I dont know a whole lot about chips and cold air intakes. Can anyone give me some suggestions on this. I was told that if you get a chip and cold air intake then you would want to get a bigger exhaust. Is this necessary? What should I get first cold air or chip?

 

Performance boxes allow the injection system to add more fuel for performance. As more fuel is added, combustion temperatures can rise past the safe limit so most boxes will start to de-fuel. A higher flow intake and exhaust will help keep combustion temps lower and safer, releive some stress on the motor, help efficiency, and allow the performance box to add more fuel = better performance.

Most guys are pretty loyal to the brand of box they use. You'll have to research things for yourself to find out which one suits your needs. I have run Edge boxes on my 2002 and run the Superchips flashpaq on my 2006. I like them both. I've read that the Superchips programmer is a little more conservative and possibly safer than some of the other boxes... Keep searching you'll find what you're looking for.

 

So do you not think that the 4" stock exhaust is big enough? I have a friend with a duramax and he was told that he would need to upgrade to a 4" before putting intake and chip on.

 

Intake and exhaust mods aren't really necessary with just a mild chip, especially with the 4" you already have. Your EGTs will tell you when you need them, usually after one power adder they start being needed (ie before stacking chips/downloaders, or adding inectors.) But it doesn't hurt to do them first.

And you can just get a muffler delete pipe, and have 4" with nothing but a cat...

4" is plenty big enough untill well over 500hp, a member on here (jetpilot) made over 700hp on 4" with a muffler on a seccond gen.

 

If you're running just a box, a 4" exhaust is probably fine, but I would at least look for a free-er flowing muffler and get a good air filter system. Do some searches to see what people reccomend.

 

What kind of chips are everyone running? Are they easy to intsall?

 

I am currently trying to superchips flashpaq for my 06. The sales guy talked me into it since they were out of the Bully Dog Triple Dog programmer. The SC makes a big difference. I am not going to get any gauges because I do not drive my truck hard all the time. I do alot of highway driving so I should be fine. I have kept it on tow/perf so far with exception of about 1 hour. The perf blew black smoke like crazy. I kinda liked it but I didn't want to keep it on there. They said I could but I don't want to tear up my new truck since I just have 7k on it. I am going to go back and get the Triple Dog because it has an additional setting between the 2 that SC has. Also you can shift on the fly with Triple Dog. Other than that the SC seems to be pretty good. I haven't been through a full tank on it yet but they are both supposed to raise your MPG 2-4. Everyone on there has their own opinion and favorites. Just do a search on the different ones you are interested in and you will find plenty of info and opinions on everything. And yes they are very easy to install . The SC takes 10-15 minutes to install or change.

 

So you dont have to take it anywhere to get it installed?

 

You can buy from a dealer and they can install it and show you how or you can order it online and install yourself. It is very easy to do. You can then change the settings all you want.

 

If you go to the superchip website you can download a PDF with the installation instructions and it's really easy. I DON'T HAVE ONE, but I read the directions and it's extremely easy to install, plus you can go back to stock settings when you go to the dealer...

Good luck, I'm considering one myself....

Mark

 

I would also check out the Bully Dog Triple Dog. Installs like the Flashpaq and has the advantage of any brand diesel being able to use it. That way you can improve you ablility to sell it down the road. If you change to a Ford or Chevy down the road you can still use it. The Outlook feature is also nice. The Bully Dog web site has an install video as well.

My mechanic I use for my Chevelle is a Superchips and a Bully Dog dealer. He recommends the Bully dog because of the Outlook, change on the fly and the all brands use. He does say both the Superchips and Bully Dog work well. He just likes the features and flexability of the Bully Dog.

My truck is still stock and will stay that way for a while. I only have 1800 miles on it and I will wait until I get somewhere around 4,000 or so which will be February or March.

 

I'm the same way. I bought my truck in Sept. and wanted to wait so I did my research on everything and asked plenty of questions on here to see what would work for me. I am trying superchips but will be going back to get the triple dog once it comes in. The flexibility and having another setting is important to me. I have almost 7K now so I bought my SC last Saturday and it seems to be a good product.

 

I have the SC and run only on "performance/tow", as I tow pretty heavy. I also installed a dual 4" exhaust (turbo back - the kitty is gone), Cold Air Stage 1 intake, and a boost gauge & EGT gauge on the A Pillar - photos of all are in my gallery. I also installed an exhaust brake. I say "I installed", but the guys at Diesel Specialists in Orlando Florida did it - great people, great prices - hung out with them for an eight hour day.

At around 70MPH my boost gauge was showing 10, and my EGT's were running about 6000 - about 2200RPM. Accelerate and the boost and EGT rise - safe running temp (I have been told) is 1300-1350 or so - have not yet towed (let alone towed in mountains) w/set up and gauges.

I think that if you are going to add a chip or box, if you are on a "moderate" setting, depending on how you use it, you can "get by" without the other add ons. But this is a disease, once you start.....

But if you are going for performance, you should think about gauges, intake and exhaust. Unless you are running big horses, a 4" should be fine. Check out my pics and they show the whole thing.

 

I agree. My dad has a ford powerstroke with 4" exhaust and the diablo sport predator programmer with no gauges. He uses the 65 HP setting and has never had any problems at all. I am planning on using the BDTD on peformance which is I believe 78. I don't drive like a madman and usually do a lot of highway driving. So I don't go around floooring it all the time. The guys at the shop where I bought my SC said I should be fine on performance without gauges as long as I don't go around floorboarding it all the time . I leave in on tow/perf though to try out the SC. I've had it for 4 days now. A big thing for me is increased MPG .

 

I would not recommend the Bully Dog. I have a Power Pup on mine and just went through my second cracked injector. The dealer said the BD raises rail pressure which is not a good thing. Bully's Tech Dept. is HORRIBLE! Don't expect to get much help from them. I suppose anyone can have a bad experience, but I seem to have had more than one. I am inclined to try the superchip. I will probably keep the Outlook Moniter, though.