Tuning 18+ ram
- Thread starter Okie345
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Okie345
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Im just wanting to get rid of torque management get an 89 octane tune and be able to adjust for tire size. Is there not a tuner you can plug into the obd2 port? So you physically need to remove pcm send it out and have it unlocked?
John Jensen
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SFT, MRT and GDE all use a handheld that plugs into the OBDII port to install their tunes and to return to stock for dealer visits
Wild one
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I don't think they work unless the PCM has been unlocked first,at least that's my understanding,i might be wrong though.
Wild one
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You can buy an unlocked PCM and keep your old one if you'd rather do that.On the 18+ trucks you'll also need the bypass cable to tune it. BTW you don't want to get rid of to much of the torque management,unless you like buying transmissions,lol. You can raise shift points , increase shift speed and line pressures slightly with out decreasing the life expectancy of the 8 speed,but if you start killing torque management you'll shorten the life expectancy of the transmission.
Okie345
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Ya I was just trying to make sure I had to buy one first. Im surprised you pay diesel prices to tune a gasser without getting the big power difference.
Yeah, the encrypted/locked the PCMs on Ram trucks starting for the 2015 model year.
In order to make any changes to the PCM you have to unlock it. The programmers access the PCM through the OBDII port as usual.
Swapping the PCM is not hard and the unit is easily accessed on the right (passenger) side of the firewall inside the engine compartment.
There is a tutorial on swapping PCMs on DiabloSport's YouTube channel.
Swapping Ram Truck PCMs
In order to make any changes to the PCM you have to unlock it. The programmers access the PCM through the OBDII port as usual.
Swapping the PCM is not hard and the unit is easily accessed on the right (passenger) side of the firewall inside the engine compartment.
There is a tutorial on swapping PCMs on DiabloSport's YouTube channel.
Swapping Ram Truck PCMs
They have been for me. There are others available, and I've used them on older vehicles, but I've been using Diablosport programmers exclusively on three Hemi powered vehicles since 2006.
Custom tunes are highly recommended and are available from several tuners. So when you purchase a programmer make sure you get one that can accommodate such tunes.
Wild one
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Depends on the warrenty job,if it's for an engine / transmission etc.,they can tell if you've swapped the pcm if they go digging. If you're worried about your warrenty,i'd leave it alone until your warrenty is up. The good tuners these days use HP. Diablo also has a rep of bricking PCMs,you're call,but i'd seriously consider HP over Diablo
John Jensen
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Never heard of that. The ones I have installed did not require any unlocking
What did you use? On what year truck(s) and with what engine(s)?
John Jensen
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2016 Eco with early GDE and early and current SFT. a remote handheld
2020 3500 HO using bypass cable and EZ-link and SOTF switch
2005 Ford F350 6.0 had 4 different tuner's tunes. Used a computer.
All through the OCDII port.
So, where did you hear that the ECU/PCM need to be unlocked? MRT SFT, PPEI and Reckless tunes do not require any unlocking
Cummins diesel engine truck PCMs made after 2014 also have to be unlocked but it is done with the programmer in a few steps prior to actual tuning. The biggest difference between the Cummins and gas engine PCMs is the gas PCM has to be removed, attached to a computer and modified (unlocked) to accept tuners. The diesel PCM does not.
That "bypass cable" is the Cummins unlock as Edge calls it. Each programmer maker has a different term. The function of those bypass cables/unlocks is to unlock the diesel PCM before the unit can be programmed.
It's just different terms but at the end of the day you still have to unlock the diesel PCM's.
The 2005 Ford probably didn't need to be unlocked but I can see where a computer may be needed to access that PCM.
That "bypass cable" is the Cummins unlock as Edge calls it. Each programmer maker has a different term. The function of those bypass cables/unlocks is to unlock the diesel PCM before the unit can be programmed.
It's just different terms but at the end of the day you still have to unlock the diesel PCM's.
The 2005 Ford probably didn't need to be unlocked but I can see where a computer may be needed to access that PCM.
John Jensen
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I've only heard it called a bypass cable.
If bypass and unlock are synonymous, I believe your first sentence is in error, as a bypass cable is only required on Ram diesels beginning 2018 to current
Its good for people that dont plan on doing cam swaps or any real power adders.
2015+ requires a physical PCM modification to accept tunes. It is standard practice to either do a PCM swap or buy a second PCM that has been modified to tune our trucks.
Also yes, like previously mentioned, if a tech does some digging, they can tell if your truck has been tuned. The mileage is stored in the PCM and the cluster (or somewhere that reports to the cluster). When the mismatch is large enough it is an obvious sign that the PCM has been messed with. Apparently, there is usually some mismatch anyways, but I don't know the threshold.
HP for the win too. Some years don't like Diablo for trans tuning. Lots of info out there from guys like boosted motorsports on youtube for the trans tuning/diablo issues.
I am no expert here, but I have heard of a few guys recommending not removing torque management. At least with power adders like a blower. A few guys here have Whipples and they say to leave it alone. Dont take my word as gospel here, do some more research. IMO talking to one of the reputable Hemi tuners out there is the best place to start beyond asking questions on a forum.
Also yes, like previously mentioned, if a tech does some digging, they can tell if your truck has been tuned. The mileage is stored in the PCM and the cluster (or somewhere that reports to the cluster). When the mismatch is large enough it is an obvious sign that the PCM has been messed with. Apparently, there is usually some mismatch anyways, but I don't know the threshold.
HP for the win too. Some years don't like Diablo for trans tuning. Lots of info out there from guys like boosted motorsports on youtube for the trans tuning/diablo issues.
I am no expert here, but I have heard of a few guys recommending not removing torque management. At least with power adders like a blower. A few guys here have Whipples and they say to leave it alone. Dont take my word as gospel here, do some more research. IMO talking to one of the reputable Hemi tuners out there is the best place to start beyond asking questions on a forum.
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Gone
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i have a copy of my stock factory tune from the stock locked pcm before i swapped it.. my plan was if im going to need warranty work ill just upload the factory tune to this unlocked pcm and take it in havent done it might work.. done it before on GM cars never had a problem. 
lol
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