Is there a way to tell if my truck has an A/M tune?   I'm pretty sure it's still stock, but not 100% sure.  

I'm getting to the point where I want to do a few mods to get a little more power out of the truck and I figured I would start with a tuner.  However, I'm not sure if it already has one on it.  I assume that to add a tuner I need to be at stock.  Correct?

 

I called the local dealer to see about having the ECM reflashed to make sure it's a factory tune and he said they can do it, but warned me that there is a chance it might burn up the ECM...  Definitely don't want to do that.   TIA

The butt dyno is good for that. But I spent 5 years in my truck stock before adding a tuner. The difference was night and day. No time in a stock truck would not allow you to see that difference. But as far as I know the tuners that change the ecm programming require them to be returned to stock before the tuner can be used on another truck. Though not impossible, most likely not. Not sure how you would tell however.

leaving a light if you go WOT does it smoke?

35 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

leaving a light if you go WOT does it smoke?

when I get on it, it throws a p0234 (overboost code).  Some smoke, not alot.

 

Performance wise though, it does not feel like it's got a tuner.

Edited October 10, 20178 yr by CudaDude

I would sort your code issue, then do a boost leak test.  

 

i doubt you have a tuner if you have a p0234 code.  %95 of the tuners out there would boost fool.

19 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

I would sort your code issue, then do a boost leak test.  

 

i doubt you have a tuner if you have a p0234 code.  %95 of the tuners out there would boost fool.

Yea...  I've got a boost sensor in the glove box, just haven't gotten around to replacing it yet.  (figured I'd start there)

 

If I try to add a tuner and find out that I am not currently running a factory tune what would happen?  Would it just not accept the new (a/m) tuner?

If you get a tuner that writes to the ecm then you will just overwrite whats in the ecm

 

If you edge an edge then you will get a stacked effect

 

If you get a quad adr then you will just alter whats coming out of the ecm.  not preferred, but it would work fine.

When i did my original tuner it was a Banks package. One part of it was a different waste gate actuator. It opens at near 33 psi of boost. When the tuner crapped out and i removed I had to drive at 20 or so psi or ot would trip the same code. That is because the tuner did boost fooling. No tuner no boost fooling.

Thanks for the info.

 

Any recommendations on tuners? Would like something that's pretty much plug and play,  I don't really have the time to create custom tunes and do much experimenting and I'm not looking to add a crazy amount of power.  

Any canbus tuner.  They all do the same thing

Sounds like the waste gate is rusty and not opening.

48 minutes ago, jlbayes said:

Sounds like the waste gate is rusty and not opening.

Thanks...  Is there a procedure to test the waste gate?

Pressurize the turbo will air pressure and see if the arm moves at about 20 PSI. You can raise the pressure up to 30-35 PSI if still no movement then its rusted shut.

Grab it with a pair of vice grips and attempt to rotate it.

2 minutes ago, jlbayes said:

Grab it with a pair of vice grips and attempt to rotate it.

 

Easier when the pressure motor is unhooked. Even better yet it better to have the turbo removed before you do this.  Much easier to work on them.

Edited October 10, 20178 yr by Mopar1973Man

Leverage with the vice grips should over come whatever the spring pressure is in the actuator head. I suspect it is just rusted shut or partially open.

If an hx35, Disconnect the tube from the wastegate at the compressor and blow compressed air to it and see if the rod moves.

I guess while I'm there checking the waste gate I might as well check the boots too.  Seems like I remember seeing a write up for a homemade tester with a pvc cap tapped with a air chuck fitting.  Does anyone have a link to it?  Thanks

https://www.google.com/search?q=homemade+boost+leak+tester&oq=homemade+boost+leak+tester&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5599j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

30 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

https://www.google.com/search?q=homemade+boost+leak+tester&oq=homemade+boost+leak+tester&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5599j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

thanks for that.  Guess I shoulda just googled it.

lots of good ideas on google.  but really just look at a picture of one and head to Ace or home Depot and build one with what they have.