Tune or Not?

[John Jensen]

Apparently your local dealer isn't the large rooster vacuumer that mine is. I go to him for scheduled service and recalls. Otherwise, I buy the Rams out of state (mostly). My dealer wouldn't align the truck after I put the Thuren leveling springs on it because, "It's not gonna be right", yet they sell lifted Jeeps that are done locally by some hack. Took it down to the Chevy dealer who aligned it and it's perfect. Chevy guy told me, 'You're always welcome here".

I like the Chevy guy.
My dealer is great. My service manager supports tuning. When early tuning required the PCM sent in to be tuned I had a spare "stock" PCM and he would have his tech remove my tuned PCM replace it with the stock one, do their flashing, and return my tuned PCM into service. When I leveled the front end he gladly re-aligned it. He's the best Service Manager I've ever encountered in my 71 yers of owning vehicles

 

[brian42]

...My main concern is the longevity and maintenance of the motor...

No matter how much more "efficient" the tuning may be or any claims to not alter reliability there's a reason that RAM won't cover any engine/drivetrain repairs from aftermarket tuning.

The truck's components are engineered for their predetermined expected lifetime based on the conservative programming that it was engineered with.

No matter how good the tune is it will offer more power (more stress on components) and a different delivery curve (different stress on components) so will accelerate wear.

Your decision will be based on what you prioritize more: longevity or elevated fun factor.

I've been down both roads:

- My F-250 diesel was heavily modified, tons of fun, expensive to maintain/repair, and I spent most weekends in the garage working on it (tweaks, repairs, more modification). That was an 11 year journey.

- My RAM 1500 was mechanically stock, lots of fun, comparatively inexpensive to maintain/repair, and I spent most weekends out with the family having fun in it. That was a 4 year journey.

Now that I'm out of trucks and into a car I've had the itch to get back into the modification mode again but, after reflecting on those past 15 years (and I'm not young any more), I decided that I enjoy driving the car more than fixing it.

Just my .02

 

[Scottly]

My dealer is great. My service manager supports tuning.

Mine blows. Here is my service manager, in a conversation about why he wouldn't align my truck....He likes to hear himself talk, so I just shut up and listened...He said, "....See that bachelor degree hanging on my wall? That means I know just enough to be dangerous and I'm telling you that those level springs are a problem, but if you wanna do something that stupid, go ahead. I won't align it". I didn't reply with my degree credentials or experience...I just smiled, walked up to the front sales area, and said to the sales manager, "You asked me why i bought the last two trucks somewhere else, well...Maybe you should ask that arrogant POS service manager you have the same question". Funny thing is, the Chevy dealer and Ram dealer are both owned by the same group. When I mentioned my bad experience while at Chevy, they just said, "You're always welcome here and we'll never treat you like that. We can't speak for that guy. Unfortunately, we can't handle your recalls or warranty work here, but please keep us in mind for any of your other needs".

 

[John Jensen]

Mine blows. Here is my service manager, in a conversation about why he wouldn't align my truck....He likes to hear himself talk, so I just shut up and listened...He said, "....See that bachelor degree hanging on my wall? That means I know just enough to be dangerous and I'm telling you that those level springs are a problem, but if you wanna do something that stupid, go ahead. I won't align it". I didn't reply with my degree credentials or experience...I just smiled, walked up to the front sales area, and said to the sales manager, "You asked me why i bought the last two trucks somewhere else, well...Maybe you should ask that arrogant POS service manager you have the same question". Funny thing is, the Chevy dealer and Ram dealer are both owned by the same group. When I mentioned my bad experience while at Chevy, they just said, "You're always welcome here and we'll never treat you like that. We can't speak for that guy. Unfortunately, we can't handle your recalls or warranty work here, but please keep us in mind for any of your other needs".

Yes, it's amazing what one person can do to a dealership's reputation

 

[JW2 Innovations]

No matter how much more "efficient" the tuning may be or any claims to not alter reliability there's a reason that RAM won't cover any engine/drivetrain repairs from aftermarket tuning.

The truck's components are engineered for their predetermined expected lifetime based on the conservative programming that it was engineered with.

No matter how good the tune is it will off more power (more stress on components) and a different delivery curve (different stress on components) so will accelerate wear.

Your decision will be based on what you prioritize more: longevity or elevated fun factor.

I've been down both roads:

- My F-250 diesel was heavily modified, tons of fun, expensive to maintain/repair, and I spent most weekends in the garage working on it (tweaks, repairs, more modification). That was an 11 year journey.

- My RAM 1500 was mechanically stock, lots of fun, comparatively inexpensive to maintain/repair, and I spent most weekends out with the family having fun in it. That was a 4 year journey.

Now that I'm out of trucks and into a car I've had the itch to get back into the modification mode again but, after reflecting on those past 15 years (and I'm not young any more), I decided that I enjoy driving the car more than fixing it.

Just my .02

Hey MC, Respectfully I agree with you that putting more stress on things when "heavily modifying" any vehicle can and does cause issues/damage.

But I think there's another item missing here.

Adding DEF and all the other "stuff" to diesel engines wasn't in the original plan of this engine frame either. But was thrust upon the vehicle industry as a whole (not stating belief in either side of that argument here - just a fact as no automobile manufacturer would have added this equipment on their own). And it has taken numerous updates and part improvements to even get where we are today. In each manufacturer type.

Having myself been trained and worked on big diesel engines in the Navy there are certainly countless diesels that have ran for numerous years, some not needing any major work when maintenance is done correctly and on time. Which the Navy I was in that maintenance was tracked, assigned, performed properly, and not missed. And not one of those frames had any of this exhaust "stuff" on them that we've seen in recent years being added. I've even seen old WWII submarine diesel engines that still run today, though not in service obviously.

So I do believe there are many who are looking for longevity in their expensive to buy trucks by removing these factory add on which does require some alterations in order for it to run correctly and without lights coming on, on the dash. Not to be "heavily modified" but rather to get back to tried and true that can make the distance.

And lastly, I also agree with you that going the "heavily modified" route can be a lot of fun - but certainly does cost more in both dollars and time.

 

[turbogreg]

IMHO GDE is the way to go I absolutely love it their customer support is really the best. I installed it and wish I had done it sooner.
Read the GDE reviews.