Alpha OBD - Pros\Cons\Advantages

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frogwash

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I have a 2017 RAM with a 5.7, totally stock with approx. 70k miles. I have a travel trailer, 5795#'s dry weight. On the flat or typical terrain, it seems to be just fine. It's only when get to a pass that it seems to struggle just a bit. I had trouble about 1 1/2 years ago with it heating up. Replaced the fan and fan clutch. Much better but still seems to heat up a bit because I think it working a little too hard. Do you think a good idea would be to grab an AlphaOBD to get more power out of the engine. Someone told me it's possible to "wake" this engine up to gain more power with an Alpha. Is that true and is it a good idea? I don't want to put more strain on the engine or it components. If it is a good idea... What would I need to purchaseand what does it take to Re-program with one of these units? Thanks much...
 

Bigskyroadglide

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Couple of points. AlphaOBD will not do what you are trying to accomplish.

Alpha is great to do different things with your truck and can adjust many parameters however your talking about modifications to the Engine Control Unit which modify how it performs. Alpha is. Not the software for this.

You need a tuner. Like HP tuners or a Diablo. In addition you need an unlocked powertrain control module after 2015. So if you got a grand or so laying around you can accomplish what you want for basic changes.

If you want a professional tune then hopefully you got a couple of grand laying around.

My suggestion is understand your truck before you begin to modify what is costly.

To free up HP and torque you could go to a V6 fan eliminating the clutch fan. You could go to a lower temp thermostat you might look into wheels and tires. Wider and bigger impacts output in a not good way. You could look into changing the thermostat in the transmission which lowers operating temp on the transmission.

You could look into a 6.4 intake although that will lead to tuners

All this can mostly be done without modifications to the Engine Control Unit.

Otherwise look into HP tuners or Diablo.

I personally would do a tuner last. Not first.
 

04fxdwgi

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What Bigsky said.

The AlfaOBD will basically change what the dealer can change to add options and functions that truck has already built in, plus do CEL checks and perform a range of tests (not changes) on the varied modules, such as TIPM, PCM and TCB.

What it won't do is change the operating parameters of the engine (PCM) and transmission (TCM). That is where the tuner comes in and where the pro comes in that knows what to change and what NOT to change.

Be careful of the snake-oil salesmen that claim a $13 OBD plug-in from Amazon will make it run like a SkatPac engine.
 
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frogwash

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Sounds like changing the fan and thermostat is the least costly and the best place to start. I don't want to soak k's of dollars into this. It's actually not really bad. About a year ago I replaced the non-functioning fan and fan clutch for a new one. Easy swap. Local shop wanted about 350 to do both. I did it for a bit over $100 and took me about 1/2 hour. I will check into a fan for the V6. Appreciate the feedback!!

Frank

p.s. Thx BossHogg for correcting me... I hope the answers I got don't change due to me incorrectly spelling that. ha ha
 

caulk04

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Yeah, alfaobd is a scan tool of sorts, not a tuner.

If you're concerned about heat, I wouldn't be swapping the belt driven fan for an electric one. There isn't an electric fan you can put on there that will pull more air than a properly working belt driven clutch fan.

Define 'running warm' for us please.
 

Wild one

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Sounds like changing the fan and thermostat is the least costly and the best place to start. I don't want to soak k's of dollars into this. It's actually not really bad. About a year ago I replaced the non-functioning fan and fan clutch for a new one. Easy swap. Local shop wanted about 350 to do both. I did it for a bit over $100 and took me about 1/2 hour. I will check into a fan for the V6. Appreciate the feedback!!

Frank

p.s. Thx BossHogg for correcting me... I hope the answers I got don't change due to me incorrectly spelling that. ha ha
If you replaced both the fan blade and clutch assembly for a $100,you bought a cheap aftermarket clutch assembly,that's where i'd start,buy a legit OEM clutch assembly.If you're fighting over heating problems,the V6 electric fan isn't going to cure your issues,stick with Caulk's advice above
 

White six four

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The closest thing I'm aware of that alfaobd can do to kinda, sorta, maybe improve driving. Even then I wouldn't get it just for that. It is a great "tool" to have though.
 

thewanderer

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Your decision, but if you make the engine make more power, it will also increase the heat produced. To me that would be a bad idea, until you know why and stop the overheating conditions.
 

Lubeman

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What octane fuel are you running when you tow? I run 87 most of the time, but if I was towing for any distance, I'd use 89 like Ram recommends. Lower octane fuel requires the timing to be ******** to avoid pinging and reduces power.
 

PaleFlyer

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Hemi 5.7
Couple of points. AlphaOBD will not do what you are trying to accomplish.

Alpha is great to do different things with your truck and can adjust many parameters however your talking about modifications to the Engine Control Unit which modify how it performs. Alpha is. Not the software for this.

You need a tuner. Like HP tuners or a Diablo. In addition you need an unlocked powertrain control module after 2015. So if you got a grand or so laying around you can accomplish what you want for basic changes.

If you want a professional tune then hopefully you got a couple of grand laying around.

My suggestion is understand your truck before you begin to modify what is costly.

To free up HP and torque you could go to a V6 fan eliminating the clutch fan. You could go to a lower temp thermostat you might look into wheels and tires. Wider and bigger impacts output in a not good way. You could look into changing the thermostat in the transmission which lowers operating temp on the transmission.

You could look into a 6.4 intake although that will lead to tuners

All this can mostly be done without modifications to the Engine Control Unit.

Otherwise look into HP tuners or Diablo.

I personally would do a tuner last. Not first.
If you want to do the V6 fan swap, you either have to hack a thermally controlled relay direct off the 12V rail, OR pop the PCM and unlock it to really do the V6 right, otherwise the fan only kicks on with AC, or once the coolant hits something stupid like 236F. And my RAM in NC seems to never have the coolant exceed 212 (although my HVAC is in auto 100% of the time.)
 

PaleFlyer

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2018
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Hemi 5.7
Yeah, alfaobd is a scan tool of sorts, not a tuner.

If you're concerned about heat, I wouldn't be swapping the belt driven fan for an electric one. There isn't an electric fan you can put on there that will pull more air than a properly working belt driven clutch fan.

Define 'running warm' for us please.
You are aware we have BOTH in a Hemi right? But I have seen enough guys do the clutch fan delete with a V6 fan swap to be convinced it's actually enough, with a PCM tune. I just can't afford both the time for my RAM to be "dead", AND the PCM unlock on my '18 currently.
 

caulk04

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You are aware we have BOTH in a Hemi right? But I have seen enough guys do the clutch fan delete with a V6 fan swap to be convinced it's actually enough, with a PCM tune. I just can't afford both the time for my RAM to be "dead", AND the PCM unlock on my '18 currently.
Yeah, I know the Hemi has an efan as well but it's just to help the AC system. The V6 fan is much more powerful but still not up to the task of keeping a Hemi cool while towing. Lots of guys will have great success with the V6 fan for normal driving and limited fun, but not towing.
 

PaleFlyer

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That kind of thing is why I haven't toss the clutch fan yet. (Or done the V6 fan, but that's also because I haven't hacked the PCM yet.)
 

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