R-pod Owners Forum : Tuners/Performance Chips http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : General non-pod discussion : Tuners/Performance Chips Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:48:51 +0000 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 04:56:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12167 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Tuners/Performance Chips : Great reply. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=119210#119210 Author: juliemack169
Subject: 12167
Posted: 04 Jan 2019 at 4:56am

Great reply.]]> Fri, 04 Jan 2019 04:56:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=119210#119210 Tuners/Performance Chips : I've tried several tuners.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=118855#118855 Author: techntrek
Subject: 12167
Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 5:16pm

I've tried several tuners.  Improved mpgs a bit for daily driving but not for towing.  When the throttle is wide open, it is wide open.  I do still use a tune on my Chevy, partly for better daily mpg, partly because I like the differences it offers when I need to step on it, including when towing.]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:16:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=118855#118855 Tuners/Performance Chips : Originally posted by Keith-N-DarI... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114819#114819 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12167
Posted: 10 Sep 2018 at 1:55pm

Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar

I asked a family member the same question a couple years ago.  He is heavy into tuning diesel trucks, and he said that between a chip and a chrome exhaust tip on a gas engine the exhaust tip would give the most improvement.  Since my truck came with one I decided I was done.
I agree that there is not much that could be done with an oil burner. But a gasser can get more benefit from a tune than most other "traditional" sorts of performance mods. Things that don't add as much as you might expect: dual exhaust/crossovers, CAI, "better" air filters. Stock intake/exhaust systems are fairly sophisticated on newer vehicles (say ~~ 2013 and newer). Also, understand that a tuner won't just change the intake/exhaust/iginition timing, but will also affect the transmission shifting.

All that said, a 3/4 ton truck of that vintage, you're probably wise to leave it alone.
]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2018 13:55:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114819#114819 Tuners/Performance Chips : Originally posted by Keith-N-DarI... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114813#114813 Author: Guests
Subject: 12167
Posted: 10 Sep 2018 at 11:48am

Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar

I asked a family member the same question a couple years ago.  He is heavy into tuning diesel trucks, and he said that between a chip and a chrome exhaust tip on a gas engine the exhaust tip would give the most improvement.  Since my truck came with one I decided I was done.




+1     I always have chrome exhaust tips for the extra horsepower! Dual exhaust/tips doubles the effective gain.

On a more serious note, IMHO, if the truck were newer, I'd swap the "pumpkin" (rear gear), if I did anything. However, running what you have may be the best - it would take a long time in gas savings to recoup any significant upgrades. Your mileage doesn't seem too far out of line. You have a serious truck and they just use a certain amount of fuel.

]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2018 11:48:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114813#114813 Tuners/Performance Chips : thanks! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114774#114774 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 6:25pm

thanks!]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 18:25:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114774#114774 Tuners/Performance Chips : I asked a family member the same... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114772#114772 Author: Keith-N-Dar
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 5:55pm

I asked a family member the same question a couple years ago.  He is heavy into tuning diesel trucks, and he said that between a chip and a chrome exhaust tip on a gas engine the exhaust tip would give the most improvement.  Since my truck came with one I decided I was done.]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:55:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114772#114772 Tuners/Performance Chips : Sorry, 2010 model. Last year for... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114770#114770 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 5:01pm

Sorry, 2010 model. Last year for true Dodges.]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:01:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114770#114770 Tuners/Performance Chips : You did not mention the vintage... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114769#114769 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 4:45pm

You did not mention the vintage of your Dodge. If it's a relatively latemodel (say < 5 years old), you might be able to squeeze something out of a tuner. Try out 5-star, and tell them what you want. However, if they re-profile for economy, expect some level of performance hit.
]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 16:45:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114769#114769 Tuners/Performance Chips : MPG towing is about what I expect,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114762#114762 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 12:31pm

MPG towing is about what I expect, it's what the truck is built for after all. It's also my daily driver though, which is why I'm wondering about improving economy. That 35gal tank hurts to fill up so often.]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:31:48 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114762#114762 Tuners/Performance Chips : We are rolling a 3/4 ton, 4x4,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114760#114760 Author: furpod
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 12:19pm

We are rolling a 3/4 ton, 4x4, 6.2 V8.. we see about 11 towing (6,000lb), 12-13 around town, and as high as 18 on the interstate, empty, 70mph cruise. We have 3.73 gears.


]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:19:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114760#114760 Tuners/Performance Chips : I don&#039;t know first hand what... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114759#114759 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 12:10pm

I don't know first hand what you might achieve by chipping your truck but I'm skeptical of claims that performance chips improve fuel economy much. The manufacturers spend tons of time and money tuning for best economy to start with so they get the best numbers possible in the EPA tests to meet the Federal CAFE standards. I highly doubt that some little aftermarket company could do something the manufacturers weren't able to do. If you were looking for more performance that might be a different story. 

If you really want to go the chip route I'm sure there are lots of forums for the 5.7 Hemi. I looked at the Toyota Highlander ones one time and was quickly convinced the chips were a gimmick.  By increasing ignition timing they can possibly reduce fuel consumption but at the expense of running high octane fuel so its probably a losing trade off. 

if you bought your truck for towing a larger trailer you might have pretty short gearing at cruise speeds so you might consider changing to a taller final drive ratio which would reduce engine rpm and pumping losses as long as the tranny didn't decide to drop down a gear to compensate. 

I still only get 13.5-15 mpg towing my pod at 60-65 with my Highlander on 87 octane. Our fuel economy is ultimately limited at freeway speeds by the pod drag coefficient no matter what your TV is. So the easiest way to boost efficiency (after going to the max allowable tire pressure to reduce rolling resistance) is to slow down as much as is safe and you can stand.  The hp required to overcome drag at 65 mph is 27% higher than at 60. That results in about 1.3 mpg reduction in fuel economy if 2/3 of your total load is drag and 1/3 is rolling resistance, which is about right. 

 You can also try one of the aftermarket aerodynamic spoilers and see if that helps. Some folks on this forum seem to have had an improvement doing that. 


]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:10:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114759#114759 Tuners/Performance Chips : I understand a 3/4 ton 4wd Dodge... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114758#114758 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:56am

I understand a 3/4 ton 4wd Dodge is not going to get great mpg, just wondering if it could be improved noticeably with a tuner.]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:56:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114758#114758 Tuners/Performance Chips : Average 10.2 empty. I&#039;ll... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114757#114757 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:55am

Average 10.2 empty. I'll see 14 sometimes on the highway, also empty. ]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:55:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114757#114757 Tuners/Performance Chips : You are getting 10.2 empty, or... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114753#114753 Author: furpod
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:41am

You are getting 10.2 empty, or when towing? Because, towing, with a gas engine, that's about right +/- a bit, most people see 10-11.5 REGARDLESS of what they see not towing.]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:41:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114753#114753 Tuners/Performance Chips : Any actual experience with these?... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114751#114751 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12167
Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:09am

Any actual experience with these? I drive a 3/4 ton Dodge 4wd with the 5.7l hemi (which I bought to pull a much larger camper I no longer have) and I'm trying to figure out some way to improve the 10.2mpg I'm averaging. Stock height, stock street tires, k&n air filter, and drive it like a grown-up. I don't want to trade it in, I like the truck, just would like to get closer to 15mpg if possible.
]]> Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:09:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12167&PID=114751#114751