Best tuner for '06 QC 4x4 Ram 5.7 Hemi

[tjZ06]

I'm new to the Hemi world, I'm used to LS and Duramax stuff. It seems like hand-held tuners are more popular in the Mopar world and I don't know of any local tuners that are doing Dodge stuff (whereas I know of several LS and D'max tuners). Also, it'd be nice to quickly change between 87 and 91 as well as daily driver and towing tunes.

I've read about hemifever and the Super Chips 3865 both being very popular. It seems like the 3842 has superseded the 3865? Also, there is a CA Edition of the 3842. Does anybody know what is different with the CA Edition? Is it meant to work with our horrible E10 gas, or are the tunes otherwise different? Or is it just a few bucks more because it includes a CARB EO# but is functionally the same?

I'm leaning towards the SC 3842 but am open to better options.

Thanks,
TJ

 

[CorDog009]

I've had my 3865 for years, no complaints. I used the inTune on my Mustang and liked the touch screen and small size, but anything is better than nothing I guess.

 

[HLram]

I run a superchips 3865 in my 07 and a hemifever (DS Trinity)in my 12. Love em both. Either one will please you I am sure. Neither will allow very quick changes from 87 to 91 etc. I run performance tune (91 oct) on the SC and 93 tune on the HF.

 

[tjZ06]

Thanks for the input so far. So nobody is running the 3842 yet? I guess I should have quantified quickly when I said I'd like to change tunes. I don't mean the flip of a switch or anything. But say we plan a long road-trip and want to cut fuel costs a bit, I don't mind taking 10-20 minutes and changing the tune.

-TJ

 

[Harley Harrold]

I have the SuperChips Cortex 3950 tuner, and I love it. I run the 91 Octane Performance tune. It takes approx. 15 minutes to go from the Advanced Performance tune to stock, and back to Performance tune. As far as I know SuperChips tuners are the only ones that allow transmission tuning. There is another feature I like, which is their advance tune, where you can choose what you want to adjust, sort of a custom tune. It sure woke my Hemi up and made the shifting much better.

 

[tjZ06]

I have the SuperChips Cortex 3950 tuner, and I love it. I run the 91 Octane Performance tune. It takes approx. 15 minutes to go from the Advanced Performance tune to stock, and back to Performance tune. As far as I know SuperChips tuners are the only ones that allow transmission tuning. There is another feature I like, which is their advance tune, where you can choose what you want to adjust, sort of a custom tune. It sure woke my Hemi up and made the shifting much better.

Do you happen to know what advantages the 3950 has over the other SC models? SC's site isn't actually very good about that sort of comparison.

-TJ

 

[HLram]

I think it (the Cortex) allows the owner to program more than one vehicle at the same time and maybe a warrantee on engine. If I'm not mistaken.

 

[Harley Harrold]

Do you happen to know what advantages the 3950 has over the other SC models? SC's site isn't actually very good about that sort of comparison.

-TJ

Sorry, I don't have any experience with any other tuner. This is my 1st Hemi powered truck, and I have had my truck for 6 months. The SuperChips Cortex came highly recommended, and that is why I chose it.

 

[tjZ06]

I ordered the Cortex, great price on Amazon. I'll report back how it does.

-TJ

 

[Harley Harrold]

I ordered the Cortex, great price on Amazon. I'll report back how it does.

-TJ

Amazon.com is where I purchased my Superchips Cortex Tuner, along with many other items, great prices, fast delivery on most items.

 

[tjZ06]

I'm really happy with the Cortex. The process was straight forward and relatively quick. We put the 87 tune in it for now since it had a nearly full tank of 87 and WOW, what a difference. Power certainly seems better and it seems to have woken up the "lazy" issue we were having with the truck. And the shifts are much, much better.

-TJ

 

[Harley Harrold]

I think it (the Cortex) allows the owner to program more than one vehicle at the same time and maybe a warrantee on engine. If I'm not mistaken.

Once you connect the Cortex to your truck, it downloads the stock PCI program, thus marrying the tuner to that truck. SuperChips will unlock the tuner for $100.00, so it can be used on a different vehicle.

 

[MegaHemi]

Recently found a SC 3865 used but unlocked for $100 and love it! Now I just need to figure out the Torque Management!!

 

[tjZ06]

So far so good, the performance and trans response are a LOT better. However, on the 87 perf tune mileage seems abysmal. It's at least as bad, if not a little worse than before. Pure freeway trips at ~70 MPH yields about 14 MPG. Average tanks are around 11 now.

-TJ