i even did a Shift kit to try to strengthen it, but it was not much help. ended up buying a built trans from Dusty at HTS and i love it.

 

I disagree. The Smarty alone will put you at ~460-470hp with regular programming. With Beta versions it's 500+hp. It really comes down to what you're doing with the power. ANY drag racing or sled pulling at that HP will require billet shafts. At the very least you would need a billet input.