Computer Programmer for better fuel consumption

HotRoddyRod · May 25, 2017

Just curious if any of the programmers are worth getting and if it improves fuel consumption? Like Diablo or Bullydog. I'm towing a 4,300lb trailer and the fuel consumption sucks. Looking to improve it. I have a K&N Cold Air Intake installed and looking for more mods to improve fuel efficiency.

MADDOG · May 25, 2017

I much prefer the DiabloSport with a custom tune. Both my 2007 5.7L MegaCab & 2014 CC with the 6.4L Hemi benefited from the addition of the tuners and tunes. Not a whole lot of gain with MPG towing (about 1.5 - 2.0 MPG) but the way the truck ran, responded to throttle inputs and the shifting was all well worth the money.

With your truck you don't need a PCM swap, just the programmer and a good tune.

mtofell · May 26, 2017

I'll probably get flamed for this but IMO programmers to save fuel on modern vehicles is complete snake oil. They may have had some use years ago but with all the constraints the manufacturers are under to produce good fuel efficiency wouldn't they just program them efficient from the factory?

I just don't believe 1-2MPG gains. It's either different circumstances or confirmation bias. There's just no way you are going to improve MPG that much. The 0W oil on my 6.4 Hemi was reported to be developed to save 1% fuel economy since it's thinner and has less resistance. So, if they go to the trouble to develop oil for 1% there is ZERO chance they are going to leave 10% on the table for programming.

MarshRam · May 26, 2017

I ran superchips on my 2007 4.7 liter TRX4 and did gain 1mpg increase in efficiency. Haven't put a tuner on my 2014 yet. Regardless of potential fuel gain, IMO I think the tuner will serve you well for towing and you will be pleased with the overall performance of the tuner, it will be noticeable as soon as you install it! I imagine there should be many threads in this forum discussing various experiences with tuners... .

MEchase · May 30, 2017

mtofell said:
I'll probably get flamed for this but IMO programmers to save fuel on modern vehicles is complete snake oil. They may have had some use years ago but with all the constraints the manufacturers are under to produce good fuel efficiency wouldn't they just program them efficient from the factory?

I just don't believe 1-2MPG gains. It's either different circumstances or confirmation bias. There's just no way you are going to improve MPG that much. The 0W oil on my 6.4 Hemi was reported to be developed to save 1% fuel economy since it's thinner and has less resistance. So, if they go to the trouble to develop oil for 1% there is ZERO chance they are going to leave 10% on the table for programming.

Yeah, auto manufacturers are (or is it "were" now?) under fairly strict MPG requirements. They manufacture hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Being able to claim 17MPG vs 19MPG is huge and would have 10's of millions of dollars worth of impact, there is no way they leave 2 or 3 MPG on the table. If you can come up with a way to reliably improve fuel mileage by 2 or so MPG for only $100-200 per unit, tell all the auto manufacturers. You'll be a millionaire by tomorrow.

jag1886 · Jun 6, 2017

I am also curious if anyone makes a custom tune for towing, I have a Diablo and emailed Hemifever about this and as usual they didn't read my email and sent back a generic answer, I would guess if you can tune for top end performance you could also tune for bottom end torque.

14hemiexpress · Jun 6, 2017

My personal experience I didn't gain mpg with my Diablo. I wouldn't. Buy one strictly for a boost in mpg. If you want the performance or to kill mds that's all good then. I got mine to shut down MDS and I'm currently running 87 tune and haven't knowticed any performance gains but didn't expect any out of the small tune just mainly wanted to get rid of MDS.

patchelect · Jun 15, 2017

I'm sure there are many here who know J.C. Whitney. They made millions selling fuel economy gizmos and related items. Over time all the items were proven to be snake oil but the public still bought them.

While I wouldn't argue that "something" couldn't be done to improve economy, it might push the emissions outside the necessary numbers.

Something about having cake and eating it if I recall~~

Computer Programmer for better fuel consumption

HotRoddyRod

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MADDOG

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mtofell

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MarshRam

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MEchase

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jag1886

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14hemiexpress

Senior Member

patchelect

Senior Member

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