1500 stock flash v. tuner question

[ScubaSteve42]

I have a '12 Ram 1500 5.7 with about 75,000 miles. Vararam intake, magnaflow exhaust, levelling kit, and an aftermarket tune that came with the truck when I bought it used (confirmed by dealer during service). For the last few months it has been acting up, for lack of a better term.

The engine will stutter, sometimes revving high in a lower gear without shifting when I give a little extra WOT. I've manually circumvented the MDS (shifting to 6th), replaced plugs and packs, had my mechanic inspect the EGR and engine codes. No change.

The only advice my mechanic could offer would be to take the truck to the dealer to return the programming to stock.

My concern is the aftermarket upgrades. While not extensive, will I introduce further problems returning the truck to stock, or will it "learn" to run with what is installed? I understand I will lose power, and I like the idea of buying another tuner, but budget does not currently allow.

My primary goal is to get the truck running smooth and consistent again, with the intent to buy a tuner further down the line

 

[stimpy433]

Flashing it back to stock shouldn't cause any problems, lots of people have intakes and exhaust on their trucks without a tune. The tune is what is giving you most of your extra power, not the intake or exhaust.

 

[tidefan1967]

I have a '12 Ram 1500 5.7 with about 75,000 miles. Vararam intake, magnaflow exhaust, levelling kit, and an aftermarket tune that came with the truck when I bought it used (confirmed by dealer during service). For the last few months it has been acting up, for lack of a better term.

The engine will stutter, sometimes revving high in a lower gear without shifting when I give a little extra WOT. I've manually circumvented the MDS (shifting to 6th), replaced plugs and packs, had my mechanic inspect the EGR and engine codes. No change.

The only advice my mechanic could offer would be to take the truck to the dealer to return the programming to stock.

My concern is the aftermarket upgrades. While not extensive, will I introduce further problems returning the truck to stock, or will it "learn" to run with what is installed? I understand I will lose power, and I like the idea of buying another tuner, but budget does not currently allow.

My primary goal is to get the truck running smooth and consistent again, with the intent to buy a tuner further down the line

It will run just fine with the stock tune reinstalled. There are literally a ton of guys running around with an intake and an aftermarket muffler that are on the stock tune. Honestly it sounds like you've got bigger problems to me. I would be looking into whether you have a bad cam personally. Either find a mechanic who is familiar with Hemi cam and lifter failures or take it to the dealer. Good luck!

 

[WhiTri24]

+1, my truck ran fine with mods and no tune.

 

[Pull Ya]

Find out who tuned it and what type of tuner it has installed. It may be as simple as the tuner making adjustments in the tune. It sounds like you have a lot of hands in the cookie jar---maybe you should just stick with one--at least for now--"the tuner"
Jay