PC or Tuner

Steve Tokash · Sep 20, 2019

I have been back and forth on this for awhile now and not sure which direction to go. I have 14 ram 2500 with the 6.4 and it has plenty of power but seems to lack in the lower gears. I have an old diablo sport tuner that i used in my silverado and they have told me that i can trade it in and get about 100 for it which brings me to about $300 smacks which is about the same price as the PC. I would rather not get both i know people here run both but seems a little redundant in my opinion. If i go tuner i would then likely have to drop a little extra on a custom tune because from what i read the canned tunes dont do much for these trucks. I do like the idea of hemifever fine tuning the transmission because from my understanding that is the downfall on the 6.4 trucks. Help me decide...

MADDOG · Sep 20, 2019

I personally believe the tuner is a better value as you have tuning options, user settings to optimize and the custom tune I got for my 2014 6.4L was amazing. It really woke up the truck.

I just think you get more with the tuner.

Fast69Mopar · Sep 20, 2019

I would go with a tuner that gives you the ability to use custom tunes over the "canned" tunes. I thing you will be happier if you go this route. If you decided to go with a PCM like the Pulsar and it did something you didnt like you wouldnt be able to change its behavior. Now, with a tuner and custom tunes you can do some datalogging and send it to your favorite tuner and have them adjust the tune.

Steve Tokash · Sep 20, 2019

You both touched on exactly what i was thinking. I was talking about the Pedal Commander though not a Pulsar. But regardless same point to be taken thanks for the insight.

Tim Garceau · Sep 20, 2019

Custom tuners will dial in a tow tune for whatever you haul often should you need that as well, where the commander is just a glorified drive by wire signal booster. They do work well together but you have the ability to boost up to 20% with diablo's devices.

Having a 2014 PCM that's already unlocked makes it an easy budgeting decision.

Pull Ya · Sep 20, 2019

The Pedal Commander will not increase the performance of your truck. It will however make it accelerate faster by eliminating the "lag" you experience stock. A tuner with a custom tune will increase your performance noticeably--about 25-35hp increase. I agree the tuner will give you more options.
Jay

Michael · Sep 20, 2019

A tuner with a custom tune. I wouldn’t consider anything else at this point.

I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas

Steve Tokash · Sep 20, 2019

Does anybody know if i do the hemifever tune and apply it to an otherwise stock truck. However somewhere down the line decide on exhaust for it would they retune it with the new exhaust? Or is this a one and done thing. Also will they do multiple tunes? I mean like one for towing if i have a long trip to take and then potentially one for plowing in the winter?

Pull Ya · Sep 20, 2019

I think Sean does adjustment for your tune at no charge unless you go to a supercharger turbo charger or funny gas. He does the custom tunes specifically for your truck with your mod's. He can load a couple of different tunes on your tuner and you can change from one to the other. I think he is great to work with and have had his custom tunes on all 3 of my 4th gen trucks and I've been completely satisfied.
Jay

Michael · Sep 20, 2019

With a custom tune you will become more selective with which band of premium gas you put into it. Sean at hemifever recommends Shell or BP. He could tell from looking at the data a sent him when I switched from Costco’s gas to Shell. So be prepared to pay more per gallon for gas.

I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas

JohnnyMac · Sep 21, 2019

I second what @Tim Garceau said. Since you have the 2014 with the unlocked PCM, it's a no brainer. I tuned my 2014 6.4 with just the canned tune and it was a much more drive-able truck. If it were a 2015 or later, I'd say do the PC. Either will really make a great positive difference.

FXCLM5 · Sep 21, 2019

Just save and get both imo

You only live once, might as well drink the Kool aid from both pitchers

RoadRamblerNJ · Sep 21, 2019

Tuner. Accomplishes what the PC can do + a whole lot more. Tuner will increase HP and Torque. PC can't do that.

Steve Cloud · Sep 21, 2019

How does a tuner affect the mileage? Never used one before. Any other side effects that can pop up?

Michael · Sep 21, 2019

Steve Cloud said:
How does a tuner affect the mileage? Never used one before. Any other side effects that can pop up?

I’ve found that I get a little better mpg with it then without. I forgot what it was like stock so I put it back. I figure I get better mpg’s because I have to put my foot into it less with the tune to accelerate at the same speed.

I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas

Steve Cloud · Sep 21, 2019

So what website do you go to in order to research tuners? Any recommendations?

Steve Tokash · Sep 22, 2019

Steve Cloud said:
So what website do you go to in order to research tuners? Any recommendations?

I was looking at the diablsport i3 mainly because i can trade in my old one for some money off. Then hemifever for the tune seems to be the popular option on this forum.

Thanks for the input everybody tuner it is just have to figure out how the trade in thing works

Pull Ya · Sep 22, 2019

There are many tuners available that do custom tunes. Hemifever, Jay Greene, and Matt Brown are a few of the more popular ones. Generally questions like,"Which is the best" end up in a ****'n contest by their minions ie; He's best, no he's best, no I like him better, etc etc etc. I recommend you talk to each one individually and see which one can provide the service that you are looking for. They aren't mind readers so communication with your tuner is number one. They all are successful and do a good job--interview them like a job application and then choose. Don't get caught up in the background noise.
Jay

69GWC · Sep 22, 2019

Best power increase would be a set of 4:56 gears or 4:88s imo.
Those transmissions have really high gears in them.

RoadRamblerNJ · Sep 22, 2019

69GWC said:
Best power increase would be a set of 4:56 gears or 4:88s imo.
Those transmissions have really high gears in them.

+1

Also, you can have more than one tune stored in the tuner. Most come with a few "canned" tunes which are better than nothing but can be majorly improved by a custom tuner. You can then create one for towing, one for all-around driving, one for best mileage, one for the 1320 ft dash, one to outrun Johnny Law on those long ass flat roads in NM. ( this would be different than the 1/4 mile tune) or whatever else you want. You work with the chosen tuner that will be coding your tunes and once you both agree it is just right, he saves & sends that one to you. Then you could start on a different one.It's easy to change them.

I agree 100% with 69GWC that a gear change to 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13 will make you think somebody glued 2 more cylinders onto your Hemi. THEN tune it! haha.

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